Questions & Answers - Zac Poonen - March 31, 2019

Zac PoonenApril 1, 201938mWatch on YouTube

Part ofQuestion & Answer Sessions3 of 40

http://rlcfchurch.org/rlcf-mens-leadership-seminar-2019 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA

Summary

The speaker explains that human effort, as demonstrated by the Law or building the Tower of Babel, is insufficient to meet God's perfect standard. True acceptance comes only through the Holy Spirit, which imparts a new nature that desires purity, contrasting with the old nature's inclination toward sin. Being born again requires repentance (turning around in sorrow for sin) and faith (receiving God's free gift), and while the initial gift is received, believers must continually seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit to yield every area of their lives to Christ's control.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Why the law was given and human effort failsGod gave the law to show humanity His high standard and prove that human effort alone can never attain it.Romans 3:23

What it means to be born againBeing born again gives a believer a new nature that hates sin, contrasted with the old Adam nature that loves sin just like a pig loves dirt.

How to receive salvation through repentance and faithSalvation comes not by works, but by turning around in repentance and receiving the new nature that God freely gives through faith.

Progressive transformation pictured in GenesisJust as God remade the chaotic earth over six days, He cleanses and frees us from sin progressively after we are born again.Genesis 1:1

Having the Spirit versus being filled with the SpiritEvery born-again believer has the Holy Spirit within, but being filled means surrendering every individual room of our life to His control.Romans 8:9

Overcoming sin from the inside outTrue victory over sin is not human self-discipline or suppressing outward symptoms, but inner transformation brought by the Holy Spirit.

Why God allows bad things to happenGod uses trials, sickness, and hardships to wake people up, draw them to repentance, and promote them to higher spiritual grades.

Understanding physical weakness, sickness, and deathBelievers experience physical weakness, sickness, and death because our bodies are made from the dust of a cursed earth.

Severe trials as an indication of spiritual promotionGod tests believers according to their ability, and a tougher trial indicates that you have graduated to a higher spiritual class.1 Corinthians 10:13

Discerning God's will in daily lifeTo find God's best, believers must examine scripture, check their motives, seek mature counsel, and look at circumstances.

Cooperating with God to overcome sinOvercoming sin is a cooperative walk with Christ, taking His yoke upon us and listening closely to our conscience and the Spirit.

Facing ridicule and opposition for our faithFollowing Christ means we will not be popular with the world, but opposition and mocking only serve to build our spiritual muscles.

The true focus of the churchThe greatest focus for a local church is loving one another, walking in the way of the cross, and building godly family lives.

The difference between angels and believers in heavenAngels are direct creations of God called sons of God in a unique sense, whereas believers are brought into sonship through Jesus Christ.

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Questions & Answers - Zac Poonen - March 31, 2019

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