09.YOUNG PEOPLE, BE FAITHFUL - Zac Poonen
Kakinada Meetings 2015: OVERCOMING THE RULER OF THIS WORLD
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true assurance of salvation comes from believing God's Word, not from emotional experiences or feelings, as the devil can mimic these. He strongly advises young people to prioritize reading the Bible daily, using all spare moments for study. Furthermore, he shares personal testimonies about God calling him to leave a secure career for ministry and stresses the importance of seeking counsel from older, wiser believers before making major life decisions.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How did you find assurance of your salvation?After years of doubt and backsliding, the speaker received absolute assurance of salvation simply by believing a single verse of scripture without needing any emotional signs or feelings.
Why the Bible can be trustedThe reliability of the Bible is proven over decades of personal experience, where meditating on its verses consistently guides and sustains life.
Finding time for God's wordYoung people are encouraged to watch less television and redeem spare moments throughout the day to read and memorize the Bible.
Seeking confirmation for major life decisionsWhen sensing a call to leave his job in the Navy, the speaker sought guidance from scripture and confirmation from a mature servant of God before acting.
Overcoming obstacles in God's willFacing repeated rejections when resigning from his job taught the speaker to persist in faith through difficulties rather than abandoning God's calling.
How Jesus overcame the devilJesus defeated Satan's temptations in the wilderness entirely by quoting and standing upon the written word of God instead of entering into arguments.1 John 2:14
Joseph's example of puritySold into slavery in Egypt at age seventeen, Joseph resisted severe temptation because he possessed the fear of God and knew that God was watching him.
The importance of the fear of GodPossessing Bibles and attending church are insufficient without the genuine fear of God, which protects a person from sin even when alone in secret.
Standing firm when falsely accusedEven when faced with false accusations and imprisonment for doing what was right, Joseph maintained his integrity and experienced God's presence in jail.
God honors those who honor HimGod allowed Joseph to undergo years of rigorous training and imprisonment before elevating him to become the prime minister of Egypt to fulfill His sovereign plan.
A call to be faithful witnessesYoung people are challenged to be faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ in every area of life, holding fast to God's word when facing temptation.
