The preaching of the gospel within the church holds a central focus, especially as the Laodicean era progresses. The work of preaching the gospel comes in two forms: a shallower version directed to the world, and a fuller, more intense proclamation reserved for the church. Towards the end of the Laodicean era, the emphasis shifts inward, concentrating on preparing the church rather than reaching out to the world. The church needs to hear the gospel in its full glory to be ready for what lies ahead. The efforts to preach to the world during this era are seen as weak and unlikely to yield significant results. The witness made to the world is shallow and lacks the power to bring about meaningful change. Instead, the primary intensity of the work during the Laodicean era is directed towards nurturing and strengthening the church itself, ensuring its members are prepared for the Kingdom of God. The seventh thunder, though faint, continues to rumble within the congregations, signifying that this internal focus of preaching persists, however weakly.

The gospel is not solely for the unconverted but must also be preached within the church to foster continued growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul, writing to the already converted congregation in Rome, expressed his eagerness to preach the gospel to them, recognizing their renowned faith and desiring to impart spiritual gifts for their establishment and mutual encouragement. He sought to reveal more of the gospel's glories to them, ensuring their ongoing development. Similarly, in Thessalonica, Paul preached to the believers from their initial exposure through conversion and beyond, guiding them to become imitators of other churches of God. Jesus Christ Himself spent most of His time preaching and teaching His disciples, the heirs of salvation who comprised His church at that time, providing them with specific instruction and correction. Today, the church's primary focus should be on perfecting itself through a closer relationship with God, refining character, and applying the moral, spiritual, and ethical aspects of the gospel of the Kingdom of God in preparation for the end times and marriage with the Bridegroom. While preaching to the unconverted is not wrong, the church's greatest efforts must now be directed toward internal growth and readiness for Christ's imminent return.

The purpose of this sermon includes addressing what has happened in the greater church of God and defining the church's work today as a result. While the preaching of the gospel to the world is a responsibility God gives to the church, it is not currently the highest priority. Instead, the focus is on bringing a person to holiness through the preaching of the gospel within the church, which is the feeding of the flock. This internal work is far more difficult, time-consuming, and essential in a person's journey to the Kingdom of God compared to the initial, easier task of preaching to the world. The church, likened to a human body with many parts, does not always have the same function across time or among its members. Just as God directed the Israelites in the wilderness with the cloud and pillar of fire, determining when and where His work would go, He sovereignly leads the church today. God has blown the church apart for His purposes, requiring an adjustment in direction and focus based on the patterns laid down in His Word. The conditions forced upon us by our environment and what God wants us to accomplish determine the path we must take. The church's current condition is not good, having deteriorated morally and spiritually over many years, as warned by Mr. Armstrong as early as 1978. Despite preaching the gospel to the world during this decline, it did not address the internal problems that led to the church imploding and exploding. The shepherd's first responsibility is to regather the scattered sheep and fix what caused the scattering, whether it be internal issues or broken foundations. A shift in focus and intensity is necessary to straighten out the church before it can again be used to preach the gospel to the world. God is displeased with the church's state and desires to prepare us to offer an acceptable sacrifice with the right attitude. The loss of first love and becoming lethargic, as seen in the messages to Ephesus and Laodicea, alongside changes to the gospel itself, have undermined the faith that is the foundation of our spiritual structure. God, being sovereign over His creation and church, permitted this scattering to test and purify us, ensuring that those who are truly His will remain faithful. He provides a way of escape, but we must exercise our faith and turn to Him for strength to respond appropriately to this trial.

In light of the recent turmoil within the church, it is evident that our foundations have been shaken, leading to confusion and distrust among many. Over the past years, the church has faced criticism and attacks, causing some to question the validity of what we were taught. Amidst this scattering and division, we must reconsider our assumptions about the church's primary work. It is my strong conviction that preaching the gospel to the public is not the most pressing need at this time. While we are not ignoring this aspect and are preparing materials for future outreach, our current focus must shift. God's work is far broader than just preaching the gospel to the world; His primary employment is creation, shaping us into His image. This process of spiritual formation is time-consuming and requires immense patience on His part, far surpassing the initial act of preaching. The church's role, therefore, must prioritize the feeding of the flock over public proclamation during this period of internal struggle. The preaching of the gospel is not solely for the unconverted; it is even more vital for those already converted, to strengthen and establish them in faith. The ministry, as a gift from Jesus Christ, is tasked with providing the full counsel of God to the converted, enabling them to grow into maturity. This feeding of the flock, through detailed and intense teaching of the gospel, is essential for developing saving faith and holiness. Just as a child is not ready for birth at conception, we are not ready for the Kingdom at justification; there is a long journey of growth ahead, guided by the continued preaching of the gospel within the church. Moreover, the church's operations are not static; they change according to circumstances and God's direction. Just as different members have varied functions within the body, the church as a whole adapts its focus based on the needs of the time. In times of persecution or internal scattering, the work shifts from public preaching to gathering and strengthening the sheep. God sovereignly directs His church, determining when and how we move or camp, always working to create His image in us through the circumstances we face. We must trust that He is in control, testing our resolution and faith, guiding us to restore the faith once delivered as we navigate this challenging period.