11th April 2021 - Sunday Church Service | Discerning the Spirit of Babylon - Zac Poonen
11th April 2021 - Sunday Church Service | Discerning the Spirit of Babylon - Zac Poonen
Summary
The message focuses on discerning the 'spirit of Babylon' using Revelation 17, contrasting it with the faithful 'New Jerusalem' or the bride who follows Christ. Babylon is described as a harlot, representing those who claim allegiance to Christ but are unfaithful or belong to other systems. The core message is the need for believers to remain faithful to Christ, following Him wherever He leads.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Opening songs of salvationThe congregation joins in singing songs about God's salvation, the sacrifice of Christ, and His resurrection.
A song of grace and transformationThe music expresses how God's grace turns people away from selfish pride and brings them to life.
A prayer of reverence and adorationThe speaker leads a prayer to quiet the mind and focus on God's majesty, faithfulness, and the refuge found in His presence.
Opening prayer and memory versesThe speaker begins with a prayer for spiritual openness and recites last week's command from Matthew 6 and this week's promise from Matthew 28.
What is the spirit of Babylon?Using Revelation 17, the speaker explains that Babylon represents a system of spiritual adultery where those claiming to be Christians are unfaithful to Christ.
The danger of knowledge without lifeThe speaker warns that accumulating biblical knowledge without the Holy Spirit's help to digest it into spiritual life leads to pride and the spirit of Babylon.
Why Abel's sacrifice was acceptedThe difference between Cain and Abel was not the type of offering, but that Abel brought the best of his flock rather than just a mere offering.
The 'minimum Christian' vs. the best lifeSome Christians seek only the minimum required to please God or go to heaven, whereas true followers like Abel and Paul aim to give their absolute best to Christ.
The danger of using God's gifts for personal gainTrue service must be entirely for Christ; using spiritual gifts or ministry to seek money, honor, or self-advancement is the spirit of Babylon.Luke 8:3
Loving spiritual health as much as physical healthJust as people instinctively seek to fix physical injuries or sicknesses, Christians should be just as eager to immediately correct sin and maintain spiritual health.
The three characteristics of BabylonThe spirit of Babylon is defined by being a lover of pleasure, a lover of money, and a lover of self.
The essence of the Bride versus the HarlotTrue discipleship is characterized by things that originate from God, are done through His power, and are for His glory, whereas Babylon originates in man for man's own glory.
The sovereignty of God and the true churchA true church is defined by Jesus being in the midst of even a small gathering, under the absolute sovereignty of God who governs all heaven and earth.
A struggle with an inconsistent inner lifeThe speaker recounts his past struggle where his external ministry appeared good, but he was privately defeated by anger and impure thoughts.
The importance of fellowship in the Body of ChristTrue spiritual growth and stability are found by being part of a group of believers, where we are accountable to one another as members of one body.
