Who Can Build the Body of Christ: 5: One Who Values Fellowship with God - Zac Poonen - May 24, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/who-can-build-body-christ RLCF Men's Conference 2014 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that true Christian life and building the church must be founded on fervent love for Christ, not merely adherence to commandments. The speaker emphasizes that love for God and neighbor is the core of the law, and this love must be deep enough to motivate obedience. He argues that discipleship means desiring to follow Jesus personally, even more than desiring heavenly rewards or physical comfort.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the greatest commandment?Jesus answered that the foremost commandment is to love God with all one's heart, soul, strength, and mind, upon which the entire Bible hangs.
We love because He first loved usThe measure of our love for the Lord depends directly on how deeply we understand the magnitude of His love for us, which is primarily seen at the cross.1 John 4:19
Differing degrees of glory in the resurrectionJust as the sun, moon, and stars differ in glory, believers will receive different rewards and degrees of closeness to Christ in eternity based on their faithfulness on earth.1 Corinthians 15:41
The supreme value of fellowship with the FatherThe cup that Jesus dreaded in Gethsemane was not physical death, but the breaking of His eternal fellowship with the Father due to bearing our sin.
Christ's prayers and tears in the days of His fleshJesus offered up fervent prayers with loud crying and tears throughout His life because He hated spiritual death and the breaking of fellowship with His Father.
Experiencing the punishment of hell on the crossAs an infinite eternal being, Jesus concentrated the eternal agony of being forsaken by God—which is the true punishment for sin—into three hours on the cross.
The one who is forgiven much loves muchJesus explained that the woman who poured perfume on His feet loved much because she recognized the massive amount of sin for which she had been forgiven.
Making known the wisdom of God through the churchAn eternal purpose of God is that His multi-faceted wisdom is made known through the church to the ruling authorities and demons in the heavenly places.
Job as an example of a man who feared GodThe first book written in the Bible focuses not on doctrine or patterns, but on Job, a man who feared God, turned away from evil, and faithfully prayed for his family.
A prayer for lowliness and fellowshipThe speaker concludes by praying for grace to walk in lowliness of mind, recognizing we are nothing, and living in constant fellowship with God and other believers.
