Questions & Answers - Zac Poonen - March 1, 2013
http://rlcfchurch.org/act-like-men-and-be-strong RLCF Men's Conference 2013 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker contrasts the pursuit of mere knowledge (the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) with the pursuit of true life found in God (the Tree of Life). He emphasizes that true Christian life requires a radical surrender, symbolized by the flaming sword, moving beyond legalistic righteousness. The primary purpose of the local church is to reveal God not as a strict judge, but as a loving Father, mirroring the revelation Jesus provided.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The Two Trees and Self-LifePeople often gather around the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because it satisfies them with a legalistic righteousness, whereas the tree of life requires the flaming sword of death to our self-life.
The Primary Purpose of the Local ChurchThe local church is called the body of christ to fulfill the same function that jesus did: revealing to the earth what god is truly like.
Knowing God as Father by RevelationMany christians know god only theoretically, like a distant father, rather than experiencing the intimate revelation of god as a caring father who handles their problems.
Trusting God Instead of Begging for MoneyBecause god is a caring father, the body of christ must function in financial trust without resorting to begging or demeaning pleas for money.
Jesus's Prayer for the Committed RemnantJesus prayed specifically for His committed disciples to be one, just as He and the Father are one, rather than praying generally for the unregenerate world.
The Commission to Make DisciplesThe goal is not merely taking people to heaven, but teaching them to follow Jesus and obey everything He commanded here on earth.
The Narrow Way and the Price of FellowshipBuilding the body requires the narrow way where believers die to their self-life so they can become truly unified with one another.
Difficult, Impossible, DoneGod waits for us to move from thinking spiritual work is difficult to realizing it is entirely impossible for us, so that He can accomplish it by His Spirit.
Old Testament Promises and the Ten CommandmentsBelievers must discern which old testament passages apply under the new covenant, and those led by the holy spirit are no longer under the law or the ten commandments.
Living in a Perpetual Sabbath RestThe physical seventh-day sabbath is fulfilled in the new covenant believer who lives in a perpetual inner sabbath rest and peace every day of the week.
What is True Worship?Worship is the highest form of fellowship with God, where a person desires absolutely nothing and no one on earth or in heaven except Jesus.
Evangelism Must Lead to DiscipleshipEvangelism without discipleship is like abandoning newborn babies, and chasing statistics rather than raising mature believers creates spiritually unhealthy congregations.
Handling Cultural Hang-ups and Scriptural AuthorityEverything written in the new testament epistles is for all time, and compromising portions of scripture as merely cultural opens the door to dismissing all biblical standards.
Conclusion and Closing PrayerDespite cultural differences between nations, human flesh and temptations are the same everywhere, calling believers to reverence God and remain true to His word.
