Grace And Glory In The New Covenant: 5.Jesus Our Forerunner - Zac Poonen
Grace And Glory In The New Covenant: 5.Jesus Our Forerunner - Zac Poonen
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that the Christian life is a progressive journey toward Christ, likened to the sun rising brighter and brighter until noon. Key areas for this growth include maintaining purity and distinctiveness in youth, understanding God as a loving Father, and building a home life characterized by peace, humility, and love. The ultimate goal is to live in daily fellowship with God the Father, following Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Looking unto Jesus and the path of the righteousThe Christian life is pictured as a race where we look away from everything else unto Jesus, walking a path that shines brighter and brighter like the rising sun.
Jesus entered through the veil as our forerunnerJust as the temple veil was torn when Jesus died, He entered the most holy place as a forerunner for us as a human being.Hebrews 6:19
Fullness of joy in the Father's presenceTrue fullness of joy is found only in the presence of God in the most holy place, saving us from hungering after the temporary pleasures of sin.Hebrews 12:1
The new and living way through the rent veilJesus inaugurated a new and living way into the most holy place by the renting of the veil, which symbolizes His flesh and self-will.
The battle between the flesh and the Holy SpiritThe flesh that fights against the Holy Spirit within us is our self-will, which must be crucified just as Jesus denied His own will throughout His life.
Counting the cost and following Christ as disciplesPartaking in communion means sharing in Christ's death to His own will and ambitions rather than just admiring Him while living for oneself.
The agony of Jesus in Gethsemane and on the crossJesus suffered immensely to protect our fellowship with the Father, bearing the punishment of eternal hell on the cross so we could be saved.
Taking every command of God seriouslyRecognizing what Jesus suffered for our disobedience means we can no longer take small sins or small commands lightly.
Living in victory and boldness against the devilWhen we stop taking sin lightly, maintain our fellowship with God, and obey His word, we gain the spiritual boldness to make the devil flee from us.
