Hidden to the Lost

 

Text: II Corinthians 4:1-6 -- 4:1

Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; - But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: - In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. - For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. - For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

 

Introduction:

There is a building in downtown Lexington, just across state street from Lanier's, that has intrigued me ever since I first noticed it. The building appears to have been, at one time, a church. It has a large set of steps going up to the front doors, Off to one side there is a steeple that probably contained a bell, like ours...this building gives every evidence that at one time a good congregation of believers worshipped there. However, something changed along the way. Its brickwork has been covered by layers of white paint, its windows are bricked over, and at the front door is the familiar square and compass symbol of the Masonic order. While I have no bone to pick with the Masons, or the Shriners or any other similar group for that matter, I believe today's Scripture touches on something that is a key difference between the Lodge and the church. If you've ever been approached about joining one of these groups, and you've refused because you've heard that our Wesleyan Church is so opposed to the Lodge, today you're going to find out why we hold that the church is incompatible with this society that does such noble work.

 

I. The Lodge is known to the outside world solely by the work they do. The Church is known to the outside world by the person and work of Jesus Christ.

A. (share a recent conversation where the Lodge came up) He asked me, "How can you oppose folks who do such good work for our community?" I then told him my objections, the same ones I will share today from the Scriptures. The man told me, "You've got the wrong idea about us, but I can't tell you why because it would be revealing a secret of the Lodge.

B. In nearly every conversation I have had with a Mason, conversation quickly shifts from things done within the lodge to the noble work they do in the community, and what good works they do in their churches.

C. To my understanding of it, the world's understanding of the Lodge is to be centered in the things they do for humanity. To my understanding of it, the world's understanding of the things Christians do for humanity are to be centered in Christ.

 

II. The secretiveness of the Lodge bears a silent witness to the fact that there is something more than social fellowship going on in there.

A. I have read many exposés concerning former lodge members that have revealed the secrets of these organizations. Personally, I don't need to discuss them here. Their testimony can be examined, and may or may not be true. What someone says is not the issue here.

B. (share my personal testimony of approach to join a lodge) I was told that there are things concerning God that weren't in my Bible, that some things are not for everyone to know. I didn't confront him on this, but I never asked him more.

C. This Bible contains all the information about God that He allows humanity to know about him. There are books and commentaries available to help us understand what is written here, but none of them can go one step beyond these pages without straying into heresies and doctrines of devils.

D. What's more, it is all REVEALED. Anyone...from the just-saved believer to the most sanctified saint...can have the same knowledge of Christ that I have. All they have to do is read here with an open heart. I don't believe the Lodge can make that claim.

E. That leaves only one group to whom the knowledge of God revealed in the Bible MIGHT be hid...Our scripture passage talks about it..."But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to the lost."

 

III. This brings us to the main concern I have about the Lodge, that being its love of the sacred, but its shutting up of sacredness unto itself.

A. Our Scripture passage speaks beautifully to this point, as the light that shines out in darkness. This is not talking about God's physical, created light, but rather the light of His revelation through Jesus Christ.

B. Nearly every church I've been in has been well-endowed with windows. On a dark night, those windows let out a light to tell the world that something interesting is going on in here.

C. Nearly every church I've been has doors that remain unlocked while there are services going on...some churches never lock their doors, because someone might need to use the altar to draw near to God. We invite the whole world to see Christ...We invite the whole world to draw near to Christ.

D. Just like the old church building downtown, we see a distinct difference where the Lodge takes over such a place. The doors are locked. The light never gets out. None are drawn near... only invited guests welcome to know its altar.

 

Conclusion:

If any of you have considered becoming a member of such an organization, I hope you'll consider what keeping the secrets of the Lodge can mean. When one keeps a secret, it makes him or her separate and apart . . . unable to fellowship for fear of opening up too much to others. Christ has called us all to a holy fellowship, not because one knows something about religion that can't be shared with others, but because all share in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Joining the Lodge is a personal decision...one that in itself will not make you more fit for Heaven or condemn you to hell... but one I find unnecessary in the light of Christ's love for us and His command that His light be spread out to a world that needs Him. The God who sees even the secret things of the Lodge will judge this world according to one standard . . . Salvation through Jesus Christ. Because He knows our hearts, let us seek to reveal His heart to this world in all that we do and say.