Looking Back and Looking Forward - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker encourages the congregation to look back on God's faithfulness over the past 44 years with gratitude, drawing parallels to Moses' remembrance of the wilderness journey. He emphasizes that the church's focus must be on making disciples, which involves teaching obedience to Christ's commands. True discipleship requires three ongoing commitments: making Christ supreme in one's heart, daily dying to self by taking up the cross, and valuing Christ above all possessions.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Remembering God's leading over the past 44 yearsDrawing on Moses' words in Deuteronomy, believers are encouraged to look back with gratitude at how God has led and preserved the church since its beginning.
The call to make disciples and teach obedienceThe church was founded not merely for evangelism, but to fulfill the second part of the Great Commission by teaching people to obey everything Christ commanded.
The conditions of true discipleshipTrue repentance means dethroning self to make Jesus supreme over family, possessions, and daily life while taking up the cross daily.Luke 14:26–33
Pressing on to perfection and the Sermon on the MountBelievers must not stop at foundational teachings but press on to perfection, measuring their righteousness against Christ's standard in the Sermon on the Mount.Hebrews 6:1
Following Jesus' example of humility and submission to authorityJesus provided an earthly example by submitting to imperfect authority for thirty years, showing that rebellion brings ruin while humility brings blessing.
Learning from those who fell away or prosperedExamining the lives of those who fell away through pride, fault-finding, or the love of money serves as a protective warning for believers.
Guarding against deception and losing first loveBelievers are warned that the last days will bring severe deception and that increased sin will cause the love of many believers to grow cold.
Preserving pure devotion to ChristJust as the serpent deceived Eve, the devil seeks to lead believers away from a life of fervent inner devotion to Christ into mere intellectual knowledge.2 Corinthians 11:3
Avoiding the form of godliness without powerThe last days will feature people with a form of godliness who love themselves and money rather than possessing genuine spiritual power.
Following the servant heart of JesusTrue followers of Jesus must imitate His humility by taking the lowest place, serving others, and washing feet rather than seeking self-exaltation.
Raising up younger leaders and shepherds after God's heartPassing the baton to younger leaders is essential for the church to continue from strength to strength under shepherds appointed by God.
Maintaining radical financial integrityBelievers must avoid falling into the trap of debt, materialism, and greed, keeping their lives free from the worship of money.
Cooperating with Christ in building His churchSetting one's mind on human interests rather than God's makes someone a stumbling block, whereas prioritizing God's church brings eternal reward.Matthew 16:18–23
