Words of Encouragement — David Lane & Alan Thomas — September 25, 2022
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker reflects on realizing that past perceived strengths and willpower are insufficient, leading to a deep reliance on God's grace and power. He emphasizes the necessity of continually seeking to partake in the divine nature and holiness, drawing from scriptures like Hebrews 6 and 2 Peter 1. A key theme is maintaining a profound sense of neediness for the Lord, contrasting it with any sense of self-sufficiency or contentment.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Recognizing self-strength versus God's true powerThe speaker reflects on how circumstances in his life have exposed that what he thought was God's power was actually his own self-will and stored-up strength.
What does it mean to partake of the heavenly gift?Examining Hebrews 6, the speaker expresses a deep desire to be once enlightened, taste the heavenly gift, and partake of the Holy Spirit rather than focusing purely on warnings.
Cleansing the conscience from dead worksThrough Christ's eternal spirit and blood, believers can have their consciences cleansed from dead works to truly taste of the heavenly gift.
Partakers of the divine natureSecond Peter explains that God's divine power has given us precious promises so we can escape worldly corruption and partake of the divine nature.2 Peter 1:3–4
Bearing the image of the heavenlyJust as we have borne the earthly image, the speaker views 1 Corinthians 15 as a promise that we shall also bear the image of Christ Jesus.
Preserving a sense of spiritual needinessThe speaker reflects on the danger of spiritual complacency and the necessity of preserving a deep, ongoing sense of need for the Lord.
The contrast between our needs and His richesUsing the illustration of a beggar and a billionaire, Philippians 4 highlights the massive gap between human poverty and God's abounding wealth.Philippians 4:19
Every spiritual blessing in heavenly placesEphesians teaches that God has already blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ, meaning there is vastly more available than we often realize.Ephesians 1:3
Dwelling on things that are pure and excellentBelievers are encouraged to set their minds on Christ and fix their thoughts on whatever is true, noble, pure, and praiseworthy.
Stimulating one another to love and good deedsGathering together as a church should stir up a healthy spiritual covetousness and motivate one another toward the eternal riches found in God.
The parable of the hidden treasureThe kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field; when a man finds it, he joyfully sells all that he has to buy that field.
