Zac Poonen - The Way of Discipleship in the New Covenant

Zac PoonenMay 13, 202443mWatch on YouTube

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Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: The Way of Discipleship in the New Covenant Date: 05/12/2024 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

Zac Poonen contrasts the fear of God under the Old Covenant with grace under the New Covenant, arguing that many modern Christians skip foundational spiritual maturity by jumping directly to grace without learning reverence and obedience. He emphasizes that discipleship in the New Covenant requires even greater holiness than the Old Testament required, and that true grace produces victory over sin rather than permitting it.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Why the early apostles had an advantageThe early apostles spent thirty years learning the Old Testament and the fear of God before hearing Jesus preach about God's grace.

The seriousness of sin under the lawGod taught the fear of God in the Old Testament through strict laws, such as stoning a rebellious and stubborn son.

The three types of people in the worldPeople are either under no covenant, the old covenant of law and fear, or the new covenant where sin does not have dominion over them.

Jesus as our example and forerunnerJesus is our high priest who was tempted just like us yet did not sin, beginning from childhood by obeying His parents.Hebrews 4:15

Exposing the false gospel of paid ministryMany preachers proclaim a false grace because they are paid salaries by congregations and dare not displease wealthy, wayward members.

Preaching the gospel versus making disciplesJesus commissioned His followers to go into all the world not only to preach salvation, but to make disciples who obey all His commands.Mark 16:15

The condition behind the promise of His presenceThe promise that Jesus will be with us always is conditional upon teaching and striving to obey everything He commanded.

Seeking the power of the Holy Spirit to obeyBelievers should earnestly seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit specifically so they can have the power to obey Jesus' commands.

Going forth under the authority of ChristWe go into the world because we are under the supreme authority of Jesus Christ in heaven and earth, not merely because there is a human need.

Condition one: Loving Christ supremely above all relativesA disciple must love Christ so intensely that affection for family members looks like hatred by comparison, just as stars disappear when the sun rises.Luke 14:26

Condition two: Carrying your own cross dailyA disciple must daily put self to death on the throne of the heart, becoming completely dead to human praise or criticism.

Condition three: Holding all possessions with an open palmA disciple cannot serve both God and money, but must hold all material wealth loosely and be devoted entirely to God.

The testimony of Zacchaeus and true repentanceZacchaeus demonstrated true salvation by eagerly repaying those he cheated fourfold, proving he was a true son of Abraham who did not worship money.

The resulting life of peace and divine presenceMeditating on and living out these three conditions of discipleship brings the promised presence of the Lord, removing anxieties and solving problems.

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Zac Poonen - The Way of Discipleship in the New Covenant

Zac Poonen · May 13, 2024 · 43m

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