NCCF Sunday Service - Captured Live on Ustream at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nccfss
Summary
The speaker urges listeners to confront their own sin and self-deception rather than blaming God for spiritual struggles. True salvation requires a radical love for the truth, compelling individuals to judge themselves honestly. Furthermore, the message emphasizes that embracing the Holy Spirit's work is a necessary 'mind shift,' representing a new life that surpasses the satisfaction found in old religious routines or covenants.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How can we receive salvation?The speaker references Second Thessalonians to explain that we must have a love for the truth to be saved from our sins.2 Thessalonians 2:10
Radical judgment of oneselfWe must be ruthlessly honest about why we lack victory instead of making excuses, calling laziness weakness, or blaming God.
Stopping the pattern of excusesLike Adam and Eve blaming others, we must stop hiding behind our past and instead take responsibility for what we can do.
Why the Holy Spirit is better than Jesus beside usIt requires a mind shift to realize that having the indwelling Holy Spirit is better than having Jesus physically sitting next to us.John 16:7
New wine and old wineJesus contrasts the new wine of the Spirit with the old wine of the old covenant and human routines, which God shakes up to bring true spiritual life.Luke 5:39
Moving past physical experiencesAt the Transfiguration, Peter wanted to make a temple out of a physical experience, but God calls us to listen to Jesus and move into life together as the body of Christ.Matthew 17:2
Crying out to God as FatherThe Holy Spirit gives us the assurance of being loved by the Father, producing an instinctive cry of Daddy rather than relying on our changing feelings.
The reality of sufferingFirst Peter emphasizes that suffering is an unavoidable part of following in the footsteps of Christ so that we cease from sin.1 Peter 4:1
Growing up out of spiritual childhoodJust as good parents require children to mature and face responsibilities, God brings us through trials to grow our wills and build maturity.
Suffering patiently like ChristWhen we do what is right and suffer patiently for it, enduring reviling without retaliation, we follow Christ's example and find favor with God.1 Peter 2:20–21
Healing through His woundsThe biblical phrase about healing by His wounds refers specifically to being freed from sin and dead to self, not primarily physical healing.
Jesus modeled humility and reliance on the WordEven Jesus laid aside His own will and relied completely on the Father's word during His temptations rather than leaning on His own fresh ideas.
Being firmly secure that God loves youThe speaker prays that believers will be so completely rooted and grounded in God's love that anyone interacting with them can see it instantly.
