Mar 3 2012: Zac Poonen: A Church Where God Dwells
New Covenant Christian Fellowship http://newcovenantcf.org - Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nccf-live-stream
Summary
The central message is that the true mark of a New Covenant church is not found in specific doctrines or structures, but in a deep, fervent love for God that allows the Holy Spirit to reveal divine truths. The speaker emphasizes that understanding God's heart requires humility, reverence for God, and a focus on love rather than intellectual argument or adherence to historical patterns. True understanding comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to fill the heart with love for Jesus Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God reveals His truths to those who love HimGod prepares wonderful things for those who love Him, and through the Holy Spirit, He reveals these truths to humble believers rather than through mere intellectual debates.1 Corinthians 2:9–10
Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdomThe fear of the Lord is the fundamental starting point in the kingdom of God, without which no amount of Bible study or intelligence will unlock Scripture.
Who does God use to build His house?God looks to use individuals who are humble, contrite in spirit, and who tremble at His word, rather than those who rely on their own cleverness.
Jesus praises God for hiding truths from the cleverJesus praised the Father for hiding deep spiritual truths from the intelligent and revealing them instead to spiritual babes who humble themselves.Matthew 11:25
The continuity of Scripture and the New CovenantWhile the old covenant of animal sacrifices and specific legal regulations has been abolished, the Old Testament remains vital for teaching us God's eternal heart and hatred of idolatry.
Constructing a sanctuary for God to dwell inGod desired a dwelling place among His people starting from the tabernacle in the wilderness, culminating today in individual believers, Christian homes, and the church.Exodus 25:8
The three-story building: life, home, and churchBuilding a church happens in three layers: first a personal walk with a clear conscience, second a forgiving and loving Christian home, and finally the gathered local church.
Doing just as the Lord commandedRepeated emphasis in Exodus on doing everything exactly as the Lord commanded shows that meticulous obedience is required to finish God's work.
What brings the glory of God?The glory of God filled the ancient tabernacle because Moses followed instructions completely, proving that true spiritual power comes from obedience rather than musical performance or empty prayers.
When the glory departs and returnsEzekiel's vision shows how God's glory can depart from a temple that maintains outward forms without spiritual reality, but God's glory returns when His people repent and return to His pattern.
The entire area of God's house is most holyUnlike the old covenant where only a small inner room was most holy, the new covenant makes the entire area of God's house holy, requiring a 24/7 life dedicated entirely to God.
