Words of Encouragement -- Olu Talabi & Dave Bertsch -- January 31, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/words-of-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message emphasizes that Jesus Christ is the singular way, the gate, and the rock for eternal life. The speaker repeatedly points to scripture (Isaiah 26, John 10, John 14, Revelation 21) to affirm that all life's pursuit must center on knowing and learning from Jesus. Furthermore, the talk encourages believers to prioritize the Lord's presence over worldly concerns, noting that true devotion means being more careful about sin than about physical sickness.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How can we fulfill these things?When processing the messages heard this morning, only one name came to mind as the answer to how we can fulfill them: Jesus.
Trusting in the Lord foreverReading from Isaiah 26, the speaker points out that God keeps in perfect peace those whose minds stay on Him because they trust in Him.Isaiah 26:2–4
Jesus is the door, the rock, and the wayJesus is the gate into everlasting life, the spiritual rock we drink from, and the way we are called to walk in daily.
The street of gold and the tree of lifeIn Revelation, the imagery of the city gates, the street of gold, and the tree of life all point back to Christ as our sustaining life.
Founded more and more in JesusBelievers must read the scriptures and continually ask to be founded more deeply in Jesus so their salvation and foundation remain sure.
In thy presence is fullness of joyReflecting on Psalm 16, the speaker considers what it takes to genuinely experience the presence of God where there is fullness of joy.Psalm 16:1–11
Being more concerned with sin than sicknessTrue spiritual maturity is marked by being more concerned with avoiding sin than avoiding sickness, yet what we say we want and what we live can differ.
The analogy of dieting and cautionJust wanting to get healthy is not enough without disciplined caution, similarly to how someone strictly guards their diet against the smallest contamination.
Setting the Lord always before usDavid understood the secret of setting the Lord always at his right hand so that he would not be moved by competing distractions.
Fleeing from God versus treasuring His presenceWhile Adam, Eve, and Jonah hid from God's presence after sinning, believers should instead cherish His presence like vital medicine they refuse to go anywhere without.
