10.Rejoicing In What God Has Done - Zac Poonen
God's Magnificent Promises
Summary
The speaker advises against rejoicing in personal accomplishments or abilities, even spiritual ones like casting out demons. Instead, believers should rejoice in the fact that their names are recorded in heaven, a status granted by God before birth. True spiritual freedom comes not from avoiding rules (legalism) but from overcoming sin, which is the only freedom Jesus spoke of.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What are you rejoicing in?When the seventy disciples returned and rejoiced that demons were subject to them in Jesus' name, Jesus told them not to rejoice in that, but rather that their names are recorded in heaven.
Letting God's word be a mirrorGod's word is meant to act as a mirror so we can see ourselves clearly and take His commands seriously, rather than forgetting what we saw.
The agenda for rejoicingIf you want to make an agenda of things to rejoice over, not even a single item should be what you did for God; every item must be what God did for you.
Sin shall not be master over youIf sin still rules over a person, they are under law rather than grace, no matter how much they think they have escaped legalism.
The true freedom Jesus spoke ofThe only freedom Jesus spoke about was freedom from sin, rather than freedom from poverty or external cultural rules promoted by the prosperity gospel.
My grace is sufficient for youGod's grace is sufficient to give victory over any trial or standard He commands, and He never allows believers to be tempted above their ability.2 Corinthians 12:9
God gives grace only to the humbleGod gives His grace exclusively to the humble, linking the command not to rejoice in human accomplishments with receiving the power to overcome sin.1 Peter 5:5
Rejoicing in the works of our handsJust as the Israelites rejoiced in the golden calf and Nebuchadnezzar boasted in building Babylon, religious people often fall into the trap of rejoicing in their own programs and achievements.Acts 7:41
Pride comes through comparisonBelievers often stay proud because they secretly compare themselves with others who are less spiritual, maintaining a rotten reputation for humility instead of seeking God's approval.
God chose the nobodiesGod deliberately chose people that culture overlooks so that no one can boast, ensuring that all right thinking and living come entirely from Him through Jesus Christ.
Saved by grace so nobody can boastSalvation is given by grace through faith not as a result of works, exemplified by the thief on the cross who had nothing to boast about yet was saved purely by grace.Ephesians 2:8
The two groups at the judgment seatAt the judgment seat, those who boast in their own mighty works are rejected, while the righteous are those who served others in love without keeping a running account of their good deeds.Matthew 7:22
