“I Am Willing” - Santosh Poonen - January 3, 2016
http://rlcfchurch.org/i-am-willing River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon discusses the times of preparation for the return of Christ, contrasting the secret faith of those who fear persecution with the boldness required of true disciples. Drawing parallels from Malachi and Elijah, the speaker emphasizes that the Church must be a visible witness in its community, not just a private devotion. True evangelism involves being ready to share the hope in Christ in every season and setting.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why was Elijah effective?Elijah stood apart from secret believers who compromised out of fear, serving as an example of a lone voice calling people back to God.
As the Lord God lives before whom I standBelievers should adopt the motto of living entirely before the face of God, refusing to fear the opinions and pressures of people.
Dealing with a guilty conscienceIn order to stand before God without fear, believers must address unconfessed sin and maintain a clear conscience.
Pain as a blessing in disguisePhysical pain protects the body by signaling harm, serving as a picture of how the conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit warn the soul.
Even Christ did not please HimselfThe root of all sin is selfishness, whereas Jesus never pleased Himself, setting the standard for how believers should respond to the pricking of their conscience.Romans 15:3
Searing the conscience like a branding ironRepeatedly resisting the voice of the Holy Spirit desensitizes the conscience, eventually leading people to fall away and accept deceitful doctrines.1 Timothy 4:1–2
Subjection to authorities and the conscienceObeying governing authorities is required not only to avoid wrath, but also for the sake of maintaining a clear conscience before God.
God's judgment and the human heartEvery person has a conscience, and God will ultimately judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus based on the light they were given.Romans 2:12–16
How to be freed from a guilty conscienceJesus willingly responds to the plea of the unclean by declaring 'I am willing,' offering complete cleansing through His blood.
Cleansing from sin and dead worksThe blood of Christ purifies the believer's conscience from both outright sin and religious dead works that do not originate in God.
The picture of the two birdsThe Levitical cleansing ceremony of the two birds illustrates how one had to be slain so the other could go free, pointing to the sacrifice of Christ.Leviticus 14:3–7
A sensitive conscience restoredJesus is ready to revive seared consciences, bringing dead flesh back to life so believers can walk in daily sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
