The Naked Blind Church Part 1
Are You Ready for His Coming?
By, Lora Shipley, Web: www.loafofbarley.com email:loafofbarley@gmail
WARNING: Are you prepared for his return? Maybe you just think you are.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:17
To listen to study click here ( 45 min. long)
There is one true test to find out if you are ready for the coming of the Lord. Jesus said, there is only one thing that will make you perfect. Have you done all that you can to be found the “perfect” servant? Do you think something more is required of you to be perfect? Yes, Jesus does lay out certain criteria for his church. This study series of the Naked Church reveals that the majority of the church today is found naked, miserable and blind; the church has fallen short of what is required by Jesus to follow him, yes, there are requirements. This study series is designed to provoke, purge, and reexamine our lifestyles and comforts; to move us out of the wretched, blind, poor, miserable and naked state and to move us into Kingdom action, this requires obedience! Obedience moves us into action which brings us into position for a garment change. Our Heavenly father is looking for a worthy bride, a bride who has done all that she can to make herself ready, which is obedience to him. The bride is the gift from The Father to His Son, the Father looks for such a worthy Bride. We as a body have been warned, to NOT BE FOUND NAKED Rev. 3:17 on the day The Heavenly Father tells His Son to go get His Bride.
How do you know you are not one of the naked, wretched, blind within the Church? There is a test you can take to find out? The simple gospel message has been ignored, diluted and not taken literally.
Why is the Church Naked? The majority of the Church today is the Church of Laodicea: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:17
Why are they about to get spanked and exposed?And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]. Luke 12:47
How do you know you are not in the church of Laodicea?
Mathew 19:16-23 sums it up very clearly when the rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked him what might he do to have eternal life, Jesus quoted the commandments, but took it one step further and said. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
Are you laying up for yourself earthly treasures? Jesus said, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: If you are laying up for yourself earthly treasures would you consider this to be obedient to the scriptures? No! Do you wish to be obedient to his request, all of them?
Question: Have you done ALL of what Jesus has required? If you have done all things; selling all, forsaking all to follow the Lord? If the answer is yes, then the Lord calls you perfect and you do not need to read beyond this first paragraph. If you have not sold your possessions, and forsaken all to follow him then take a closer looks at what he requires of us to inherit eternal life. Please keep in mind, these are not my words, but the Lords, and his words concerning our possessions and these words of Jesus are found in Mathew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as Acts. And in the book of Acts we see the early church functioning properly in one accord (imagine that). Are you apart of the church that is “naked and blind”? Do you know for sure what your answer is?
ETERNAL LIFE: One day a man asked Jesus, how to obtain eternal life: 7 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
1. Jesus told him first to keep the commandments: 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
2. The man had kept the commandments: (that means he loved God too, and his neighbor) 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
3. Jesus loved this man, but Jesus found him lacking: 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
4. The man went away sad and grieved, because he could not bring himself to selling his possessions. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
5. DO YOU TRUST IN YOUR RICHES? It is hard for the man who trusts in his riches to enter the kingdom of God: 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
This man passed up the opportunity to eternal life because the Holy word of God told us that he was not willing to give up his great possessions to follow the Lord. This is a wake up call church. Are you willing to give up all your riches to follow the Lord? Let us be reminded again of the Church of Laodicea: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; Rev 3:17(a)
But what does the Lord say about this church? and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:17(b)
Is Jesus coming for a wretched, miserable, poor, naked and blind bride? Does he require more of this church? YES!
What does he require? EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING! Consider Jesus conversation with Peter: 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
WARNING: The Church is a state of denial, picking and choosing the scriptures that fit with their lifestyle and “comfort zone”. When was the last time you heard a pastor, teacher, brother or sister tell you or remind you of the gospel message of…. NOT LAYING UP TREASURES for ourselves, but instead sell all that you have and giving to the poor! Surly this message only applied to disciples, or the early church, right? No. Most of you will have to stop reading soon, because it will hit to close to home. Because selling our goods, homes and land, would be too much to ask, it is too radical and too extreme! People would think you absolutely crazy, off your rocker, irresponsible. I tell you, if your heart’s desire is to truly inherit the kingdom of God then keep reading and be blessed and understand clearly what is required of the Church.
The Church needs a strong wake-up call because MORE action is required of us! This study takes a clear look at what Jesus and the early church fathers said about our wealth, are goods, our homes our lands. I hope this study of the gospel message concerning the topic of our processions, homes and land will take root in your hearts and you will move into Holy Spirit led action.
Following the Messiah Yeshua is extreme! If I remember right he said, “take up your cross and follow me” What is a cross? It is death, it is painful, it is suffocating it is not fun! He requires it of us. Jesus also told us in Math 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay [his] head. So Christ clearly told us we may not have a place to put our heads, or a place we call home? (Choke, these are hard words to hear and consider)
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Mt 6:24
Recent conversations with believers: Interestingly enough I can have some awesome fellowship with believers and everything we are discussing is in agreement, until I mention the topic we are discussing now of…. “forsaking all to follow the Lord”; all of a sudden I see their attitude and countenance change, this is a subject they think that does not apply to them, they think that they are pure and exempt from this scripture, after all they read and study the scriptures daily, they consider themselves the pride…. Opps, I mean the bride. Unless your faith and belief moves into action, nothing is accomplished for The Kingdoms sake, nothing is accomplished for God’s heavenly purpose and plans for you, and nothing is accomplished for anyone else for that matter; and frankly those who are not being obedient are hindering the body of Christ, because they are NOT doing their part!
The other day I had a friend tell me, that they were not convicted of the scriptures to sell their goods, or things and give to the poor, perhaps they overlook some of these KEY scriptures concerning our “possessions”, they are in denial, they have not taken the words of Jesus literal and applied the basic, simple, plain, clear, black and white gospel message of “sell what you have and give to the poor.”
Don’t forget about the rich man who sought Jesus out, obviously believing in Jesus and his works, because he asked him how he might have eternal life. He told Jesus he kept the commandments of God. But Jesus said he still lacked. It was good enough to believe in Jesus, it was good to keep the commandments, but he was still found lacking! Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. Luke 18:18-25. Believing in Jesus, believes in His words, an becoming OBEDIENT to His words, obedience is ACTION! An illustration; if a child is not obedient to its parent by producing action it is NOT OBEDINCE, and punishment occurs, right? And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]. Luke 12:47
There is a price to pay for those who do not listen, the lord says in Luke 12:47 he will disciplines them and they will not be inheritors of HIS Kingdom. In Rev 3:17 He calls them “wretched, poor, miserable, naked and blind “ God means business! Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Is the spirit of Elijah amongst us, a voice crying in the wilderness? Yes, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make all your ways straight and right before him”. We have an obligation to the gospel to stand in this message and PROCLAIM it! Should we shrink back from such an unpopular message? Never let it be!
I believe most of us would agree that the “Church” of today falls comfortably under the description of the Church of the Laodiceans.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Does this sound like our church today, at least the church in America? Absolutely the strong majority live in a home with running water, washer and dryer and at least a two cars, and a weeks’ worth of groceries in the pantry with desert as well as snacks along with their latest iphone and ipad, watching their favorite Netflix’s on their big screen in HD. Is that true, is this the majority of America? Is this the church too? While a portion of the church and America and the world is living in poverty?
We as a bride body majority have been exulting oneself with our goods and comforts, achievements and financial security. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 14:11
How many within the church body have done what is required of us by Jesus? What do the scriptures have to say concerning our possessions? Are we the bride or not, are we going to inherit or not? Looking at the early church and reflecting upon the early church fathers and converts we should consider and hopefully act on what is required of the believer then and now, today! Because Gods word is true, it has not changed; we cannot stand before him and make an excuse concerning what is required of us.
Here is the deal church….“Bride of Christ” are you a stingy bride? Are you a self-centered, self-absorbed bride? Is the Heavenly Father looking for such a bride for His Son? May it never be! Do something about it church, because our brothers and sisters are going out on the streets, living in cars, lacking food, gas, etc… while most of the “church” has an abundance of goods overflowing in their garages, their closets, and 2nd homes. The bank accounts of most baby boomers are very comfortable, plump and cushy. There are many vacant rooms in your homes. I know many brides of Christ and prophets who have forsaken all to follow the Lord and these brides who have brought you the word of the Lord, and bring the pastors and churches the prophetic words of the Lord, which are the “right now word”! Many of these servants are sleeping in their cars, do you hear me church? How is your 401K, how is your Portfolio?
Our homes are overflowing with abundance, do you think this makes our Heavenly Father happy? If you are overflowing with abundance or even a little, the Lord requires of us, his church body to help our brothers and sisters and give to the poor. Jesus did not say 10%, he said, sell all that you have, ALL that you have! Get that 10% thinking out of your mind, Jesus said sell all!
Why because he gave it all, He held nothing back! He died on a cross, he asks us to take up our cross and follow him, that is following HIS FOOTSTEPS! Oh this is hard to swallow isn’t it? We are talking about selling our American dream of prosperity and comfort, security, wealth and our hard earned dollars! Our savings, our dream homes, our vacation homes, are toys; boats, RV’s, our shopping fun money, our children’s and grand children’s inheritance, and our security for the future! Our “nest egg” Jesus is our nest egg! Remember….. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Mt 6:19 Do not miss out on the opportunity of letting the Lord become your nest egg as he does a deeper work in you through your obedience to his word, truly his nest egg is the golden egg of treasures in Heaven!
WARNING: The reason I write this study is because I do not see the Church moving as the early church, and moving in the simple gospel message. Our HOMES we call “OURS”, we call our money “OURS”. What I see, and you too witness with me, is that “our plans” for “our monies”, “our possessions”, “our wealth” and “our security” do not fit and do not line up with the gospel message of Christ. Now what are we going to do about it? Continue as we have, or do as what the LORD requires of us? And besides it is NOT OURS, it is the LORDS!
I know a young married couple they are both 24 years old, she is a teacher at a small Christian school and they tithe her entire pay check! They could buy a house, but for now they rent a tiny apartment. They give to a church that is in extreme community outreach. The husband makes a modest living. They open their home many nights a week for fellowship and bible study. Now this is the gospel message, of giving! Living a more meager lifestyle for the sake of others to be reached for the Kingdom of God! Keep in mind; these are just kids, young people, starting out.
We live in America, a land of opportunity and prosperity. The standard of living for the average American would be considered very wealthy compared to other countries. Most of us have been rich over our money and possessions, we have abundance, Again, looking at this rich man in Mark 10:21, Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Notice Jesus said sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, but also note, he said COME take up the cross and follow me. Taking up the cross, is putting to death you wants, your needs, your desires, your dreams. Crucifying them! Our dreams we surrender to the LORD, let our will become His will! Doing so is like a slow death, like the cross. Jesus knows it is not easy to forsake all, he knows it is hard to follow him, and that it is not comfortable. He calls it “taking up the cross…. to follow him!” Crucifying FLESH! FLESH COMFORTS!
The gospel has not changed; the example was set by Jesus, his disciples who became apostles to the early church, who bore a living witness testimony and example on how we are to live our lives. Should we be having this discussion? No, but apparently we have digressed. As a country that was established under God, we have bought the lie of the “American Dream”, the dream of abundance and wealth for ourselves. It is NOT about “us”, it is about the body of Christ, about the gospel message of serving and loving others, our neighbors, sharing, giving pouring out to them! Jesus said, But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Mathew 23:11. Those who are making an abundance of wealth should be serving daily the dying, hungry and lost around us!
Are we so blind, how come we cannot serve our brothers and sisters in Christ who are living under bridges, in their cars, while we live in our cozy homes, with empty rooms, and overflowing pantries and full garages? We are well protected from the elements, but are they? Is this the gospel message of Christ? Never! What about the bride body that is NOT out on the street, but they are hardly making it, little food for their children, and little gas? Do we turn our heads and plan our next vacation or decide which restaurant we are going to go to tonight and LIVE IT UP?!
What about our beautiful cars, or abundance of cars with all the bells and whistles? Or our latest techno gadgets, big screens, and vacation plans, and RV toys? We as a church have fed our gluttonous desires for our “things”, many things, we have a “feed me attitude”, indulge me attitude; and we have poured this upon our children and grandchildren until they are spoiled! And in doing so, we have unknowingly attempted to exalt ourselves, to entertain our families, our selves, to live and to be cozy and “comfortable”. We have had our nice homes, nice manicured neighborhoods, nice cars, nice restaurants; I should know, I lived in one such neighborhood. Do you know what I use to do for a living? I was an interior designer! I know what self-indulgence looks like in its highest ugliest form. I worked for the wealthy of the wealthy and I became very comfortable! I had a dream home, a Benz, many nice vacations, gorgeous clothes, gold, silver, money in the bank! But stop, put the brakes on….I thought nothing of having abundance, after all God had blessed me! But still, the bride, our brothers and sisters in Christ were going out on the streets. Without knowing it, I had placed myself in a position to lose my own bride-ship and my “inheritance” with the LORD Mt.16:19-23! Remember Jesus told the wealthy man to sell his possessions and take up their cross and follow him. Geezzz did that mean me too? Surly not??? Yes, me too, and YOU TOO! The Holy Spirit told me one day to, “sell it all!” I did lots of chokes, choke...choke, sniffle, sniffle… but Lord? YES, SELL IT ALL! Do you know that selling your homes, lands and possessions should NOT be a rare occasion, this should not be a “big deal”; TRULY this is the “standard set by Christ for the church to follow, and this is required of us.
Overflowing garages, pantries and closets
What would our neighborhoods, our cities, our country, our world look like if we as believers sold our possessions and help our neighbors? What would it look like if America alone held one big garage sale and got rid of their accumulated goods and gave them to their local outreach, or neighbors who are in need? Do you know that neighborhoods, cities, states, countries and the world would be changed if we as a church body desired to be obedient to the scriptures? Why has this not happened yet? Because America and the Church are self-centered, selfish, they have EARNED their JUNK and they do not want to part with it. Do you know most of the church says that homeless guy on the street needs to get a job. I say, “Do you know that homeless guys story”? Have you walked in his shoes? Jesus says if he asks for your shirt you are to give him your coat. Are we doing that? Are you giving more than what is required of you? I am not necessarily telling you to give to your local church or pastor, so their multi-million dollar building program so that it can attract more people and be more seeker friendly. The church doors are locked during the week, and while the homeless lay under the brides in the extreme heat or freezing weather and through extreme storms, meanwhile these storms hit, these beautiful white washed tombs of churches remain empty, reaching out to NO ONE, this is a CRIME! A Crime against humanity and a majority of the churches are empty in every city across America. This has to stop people, church, we must do our part. Even if the homeless could tent up on church ground it would be better than by the rail tracks. The churches say their insurance companies will not let them have homeless people on their property. I have tried to talk to these churches for the homeless, and it is like hitting a wall. Here is the deal, the insurance companies are NOT our security, and the LORD is!
What must one do to have eternal life? This is a black and white message for the church. Mathew 19:16-23 sums it up very clearly when the rich man came to Jesus and asked him what might he do to have eternal life, Jesus quoted the commandments, but took it one step further and said. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Scripture below for full context)
Master, what must I do to have eternal life? Jesus said, keep the commandments, and Jesus said if thou will be PERFECT… 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Do you want to be perfect? Do we have eyes to see and ears to hear this message? Jesus said to be perfect we must sell our things and give to the poor.
And then Jesus really shakes things up by saying this…..
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Our inheritance is tied to forsaking all and following him! What does Jesus ask us to forsake? It is the very things that our closest to our hearts, starting first with brothers and sisters, then our parents, and if that isn’t enough he asks us to forsake our spouses and children to follow him, as well as our lands, which is property, homes and possessions. Do not get me wrong, we are not to walk off and abandon everyone, we must be called out, we must be willing if he calls us and sends us somewhere. We must position our self to let him use us as he wills; giving our possessions and abundance of goods to help the needy and poor.
Loving our neighbors is loving ourselves. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Mt. 22:37-40
These two commandments that Jesus has gives us is pretty plain and clear; loving our neighbor as our self requires action! Action people! Where is the action in the church? Not only are the majority of our churches closed up during the week and not helping, but our homes remained filled and cluttered with an abundance of our goods, our junk. Our homes have empty rooms, while our neighbor is out on the street. Remember our neighbor is not only our brother and sister in Christ, but those around us, those in our home towns, these are our neighbors; our neighbors, our sister cities, or even our neighboring sister countries. Do not forget, our neighbors are those who have been made in the image of GOD! These are those we are to love as ourselves. Who is our example? Christ, the early church. What happened with the early church after Pentecost? They were with one accord, they moved as one functioning body!
NOTE and DISCLAIMER: What about laying down your life for a wretched soul? John Newton was such a wretched man, who finally came to the Lord. He ended up penning one of the most famous hymns in the world, Amazing Grace. We are sent to a wretched world, with wretched people, we were once one of those wretches. And daily we are reminded of our sin nature and our need for OUR Savior. Expect to help the wretched men, the scoundrels of this world, the Lord desires their hearts too! Peter was one of them too, but he became one of the founding church fathers!
Be blessed and encouraged about what the early church did daily. Acts 4:32-35 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:45-47
Most of the Church does not want to give up their goods because they are fearful, they do not know or believe that the LORD will fully provide for them. But what does Jesus say about this In Luke chapter 12. He will provide for us if we seek his kingdom first, doing so we provide for ourselves through the father purses/wallets that do not wear out . If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season? Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
When the Lord returns he wants to find us in obedience. This what he requires of us, as he laid it out to the disciples, forsake all, watch and be ready for his return Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, (I call this a spanking, a disciplinary action) shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Lk 12:28-48 (in other words our reliance will and must be more on the Lord.
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Lora Jeffries Shipley
www.loafofbarley.com
(Psa 98:1) A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
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