Words of Encouragement - Olu Talabi & Santosh Poonen - January 20, 2019
http://rlcfchurch.org/words-of-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages the audience to live with an expectation that Jesus Christ could return at any moment, emphasizing that this belief should spur a deep devotion and focus on Christ. He draws from passages like 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, and Luke 12, stressing that believers must be ready to be found blameless and pure when the Lord comes, rather than waiting until a future, unspecified time.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Comfort one another with the promise of His comingPaul commands believers in 1 Thessalonians to encourage and edify one another using the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back.
The Son of Man will come at an unexpected hourJesus warns in Luke that the Son of Man will come at an hour we do not think, challenging the assumption that His return is always far off in the future.
Being found pure and blamelessPeter urges believers to be diligent so that when the Lord appears, they are found in peace, without spot, and blameless.2 Peter 3:14
The ruler of the world is comingJust as the ruler of the world comes with nothing in Jesus, believers must radically deal with sin and compromise in their hearts right now.John 14:30
Spending spiritual energy on secret devotionRather than being caught up in outward religious crowds and big works, believers are called to spend their spiritual energy on secret devotion to God.
Jesus sleeping in the stormWhen a fierce gale arose and filled the boat with water, Jesus was fast asleep in the stern, demonstrating a profound rest that baffled the disciples.Mark 4:35
Why are you afraid? Where is your faith?Jesus rebukes the disciples' fear, implying that true faith would have enabled them to sleep in the boat right beside Him.
The most precious thing God can give us is His restAt the root of the divine nature is rest, meaning you remain completely at peace regardless of external trials, job loss, sickness, or mistreatment.
The radical cost of following JesusJesus warns potential followers that discipleship requires letting go of worldly security and comfort, prioritizing the Master above human attachments.
Learning obedience through silent sufferingJesus attained His perfect rest by enduring rejection, misunderstanding, and silent suffering throughout His life on earth to become our ultimate example.
