The Way We Must Live Every Day -- Zac Poonen -- February 3, 2021
https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/way-we-must-live-every-day River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian living goes beyond merely following rules or reading the Bible to ease one's conscience. Instead, believers must develop the habit of meditating on scripture day and night, allowing God's Word to guide their thoughts and decisions. This deep meditation, exemplified by Jesus's own discipline, is presented as the source of wisdom and the ability to navigate life's challenges.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Moving beyond living by rulesMany Christians start out treating the faith as a matter of following rules, which is essentially returning to live under the law.
The foundation of reading the BibleDeveloping the habit of reading the Bible daily is crucial for new believers to establish a solid foundation, just as the speaker did in his early years.
The importance of meditationWe must not just read the Bible to ease our conscience, but meditate on it so that we hear God speak to us through His word.
How Jesus used the word in temptationJesus overcame temptation not by using His divine powers, but by having the word of God in His mind through discipline and meditation.
The promise of spiritual prosperityPsalm 1 promises that whoever meditates on God's word will prosper spiritually, becoming rich in grace and able to bless others.Psalm 1:3
Guarding against strange doctrinesPaul urges Timothy to instruct believers to avoid myths, genealogies, and false teachings that lead to speculation rather than spiritual growth.1 Timothy 1:3
The four components of the goalThe ultimate goal of instruction is love from a pure heart, accompanied by a good conscience and a sincere, unhypocritical faith.
What is a pure heart?A pure heart is one that loves God supremely, with no place in it for anyone or anything other than God.
Desiring nothing on earth beside GodThe psalmist's expression in Psalm 73 captures the essence of loving God above all earthly desires and looking for God Himself rather than heavenly comforts.Psalm 73:25
Being filled with the Holy Spirit and loveThe Holy Spirit pours the love of God into our hearts, enabling us to love God, love our neighbors, and go about doing good just as Jesus did.
The importance of a good conscienceA good conscience means having no unconfessed sin, promptly forgiving anyone who has hurt us, and asking forgiveness from those we have wronged.
Staying out of debtObeying the biblical instruction to owe no man anything is a vital part of keeping a clear conscience and walking closely with God.
Living conscious of nothing against oneselfLike the apostle Paul, we should aim to live with a clear conscious life before God, dealing radically with whatever light He gives us.1 Corinthians 4:4
Faith as a branch abiding in the treeTrue faith is the simple, helpless dependence of a branch abiding in the tree, trusting Christ to produce His fruit and work through us.John 15:5
Accepting our place in the body of ChristWe must rest in God's calling rather than striving for human recognition, fulfilling our unique part in the body of Christ with contentment and peace.
