Topic: "Only the elect will see God"

Brother Frank's sermon begins with gratitude for the opportunity to gather and thank God. He reflects on large gatherings he experienced and expresses hope for God's continued blessing and communication with His people. He stresses the importance of receiving God's word with sincerity and love, which allows the Spirit to move freely and bless others. Brother Frank expresses missing brother Schmidt and emphasizes the need for unity and connectedness within the community of believers, mirroring the early church's devotion to prayer and fellowship.

The sermon delves into the necessity of the Holy Spirit for the church to function, drawing parallels with Adam receiving the breath of life from God. He references Johannes 20, where Jesus breathes on his disciples, imparting the Holy Spirit and a divine commission. Brother Frank contrasts the simplicity of God's actions with the complexity sought by the world's wise and learned, recalling the sermon "Gott geoffenbart in Einfachheit". He critiques the historical development of rigid religious doctrines, particularly the formulation of the Nicene Creed, which he argues lacks apostolic origin and constitutes religious crime.

Brother Frank emphasizes the importance of believing and proclaiming the scriptures as they are written, without adhering to denominational constraints. He affirms the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ, referencing 1. Korinther 8:6 to highlight the singular nature of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He addresses the apparent contradiction between Johannes 1:18, stating that no one has ever seen God, and 2. Mose 24, where Moses, Aaron, and others saw God. He explains that the elect Israelites saw God in a visible form of revelation, not merely as spirit. He connects this to the experience of the elect in the present day, who are privileged to see God and partake in His presence.

Brother Frank concludes by reflecting on Philippus's request to see the Father, as recorded in Johannes 14, emphasizing that seeing Jesus is seeing the Father. He speaks of the dual nature of Christ, fully human and fully divine, and the significance of Christ's death as both sinless and laden with the world's sin. He underscores the importance of viewing biblical truths from a divine perspective, not rationalizing them. He closes with a message of hope, referencing the promise of transformation and the future resurrection body, free from sickness and pain. He references 1. Johannes 3, noting that it is not yet revealed what we will be, but we will be like Him. Brother Rust adds that the elect will understand and follow God's call, likening it to the eagle recognizing its mother's call, a metaphor for the bride understanding the bridegroom's call. He emphasizes the importance of baptism and following God's word with unwavering faith, expressing gratitude for God's grace and faithfulness.