God is Light and God is Love - Zac Poonen - May 26, 2017
http://rlcf.church/sermons/god-light-god-love River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that the believer's life should reflect the 'beauty of the Lord' shining from within, which is a hallmark of the New Covenant. The speaker warns against a superficial Christianity where outward religious activity masks a fading glory, comparing it to the Old Covenant. True evidence of God's presence is a life lived in the Spirit—characterized by immediate confession of sin and quick reconciliation with others—rather than mere feeling or performance.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Let the beauty of the Lord be upon usMoses prayed for the beauty of God to be upon him inwardly without his own awareness, drawing people to Christ rather than to human preachers.Psalm 90:17
Moving beyond the fading glory of the Old CovenantUnlike Moses who veiled his face to hide a fading glory, New Covenant believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit from glory to increasing glory.
Dealing instantly with sin to maintain fellowshipLiving in God's presence 24/7 requires an immediate, humble confession of sin and asking forgiveness rather than letting the glory fade through unconfused faults.
Beauty and christ-likeness come through balanceJust as a human body needs balance in its features to be beautiful, a christ-like life requires equal growth in both practical life and biblical doctrine.
Eternal life is knowing God personallyEternal life is not merely living forever, but intimately knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ in a spirit-joined marriage relationship.John 17:3
Taking hold of eternal life with diligenceBelievers must treat God's Word with utmost seriousness and pursue a deeper, growing knowledge of the Lord rather than remaining ignorant.1 Timothy 6:12
Paying close attention to life and doctrineBy paying attention to both personal life and teaching, believers ensure salvation for themselves and effectively help save others.1 Timothy 4:16
Avoiding the hypocrisy of actingBelievers must reject hypocrisy and the acting of the old life, acknowledging shortcomings instead of wearing a religious mask.
God is light and God is loveScripture reveals two foundational statements about God: He is absolute light with zero tolerance for sin, and He is perfect love.1 John 1:5
Beholding the kindness and the severity of GodWe must look carefully at both the kindness and the severity of God, keeping our understanding balanced like the two tracks of a railway train.
God's approach to human failure in Genesis 3When Adam and Eve sinned, God showed kindness by offering a promise of salvation first, balanced with the severity of casting them out of the garden.Genesis 3:11
Knowing God is greater than doing worksOn the day of judgment, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ is far more important than performing miracles or preaching in His name.
