The Secret Of Fellowship With God - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The core message is that true fellowship with God and others requires maintaining a clear conscience, which is likened to frequently blinking to keep the eyes clean. If one ignores sin, the conscience becomes clouded, leading to spiritual blindness and an inability to hear God's voice. Keeping one's conscience clear allows for a fuller joy and a clearer hearing of God's direction in life.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why was 1 John written?The whole purpose of the letter is that believers may have vertical fellowship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and horizontal fellowship with one another, resulting in full and complete joy.
What hinders our fellowship with God?A bad conscience hinders fellowship, and like a speck of dust in the eye, any wrong thing must be set right immediately so it does not cause spiritual blindness.
Listening to God's voiceMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, meaning God wants to speak to us daily if our ears are not blocked by sin.
Learning to hear God through life decisionsBy keeping a clear conscience from the early days of his walk with the Lord, the speaker was able to clearly hear God's guidance to leave his job in the navy and follow His calling.
Being guided by peace in ministry and marriageGod guides believers in practical decisions like marriage and ministry invitations when they seek His peace rather than chasing large crowds or worldly prestige.
Choosing truth over dishonestyWhen facing tight spots in work or personal life, giving in to a small lie to escape trouble destroys fellowship with God, whereas speaking the truth honors Him.
Zacchaeus and the true son of AbrahamZacchaeus demonstrated true repentance by stopping his crooked ways, repaying those he cheated fourfold, and forsaking the love of money, proving himself a true son of Abraham.
Having money versus loving moneyHaving money is not wrong, but loving money is dangerous because a person cannot serve both God and money.
Honoring God in career choicesWhen the speaker's son chose a lower-paying job that allowed him to keep the Sabbath over a demanding investment banking job, God honored that decision.
Praying for costly obedienceThe speaker prayed that all his sons would have the experience of giving up something attractive in the world to choose and honor God.
Building a church without compromisersPreaching a high standard of truth may cause some to leave, but it ensures that those who stay will not look back with regret on the day of judgment.
Closing prayer and exhortationThe speaker encourages listeners to heed the truth, obey God, and closes with a prayer asking God to bless and help the families become true disciples.
