27th December 2015 - Settling Accounts With God and Man - Zac Poonen
Watch the live stream of the Sunday service from CFC Bangalore. For more videos, please visit www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The speaker urges listeners to take a daily inventory of their lives, drawing parallels from the Old Testament law regarding debt remission and the New Testament command to 'let the sun not set on your anger.' The central message is that true maturity involves resolving grievances and settling accounts with others immediately, rather than waiting for an annual or even daily deadline. This proactive reconciliation is presented as the ideal standard for New Covenant living.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The Old Testament principle of release and generosityGod commanded the Israelites to release debts every seven years to teach them to have a large, generous heart toward others rather than calculating out of greed.Deuteronomy 15:1
Clearing bitterness before the sun setsWhile the old covenant gave a seven-year limit, the New Covenant commands believers not to let the sun go down on their anger, though the highest standard is to settle disputes immediately.Ephesians 4:26
Offering sincere worship without holding grudgesJesus taught that if you bring an offering to God while holding something against your brother, you must leave your gift, go be reconciled first, and then present your offering.
Making honest efforts to settle financial debtsChristians should avoid unnecessary debt and make genuine, earnest efforts to repay what they owe, as ignoring financial obligations shows a lack of seriousness before God.
Mutual responsibility in marriage and sexual purityPaul explains that husbands and wives have authority over each other's bodies in marriage, which means husbands must also guard their eyes and thoughts against lust.
The fear of God tested in our thought lifeThe fear of God is first mentioned in scripture in relation to sexual sin, and God keeps our thought life completely private to test whether we truly fear Him.
How Jesus overcame temptation through prayer and godly fearJesus faced intense temptation without sinning because He prayed with loud crying and tears out of a deep reverence and godly fear for His Father.
Saturating our minds with the scripturesChristians must not be lazy or laid-back about learning the Bible, but should diligently study, memorize, and store God's word in their memory banks.
The divine law of watering others to remain spiritually freshJust as the Bible teaches that generous people prosper, sharing the scriptures that bless you with others ensures that God continually waters and refreshes your own soul.Proverbs 11:25
Confessing specific failures and closing accountsBy specifically confessing our sins and unbelief to God, we receive complete cleansing through the blood of Jesus and can start the new year with a clean record.
Singing songs of caution and victoryThe congregation sings children's songs focused on guarding their eyes, ears, lips, and minds, followed by a song celebrating victory and freedom in Christ.
Finding safety and grounding in the churchSanjay shares how God's grace preserved him and emphasizes that the church of God is the safest place on earth for families and young people facing a perverse generation.
Focusing on the least commands and constant walkBelievers are encouraged to focus on overcoming anger, grudges, and lust as the least commands, while living out biblical principles like joy, gratitude, and lack of grumbling 24/7.Matthew 5:19
