The Secret of Godliness - Zac Poonen - May 24, 2015
http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/the-secret-of-godliness RLCF Men's Conference 2015 - Session 10 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The secret to a godly life is found in Christ, who was revealed in the flesh and was tempted in every way we are, yet never sinned. This example allows believers to find strength when tempted by comparing their struggles to Christ's perfect endurance. God reveals this secret to those who desperately and passionately seek Him, as exemplified by the Indian saint, Sadhu Sundar Singh.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the mystery of godliness?The secret of living a godly life is described in scripture as a great mystery, meaning a secret that can only be understood by divine revelation.1 Timothy 3:16
Jesus came in the flesh with a human willFlesh in relation to our daily life basically means self-will, and Jesus came with a will of his own but consistently chose not to do his own will.
Jesus was tempted in all points like usJesus is our example in every area, having been tempted exactly like us in his human life yet never sinning, enabling him to sympathize with our weaknesses.
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear HimGod only reveals the secret of godliness to those who have a desperate, consuming thirst and passion to live a holy life rather than treating it like a luxury.
Bearing the aroma of Christ continuallyPaul gave testimony that God always leads us in triumph and brings forth a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Christ through our lives.
Always carrying about the dying of JesusTrue Christianity is an inner change where the life of Jesus is manifested in our bodies as we constantly bear his dying.2 Corinthians 4:10
The daily dying of JesusThe whole secret of the Christian life lies in the daily dying of Jesus, which means denying oneself and taking up our cross every single day.
The New and Living Way through the veilThe veil that blocked the most holy place symbolized the flesh of Jesus, and its tearing opened a new and ever-fresh way of self-denial for us to walk in.
Jesus' one-line autobiographyJesus summarized His entire life's mission by declaring that He came down from heaven not to do His own will, but the will of Him who sent Him.
Learning obedience through sufferingDuring the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers with loud crying and tears, completing His education in obedience by never doing His own will.Hebrews 5:7–9
Giving account for every careless wordJesus warned that we will render an account in the day of judgment for every single careless, idle word we speak.Matthew 12:36
Crucified with Christ to live by faithPaul testified that he was crucified with Christ so that he no longer lives, proving that true faith requires accepting our place of death with Christ.
Reckoning yourself dead to sinOur old man was crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be slaves to sin, requiring us to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.Romans 6:6–11
Jesus as our ForerunnerJesus has entered within the veil as our Forerunner, having run the race before us so we can look unto Him and follow in His footsteps.Hebrews 6:19
