NCCF Church Sharing

December 5, 202216mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: NCCF Church Title: NCCF Church Sharing Date: 12/04/2022 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that Christians must strive to be a reflection of Jesus Christ, both individually through purity and corporately within the church. The speaker emphasizes that all speaking and serving must be done to glorify God, not self. This requires cultivating humility and the fear of the Lord, which transforms the heart from a 'parched desert' to a 'lush jungle' through oneness with the Father.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Speaking and serving as God's utterances and strengthFirst Peter 4:11 commands believers to speak as uttering God's words and to serve by the strength He supplies so that God is glorified.

The rope illustrationJust as someone holding a rope cannot lift themselves off the ground, human effort cannot reach God's level of glory without His divine intervention.

Overcoming the natural instinct of a glory houndBecause humans naturally seek their own glory, the struggle to decrease self-glory and increase God's glory cannot be achieved through mere willpower or asceticism.

Growth through humility and the fear of GodSpiritual growth is an outcome of humility combined with the fear of God, where the new spirit increasingly displaces the flesh.

From a parched desert to a lush jungleJesus came to provide eternal life and abundance, transforming the human heart from a dry desert that manufactures its own glory into a vibrant, fruit-bearing jungle.

Increasing humility at the crossHumility grows by coming to Jesus at the cross, recognizing His great love and sacrifice, which naturally deepens love for Him and produces oneness with the Father.

Taking sin seriously and reflecting God's gloryLoving God causes believers to grieve over sin, take it seriously, and desire to reflect His glory like the moon rather than seeking their own.

The 12 memorial stones in JoshuaGod had the Israelites take twelve stones from the Jordan River after He held back its waters so they could remember His impossible acts when facing future giants.

Current fears and practical impossibilitiesBelievers face modern temptations and fears regarding financial stability, economic pressures, and family provision in places like the Bay Area.

Rejoicing in God amidst lackHabakkuk 3:18 models making a choice by faith to rejoice in God as the source of salvation and strength, even when grocery shelves are empty and economic conditions worsen.

Never seeing the righteous forsakenPsalm 37:25 offers tremendous comfort, stating that the author has never seen the Lord forsake a godly person or their children go hungry.

Explaining impossible stones to our childrenWhen children ask about the spiritual memorial stones or journals of God's work, parents can recount how God sustained them through financial trials and family difficulties.

Growing in patience and being made like JesusThrough daily difficulties, God patiently works in believers to remove complaining and unrighteous anger, continuing the impossible work of making them more like Jesus.

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NCCF Church Sharing

December 5, 2022 · 16m

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