Session 3: Choosing God's Highest - Zac Poonen - September 13, 2014
http://rlcfchurch.org/rlcf-family-conference-2014 RLCF Family Conference 2014: As Jesus Lived on Earth River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that Christian life should be lived in alignment with God's specific, pre-planned will, rather than making self-directed plans. This requires a life of inner rest and dependence on the Holy Spirit, mirroring Jesus' focused ministry. True fulfillment comes from completing the work God has specifically assigned, rather than accumulating worldly experience or activity.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Are you living for God's plan?Most Christians drift through life without knowing God's specific plan, whereas our passion should be fulfilling the exact life God designed for us.
God's original pattern of rest and workUnlike the law's rule of six days of work followed by a day of rest, God's original pattern for Adam started with a day of rest followed by work from a position of inward peace.
Finishing the work God gave youJesus did not run around doing every good thing available; He focused entirely on finishing the specific work the Father gave Him in His 33 years.
Being led day by day by the pillar of cloudGod does not give us a lifetime blueprint; He guides us day by day through the Holy Spirit so we live without anxiety about tomorrow.
What did Jesus pray to be saved from?During His earthly days, Jesus prayed with loud crying and tears to be saved from spiritual death and the broken fellowship caused by sin, not physical death.
Why Jesus' prayers were heardJesus' prayers were heard because He possessed a godly fear that kept Him from harboring sin or allowing fellowship with the Father to be broken for even a moment.
Righteousness outweighs religious activityGod looks for righteousness rather than long prayer meetings or large numbers of unrighteous workers; one righteous person accomplishes far more than millions without holiness.
Learning obedience through suffering and testingJesus learned obedience by denying His own will during temptations, completing His earthly education so He could train others to love righteousness and hate iniquity.Hebrews 1:9
Keeping a sensitive conscience in small thingsSpiritual dullness comes from neglecting conscience in small matters, whereas absolute honesty and righteousness in daily affairs reflect the true life of obedience.
Following Jesus by not inconveniencing othersJesus demonstrated deep consideration by sleeping on the Mount of Olives rather than imposing on others, refusing to take advantage of people who would gladly serve Him.
The Tree of Life versus the tree of good and evilLiving merely by right and wrong is the lower level of the tree of good and evil; God calls us to live by the Tree of Life through the Spirit's higher promptings.
Doing what is profitable through constant dependenceEven when faced with good and lawful opportunities, Jesus followed the specific leading of the Holy Spirit rather than human suggestions, modeling a life of constant faith.Luke 4:40–41
