Bearing Leaves Without Fruit: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - April 19, 2015
http://rlcfchurch.org/bearing-leaves-without-fruit-part-2 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message warns against the danger of 'bearing leaves without fruit,' which describes hypocrisy—maintaining a outward appearance of piety while living sinfully in private. The speaker argues that God raises the standard of righteousness to perfection, and pretending to meet this standard is futile. True Christian life requires genuine transformation from the root up, rejecting pretense and transactional relationships with God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Bearing Leaves Without Fruit as a ChurchThe speaker introduces the overarching message about the danger of bearing leaves without fruit, noting that as hungry believers seeking high standards, we face the temptation to fake spiritual maturity.
The First Hypocrisy in the Garden of EdenDrawing from the fall in Genesis, the speaker explains that Adam and Eve's immediate reaction to sin was to hide and manufacture a covering of fig leaves rather than deal with their true state.
Five Attributes of Leaves That Replace FruitThe speaker outlines the first replacement leaves: things invented by man instead of God, adopting an employee mentality toward God rather than a bride mentality, and carrying out active ministry without true devotion.
Gifts Without Life and Being Oppressive Rather Than MercifulContinuing the list of false leaves, the speaker warns against having spiritual gifts without inner life, and becoming oppressive and unmerciful toward others while maintaining a clean outward appearance.
The Blindness of LaodiceaReferring to Revelation, the speaker highlights the spiritual blindness of thinking one is rich and lacking nothing while actually being wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
Why God Sends Storms to Stir the WatersA calm life can hide deep-seated filth and selfish motives at the bottom of our souls, so God in His love sends storms to bring hidden anxiety, fear, and pride to the surface.
Every Plant Not Planted by the Father Will Be UprootedJesus warns the Pharisees that man-made religious traditions and manufactured righteousness will be uprooted, because blind guides lead others into the same pit.
Hidden Reefs in the Love FeastsReading from the book of Jude, the speaker warns against ungodly people who have crept into the church community like autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead and uprooted.
The Way of Cain, the Error of Balaam, and the Rebellion of KorahThe speaker examines three biblical warnings: Cain's religious murder born of evil deeds, Balaam selling out for money and human approval, and Korah's jealous rebellion against God-appointed submission.
The Withered Fig Tree and Faith in GodReflecting on Jesus cursing the fig tree, the speaker calls believers to take a radical stand from the roots up, casting away plastic religion and fake fruit.Mark 11:20
Reading Jude in the Living BibleThe speaker reads through the book of Jude to emphasize the danger of false teachers who turn God's grace into a license to sin, contrasting them with those who build their lives on the Holy Faith.
Able to Keep You from FallingThe message closes with the glorious promise that God alone is able to keep believers from slipping and bring them sinless and perfect into His glorious presence with everlasting joy.
