Those Who Seek God's Face - Santosh Poonen - September 13, 2011
http://rlcfchurch.org/those-who-seek-gods-face RLCF Youth Conference 2011 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages the audience to focus on God's presence when facing life's biggest problems, reminding them that looking upon God's majesty diminishes earthly concerns. He emphasizes that seeking God with all of our heart leads to finding Him, and this calling to build the church is not limited by age, citing the early apostles as examples. Ultimately, the message calls for a passionate dedication to Christ, mirroring Peter's commitment after receiving the Holy Spirit.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What do you seek?The speaker introduces the central question of the message, drawing from the New Testament encounter where Jesus asks people what they are looking for.
Young people building the churchChallenging the idea that building the church is only for older adults, the speaker points out that the first church was planted by young people in their late twenties.
Four young men in the Bible used by GodThe message introduces four biblical examples—David, Joseph, Daniel, and Jesus—who surrendered themselves to God in their youth to do His work.
Following Jesus and the first body of ChristDetailing the account of Andrew and another disciple following Jesus, the speaker describes how spending a day with Jesus revealed a true, transparent community.
Purity of heartPurity of heart is defined as having one sole motive and love: to belong completely to God and set one's face on Him.Matthew 5:8
Seek God's ideas, not your ownThe first aspect of seeking God's face is ensuring that our actions and ministry initiatives originate with God rather than human wisdom or worldly trends, so they survive the final judgment.
Seek God's authority, not rebellionWhile Saul's kingship originated in human rebellion against God's direct rule, David demonstrated submission to authority starting from his obedience to his earthly father.
Seek God's approval, not the approval of peopleBelievers must battle the natural desire for human popularity and social acceptance, resting instead in God's solitary approval.
Seek the interest of others, not your ownThe spirit of the world grabs for self, while the spirit of Christ and His church refuses to grab and instead looks out for the interests of others.
Seek God's glory, not your ownUnlike Saul who built monuments to himself, David sought the glory of God above all else, desiring a permanent dwelling place for Him.
A life that cannot be shakenQuoting scriptures from David and Asaph, the speaker explains that those who seek God's face are delivered from fear, find that the world loses its attractiveness, and are never shaken.
Unshakable joySeeking God's face fills the believer with a deep and lasting joy that circumstances cannot steal.
The singular desire to be like JesusThe message closes with David Wilkerson's testimony that after decades of ministry, the ultimate and singular desire remaining in a devoted life is to see Jesus and reflect who He is.
