We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight - Zac Poonen - October 15, 2023
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that pleasing God requires living by faith, not by what our senses perceive. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but comes by hearing God's Word, specifically by allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to the heart while reading the New Testament. The speaker emphasizes the necessity of making daily time to read the Bible and to act on what the Spirit reveals through the Word.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Without faith it is impossible to please GodThe speaker emphasizes that doing good qualities like being kind or coming to meetings is not enough; without faith, it is impossible to please God.
We walk by faith and not by sightWalking by sight means living according to what our senses, eyes, ears, and feelings tell us, which is the opposite of walking by faith.2 Corinthians 5:7
Faith comes by hearing the word of ChristFaith is a gift that comes when the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts as we read the New Testament, rather than just reading it like an ordinary book.Romans 10:17
Personal testimony of finding assurance through God's wordThe speaker shares how reading a single sentence in John chapter 6 gave him absolute assurance of his salvation after years of doubt.
The danger of neglecting daily Bible readingBelievers who fail to spend even a few minutes each day reading the Bible and listening to God often drift away from Christ.
Seeking confirmation from the body of ChristWhen facing major life decisions like leaving his job in the Navy, the speaker waited for inner conviction to be confirmed by a godly man, following the example of Paul and Barnabas.
Serving God based on His authority, not human needWe go out to make disciples not simply because there is a great need in the world, but because Jesus Christ possesses all authority in heaven and earth and told us to go.
God will supply all your needsGod promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory, and believers should trust Him rather than begging or hinting to people for money.Philippians 4:19
Seeking first God's kingdom instead of worryingJesus commands believers not to worry about food, clothing, or tomorrow, but to concentrate on seeking His kingdom and righteousness.Matthew 6:24–34
Trials reveal the true state of our faithJust as tests in school expose what a student does not know, God sends trials into our lives to prove whether our faith is real or merely superficial.
Those who honor me I will honorBy choosing to honor God in every difficult situation rather than depending on human means, believers prove the reality of their heavenly Father.1 Samuel 2:30
The severe sufferings of God's faithful servant PaulGod allowed the Apostle Paul to face imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and dangers to demonstrate to the devil that true servants remain faithful through any trial.
The protection found in the body of ChristTrue Christianity involves being actively and genuinely connected to other believers in the body of Christ rather than living an independent life.
