12th October, 2014 - The Holy Spirit Helps The Bride Make Herself Ready - Santhosh Poonen
This is the live webcast of the Sunday Church Service from Christian Fellowship Church, Bangalore
Summary
The speaker uses the historical account of the Hebrew midwives in Exodus to illustrate that fearing God is more important than obeying human authority, even when that authority commands something sinful. The midwives disobeyed Pharaoh's order to kill male babies because they feared God, and as a result, God blessed them.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Congregational praise and worshipThe service begins with a series of powerful worship songs celebrating God's majesty, faithfulness, and his role as a savior.
The courage to disobey man for GodUsing the example of the Egyptian midwives in Exodus, the speaker shows how fearing God can lead us to prioritize His commands over human laws.
The necessity of parental prayer and wisdomReflecting on the preservation of Moses, the speaker urges parents to pray persistently and act wisely so that God's plans for their children can be fulfilled.
A call to worship with honor and praiseThe speaker encourages the congregation to lift their voices in praise because God has been exceptionally good and faithful despite knowing our true ways.
The power of a proclaimed faithUsing Romans 1, the speaker expresses his deep appreciation for the congregation, noting that their faithfulness in secret battles is what proclaims their faith to the world.Romans 1:8–9
The necessity of being a person without guileTrue spiritual growth begins with being honest before God about our true condition, allowing Him to change us through His presence.
How we overcome temptation through the Holy SpiritWhile the Gospels don't explicitly record how Jesus overcame specific temptations like lust, the Holy Spirit reveals the power and character of Jesus to us personally so we can overcome our own struggles.
The Holy Spirit as a helper for the BrideJust as a helper prepares a bride for her marriage, the Holy Spirit works in the Church to prepare us to be an appropriate fit for Jesus, our Bridegroom.
The purpose of spiritual gifts and the test of detachmentGod provides spiritual gifts not for our own glory, but to draw us to the Giver; ultimately, we must be willing to detach from all earthly attachments to fully commit to Jesus.
The purpose of knowing God's wordKnowing and meditating on Scripture is essential because it allows us to recognize the voice of Jesus above all others and provides spiritual sustenance.
The Holy Spirit's role in attachment to ChristBeyond outward miracles, the true ministry of the Holy Spirit is to detach us from worldly things and attach us to Jesus, our Bridegroom.
The importance of a heart focused on the Giver, not just the giftsTrue faithfulness is found in loving Jesus for who He is rather than seeking Him only for His blessings, proving our devotion through our secret victories over temptation.
The bride making herself readyThe speaker explains that the bride of Christ prepares herself by stitching her own righteous garment through overcoming temptations in secret.
The difference between Christ's righteousness and our own actionsWhile we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, the bride also prepares a garment made of her own righteous actions through faithfulness.
Prioritizing an inner life over external religionTrue devotion is found in the hidden, inner life of faithfulness to Jesus rather than just focusing on outward miracles or social work.
