A.      Blind spots in the church can be caused by a variety of reasons.

                                                             1.      Sometimes we just have not realized the truth of a matter.

                                                             2.      Sometimes we are blinded by familiarity, routine, and comfort.  We may get accustomed to the way we have done things, so we cannot see that we should do something differently.

                                                             3.      Many times blind spots are caused by good intentions.

a.       Sometimes we can’t see the original meaning of a passage of Scripture because we have used it so often to refute false doctrine (for example, Eph. 4:4-6).

b.       Sometimes in an effort to facilitate a good work we overlook some unscriptural methods.

B.      In this lesson, let us expose a few blind spots in the church by shedding the light of the gospel on them.

II.      A FEW BLIND SPOTS IN THE CHURCH

A.      We are sometimes blind regarding how much burden our elders bear on our behalf.

                                                             1.      God has placed these men as shepherds among us, which gives them a tremendous responsibility.

a.       When learning about elders, we often concentrate only on the qualifications from 1Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.  However, we must realize these are only prerequisites for the vitally important and burdensome job that these men do.

b.       From 1Peter 5:1-5, we learn that elders are shepherds over the flock who exercise oversight and lead by example.  They voluntarily accept accountability for the local church, and they will report to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, for their charge.

c.        As shepherds, our elders have to battle the wolves that would otherwise do harm to us.  Consider the example of the Ephesian elders, whom Paul warned in Acts 20:28-30:

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

d.       Our shepherds take ownership and become divinely appointed guards over our souls.  To give us further insight, consider what Jesus said about shepherds when He was describing His own work as the Good Shepherd in John 10:12-13:

"He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.”

Our shepherds are greatly concerned about us.  They do not leave us in times of trouble, but rather they come quickly to our defense.

                                                             2.      Therefore, let us realize their burden and fulfill our obligation to them.

a.       We have an obligation to give our elders "double honor” in the form of respect and even monetary support if they are devoted to preaching.  "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1Tim. 5:17).

b.       As our elders lead us by example, it is our responsibility to appreciate their work and follow their examples.  "Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7).

c.        Most importantly, it is our responsibility to submit to the elders’ rule and make their burden as easy as possible.

i.         All of us should aim to make our elders’ work easy and joyful.  Notice Hebrews 13:17 – "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”

ii.        Young people especially need to have a proper and respectful attitude toward the elders.  Notice 1Peter 5:5 – "You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

B.      We are often blind to the fact that women are not to speak in the assemblies of the church.

                                                             1.      1Corinthians 14:34-35 states plainly:

The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.  If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

                                                             2.      The reason behind this rule is a testimony to God’s order of creation and the consequences of sin according to 1Timothy 2:11-14:

A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.  But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.  For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve.  And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

                                                             3.      If anyone objects to this, then notice that Paul said we should "recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment” (1Cor. 14:37).

                                                             4.      For some reason, we don’t see that "Bible class” is an assembly of the church.  Although the same people assemble in the same location for the same purpose of edification, we have falsely exempted these times from the rule of 1Corinthians 14:34-35.

                                                             5.      If anyone is conflicted concerning the rule of 1Corinthians 14:34-35 and the practice of women singing in the congregation, then notice that under "the Law” women sang with and around men apparently without violating God’s ordained order (Ex. 15:1, 20-21; 1Sam. 18:6-7; 1Chron. 25:1, 5; 2Chron. 35:25; Ezra 2:64-65; Ps. 68:25; 100:1; Eccl. 2:8; 12:4).  Following Paul’s appeal to the Law on this issue, we can justly say that congregational singing is in a different category from individual speaking.  The rule of silence does not apply to women singing in the congregation.

C.      We are sometimes blind to the fact that children are to be an integral part of all assemblies of the church.

                                                             1.      Children have always been a part of the worship that God’s people have collectively offered.

a.       In ancient Israel, when the people assembled for the giving of the covenant, the reading of the Law, or the worship of God, their children were present.

b.       Notice these passages from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 29:10-15; 31:10-13; Joshua 8:33-35; 2Chronicles 20:4, 13; Ezra 10:1; Joel 2:15-17.  These Scriptures demonstrate the constant presence of children of all ages in these assemblies.  There were "nursing infants” (Joel 2:16).  There were also "little ones” (Josh. 8:35; 2Chron. 20:13), a term which is translated from the Hebrew word taph, which was derived from the tripping, short steps of small children (we would call them "toddlers”).  No one was excluded from these assemblies regardless of age.

c.        It is evident that Paul expected children to be present and attentive for the reading of his letters in the assemblies, for he wrote directly to them (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20; 4:16).

                                                             2.      In blindness, we fail to notice that the early church did not segregate their assemblies by ages.  "Sunday school” was an innovation from the ideas of men.

a.       "Sunday school” was the invention of Englishman Robert Raikes in 1783.  The purpose was to teach reading, writing, etc., to poor children.

b.       This invention was adapted into the churches and has been developed according to the model of public schools designed by atheists and evolutionists like John Dewey, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, G. Stanley Hall, and Ernst Haekel.

c.        There is no commandment or example for this age-segregated model in the Scriptures.

d.       This system can become a crutch for parents and especially fathers who shirk their responsibility for teaching God’s word to their children (Deut. 6:4-9; Eph. 6:4).  If they perceive that their responsibility is fulfilled by taking their children to Bible class, then they won’t teach their children at home, and the Bible class actually does more harm than good.  Studies have proved this to be true.

e.        Children need the companionship and examples of adults rather than other children, for Proverbs 13:20 says, "He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm,” and Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him.”

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      The light of Scripture does not always show us what we want to see, but it shows us what we need to see.

B.      Once our eyes are opened, let us not become blind again to God’s perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:22-25).

IV.    OTHER BLIND SPOTS

A.      We are sometimes blind to the fact that the primary purpose of the assemblies of the church is the edification of the members in the truth of the word of God.

                                                             1.      Hebrews 10:23-25 says the purpose of our assemblies is "to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.”  This recognizes certain aspects of edification.

                                                             2.      1Corinthians 14 gives the most detailed passage concerning the assemblies of the church in the Bible, and the message focuses on the purpose of edification.

a.       The problem with the Corinthians’ assemblies was the misuse of spiritual gifts, which we do not have today.  However, the principles governing the assembly still apply now.

b.       Versee 12 says, "Seek to abound for the edification of the church,” and verse 26 says, "Let all things be done for edification.”

i.         Prophecy was done for edification, exhortation, and consolation (v. 3).

ii.        Tongues were useful only if there was an interpreter so that all would be edified (vv. 6-19, 27-28).

iii.      Each one had a particular gift, but all gifts were to be used to edify (v. 26).

                                                             3.      In compliance with this passage of Scripture, every word, every prayer, and every song in the assembly should be for the edification of the church in the truth of God’s word.

a.       Anything that cannot be justified in edification must be removed from the assembly.

b.       All unscriptural messages and songs that cannot edify in truth must be eliminated.

                                                             4.      Edification is building up, but sometimes tearing down has to come first just as Jeremiah was commanded by God "to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant” (Jer. 1:10).

                                                             5.      Notice that edification is a part of our worship of God.

a.       Biblical worship has two meanings: attitudes and actions of reverence (Gr. proskyneō and eusebeō) and service (Gr. latreia).

b.       Reverent edification of God’s church in God’s word fulfills both of meanings of worship.

B.      We are sometimes blind to the fact that the work of the church gets done by individual Christians.

                                                             1.      The church is the "the pillar and support of the truth” (1Tim. 3:15).  As such, it is authorized by the Scriptures to carry out certain works.

a.       Evangelism is the work of spreading the gospel to unbelievers (Matt. 28:18-20).

b.       Edification is the work of building up of the church in faith, knowledge, truth, and love (Eph. 4:11-16).  The church is edified as each member is built up in God’s word.

c.        While evangelism and edification are spiritual works that minister in truth, benevolence is a temporal, material, and physical work (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 6:1-6; 2Cor. 8:1-9:15; 1Tim. 5:3-16).  Benevolence is a limited function of the church for its own members that is purely secondary to its ministry of God’s word.

                                                             2.      Although these works are assigned to the church, very little of this work can be done by the church as an assembly.  Consider how the work of the early church was mostly done by individuals.

a.       The early church practiced evangelism by spreading the gospel through word of mouth from person to person as they went from place to place (Acts 8:4).

b.       The early church also practiced edification by the efforts of each individual Christian for the benefits of all others (1Cor. 12:7, 12-31; 14:3, 26; more on this later).

c.        The early church practiced benevolence collectively by each member giving for the needs of others as he was able (see verses above).  Specific persons (deacons) were then assigned to oversee the fulfillment of specific needs (Acts 6:1-6).

d.       Some men were supported by the early church to carry out the work of evangelism and edification (1Cor. 9:14), but those men did not do the work alone.  The members of the church were always involved.

                                                             3.      So then, the work of the church is the work of individuals.

a.       If individual Christians are not working, then the work does not get done.

b.       In the stand against institutionalism in the church, we have correctly taught that an individual Christian has greater liberties and responsibilities than the church has collectively.  However, we must understand that the responsibilities of the church are fulfilled only when individual Christians do the work of the church one by one.