The Higher New Covenant Standard — Zac Poonen — October 8, 2023
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker warns against greed and materialism, referencing Jesus' teaching on not worrying about possessions, and emphasizes that life is more than material goods. He stresses the importance of having reverence for God, comparing it to respecting traffic signals, and advises believers to act immediately on God's guidance, making reverence the beginning of wisdom.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The Secret of the Lord for Those Who Fear HimReverence for God is rare among believers, yet it acts as the beginning of wisdom and the gateway to understanding God's deeper secrets.Psalm 25:14
Moving Past Kindergarten ChristianityMany believers remain spiritually stagnant at an elementary level for years, failing to progress in light and obedience because they never learn to truly reverence God.
The Two Conditions for Divine ForgivenessWhile believers often confess their sins to God, Jesus explicitly taught that the Father will not forgive those who refuse to forgive others from the heart.
Why God Permitted Divorce in the Old TestamentAlthough God hates divorce, He permitted it in the law of Moses due to the hardness of people's hearts, but Christ points believers back to God's original design.Malachi 2:16
Old Testament Examples and New Covenant RealitiesFigures like David acted out of the limitations of their era, but New Covenant believers are held to a higher standard of complete forgiveness and love.
Fulfilling God's Plan Despite Wasted YearsEven if someone wasted decades of their life in sin, God can overlook times of ignorance and help them finish the course He ordained for them.Psalm 139:16
Without Me You Can Do NothingJust as a branch cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, believers can accomplish nothing of eternal value without abiding in Christ for constant spiritual life.John 15:5
Childlike Trust Like a BabyThe greatest in the kingdom of God are like helpless babies who completely depend on their mother for every single need.
A Mother's Compassion and God's Unfailing CareEven if a mother could forget her nursing child, God promises He will never forget His people, carrying them all the way into their old age.Isaiah 49:15
Treating Others Better Than They DeserveBelievers must treat others, including difficult family members and adversaries, with the same grace and goodness that God has shown to them.
God Turns the Worst into the BestJust as God used the crucifixion of Jesus—the worst crime in history—to bring about the salvation of humanity, He turns personal mistreatment into spiritual growth.
A Prayer to Forgive and TrustThe message closes with an invitation to release all bitterness, forgive every person from the heart, and rest fully in God's faithful provision.
