Remain Steadfast in Dying with Jesus — Santosh Poonen — February 12, 2023
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/remain-steadfast-in-dying-with-jesus River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that the true fear of the Lord is not a fear of punishment, but a liberating realization that leads to hating sin and departing from evil. He encourages the congregation, especially the children, to learn this foundational truth, comparing it to learning the ABCs before reading. Furthermore, he urges believers to remember and imitate the faith of those who have led them in the word, as exemplified by historical figures and mentors.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Teaching children the fear of the LordThe fear of God is one of the most liberating truths, teaching us to hate sin and bringing deep, lasting joy rather than bondage.
Making the godly our heroesBelievers are encouraged to look past worldly celebrities and instead imitate the faith and devotion of godly men and women who served God.Psalm 16:3
The divine nature and the steps to godlinessPeter outlines a progression of spiritual growth starting from faith and leading to moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, and finally godliness.
Being steadfast like a seed sown in the groundJust as a seed must be buried in the earth to bring forth life, believers must experience spiritual death and steadfast endurance through trials.
The secret to steadfastness is death to selfTrue steadfastness is not about gritting one's teeth in self-reliance, but partaking in the spiritual death of Christ so that we cannot be moved by worldly circumstances.
God can only fill empty cupsGod delays answers to prayer to allow us to die completely to our own agendas, self-righteousness, and flesh so He can fill us with the Holy Spirit.
A personal testimony of dying to reputation and blameDrawing from George Mueller's example, the speaker shares how dying to the approval or blame of others transformed his walk and brought the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Moving past the up-and-down Christian lifeSpiritual health means growing progressively brighter rather than constantly needing to be revived from backsliding, which happens when we truly die with Christ.
Consider it all joy in trialsTrials test our faith and produce steadfastness, which must be allowed to finish its complete work so we can be mature and lacking in nothing.James 1:2–4
Seeing the end of the Lord through enduranceLike Job and the prophets, believers who endure steadfastly come to see the profound compassion and mercy of God at the end of their trials.James 5:11
Dining with Jesus after the end of self-relianceAfter Peter reached the end of his own strength, Jesus restored him and called him to feed His lambs, showing that God builds His church through those who have died to themselves.
