21st June 2020 - Sunday Church Service | The Cross And Our Self-will - Zac Poonen
21st June 2020 - Sunday Church Service | The Cross And Our Self-will - Zac Poonen
Summary
The message emphasizes that taking up the cross is a central theme of the Christian life, which Satan attempts to suppress. The speaker cautions against legalistic understandings of repentance, noting that true repentance should bring joy, not condemnation. Ultimately, the message points to the cross as the core of Christian living and warns that any practice, including repentance, can have a counterfeit if it is not rooted in genuine obedience to God.
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 to hate our life?Jesus taught that whoever loves their life loses it, while whoever hates their life in this world keeps it to eternal life.John 12:25
Distinguishing between the physical body and the soul lifeThe Bible does not tell us to hate our physical bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit, but rather our soul life, which leads to getting offended and seeking our own reputation.
Humbling ourselves under God's mighty handGod allows circumstances to strip away our reputation so we can learn to humble ourselves and drink the cup the Father has given us without bitterness.
The Tree of Life versus the tree of knowledgeThe two trees in Genesis symbolize living by self-dependence on right and wrong versus depending completely on God for guidance.
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitableSpiritual Christians do not just ask what is lawful or permitted, but consistently choose the few things that are truly profitable for spiritual growth.1 Corinthians 6:12
Applying our hearts to wisdomMoses prayed for God to teach him to number his days so that he might apply his heart to wisdom rather than wasting time on things that miss God's best.
The Word of God divides soul and spiritMan is made of spirit, soul, and body, and the Word of God is sharp enough to divide between the soul and the spirit.Hebrews 4:12
The Tabernacle as a picture of body, soul, and spiritThe outer courtyard, holy place, and most holy place picture the body, soul, and spirit, with the thick curtain representing the stubborn human will that must be broken.
Entering the most holy place through the rent veilJesus offered Himself to God through the Eternal Spirit, and His broken self-will opened a living way for us to have constant fellowship with the Father.Hebrews 9:14
The way of the cross is the answer to everythingDeath to the soul life and the Adamic nature is the secret to perpetual joy, overcoming, and being in constant touch with God.
Distinguishing soul power from the Holy SpiritMany religious practices and emotional meetings rely on soul power, music manipulation, and artificial techniques rather than the true power of the Holy Spirit.
Applying the message of daily cross-bearingZac Poonen concludes by encouraging believers to yield their wills to God daily so that knowledge translates into practical transformed living.
