The Jealousy of God - Zac Poonen - March 20, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/jealousy-of-god River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that God's jealousy, as referenced in scripture, demands exclusive devotion—that the spirit must belong entirely to Him. True discipleship is not measured by activities, service, or good works, but by having no place in the heart for anything or anyone other than Christ. This requires a fervent, all-consuming love that makes Christ the absolute center of one's life.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does it mean that God jealously desires our spirit?James 4:5 speaks of God jealously desiring the spirit He made to dwell in us, meaning He wants our deepest part—our spirit—to have zero division or interest in anyone or anything else.James 4:5
Beyond activity: The Bride of Christ versus the housemaidSeeking first the kingdom of God is not primarily about religious activity, giving money, or doing Christian work, but about offering our hearts to God as a pure bride rather than acting like a busy housemaid.
Loving God with all our heartThe first commandment in the Old Testament requires loving God with our total heart, soul, and mind, leaving no room for any other ultimate interest.
Paul's godly jealousy for the CorinthiansIn 2 Corinthians 11:2, the Apostle Paul expresses a godly jealousy because he betrothed the Corinthian believers to one husband, Christ, desiring to present them as a pure virgin.2 Corinthians 11:2
The picture of Eliezer finding a bride for IsaacAbraham's servant Eliezer going to Mesopotamia to get a bride for Isaac pictures the Holy Spirit and God's servants seeking to draw people into the Bride of Christ.
Being led astray from simple devotion to ChristPaul feared that just as the serpent deceived Eve, believers' minds could be led astray from simple, pure devotion and total surrender to Christ.2 Corinthians 11:3
Christ must have first place in everythingColossians 1:18 states that Christ is the head of the church so that He might have first place in everything, which is the condition for God's power to remain in our lives.Colossians 1:18
Rejecting modern idolatry and trusting God for provisionAn idol is anything that takes God's place in the human heart, whether a job, bank account, or car; when we put Christ first, God faithfully provides our needs.
Two keys to increasing our love for Jesus ChristOur love for Christ grows naturally when we meditate deeply on how much He first loved us and how much we have been forgiven.1 John 4:19
The connection between forgiveness and loveJesus explains in Luke 7:47 that whoever has been forgiven much loves much, and realizing the true, grave seriousness of our sin deepens our awareness of God's immense forgiveness.
