The God of "Self" - Santosh Poonen - March 12, 2017
How Can You Believe When You Worship So Many Gods: Part 1 http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/god-of-self River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon addresses the danger of worshipping multiple 'gods,' suggesting that self-worship is a primary idol. It challenges the listener to identify what truly holds their ultimate allegiance, as this misplaced worship prevents genuine belief in God. The core message is about redirecting devotion away from self and toward the true God.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why Jesus spoke in parablesJesus explains to His disciples that many people can keep on hearing spiritual truths without ever truly understanding or perceiving them.Matthew 13:10
The danger of spiritual saturationJust as adding salt to water eventually reaches a saturation point where no more can be absorbed, constantly listening to sermons without application leads to spiritual dullness.
Searching the scriptures without having lifeReligious people can meticulously study the scriptures and listen to endless teaching while completely missing the living person of Christ.John 5:38
Always learning and never coming to truthPaul warns that in the last days, people will have the characteristic of constantly learning spiritual things without ever reaching the knowledge of the truth.
John the Baptist as a voice pointing to lifeJohn the Baptist was merely a voice crying out in the wilderness, pointing people away from himself to the true source of life.
Beholding the Lamb of God and following JesusWhen John pointed to Jesus, his disciples left the sermon and the preacher to follow Jesus directly.John 1:35
Have you found the Messiah?Many believers find a good church, good fellowship, and good teaching, but have they truly found the living Messiah?
Why the message of the cross is offensiveUnlike religious teachers who offer comfort, Jesus calls His followers to lay down their own lives and take up their crosses.
Peter rebukes the message of sufferingEven Peter stumbled when Jesus explained that following Him involved suffering, rejection, and death.
The danger of merely talking about the crossTalking constantly about the way of the cross without actually living it out in daily relationships creates deep spiritual misery and hypocrisy.
Suffering leads to resurrection lifeJesus did not only speak of dying and suffering; He promised that resurrection life follows the cross.
Dying upon the cross with ChristInstead of merely admiring the cross from a distance, believers are called to join Christ in dying so they may reign with Him.
Knowing the power of His resurrectionPaul's ultimate pursuit was to know Christ through the fellowship of His sufferings and the power of His resurrection.
