I Will Give You Rest - Santosh Poonen - November 27, 2016
http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/will-give-rest River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker uses the analogy of a toenail to emphasize that every member of the body in Christ is valuable, regardless of perceived gifts or outward appearance. He draws parallels from the stories of Hezekiah and Abraham, illustrating that times when God seems to leave us alone are often periods of testing. The central message is that if our goal is to honor God, He will honor us, even when the process is difficult or silent.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God left Hezekiah alone to test his heartGod distanced himself from Hezekiah for a period to test him and reveal what was truly in his heart, just as He tested Abraham on the journey to sacrifice Isaac.
Answering prayer does not mean God is happy with usJust because God answers a prayer or grants a blessing does not mean He is pleased with our overall spiritual condition.
Running the race to winPaul exercised self-control and disciplined his body so that he would not be disqualified, treating the race of faith with the utmost seriousness.1 Corinthians 9:24
The warning of the Israelites in the wildernessDespite experiencing daily miracles like manna and water from the rock, most of the Israelites provoked God through unbelief and died in the wilderness as a warning to us.
Entering God's rest through true beliefThe scripture warns believers not to harden their hearts in unbelief, because true believers are marked by entering into God's rest rather than relying on past religious milestones.Hebrews 3:15
Adam's first day was God's seventh dayGod created man on the sixth day and instructed Adam and Eve to begin their existence with rest, proving that divine rest cannot be earned through human labor.Genesis 1:27
Rest as the source of all Christian workAll righteous actions, marriage efforts, and ministry must flow out of a soul that is actively resting in God rather than operating from human striving.
Unrest and the test of bitter waterCircumstances often expose hidden unrest and bitterness in our hearts, proving whether our inner life is truly filled with the sweet water of God's grace.
Putting God first in our lives and habitsGiving our first thoughts and time to God each day demonstrates our trust that He will take care of us, mirroring the biblical principle of giving first to Him.
Coming to Jesus like little childrenGod hides spiritual truth from the proud and self-sufficient, revealing it instead to humble babes who realize they have nothing to offer.Matthew 11:25
Taking His yoke and learning meeknessJesus invites the heavy-laden to take His yoke upon them and learn from Him, finding the taming of their self-will and true rest for their souls.
Jesus learned obedience through sufferingIn the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up loud cries and tears to be saved from allowing even a single drop of bitter unrest into His cup, and He was heard because of His godly fear.
Eternal salvation as a life made perfectHaving been made perfect through suffering, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation and an unshakable life for all who obey Him.Hebrews 5:9–10
Learning the unforced rhythms of graceBy keeping company with Jesus, believers abandon striving and learn to live freely and lightly, soaring above the gravity of unrest like an eagle relying on the wind.Matthew 11:28
