30th May 2021 - Sunday Church Service | The Secret Of Fellowship With God - Zac Poonen
30th May 2021 - Sunday Church Service | The Secret Of Fellowship With God - Zac Poonen
Summary
The central message is that true Christian fellowship requires a vertical relationship with God (the Father and Son) as well as horizontal relationships with other believers. The speaker emphasizes that without personal fellowship with the Lord, a group is merely a club or a congregation, not a true church. This deep fellowship with God is the source of overflowing joy and freedom from discouragement.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the purpose of writing 1 John?The primary goal of the letter is to foster vertical fellowship with God and horizontal fellowship with one another, which forms the true essence of a church.
How does fellowship affect our joy?True fellowship with the Father, His Son, and fellow believers results in full and complete joy, freeing us from discouragement and condemnation.
Why is a bad conscience dangerous to spiritual life?Anything that gives you a bad conscience must be set right immediately, just like washing a speck of dust out of your eye so it does not cause spiritual blindness.
How does a clear conscience help us hear God?Man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and keeping a sensitive conscience ensures our spiritual ears and eyes are open to hear Him daily.
Learning to listen to God in life's decisionsSharing personal testimony from his time in the navy and major life decisions, Poonen illustrates how developing the habit of listening to God's guidance shapes a faithful life.
Choosing truth over telling lies in difficult situationsWhen tempted to lie to escape a tight spot at work or in daily life, we face a choice between trusting almighty God or trusting a lie to save us.
The example of Zacchaeus and the love of moneyZacchaeus demonstrated true repentance by being willing to give back fourfold what he had wrongly taken, proving himself a true son of Abraham in his attitude toward money.
Having money versus loving moneyHaving money is not wrong, but loving money is incompatible with loving God; believers must earn honestly, refuse to waste it, and honor God.
Making personal sacrifices to honor GodSharing his son's career decision to decline a job that required working on Sundays, Poonen emphasizes that honoring God brings ultimate vindication and blessing.
Why uncompromising truth matters for eternityPreaching a high standard ensures that believers hear the uncompromised truth and will stand before the judgment seat of Christ without regret.
