Retaining the Standard of the Gospel - Santosh Poonen - June 3, 2012
http://rlcfchurch.org/retaining-the-standard-of-the-gospel River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker urges the congregation to remain vigilant and discerning as the world bombards them with noise, warning that times of ease are passing. He emphasizes that believers must use the current times of peace wisely to build the body of Christ, lest they regret wasting opportunities when times become difficult. The message draws strength from Paul's example, urging believers to retain the standard of sound doctrine and actively live out their faith.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Going to church won't always be comfortableThe speaker warns that a time is coming when gathering as a church will not be cozy or comfortable, pointing to global persecution and the historical reality of the church.
Not wasting the opportunities of peaceful timesThe greatest tragedy would be reaching the end of life and realizing we wasted the peaceful times when we could have freely built the body of Christ.
Paul's life in the shadow of deathApostle Paul wrote his inspired letters from a Roman prison under the constant threat of execution, yet looked back on his life without regret.
Desertion by co-workers versus loyaltyWhile some co-workers like Phygelus and Hermogenes turned away to avoid suffering, others like Onesiphorus eagerly searched for Paul and were not ashamed of his chains.
Betrayal among believers in the end timesThe speaker warns of a future time when Christians will fall away from the faith and begin to betray one another as lawlessness increases.
The cautionary tale of Judas IscariotJudas was not a deceiver from the beginning but became a traitor over time as unaddressed resentment and sin festered in his heart.
Entrusting our lives completely to GodLike Paul, believers must entrust their lives, circumstances, and children entirely to God, confident that He is able to guard what is given to Him.
Retaining the standard of sound wordsBelievers are instructed to retain sound teaching not just by memory, but by holding it securely within the cup of faith and love in Christ Jesus.
The preservation of faith through trialsJesus prayed that Peter's faith would not fail, showing that holding onto faith allows believers to recover from failure and strengthen others.
Loving the brethren as Christ laid down His lifeAlongside John 3:16, First John 3:16 reminds believers that true love involves being willing to lay down our lives for the brethren.1 John 3:16
Poking holes in our faith with the thorns of this lifeThe worries of this age, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of life act like small holes that drain spiritual power and sound words from our lives.
