Ambassadors of a Life Pleasing to God — Ajay Chakravarthy & Santosh Poonen — June 25, 2023
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that everything we possess, including life and health, is a free gift from God, not something we earned. He draws parallels between the perceived unfairness of earthly suffering and the divine purpose behind all experiences, citing Joseph's story to illustrate that God's plan transcends human understanding of fairness. Ultimately, the message centers on finding confidence before God not in our own righteousness, but in the imputed righteousness of Christ through faith.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does God owe us?Everything we have is a free gift from God, so we have no right to demand anything or complain when difficulties arise.
Recognizing our true stateInstead of deserving anything good, we deserve hell, and every good thing we receive is a bonus of God's mercy.
Joseph as a picture of ChristJoseph did not take revenge on his brothers for their unfair treatment, demonstrating God's sovereign purpose behind suffering.Genesis 45:4
Clothed in Christ's righteousnessAlthough the cross was completely unfair to Jesus, He took our sin so we could receive His righteousness and approach God with boldness.
The unimaginable weight of sin on JesusJesus bore the worst possible suffering when God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf.
Living as citizens of another countryBorn again believers are heavenly citizens sent to this earth as ambassadors to exclusively represent Christ's interests.
The constraining love of ChristThe love of Christ narrows our choices, constraining us from asking what we can get away with and compelling us to obey Him.
Accountability to our KingJust as an ambassador answers to his home government, believers must evaluate their daily lives by how they further God's kingdom.
Dying to selfJesus died so that those who live will no longer live for themselves, marking the reality of true Christianity.
A new creation in ChristOld ways of living pass away as a growing Christian narrows their life down to what Christ alone asks them to do.
