Integrated Into a Local Church - Santosh Poonen - August 11, 2013
http://rlcfchurch.org/rlcf-youth-conference-2013 RLCF Youth Conference 2013 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that believers must be actively integrated into the local body of Christ, rather than merely attending services. The speaker emphasizes that building the church is not solely the responsibility of gifted leaders, but rather the calling of every 'saint' or chosen one. Jesus' primary motivation for coming to earth, according to the speaker, was not just compassion, but to demonstrate His love for the Father and the world.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Who is responsible for building the church?God gave different gifts like apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers for the equipping of the saints so that believers themselves do the work of service.
Why did Jesus come to this earth?Jesus operated on the principle of doing nothing apart from the Father's specific commandment, coming out of love for the Father first and foremost.John 14:31
The two beams of the crossThe vertical beam represents a personal relationship and answerability to God, which must come before the horizontal beam of meeting human needs.
What does it mean to take up your cross daily?True discipleship requires denying one's own will daily to follow Jesus, obeying parents, and refusing to live just to please the flesh.
It is to your advantage that I go awayJust as the disciples had to transition from leaning on Jesus physically to receiving the Holy Spirit, believers today must rely on the inward power of the Spirit.
Three different types of church gatheringsThe speaker outlines three models: individualistic congregations of vertical beams, legalistic clubs of uniform horizontal bars, and the true biblical local church.
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and diesA church of isolated vertical beams remains by itself alone without true fellowship or mutual investment in one another's lives.John 12:24
The picture of the body in First Corinthians 12In a true local church, members care for one another deeply, suffering together when one suffers and genuinely sharing in another's honor.
Finding the oasis of the local churchTrue spiritual growth requires submitting to spiritual authority and being fully integrated into a local body of believers rather than wandering alone.
Related messages
- The Foundation of Jesus and the Apostles and Prophets - Santosh Poonen - October 23, 2016Santosh Poonen · 50m
- Building the Church as the Journey into the Most Holy Place - Santosh Poonen - September 27, 2020Santosh Poonen · 55m
- Some Principles for Building the Church -- Zac Poonen -- August 15, 2021Zac Poonen · 1h 1m
