Building A New Covenant Church: 1.Planted By God Himself - Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker argues that many Christians operate under the Old Covenant, evidenced by their inability to achieve victory over sin, which is a hallmark of living under grace. He critiques modern church structures as mere organizations rather than the supernatural Body of Christ, emphasizing that true spiritual life requires deep study of God's Word. The core message is the necessity of living in the New Covenant, which is characterized by pressing on to perfection and understanding God's continuous provision and victory over sin, even after the Fall.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why understanding the New Covenant mattersThe speaker introduces a series on building a New Covenant Church, noting that 90% of believers live under the old covenant because they lack victory over sin.
God is on man's side against the devilRight after the fall in Genesis, God's first action was to prophesy the destruction of the serpent, showing He is always on man's side to lift the fallen.
The conceit of human generationEve thought she had created Jehovah in Cain, demonstrating the human pride that thinks we can generate God's work by our own strength.
Abraham's misguided attempt with HagarAbraham tried to help God fulfill His promise by producing Ishmael through human strength and cleverness, which God rejected.
Every plant not planted by the Father will be uprootedJesus warned that any church or work not planted by the heavenly Father will be uprooted, leaving blind guides leading the blind.Matthew 15:13–14
Apart from Christ we can do nothingJust as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it abides in the vine, any spiritual work attempted apart from Christ amounts to zero.
The type of people God choosesGod deliberately chooses ordinary, overlooked people so that no human being may boast in His presence.1 Corinthians 1:26
Moses and the necessity of being brokenMoses tried to deliver Israel in his own strength at age 40, but after 40 years in the wilderness, he was finally broken to the point of saying 'not me Lord.'Acts 7:22
Moving from the difficult to the impossibleGod waited until Abraham was 99 years old so that producing a son went from difficult to impossible, illustrating how God works.
The Sermon on the Mount as the New Covenant standardThe Sermon on the Mount replaces the Ten Commandments, and trying to obey it in one's own strength reveals that it is impossible without God.
The selfless nature of the Lord's PrayerThe words 'I', 'me', and 'my' are completely absent from the Lord's Prayer, focusing entirely on God's name, kingdom, and will.
Mary and the supernatural work of the Holy SpiritWhen Mary asked how a virgin birth was possible, the angel pointed to the Holy Spirit, showing that building the church is impossible without Him.
The price of scandal and ridiculeBringing forth the body of Christ requires embracing misunderstanding, shame, and ridicule rather than seeking worldly popularity.
