A True Picture of God -- Ajay Chakravarthy -- March 21, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/true-picture-god River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that our understanding of God dictates how we experience Him in our lives. If we operate from a flawed perception—such as viewing God as hard or exacting—our walk with Him will be painful. To correct this, we must look to Jesus, who perfectly reveals the Father's nature, which is characterized by unconditional love, as exemplified by the parable of the lost sheep. God's heart is to seek out and rejoice over the lost.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Walking with a foot out of jointIf we do not have a true picture of what God is like, our Christian walk will be painful, step by step.
Jesus as the perfect representation of GodTo truly know what God is like, we must look to Jesus, who has explained the unseen Father to us.
The servant who hid his mina out of fearIn the parable of the minas, the servant who hid his money did so because his perception of God was that He is a hard man.Luke 19:12
Adam and Eve hiding in the gardenWhen sin entered the world, Adam and Eve's perception changed from walking with a loving God to hiding from Him in fear.
The heart of the shepherdWhen Jesus asked where Adam was, it was out of a heart that leaves the ninety-nine to find the lost sheep and rejoice.Luke 15:3–6
The father running to the prodigal sonInstead of reacting with condemnation, the father runs, embraces, and throws a massive celebration for his returning son.
Salvation coming to ZacchaeusJesus sought out Zacchaeus not to chide or condemn him, but to bring salvation and fellowship to his house.
Reaping where we have not sowedJust as God called Abraham at seventy-five and lavished unearned blessings on him, God allows us to reap where we have never sowed.
The true fear of God demonstrated in obedienceAbraham's willingness to offer his son in secret proved his true fear of God, testifying of a God who would give His own Son.Genesis 22:12
Paul's concern over another JesusPaul was jealous for the Corinthians, fearing that the serpent's craftiness would lead their minds away from the pure devotion to Christ.2 Corinthians 11:2–3
Moses misrepresenting God at the rockMoses struck the rock out of anger instead of speaking to it, failing to treat God as holy before the people.Numbers 20:8–12
Job's friends speaking wrongly of GodGod's anger was kindled against Job's friends because they did not speak what was right about Him.Job 42:7
Knowing the shepherd's voiceSheep follow their shepherd and flee from strangers because they know his voice, just as we must recognize our Father's loving voice.
Loved even more now that we are reconciledIf God loved us and reconciled us while we were still enemies, how much more does He love us now that we are His children.Romans 5:10
Having confidence before God with a clear heartWhen our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God and can receive whatever we ask according to His will.1 John 3:21
Dropping the anchor behind the veilWe must drop our anchor behind the veil so that we never waver or doubt the deep, unfailing love of our heavenly Father.
