Session - 2: CFC Youth Conference
Dates: 11th & 12th Oct, 2016
Summary
The speaker contrasts the fleeting pleasures of sin with the eternal joy found in knowing Jesus, which requires the 'fellowship of his sufferings.' He uses the analogy of the sunrise, warning that Christians often settle for the beautiful, initial 'dawn' feelings of conversion rather than pressing toward the full, sustaining light of Christ's nature. True Christian life requires enduring the process, even when it becomes less emotionally dramatic than the beginning.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What kind of pleasure does Jesus offer?The world offers superficial emotional highs like a music concert, but true eternal fellowship with Jesus is described in Philippians as the fellowship of his sufferings.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil versus the Tree of LifeSin's pleasure looks and tastes good initially but destroys you inside, whereas the path of life starts with trials and rough edges but brings lasting inner joy and strength.
The path of the righteous shines brighter and brighterUsing the analogy of dawn turning into Noonday Sun from Proverbs, the speaker explains that the Christian life progresses from initial sunrise emotions to the steady, life-giving brightness of God's light.
Were we chosen to reign with Jesus?God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless so we one day reign with Him, meaning His righteousness must actively manifest in our daily lives.
Is Christianity a walk in the park?The Christian life is not easy or a walk in the park; like soldiers enduring brutal training, believers face spiritual battles and trials that build confidence in God's word.
The first 'S': Redefining successTo be reborn into God's kingdom, we must redefine success: if God is happy with us, we are succeeding, regardless of what the world thinks.
The second 'S': Total surrender of the willTrue success requires fully surrendering our own will to constantly seek and do what God wants rather than pursuing our own agenda.
The third 'S': A speaking God who sustains usJust as Jesus resisted temptation after fasting for forty days by waiting for and living on words proceeding from God's mouth, believers must depend on God's word when fighting sin.
How to get the assurance of the Holy SpiritWhen born again, God places a seed of the Holy Spirit within, which must grow and transform your nature daily as you continually seek His fullness and simple devotion to Christ.
How to handle worldly friendships and peer pressureFriendship with the world sows negative influences into your mind, so believers must make calculated choices to surround themselves with people who love God and point back to Jesus.
What to do when you feel far away from God in sinIf you have a desire to return to God, it is proof that your heart is not completely hardened, and you can trust that His grace is never too late for anyone willing to listen and turn back.
