The Crown of Righteousness - Santosh Poonen - April 7, 2013
http://rlcfchurch.org/the-crown-of-righteousness River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker reflects on Paul's testimony of being the chief of sinners, emphasizing that God's mercy and patience can be demonstrated through an individual's life. He cautions that desiring God's physical presence requires spiritual readiness, as all pretense and outward appearances will be stripped away. Ultimately, true accountability comes from recognizing that God sees the heart and motives, not just outward piety.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Acknowledging personal unworthiness and taking sin seriouslyThe speaker reflects on Paul's testimony in First Timothy as the chief of sinners, noting that genuine spiritual growth involves taking one's sin more seriously before God.1 Timothy 1:12
The sobering reality of God's physical presenceDesiring the physical appearance of Jesus is a serious matter because his presence strips away all religious masks and leaves every person naked and bare before the righteous judge.
The origin of human hiding and pretenseAdam and Eve's reaction of fear and hiding after eating the forbidden fruit shows the exact root of why humans put on false fronts and pretend to be someone they are not.
The word of God as a piercing two-edged swordTrue scripture meditation goes beyond changing outward behavior to judge the hidden thoughts and intentions of the heart, exposing hypocrisy and inviting genuine freedom.Hebrews 4:12
Running with confidence to the throne of graceInstead of hiding from God like Adam, believers can approach his throne boldly through a great high priest to receive mercy for past sins and grace for future needs.
The convicting ministry of prophecy in the churchWhen a church earnestly desires and practices biblical prophecy, secrets of the heart are disclosed, leading unbelievers to fall down and declare that God is truly among them.1 Corinthians 14:1
Rejecting self-righteousness as filthy ragsThe crown of righteousness promised by the righteous judge is not earned through good deeds or a good reputation, which amount to nothing more than a filthy rag.2 Timothy 4:8
Learning true righteousness from Jesus and the FatherUsing Jesus healing on the sabbath, the speaker explains that true righteousness is not about keeping legalistic rules, but doing only what a person sees the Father doing.
Living out of the imparted life of GodGodly living as a spouse, parent, or worker is not achieved by gritting one's teeth to match a standard, but by drawing life directly from Jesus, who has authority to impart it.
Paul's exchange of human reputation for Christ's righteousnessPaul counted all his religious zeal, pedigree, and blameless law-keeping as rubbish so that he could be found clothed entirely in the righteousness that comes from God through faith.
The hidden oil of the wise virginsThe parable of the ten virgins warns that having an outward religious testimony is not enough; believers must possess the hidden oil of an authentic, inner life with God.
