Building the Church as a Home for the Lonely - Zac Poonen - April 26, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/building-church-home-lonely River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that the entire Bible, including the Old Testament, is inspired by God and should not be ignored. Zac Poonen draws parallels between the persistent faith of the widow in Luke 18 and the necessity of persistent prayer, comparing it to the selfless love shown in Luke 11. He urges the congregation to first recognize a burden for others and then acknowledge their own inability to meet those needs, knowing they must turn to God through persistent prayer.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Value all 66 books of the BibleBelievers should not ignore the Old Testament, as all 66 books of the Bible are inspired by God and profitable for training in righteousness.
God is a father to the fatherlessGod cares personally for the insecure and fearful like a true father rather than a distant director of an orphanage.Psalm 68:5–6
Persistence in prayer like the persistent widowJesus used the parable of the widow to show that God is willing to bring justice and answers to those who persist in prayer without giving up.
Praying for the needs of othersUsing the parable of the man knocking at midnight, Jesus teaches us to have a burden for the needs of others and persistently seek God for what we lack to help them.
Christ as husband and makerJust as God the Father is our heavenly Father, God the Son is our husband, and He makes a home for the lonely.Isaiah 54:5
The church must be a home, not a cold organizationMany religious gatherings are cold and academic, but God's plan is for the church to be a warm home where people love one another instead of relying on large numbers or corporate structures.
Rejecting worldly models of church leadershipChurches should not hire pastors through corporate-style interviews, and early apostles refused proud titles, acting instead as brothers and spiritual fathers.
Growing together through imperfection and loveBuilding a true church family takes years of patience, dealing with mistakes, and intentionally caring for the quiet and lonely people sitting among us.
Starting with one faithful person like DanielGod often builds a fellowship starting with a single person who takes an uncompromising stand for obedience in the smallest details of life.
Delivering prisoners into prosperityGod wants to not only release people trapped in the prison of sin, lust, and anger, but also lead them into spiritual prosperity and continuous joy.Psalm 68:6
Diligently seeking God with all the heartGod rewards those who seek Him with all their heart for cleansing, power, and the gift of prophecy to build up others.Hebrews 11:6Jeremiah 29:13
The Greeks seeking JesusWhen intellectual Greeks came to see Jesus, He did not rely on human prestige or scholarship, pointing instead to the necessity of the cross.John 12:20–22
A grain of wheat must die to bear fruitUnless a person is willing to die to their earthly reputation, cleverness, and self-life, they remain fruitless, but dying brings eternal life and true fruitfulness.
Seeking the ultimate approval of the FatherBelievers should yearn above all else for the heavenly Father's stamp of approval, ending their lives shining brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.
