He Pleased The Father For 33 Years - Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker reflects on a 33-year journey, emphasizing that the success and growth achieved were entirely God's work. He argues that Christians often focus on external miracles of Old Testament figures, overlooking the superior example provided by Jesus. True faith, according to the speaker, is not demonstrated by miraculous feats but by faithfully taking up the cross and doing God's will daily, mirroring Jesus's life.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Thanksgiving for thirty-three yearsAs the church reflects on thirty-three years, there is only room for thanksgiving for God's abundant mercy, recognizing that the growth and work are entirely of God.
God has provided something better than Old Testament examplesWhile Hebrews 11 highlights great Old Testament figures like Abraham, Moses, and David, verse 40 states God provided something better: Jesus as our primary example.
Taking up the cross daily to do God's willJesus is the author of our faith because He endured the cross daily, meaning He never once did His own will over the Father's will during His thirty-three years on Earth.
Pleasing the Father through daily lifeBelievers are created to please God, and just as Jesus lived quietly for thirty years without doing miracles yet pleased the Father, ordinary believers can please God in daily life.
Enduring the cross and despising the shameJust as Jesus endured the cross for the joy of fellowshipping with the Father, believers must be willing to face misunderstanding, ridicule, and suffering for standing up for Christ.
Avoiding pride by comparing ourselves with JesusHuman pride stems from comparing ourselves to others, but keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, who obeyed perfectly, keeps us humble and ensures God gives us grace.
Finishing the work the Father gaveAt the end of His earthly life, Jesus testified that He glorified the Father by finishing the specific work given to Him, just as any faithful believer can fulfill their calling in ordinary life.
Rejecting the ministry of condemnation and legalismBelievers must reject the old Covenant legalism and pressure from others to meet external demands, knowing they have a vital ministry as members of Christ's body.
Manifesting the Father's name and characterJesus manifested the name and compassionate character of the Father to broken and hurting people, calling believers to be fathers and mothers to those around them.
Exchanging everything with GodThe secret to the Christian life is surrendering everything we possess to God, in exchange for which the Father makes all His abundant resources available to us.John 17:10
The world's hatred and the prayer for unityJust as the religious world hated Jesus, His followers face opposition, yet Jesus prayed specifically for the unity and protection of His disciples rather than converting the secular world.
Living through the power of the Holy SpiritAll of Jesus's life and ministry were accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, which is the absolute necessity for every believer today to successfully live out the Christian life.
