God Wants to Bless Us and Make Us a Blessing -- Zac Poonen -- June 2, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/god-wants-bless-us-make-us-blessing River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message emphasizes that believers must live with the constant awareness that God is the only one with whom they have to do. The speaker warns against the danger of hypocrisy, which is acting a certain way for the approval of others rather than for God's sake. True freedom comes from recognizing that only God's opinion matters eternally, freeing one from the need to perform for human approval.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Everything is laid bare before GodGod sees every hidden desire, thought, and attitude of our inner life, and remembering this truth makes a significant difference in how we live.Hebrews 4:13
There is only one person with whom we have to doWe must realize that Almighty God is the only person in the universe with whom we have to do, and His opinion is the only one that truly counts for eternity.
Freedom from hypocrisySeeking to live solely for God's approval frees us from acting like hypocrites before others, which was the number one sin Jesus condemned in the Pharisees.
Rejecting old covenant excusesNew covenant believers must never excuse personal sin or failure by pointing to the flaws or discouragements of old covenant figures like David or Elijah.
The principle of death and resurrectionJust as physical death is an absolute zero point where one can do nothing, we must come to the end of our own strength to experience the power of Christ's resurrection.
Abraham's mistake with IshmaelTrying to help God fulfill His promises through our own cleverness and ability, like Abraham producing Ishmael, only creates long-term complications.
God waited for the deadness of Abraham's bodyGod waited until both Sarah's womb and Abraham's body were as good as dead before establishing His covenant and granting him the promised seed.
Christ became a curse to bring us Abraham's blessingJesus became a curse on the cross so that the blessing of Abraham—empowerment by the Holy Spirit to bless every family we encounter—might come to us.
Turning from a curse into a blessingGod's promise in Zechariah shows that just as we once caused problems and were a nuisance, we can now become a blessing through uncashed biblical promises.Zechariah 8:13
Waiting for zero at the wedding in CanaJesus waited until the wine completely ran out to zero before performing His miracle, demonstrating that His power moves when human resources are entirely gone.
Dead to the applause of menTrue spiritual breakthrough requires dying to human applause, the desire to impress others, and personal ambitions.
The miraculous catch of fish after total toilJust as Jesus waited for the disciples to toil all night and catch nothing before providing a miraculous catch, God brings us to zero to show His power.
God wants to use every believer mightilyRegardless of past failures, weakness, or age, God wants to bring every believer to zero so rivers of living water can flow out to bless others.
