Living Without a "Plan B" - Santosh Poonen - January 8, 2012
http://rlcfchurch.org/living-without-a-plan-b River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker discusses three types of Christians: the 'Santa Claus Christian,' who seeks spiritual benefit without true surrender; the 'Plan B Christian,' who maintains backup plans if God fails in certain areas; and the ideal, the 'abandoned Christian.' True Christianity, according to the speaker, involves completely abandoning oneself to God, trusting Him to do whatever He wills for His glory, rather than relying on personal security blankets or contingency plans.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What are the three types of Christians?Believers generally fall into three camps: Santa Claus Christians who want earthly and spiritual benefits without transformation, Plan B Christians who follow God with a backup safety net, and those who live with total abandon.
How is the Kingdom of Heaven taken?Since the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of Heaven is not entered passively; rather, it is taken by force and entered forcibly by those with desperate spiritual hunger.Matthew 11:12
What does it mean to labor for the mystery of godliness?Believers must actively strive and fix their hope on the living God rather than merely acknowledging the mystery of godliness on a shelf.
Going all-in like a poker playerJust as gamblers go all-in when they are certain of their hand, disciples must give 100 percent of their lives, time, and money to God with zero backup plans.
Why do Christians have a Plan B?All lack of trust and unwillingness to go all-in stems from fear, such as the fear that expectations will not be met or that one's reputation will be damaged.
Crossing Jordan like the priestsJust as the priests had to step into the Jordan River in faith, mature believers must be willing to risk everything and cross into experiences of death to self to reach God's destination.
Excuses in discipleshipWhen faced with the cost of discipleship, people make excuses regarding their physical comforts, emotional attachments, and family relationships.Luke 9:57–58
Paul's testimony of total devotionPaul recounted his wholehearted ministry in Ephesus, facing bonds and afflictions yet holding his life of no account in order to finish his course.
Jim Eliot and the warning of the temple priestJim Eliot proved that he who gives what he cannot keep is no fool, whereas an unabandoned life leads to cold, self-seeking religion that can even betray Christ.
Why we can abandon ourselves to GodBelievers can abandon themselves to God because Christ went all-in on the cross, trusting the Father to raise Him from the dead.
