The Way To Growth In Christlikeness | Part-7 | Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker continues the study of growth in Christ's likeness from the Sermon on the Mount, addressing various wrong attitudes like anger, lust, and lying. He emphasizes that interpreting Jesus' words, such as 'turn the other cheek,' requires understanding the spirit, not just the literal text, and that Jesus himself is the ultimate interpreter. The central message is that keeping the Sermon on the Mount's commands, especially loving enemies, is impossible through human strength and requires being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The fifth wrong attitude: Selectiveness in loveThe speaker introduces the fifth wrong attitude from Matthew 5, contrasting the old teaching of hating enemies with Jesus' command to love them.Matthew 5:43
The need for the Holy Spirit to love enemiesKeeping the difficult commands of the Sermon on the Mount is impossible in human strength and requires being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Growing up to be sons of the FatherWhile becoming a child of God happens through receiving Christ, growing up into a mature son is demonstrated by loving and praying for persecutors.John 1:12
Reflecting the Father's unconditional kindnessGod sends His sun and rain equally on the good and the evil, challenging believers to show the same impartial goodness to everyone.
Being perfect in mercy like the FatherComparing scripture with scripture reveals that being perfect as the heavenly Father means being perfect in mercy toward others.
Seeking man's honor in three areasMoving into Matthew chapter 6, the speaker highlights the wrong attitude of seeking human honor in giving, praying, and fasting.
Doing all things for the glory of GodEvery ordinary action, including eating and drinking, should be done solely for God's glory rather than trying to showcase personal discipline or righteousness.1 Corinthians 10:31
Checking motives in prayerWhen praying, believers must avoid hypocrisy and not pray merely to be seen or praised by men, which forfeits any heavenly reward.Matthew 6:5
Praying in secret to the FatherTrue prayer involves shutting out the desire for human applause, entering our inner room, and seeking the Father who sees in secret.
Avoiding meaningless repetition in prayerGod already knows our needs, so prayers should be driven by genuine burden and faith rather than long marathons or empty, repetitive phrases.Matthew 6:7–8
