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Spiritual Blindness (Part One): The God of This World
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod's sovereignty extends over both physical sight and spiritual understanding, and at times, He exercises His prerogative to blind as part of His purpose. In the case of Israel, God has blinded her due to disobedience, scattering and removing her spiritual vision until He calls those Gentiles He has determined to convert. This blinding results in an inability to discern the cause-and-effect relationship between national immorality and current curses, leaving Israel to grope aimlessly for solutions that exclude God. Yet, God intends to regather her and restore her understanding in the future, so she will recognize her Savior and learn the true nature of a relationship with Him. God's willingness to take away understanding and wisdom, as seen in His promises of madness, blindness, and confusion of heart for disobedience, underscores His authority over spiritual comprehension, even when it makes many uncomfortable to acknowledge such actions as His.
Spiritual Blindness (Part Two): The God of This Age
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod exercises sovereignty over both physical and metaphorical sight, declaring that He blinds as a form of judgment for disobedience or as part of His purpose. He hides and reveals truth according to His will, guiding His creation toward everlasting light, and closes the spiritual eyes of those He will work with in later ages. In the case of Israel, God Himself blinded and hardened their hearts due to their persistent disobedience, as He promised in Deuteronomy 28:28. Through Isaiah's commission, God intensified Israel's self-inflicted blindness, ensuring that when Jesus came, the nation remained spiritually blind, except for the few to whom He granted sight. Jesus acknowledged this in His prayer, thanking the Father for hiding these truths from the wise and revealing them to babes. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples' eyes were restrained until Jesus opened their understanding of the Scriptures. Paul reinforces this in Romans, noting that God has veiled the gospel to those who are perishing, blinding their minds so that the light of Christ's glory does not shine on them. God holds them accountable for less, consigning them to disobedience so that He may show mercy, planning to open their eyes at the appointed time.
The Eyes of the Blind Shall Be Opened
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe parable of the blind man parallels our post-conversion process throughout many parts of our life. We are given hope and a way of overcoming our lack of clarity.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Nine): Romans 11
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPaul poses two questions in Romans 11: Has God discarded Israel for all time? Will God graft physical Israel into the Covenant people of Abraham?
Who Is the 'God of This World'? (Part Two)
Sermonette byAs Moses had to veil his luminous face, so, metaphorically, the God of this age mercifully blinds carnal individual for now because light hurts their eyes.
Who Is the 'God of This World'? (Part One)
Sermonette byTranslators use a lowercase "g" in "god of this age [or, world]" in II Corinthians 4:4, yet it is the true God who blinds; He alone opens and closes eyes.
We Are Unique!
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur responsibility is to freely choose to follow the revelation God has given us, overcoming the baggage and resistance we have absorbed from the world.
Light of the Body
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamIf we take their focus off the genuine Light of the World (John 8:12), we run the risk of being blinded by the lusts of the world and the pulls of the flesh.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible contains mysteries (God's invisible activities on our behalf)that have been hidden in plain sight, but made clear by revelation from God's Spirit.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eleven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIt is not the physical nation, but the spiritual remnant with whom God is working, circumcising their hearts and writing His laws in their minds.
Stewards of the Mysteries of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe lowly, not impeded so much with pride or ego, make better stewards than those who may seem more presumptuous and self-centered.
It IS All About Government
Sermon by Mark SchindlerEvery form of human government established on this earth has been established as an attempt to declare independence from the sovereignty of God.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though the evidence from creation is overwhelming, people deliberately want to disregard it because accepting it would require submitting to His will.
God Works In Marvelous Ways (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's highest goal is not salvation, but sanctification into godly character, leading to membership in His family as co-rulers with Jesus Christ.
Carelessness
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughCarelessness, indicative of not thinking, when reinforced or carried on into life, can be lethal or irreparable. Undervaluing our way leads to a careless lifestyle.
Patriotism, the Summer Soldier, and Our Times (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of patriotism to God's Kingdom, Jesus set the standard higher than anyone else, sacrificing His life for everyone, even before the Father called them.
Who Deserves Our Loyalties?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)When we are called, we are asked to count the cost and plan accordingly. We must totally give ourselves over to becoming fashioned into His image.
The Faithfulness of God (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God is absolutely faithful to His promises. We attain salvation is entirely by grace; God owes us absolutely nothing.
Think Soberly (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerAs we examine our spiritual gifts, we must avoid any presumption that we alone carry exclusive knowledge that other church groups are too blind to see.