Zac Poonen March 3, 2012 Spring Conference Session 1
Summary
The central message is that true understanding of God's word and the nature of the church comes not from academic study or argument, but from a heart filled with fervent love for Jesus Christ and profound reverence for God. The speaker emphasizes that God reveals deep truths to those who love Him, contrasting this with relying on historical accounts or intellectual debate. Humility and reverence for God are presented as the necessary foundation for all spiritual knowledge.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Looking into the heart of GodGod gave us His word so we can look into His heart rather than merely studying it with our minds or arguing over scriptures.
Revealing secrets to those who love HimGod reveals the deep things of His Spirit to those who love Him, not to the clever or intellectual.1 Corinthians 2:9–10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdomReverence for God is the kindergarten lesson of the kingdom; without it, all study and cleverness are useless.
Who does God use to build His house?God looks to use the person who is humble, contrite in spirit, and who trembles at His word.
Learning true humility from JesusJesus is the standard of humility; He lived entirely before God with zero interest in self-justification.Matthew 11:29
Praising God for hiding truth from the cleverJesus praised the Father for hiding spiritual truths from the intelligent and revealing them to babes who humble themselves.
The hypocrisy of neglecting God's wordIt is hypocrisy to call the Bible God's word while neglecting to earnestly study and obey it.
Constructing a sanctuary for God to dwellGod's goal from the Tabernacle to the New Covenant is to find a holy dwelling place among His people.Exodus 25:8
Jesus as the ultimate TabernacleJesus emptied Himself of divine privileges to live as a man filled with the Holy Spirit, serving as our perfect example.
The three-story building of the churchA New Covenant Church is built upon the foundation of a clear personal conscience, a godly home, and a united body of believers.
Doing just as the Lord commandedThe phrase 'just as the Lord commanded Moses' is repeated 18 times to emphasize that divine glory only fills what is built strictly by God's pattern.
The departure and return of God's gloryJust as Ezekiel saw the glory of God depart from a temple that lost its obedience, God is bringing His glory back to groups that follow His word.
The entire area is most holyUnlike the Old Covenant where only a small area was holy, the New Covenant requires our entire lives and all seven days to be holy unto God.
