Words of Encouragement - Ajay Chakravarthy & David Lane - May 19, 2019
http://rlcfchurch.org/words-of-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message emphasizes that true faith is demonstrated by actions done in secret, as God is always watching and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The speaker draws parallels to Jesus' focus on the twelve disciples and the mighty men who succeeded David, asserting that the church's strength comes from those faithful in private. Ultimately, believers must live with the confidence that they are accepted by God, allowing them to serve without pretense or fear of judgment.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why don't we practice spiritual disciplines?The speaker questions why believers often neglect fasting, prayer, and giving, connecting the lack of these practices to a weak faith in God's watchful eye.
God is a rewarder of those who seek HimBecause God sees everything done Monday through Saturday, He rewards those who diligently seek Him in secret.
Being secure in the circle God has givenJust as Jesus focused His limited time and energy on the twelve disciples the Father gave Him without insecurity, believers must be secure in God's acceptance.
David's mighty men and faithful secret serviceDrawing from the account of David's mighty men, the speaker emphasizes that those who take down spiritual giants are the ones who are faithful in secret rather than living selfishly.
Fasting as a test of friendship with the BridegroomFasting is presented not as a rigid command that becomes a dead work, but as a test of whether we truly act as friends of the bridegroom when He is absent.
Kicking against the pricks of your conscienceReflecting on Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus, the speaker warns against resisting the pricks and voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through the conscience.
The goal of our instruction is love and a good consciencePaul instructs Timothy to fight the good fight by holding onto faith and a good conscience, noting that some have rejected this and suffered shipwreck.
Hymenaeus as a cautionary taleAcross both letters to Timothy, Paul warns about Hymenaeus, who progressed from wrecking his own faith by rejecting a good conscience to teaching false doctrines that shipwrecked others.
The danger of a seared conscienceIgnoring the conscience and delaying repentance is a slippery slope that can eventually lead to having one's conscience seared with a hot iron.
Responding quickly to the Lord's promptingsBelievers are encouraged not to let the enemy trick them into delaying repentance, but rather to shorten the time it takes to set things right before God as they seek His face.
