UK Conference : Offering God That Which Is Costly - Zac Poonen
This is the live streaming of the London conference with the theme - New Covenant Promises & Commandments. Speaker : Zac Poonen.
Summary
The speaker analyzes the offerings of Cain and Abel to teach that God accepts the person's heart, not just the physical offering. He emphasizes that God's regard was for Abel, not his offering, pointing out that true acceptance requires settling relationships with others first. Ultimately, the quality of the offering reflects the heart's condition, which is what God sees.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did God accept Abel's offering and reject Cain's?Many Christians assume Cain's offering was rejected simply because it lacked blood, but the narrative actually shows God had regard for Abel as a person before looking at his gift.
By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrificeHebrews notes that Abel offered a better sacrifice because he was a more excellent man, demonstrating that the heart condition behind the offering matters most to God.
The difference between an offering and the very bestCain brought an ordinary offering, whereas Abel brought the very best of his flock, illustrating the two streams of minimum and maximum Christians that flow through the Bible.
The poor widow's offeringJesus praised the poor widow because she gave all she had out of her poverty, unlike the rich who gave small portions out of their abundance.Mark 12:42
Repenting of dead worksGiving money simply to ease one's conscience or to bribe God constitutes dead works that must be repented of, because God will never be in debt to anyone.
Money as a servant or a masterMoney makes a wonderful servant but a terrible master, and Jesus explicitly stated that no one can serve both God and money.
Lovers of money in the last daysSecond Timothy warns that the last days will feature people with a form of godliness who lack power and are ultimately lovers of money.
David' refusal to offer what costs nothingWhen offered a threshing floor for free, David insisted on paying for it because he refused to present an offering to God that cost him nothing.2 Samuel 24:18–24
The location of the temple and the churchSolomon built the temple on Mount Moriah and the threshing floor of Araunah, marking the exact spots associated with Abraham's sacrifice and David's resolute devotion.
Mary's choice compared to Martha's serviceMary chose the one needful thing by sitting at Jesus' feet and later poured expensive ointment on Him, demonstrating maximum devotion over restless service.
Moving forward spirituallyJust as a child must advance through school, believers must be willing to leave behind deficient religious systems to find God's best, regardless of criticism.
The impossibility of pleasing both men and ChristPaul declares in Galatians that seeking to please men disqualifies someone from being a true servant of Jesus Christ.
Counting the cost for eternal rewardBelievers must sit down and count the cost of following Jesus, knowing that any earthly sacrifice will be completely worth it when standing before Him.
