Soulishness and Spirituality — Zac Poonen — April 6, 2024
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker distinguishes between three states of being: natural (unbeliever), carnal (believer living by the flesh/soul), and spiritual (believer living by the Spirit). He emphasizes that true spiritual maturity requires understanding the distinction between the soul and the spirit, which the Word of God reveals. The ultimate goal is to move beyond merely 'drinking milk' of basic doctrine to 'eating meat' of deeper spiritual truth, exemplified by Jesus tabernacling among us.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The natural man, carnal man, and spiritual manThe Bible divides unbelievers into the natural man and believers into either carnal or spiritual men, and God cannot build His church through carnal people.1 Corinthians 2:14
Man as spirit, soul, and bodyMan is a tripartite being consisting of spirit, soul, and body, matching the three parts of the Old Testament Tabernacle.1 Thessalonians 5:23
The word of God divides soul and spiritGod's word acts like a sword, piercing the space between soul and spirit to penetrate our innermost being.Hebrews 4:12
Lessons from the Tabernacle and Jesus as ForerunnerJust as the high priest passed through the veil into the most holy place, Jesus entered heaven as our forerunner to make a way into God's presence.
A new and living way through the veilJesus inaugurated a new and living way through the veil, which represents His flesh and self-will.Hebrews 10:20
The flesh as self-willThe flesh that wars against the Holy Spirit is not our physical body, but rather the stubborn self-will every person is born with.Galatians 5:17
Jesus came to deny His own willJesus stated that He came down from heaven not to do His own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Him.John 6:38
Fullness of joy in God's presenceTrue spirituality and constant joy are found by dwelling in God's presence through daily self-denial.Psalm 16:11
Worshipping in spirit and in truthTrue worshippers must worship the Father in spirit and in truth, moving beyond emotional or intellectual expressions into the most holy place.John 4:24
The wise builder and the foolish builderThe wise man builds his house on the rock by both hearing and doing the words of Jesus, whereas the foolish man hears but does not obey.Matthew 7:24
Digging deep to lay a solid foundationThe wise man digs deep through the sand to lay his foundation on solid rock, which pictures the costly path of denying self.Luke 6:48
Taking up the cross dailyFollowing Jesus requires denying oneself and taking up the cross every single day.Luke 9:23
Rejoicing in the Lord alwaysGod commands believers to rejoice in the Lord always, providing the resources of the Holy Spirit to live an overcoming, undiscouraged life.Philippians 4:4
