http://rlcf.church
River of Life Christian Fellowship
1306 N Lincoln Avenue
Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker warns the congregation against the danger of spiritual backsliding, comparing the Israelites' failure to return to Egypt in their hearts despite their bodies wandering in the wilderness. He emphasizes that while physically present in the church, hearts can slowly return to bondage through complaints or complacency. The solution presented is to emulate Moses by keeping an intimate, daily focus on Christ—seeing the invisible Lord—which requires faith, endurance, and constant watchfulness.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The journey of the Israelites as a warning for usGod brought the Israelites out of Egypt with mighty miracles and spiritual provision, yet they ultimately wandered and returned to Egypt in their hearts.
What does Acts 7 reveal about the Israelites' hearts?Stephen reveals that while the Israelites' bodies perished in the wilderness, their hearts actually went back to Egypt through complaining and pining for their past bondage.Acts 7:39
Could our hearts slowly return to bondage?Paul writes in First Corinthians that these events serve as examples and warnings for believers, reminding us that physical presence in the church does not immunize our hearts against backsliding.
Scriptural warnings against looking backJesus warned that anyone who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom, and Hebrews states that God takes no pleasure in those who draw back.Hebrews 10:38
Let him who thinks he stands take heedWe should never assume backsliding cannot happen to us just because we have walked faithfully up to this point; Paul commands us to take heed lest we fall.
How backsliding begins in the heartBacksliding starts subtly with small complaints against people or against God when things do not go our way, eventually pulling the heart entirely away from Him.
They would not listen to Jesus in the assemblyJust as the Israelites refused to hearken to the prophet Moses and to Jesus who was present in their assembly, believers today must actively listen to Christ.Acts 7:37–38
How Moses forsook Egypt by faithBy faith Moses refused the pleasures of sin, esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater riches than Egypt's treasures, and forsook Egypt without fearing the king.Hebrews 11:23–27
Enduring by seeing him who is invisibleMoses was able to endure because he saw God in his heart by faith, providing a template for how we must experience Jesus intimately day by day.
Running with endurance through daily fellowshipHebrews tells us to put away every weight and sin to run with endurance, relying on our faith and an active, moment-by-moment fellowship with our Savior.
Being wise against the cunning enemyBecause the devil is cunning and strategic, we must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, keeping our fellowship with Christ alive to avoid returning to Egypt.
http://rlcf.church
River of Life Christian Fellowship
1306 N Lincoln Avenue
Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker warns the congregation against the danger of spiritual backsliding, comparing the Israelites' failure to return to Egypt in their hearts despite their bodies wandering in the wilderness. He emphasizes that while physically present in the church, hearts can slowly return to bondage through complaints or complacency. The solution presented is to emulate Moses by keeping an intimate, daily focus on Christ—seeing the invisible Lord—which requires faith, endurance, and constant watchfulness.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The journey of the Israelites as a warning for usGod brought the Israelites out of Egypt with mighty miracles and spiritual provision, yet they ultimately wandered and returned to Egypt in their hearts.
What does Acts 7 reveal about the Israelites' hearts?Stephen reveals that while the Israelites' bodies perished in the wilderness, their hearts actually went back to Egypt through complaining and pining for their past bondage.Acts 7:39
Could our hearts slowly return to bondage?Paul writes in First Corinthians that these events serve as examples and warnings for believers, reminding us that physical presence in the church does not immunize our hearts against backsliding.
Scriptural warnings against looking backJesus warned that anyone who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom, and Hebrews states that God takes no pleasure in those who draw back.Hebrews 10:38
Let him who thinks he stands take heedWe should never assume backsliding cannot happen to us just because we have walked faithfully up to this point; Paul commands us to take heed lest we fall.
How backsliding begins in the heartBacksliding starts subtly with small complaints against people or against God when things do not go our way, eventually pulling the heart entirely away from Him.
They would not listen to Jesus in the assemblyJust as the Israelites refused to hearken to the prophet Moses and to Jesus who was present in their assembly, believers today must actively listen to Christ.Acts 7:37–38
How Moses forsook Egypt by faithBy faith Moses refused the pleasures of sin, esteemed the reproach of Christ as greater riches than Egypt's treasures, and forsook Egypt without fearing the king.Hebrews 11:23–27
Enduring by seeing him who is invisibleMoses was able to endure because he saw God in his heart by faith, providing a template for how we must experience Jesus intimately day by day.
Running with endurance through daily fellowshipHebrews tells us to put away every weight and sin to run with endurance, relying on our faith and an active, moment-by-moment fellowship with our Savior.
Being wise against the cunning enemyBecause the devil is cunning and strategic, we must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves, keeping our fellowship with Christ alive to avoid returning to Egypt.
