Who Can Build the Body of Christ: 4: One Who Loves Christ Supremely - Zac Poonen - May 23, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/who-can-build-body-christ RLCF Men's Conference 2014 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon uses Malachi's prophecy to illustrate the decline of spiritual fervor, noting that God rejects sacrifices that are merely the minimum effort. The central message is that true devotion requires giving God the 'best' of one's life—the maximum sacrifice—rather than the dregs or leftovers. This principle applies to the church today, urging believers to move beyond minimum effort and offer a pure offering to God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Offering the worst to GodWhen spiritual decline sets in, people offer God their leftovers and inferior sacrifices while keeping only the letter of the law.Malachi 1:8
The danger of losing your first loveJust as God rejected backsliding Israel and threatened to remove the lampstand from Ephesus, He rejects a minimum-effort attitude.
Paul's example of working hard and giving fullyPaul spent three years pouring his life into the Ephesian church, working with his own hands to support himself and others rather than expecting financial reports and handouts.Acts 20:31
False leaders and self-seeking eldersPaul warned the elders of Ephesus that savage wolves and self-seeking leaders would arise after his departure to draw disciples after themselves.
Christ must have preeminence in everythingGod's desire is that Christ has first place in all things, and He will back those whose goal is to make Him supreme and remain hidden.Colossians 1:18
The second letter to the EphesiansThirty years later, the Ephesian church had great perseverance and sound doctrine, but the Lord called them to repent because they had abandoned their first love.
Do you love me more than these?After Peter failed, the Lord restored him by asking if he loved Him supremely, teaching that all true ministry must spring from honest love for Christ.
Jerusalem versus BabylonBuilding Babylon is driven by quantity and greatness, while building Jerusalem is driven by holiness and serving God out of love rather than pay.
Giving yourself to the churchJust as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, true service requires giving oneself to the Lord first before giving time or money.Ephesians 5:25
All that is mine is yoursJesus prayed that everything He had belonged to the Father, and those who give a hundred percent of themselves to God receive His spiritual riches in return.John 17:10
Finishing the course with devotionPaul did not live a comfortable life, but he fought the good fight and kept the faith because of his total devotion to Christ, an example believers can follow today.
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