Zeal For The Father's House - Santosh Poonen
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Summary
The sermon emphasizes that while knowing one has a Father in Heaven is foundational, true spiritual growth requires a 'Zeal for the Father's House.' This zeal, exemplified by Jesus cleansing the temple, is not merely a cozy feeling but a passionate, consuming jealousy for God's name and house. The speaker urges the congregation to move beyond spiritual infancy and demonstrate this zeal by being willing to endure reproach for God's sake.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The proof of sonship and the need for deeper growthThe Holy Spirit testifies within believers that they have a heavenly Father, but many Christians stop at this cozy feeling and never develop a deeper zeal for God's house.Galatians 4:6
Jesus' zeal for His Father's houseJust as Jesus was consumed by a zeal for His Father's house when confronting sin in the temple, maturing believers must also develop a jealousy over God's name and interests.John 2:17
Bearing reproach for God's sakePsalm 69 shows that a true son or daughter of God will experience the reproaches cast against God's name falling upon them as they stand for His house.Psalm 69:9
Shedding sluggishness regardless of temperamentSpiritual zeal is not a matter of natural temperament or a gift reserved for leaders; every believer must shake off laziness and be filled with the Spirit's zeal.
Dangers of comparison and coasting in the churchBelievers easily slip into sluggishness by comparing themselves to other churches or assuming only active leaders need to be zealous.
The grace of God teaches us to be zealous for good deedsTitus 2 explains that God's grace not only saves and helps believers say no to sin, but also produces a people zealous for good deeds.Titus 2:11
Avoiding sluggishness and imitating Abraham's enduranceHebrews warns believers not to become sluggish, pointing to Abraham as an example of someone whose faith and zeal grew stronger the longer God's promise took to fulfill.Hebrews 6:11
Not lagging behind in diligence and brotherly loveRomans 12 exhorts believers not to lag behind in diligence and brotherly love, ensuring they keep pace with the zealous examples around them.Romans 12:9
Maintaining a high zeal for repentanceRevelation 3 commands lukewarm believers to be zealous and repent, warning against letting repentance cool off over the years.Revelation 3:19
The Corinthian church's radical response to correctionPaul commended the Corinthians because godly sorrow produced earnestness, indignation, fear, longing, and zeal for repentance when they received his rebuke.
The Macedonian church's zeal to give out of deep povertyDespite deep affliction and poverty, the Macedonians begged for the privilege of giving generously and beyond their ability.
Being zealous to encourage others and prevent falling awayBelievers have a responsibility to daily encourage one another so that no one's heart is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Desiring earnestly the gift to build up the churchFirst Corinthians 14 encourages believers to earnestly desire spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy, to build up and encourage the body of Christ.1 Corinthians 14:1
Running the race with discipline to avoid disqualificationPaul uses the metaphor of a race in 1 Corinthians 9 to urge believers to exercise self-control and run with absolute zeal so they will not be disqualified.1 Corinthians 9:24
