Walking In Jesus' Footsteps by Zac Poonen (1 July 2012)
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that following Jesus means living a life of perfect obedience, which is a high standard that challenges many Christians. The speaker argues that God's commands are not impossible, citing Jesus' own life as proof, and that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live in a manner that demonstrates sin is serious and God's commands are achievable. The core message is that the true power of the Holy Spirit is to enable us to live like Jesus on earth.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Walking in the footsteps of JesusThe scripture in 1 John challenges believers to a very high standard: to walk in the same manner as Jesus walked on this earth.1 John 2:6
Overcoming the devil's liesThe devil blinds Christians by telling two primary lies: that disobeying God is not serious, and that keeping God's commands is impossible.
The word of His graceGod's word is called the word of His grace, meaning that with every command in scripture, there is grace provided to help us keep it.
Jesus our sympathetic high priestJesus understands our weaknesses because He was tempted in every single point just as we are, yet did not sin.Hebrews 4:15
Receiving mercy and graceBecause of Christ's victory, believers can draw near with boldness to the throne of grace to receive mercy for past sins and grace in times of need.Hebrews 4:16
Moving from forgiveness to salvation from sinMany Christians only know Jesus as a forgiver who pardons repeated failures rather than a Savior who delivers them from the power of sin.
Crying out for deliveranceJust like the Israelites crying out in bondage in Egypt, believers must become desperate and cry out to God to be saved from their slavery to sin.Exodus 2:23
The full gospelThe full gospel encompasses both sides of the coin: complete non-condemnation for the past and the clear command to go and sin no more.
The two parts of God's graceGrace first delivers us from the guilt of trespasses and secondly ensures that sin shall not be master over us.Ephesians 1:7Romans 6:14
Living by every wordThe Christian life stands steady on two feet: obeying every commandment and claiming every promise given in Scripture.
The first condition of discipleshipJesus declared that anyone who comes to Him must love Him so supremely that earthly family attachments look like hatred in comparison.Luke 14:26
The second condition of discipleshipA disciple must daily deny their own will at the cross, choosing God's will above everything else just as Jesus did.
The third condition of discipleshipBelievers must surrender a possessive attitude toward all their earthly possessions, holding everything loosely as stewards of God.
