Bobby McDonald - Stiff-necked vs Easily Broken

Bobby McDonaldJuly 1, 201922mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Bobby McDonald Title: Stiff-necked vs Easily Broken Date: 06-30-2019 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 the need for Christians to overcome the stubbornness of a 'stiff-necked' self-will by embracing a broken will characterized by love. The speaker argues that clinging to one's own will leads to conflict and a loss of peace, whereas yielding to God's will, exemplified by the patience and forbearance described in 1 Corinthians 13, brings true rest and freedom. This surrender is best illustrated by the selfless devotion of a parent.

Outline

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

What does it mean to be stiff-necked?Drawing from Deuteronomy 10, the speaker introduces God's burden for the church to fight the self-life and stop being stiff-necked.Deuteronomy 10:15–16

The illustration of the stubborn oxA stiff-necked person is so full of their own will that they cannot be moved, much like a stubborn ox that refuses to respond to the goad and goes its own way.

Fighting with everyone around usStubborn people are constantly fighting with family, friends, and coworkers because they are contentious and insist on getting their own way.

Losing peace through self-willClinging tightly to our own will destroys our peace, while letting go of our desires brings freedom and rest in line with Matthew 11.

What does it mean to love one another?Instead of seeking to do some great work, practical love is defined by First Corinthians 13 as being patient, kind, and not keeping an account of wrongs.

The soft will of a parentJust as a mother easily makes sacrifices for her children out of love, having a pure love and devotion to God makes a weak, broken will natural.

Taking vengeance on your self-lifeWhen tempted, we can gain strength by remembering that the self-life within us is the very thing that nailed Jesus to the cross.

Overcoming bitterness by refusing sin as masterWhen bitterness tries to boss us around, Romans 6 assures us that sin does not have to be our master, and God will help us when we ask in faith.Romans 6:14

Brokenness does not mean being a pushoverBeing dead to our own rights does not mean letting people walk all over us; Jesus fiercely defended God's will while gladly accepting suffering for His own.

Poor in spirit versus self-pityBeing poor in spirit is not self-pity, which gives up hope; rather, it is transferring our hope completely from ourselves to God.

The marathon of daily cross-bearingThe greatest work in the kingdom of God is not a short burst of fiery effort, but the patient, lifelong practice of carrying our cross daily.

Walking by faith, not by changing emotionsWe do not need to rely on constant emotional highs to serve God; true cross-bearing is an act of the will and faith, choosing to obey Him every day.

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