Judgment and Discernment: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - January 25, 2015
http://rlcfchurch.org/judgment-and-discernment River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the importance of deep meditation on scripture, comparing it to chewing tough meat until it's fully digested rather than swallowing it whole. He warns against the common tendency to skip difficult passages or rely solely on others' interpretations, stressing that true understanding must come directly from the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the goal is to hear and internalize the words of Jesus Christ above all else.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Opening Prayer for the SickThe speaker invites the church to pray for families in the body suffering from illness, emphasizing the mutual care of the body of Christ.
Chewing on God's WordBelievers are encouraged to meditate slowly on scripture like Matthew chapter 7 rather than skimming over difficult passages or relying entirely on teachers.
Matthew 7:1-6 on JudgmentThe speaker reads the passage on judging not, looking at the speck in a brother's eye while ignoring the log in one's own, and not giving what is holy to dogs.
Judgment Versus DiscernmentJudgment is a natural function that points fingers outward to make a person look bad, whereas discernment is a spiritual function that tests the spirit of circumstances.
Jesus Did Not Come to JudgeJesus did not come to judge the world at His first coming, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Testing Every SpiritBelievers must use discernment to test whether the spirit of Christ is in attitudes, teachings, and music, avoiding the trap of worldly Christian psychology.
A New Heart and SpiritGod promises in Ezekiel to remove the hard Heart of Stone that always judges others and give a soft heart of flesh that can be penetrated and transformed.
Judging Yourself RightlyThe happiest people on Earth are those who always judge themselves and never judge others, avoiding the trap of condemnation by looking to Jesus.
Examining Yourself Before the Lord's TablePaul instructs believers to examine themselves when partaking of communion so they do not eat in an unworthy manner and bring judgment upon themselves.1 Corinthians 11:27–29
Escaping Self-Righteous CriticismCriticizing others is often a smoke screen to escape detection of one's own sins, but God’s kindness leads us to radical repentance.
The Fruit of Real LoveUsing 1 Corinthians 13, the speaker contrasts judgmental traits like impatience and bitterness with divine love that suffers long, covers faults, and hopes all things.
Closing Prayer of SurrenderThe speaker leads a closing prayer asking God to replace hard hearts with hearts of flesh and expressing total reliance on the cross of Christ.
