Words of Encouragement -- Ajay Chakravarthy & David Lane -- September 27, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/words-of-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon uses the analogy of the Tabernacle and the living stone (Jesus) to illustrate the nature of the church, which is built by living stones. True spiritual life comes from being genuinely connected to Christ, making Him the sole ambition. The speaker encourages the congregation to focus on a private, pure devotion to Christ, as this secret life will be openly rewarded by God, rather than seeking validation through external activity or noise.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Coming to Jesus as a living stoneThe body of Christ is not a physical building, but a spiritual house made of living stones drawn to the precious cornerstone, Jesus.1 Peter 2:4
Built up as a spiritual houseOnly those who possess the life of Christ are attracted to this living spiritual house and drawn into fellowship.
Going through the veilIf Jesus is truly our only ambition, we will be willing to go through the painful process of the veil into His immediate presence.
Recognized as having been with JesusThose who spend time in the most holy place carry the fragrance of Christ, which others will recognize just as they did with Peter and John.Acts 4:13
Resisting the noise of external activityBelievers must avoid getting distracted by the loud activity and validation on the other side of the curtain, choosing instead secret purity and devotion.
The secret ministry of EpaphrasEpaphras engaged in an unseen, earnest ministry of prayer for the church, showing that private devotion matters deeply to God.
Drawing near through a new and living wayThrough Christ's flesh and the new way He inaugurated, we are called to draw near to God with sincere hearts and cleansed consciences.
The deep desire to dwell in God's houseOld Testament writers like David and the sons of Korah expressed an intense longing to dwell in the house of the Lord and behold His beauty.
Dying to our own ambitionsThe cross is not merely about dying to external reactions, but dying to our own personal ambitions, pleasures, and self-pleasing desires.
Life that flows naturally from ChristTrue spiritual impact is not manufactured through eloquent speaking or human gifting, but flows naturally as the life of Jesus is manifested through our death to self.
Equal ground at the foot of the crossWhile God gives different gifts to different people, all believers share equal access to the cross and the secret inner life where God dwells and rewards openly.
