The Importance of fellowship with God - Zac Poonen (Telugu)
Message given by Zac Poonen at Hyderabad Meetings 2009
Summary
The central message emphasizes that true Christian life requires deep fellowship with God, which is more valuable than worldly concerns like promotion or money. The speaker uses Jesus' experience in Gethsemane to illustrate that the 'cup' Jesus refused was the breaking of fellowship with the Father, not merely physical death. Ultimately, the greatest punishment for sin is being forsaken by God, a suffering Jesus endured to pay the penalty for humanity's sins.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How can we have fellowship with God?Communion and fellowship with God is a unique New Testament privilege that human beings were created to enjoy, yet we often do not value it enough.
What was the cup Jesus dreaded in Gethsemane?The cup Jesus prayed against in the Garden of Gethsemane was not physical death, but the impending break of fellowship with the Father for three hours on the cross.
Living in moment-by-moment sensitivity to the FatherJesus lived in constant touch with the Father's voice for every decision, refusing an anesthetic on the cross because He had to remain fully awake to accomplish God's will.
The true punishment of sinJesus bore the punishment for our sin, which is being forsaken by God, enduring the combined agony of eternity in three hours on the cross.
The agony of broken fellowshipJust as a head severed from the body causes immense pain, Jesus dreaded the separation from the Father, whereas believers often treat sin and broken fellowship lightly.
Hating sin and valuing fellowshipUnderstanding the price Jesus paid for sin should cause us to hate all sin in our words, thoughts, and attitudes, and refuse to break fellowship with others.
Unbelief as an insult to GodFailing to trust God's promises is not a minor weakness, but an insult and a slap in the face to a faithful God.
God's ways are higher than our waysEven when we face difficult circumstances and unanswered questions in the world, God's ways are perfect and far superior to human reasoning.
The counterfeit Christ presented by false teachersMany people reject Christianity because they see commercialized, money-seeking preachers representing a false image of Christ rather than the biblical Jesus.
Living like Jesus versus superficial ChristianityTrue Christianity is not found in emotionalism or imitating flawed biblical figures, but in living, speaking, and thinking as Jesus did.
What is prayer?Prayer is a complete circle that starts with a burden placed in the heart by God through the Holy Spirit and is prayed back in faith.
Praying according to God's word and timingRequests must be based on God's promises and burdens rather than selfish desires, trusting Him to fulfill His word in His own timing.
Receiving the baptism of the Holy SpiritBelievers should bypass human religious arguments and go straight to the word of God, trusting Jesus to baptize them in the Holy Spirit and fire.
New Testament faith and thanksgivingWhile Old Testament faith waited for enemies to be defeated before praising God, New Testament faith thanks God and enjoys fellowship with Him even in the presence of enemies.
