Child-Like Dependence on God - Zac Poonen - June 30, 2013

Zac PoonenJuly 2, 20131h 16mWatch on YouTube

Part of2013 Summer Conference with Zac Poonen6 of 6

Also in

Zac Poonen Sermons434 messages

http://rlcfchurch.org/god-gives-the-holy-spirit-freely RLCF Summer Conference 2013 - Session 7 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA

Summary

The central message is that Christian maturity requires a paradoxical development: becoming childlike in dependence and innocence regarding sin, while simultaneously achieving maturity and discernment in understanding God's Word. The speaker emphasizes that being great in God's kingdom means adopting the heart of a child, which is free from grudges, worry, or the desire for earthly status. This childlike dependence is modeled after Jesus, who always acted in alignment with the Father's will.

Outline

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

Reversing the world's pattern of maturityWhile unconverted people are mature in evil and childish in spiritual understanding, believers are called to reverse this trend and become babes in evil.1 Corinthians 14:20

The greatness of a little child in God's kingdomJesus declared that little children possess an innocence and purity that makes them the greatest in the kingdom of God.

A twofold development: downward in evil, upward in understandingWe must become unfamiliar and ignorant concerning evil while actively growing in spiritual discernment and maturity to live godly lives.

The son can do nothing of himselfJesus modeled child-like dependence by watching and imitating His heavenly father in everything rather than acting on His own cleverness.

Avoiding human opinions and suspicionMost human opinions are based on suspicion rather than discernment; we must listen to God first instead of being quick to judge others.

The tongue of a discipleThe Holy Spirit controls our speech, giving us a flaming tongue of purity and love so we can sustain weary souls with a prophetic word.

Morning by morning listeningTo speak with a disciple's tongue, our ears must remain continuously open to God's instruction throughout the entire day.Isaiah 50:4

Samuel's example of listening before choosingEven seasoned prophets like Samuel needed God's immediate check to avoid choosing the merely good over the best.

Zero self-confidence in spiritual thingsWhile secular work requires self-confidence, spiritual life requires total abandonment of self-reliance and complete dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Living by the spirit of the law with compassionWhen faced with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus fulfilled the spirit of the law through divine wisdom and compassion rather than condemnation.

The severe warning against stumbling little childrenJesus expressed extreme severity toward anyone whose words, actions, or immodest dress cause new believers or children to stumble.

Running the race with deep gratitude and forgivenessRecognizing the vastness of our forgiveness inspires us to love deeply and run the race wholeheartedly in the footsteps of Jesus.Acts 17:30

Related messages

Back to the catalog

River of Life Christian Fellowship

Child-Like Dependence on God - Zac Poonen - June 30, 2013

Zac Poonen · July 2, 2013 · 1h 16m

Following Jesus