Casting Away All Confidence In Self - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker argues that while the Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ, understanding the Old Testament is crucial for grasping the New Testament. He emphasizes that the greatest barrier to experiencing God's presence is not merely overcoming specific sins like anger or dirty thoughts, but conquering one's inherent self-will, which is symbolized by the veil. True victory comes from denying one's self-will daily, allowing God to enter deeply into the heart.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why we must read the Old TestamentThree quarters of the Bible is the Old Testament, and while the old covenant is abolished, reading those books helps us understand New Testament symbols and truths.
The veil symbolizing the fleshThe veil in the tabernacle symbolized Jesus's flesh and self-will, which He denied throughout His life so that the way into God's presence could be opened for us.Hebrews 10:19
The law as a tutor and Ishmael as human effortPaul uses the story of Abraham's two sons to illustrate the difference between the old covenant of human effort and the new covenant of promise.Galatians 3:24
The journey through the Red Sea and the cloudIsrael's deliverance from Egypt pictures salvation, water baptism, and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is given to lead us step by step into victory.
The 13-year silence between Genesis 16 and 17God remained silent for 13 years after Ishmael's birth because He waits for man to become spiritually impotent and helpless rather than relying on human cleverness.Genesis 16:16
Moses in Egypt and the wildernessMoses tried to deliver Israel in his own strength at age forty, but God had to humble him in the wilderness for forty years until he declared he was slow of speech.
Circumcision as cutting off confidence in the fleshGod instituted physical circumcision for Abraham to teach the spiritual reality of cutting off all self-confidence and relying entirely upon God.Genesis 17:10
What is true worship in the spirit?New Testament worship is not emotional singing or human cleverness, but presenting our bodies as living sacrifices by denying our eyes, tongues, and hands.Philippians 3:3
Forgetting the past and having no confidence in selfTrue circumcision means cutting off all glorying in past accomplishments and serving God each day as if we have never done anything for Him before.
Prayer as the expression of helplessnessA person with no confidence in the flesh will be a person of frequent prayer, expressing daily and hourly dependence upon God.
