3.Making wholehearted Disciples - Zac Poonen
Preserving A Pure Testimony
Summary
The speaker argues that the human race is characterized by a lack of reverence for God, evidenced by the way people use their tongues to deceive and speak carelessly. True reverence leads to controlling one's speech, progressing from restraining oneself under the law to the divine nature taking over in the New Covenant. Furthermore, humanity is plagued by self-seeking interests, which the speaker contrasts with the reality of being truly born again and grafted into Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Two verses characterizing the entire human raceThe entire human race is defined by two key traits in Scripture: a total lack of reverence for God and a constant pursuit of personal interests.
How a lack of reverence is proved by the tongueThe way human beings use their speech, from deception and anger to complaining, proves they lack a holy fear and reverence for God.
Seeking our own interests as a universal traitJust as the tongue reveals a lack of reverence, the universal habit of seeking personal and familial interests above all else comes from the tree of Adam.Philippians 2:21
Real conversion and being grafted into ChristTrue conversion means being cut off from the old tree of Adam and grafted into Christ by the Holy Spirit, replacing self-seeking with a passion for God's kingdom.
The gradual process of sanctificationSanctification happens progressively like peeling an onion, as the Holy Spirit convicts believers of hidden selfishness and brings them toward complete purity.
Manifesting reverence in everyday respectReverence for God in the New Covenant is shown through honoring all human beings respectfully, moving past the partial standards of the Old Covenant.
Enjoying fiery preaching versus true repentanceLike King Herod who enjoyed listening to John the Baptist without changing his life, modern believers can enjoy powerful messages while remaining worldly.
The high cost of following JesusJesus turned away large crowds by demanding that His followers place Him above family ties and their own lives.Luke 14:25–26
Making disciples instead of abandoning spiritual babiesEvangelism without disciple-making leaves converts uncared for, much like a mother abandoning her newborn children.
Paul's labor for maturity and the temptation to compromiseThe apostle Paul labored in spiritual birth a second time so believers would fully mature into Christ, even when others turned away for worldly gain.Galatians 4:19
Choosing the path less traveled at the forks in the roadIn the Christian life, believers continually face choices where selecting the narrow, less-traveled path makes all the difference for eternity.
Shutting the mouth of Satan through wholehearted livingGod longs to find families and individuals whose lives and decisions are entirely driven by honoring Christ, thereby silencing Satan's accusations.
A call to discover and fulfill your function in the bodyEvery believer is a member of Christ's body and has a unique responsibility to seek God and fulfill their function with wholehearted devotion.
