Zac Poonen - The Church - A Light in the Darkness

Zac PoonenAugust 22, 20171h 19mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionZac Poonen379 messages

Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: The Church - A Light in the Darkness Date: 08-20-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that Christian life is a marathon requiring constant discipline to finish the race and become partakers of Christ. The speaker emphasizes that believers must guard against falling away due to the deceitfulness of sin, such as hypocrisy, pride, and selfishness. Therefore, active fellowship within a church is crucial for mutual encouragement and exposing hidden sins before they cause a spiritual collapse.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Counting the cost to finish the raceJesus warns through the builder of a tower that believers must count the cost so they do not start well but fail to finish the race.

Running with disciplineThe Christian life is a marathon race requiring strict personal discipline to win the prize, much like athletes in the Olympic games.1 Corinthians 9:24

The danger of an unbelieving heartBelievers must take care lest an evil, unbelieving heart develops and causes them to fall away from the living God.

Daily encouragement against deceitful sinsBelievers need daily fellowship to encourage one another and avoid being hardened by deceitful inner sins like hypocrisy, pride, and selfishness.

Holding fast until the endTrue partakers of Christ are those who hold fast their initial assurance firm until the end of the race, guarding against hidden termites of sin.

Walking as Jesus walkedBelievers are called to walk just as Jesus walked and obey New Testament standards, rather than dismissing them as impossible.1 John 2:6

The law as a tutor for childrenUnder the Old Covenant, the law acted as a governess or child conductor to protect God's people because they were spiritual children.

Moving from bondage under rules to sonshipJust as a wealthy heir is kept under managers while a child, early believers often live under external rules, but God sent His Son and Spirit to make us sons.

Superficial church divisions versus genuine transformationMerely changing church labels or external doctrines without dealing with inner hypocrisy, pride, and selfishness leaves believers living a defeated, whitewashed life.

Giving an account for every idle wordJesus emphasizes that people will give an account for every careless, idle word in the day of judgment, a sobering truth few take seriously.Matthew 12:36–37

Hungering and thirsting for righteousnessOnly those who hunger and thirst for a truly godly life, desiring to avoid sin and silence the accuser, will be satisfied by God.Matthew 5:6

Finding God through wholehearted searchGod is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and He is found only when sought with all one's heart rather than casually.Jeremiah 29:13

Coming to Jesus when sick and tired of oneselfJesus invites those who are weary, heavy-laden, and sick and tired of their own defeated inner lives to find rest and victory over sin.Matthew 11:28

Serving God instead of moneyNo servant can serve two masters, and believers must decisively choose between a passion for God and a passion for money.Luke 16:13

Contending for the faith and building local churchesBelievers must earnestly contend for the original New Testament faith against false grace, establishing local churches with self-supporting elders and financial integrity.

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Zac Poonen - The Church - A Light in the Darkness

Zac Poonen · August 22, 2017 · 1h 19m

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