Youth Conference - 2014: Session - 4 : Putting God First In Your Life - Sunil Poonen
This is live broadcast of the Bangalore Youth Conference at Christian Fellowship Church, Bangalore from 5th Oct to 6th October 2014.
Summary
The speaker shares his testimony about the protective and formative role of the church in his life, especially during his youth. He emphasizes that the church acts as a vital preparation ground, like a 'salt factory,' ensuring young people are ready to live out their faith and influence the world when God calls them. He encourages the audience to take advantage of their time together to build their spiritual readiness and connection to scripture.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Reflecting on growing up in the churchThe speaker shares his perspective of growing up in the church, taking its protection for granted until leaving and realizing how much it shielded him from the world.
The danger of inherited faithAfter going away to college, the speaker realized that a walk with God cannot be inherited from one's parents; everyone must experience Jesus for themselves.
The prodigal son complex and the arkComparing his early struggles to the prodigal son and the story of Noah's ark and the dove, the speaker warns against testing the world, which only offers pig's food compared to the church.
Putting God first in every area of lifeTrue transformation comes from making a conscious effort to put God first in every area of life, testing whether anything has taken His rightful place.
Avoiding opportunistic ChristianityMany treat Christianity like an umbrella or raincoat to put on only during times of trouble, rather than letting Jesus take over their entire life.
Boasting only in the crossPaul states that his interest in the world is dead and his only boast is in the cross of Christ, satisfying the believer more than any earthly feast.Galatians 6:14
Proving the will of God through a renewed mindInstead of waiting endlessly for supernatural signs, believers prove God's perfect will by refusing to conform to the world and having their minds renewed daily.
Putting on the new self in ChristBelievers are called to set their minds on things above and put on the new self, being renewed daily into the true image of Jesus so that Christ becomes all and in all.Colossians 3:2
