The Samaritan's Road - Ajay Chakravarthy - January 5, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/samaritans-road River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that as the end times approach, believers must be filled with the Holy Spirit and live with sound judgment. Using the example of the Samaritan woman and Zacchaeus, the speaker stresses that true assurance comes from knowing one is accepted in the beloved through Christ's righteousness, not from personal feelings or perceived achievements. The core message is to rest on the foundation of being forgiven and justified by God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What should we do because the end is near?Believers should understand the will of the Lord, avoid being foolish or drunk with wine, and be filled with the Holy Spirit as the end of all things approaches.
Jesus seeks the Samaritan womanThe Samaritan woman was living in sin and had no desire for God, yet Jesus crossed geographical boundaries specifically to reach and care for her.
The promise not to leave us as orphansJesus promised to send a helper, the Spirit of truth, so that believers who feel like abandoned orphans would know they are accepted and loved by God.
Justified through Christ's resurrectionJesus was delivered over for our transgressions and raised for our justification, clothing us in His righteousness so we can approach God without fear.Romans 4:25
You do not know what you are askingJust as Jesus asked James and John when they requested positions of honor, He asks us why we want to be filled with the Holy Spirit.Matthew 20:22
Living water versus physical thirstWhen Jesus offered living water to the Samaritan woman, she misunderstood Him, thinking only of physical water so she would not have to return to the well.
Two extremes in seeking the SpiritBelievers often fall into two camps: expecting the Spirit to instantly remove all temptation so they never struggle, or living comfortably on moral goodness without true spiritual thirst.
Putting to death the deeds of the bodyThrough daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to put to death the deeds of the flesh rather than trying to live out the Christian life on their own strength.
Spirit-filled leaders making and correcting mistakesEven leaders like Paul and Peter made mistakes under pressure, but a spirit-filled person immediately humbles themselves, sets things right, and refuses to become easily offended.Acts 23:3–5
Waiting for power to overcome the fleshJesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem not for miraculous external gifts alone, but to receive power so they would not have to give in to their flesh.
Walking by the SpiritThe flesh and the Spirit are in opposition, and walking by the Spirit keeps believers from carrying out the desires and pleasing of their own flesh.Galatians 5:16
The Holy Spirit given to those who obeyCornelius and his household gathered with a ready heart to obey whatever God commanded, and while Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit fell upon them.Acts 10:33
Samaria receives the word and the SpiritYears later in Samaria, people who heard Philip repentant and baptized later received the promised Holy Spirit when Peter and John prayed for them.
The primary purpose of spiritual giftsSpiritual gifts and the infilling of the Holy Spirit are given for the benefit of others and to glorify God, ensuring that we do not live to please ourselves.
