Discipleship and Obeying Jesus' Commands — Zac Poonen — April 6, 2024
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that building a church requires more than just preaching the gospel; it demands making disciples who are taught to obey every command of Jesus. The speaker contrasts a mere convert, who only wants to go to heaven, with a true disciple, who commits to following and doing what Christ commanded. He emphasizes that this commitment to obedience is the condition for Christ's promise to be with them.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Comparing the two Great CommissionsWhile Mark 16 focuses simply on preaching the gospel and baptism like a kindergarten lesson, Matthew 28 commands making disciples and teaching them to observe everything Jesus commanded.Mark 16:15
Counterbalancing scripture against the devil's perversionsJust as Jesus countered Satan's scriptural temptations in the wilderness with 'it is also written,' believers must know the whole counsel of God to avoid being led astray.
The difference between a convert and a discipleA convert primarily wants to escape hell and go to heaven, whereas a disciple embraces the rigorous conditions laid out by Jesus to follow Him wholeheartedly.
Condition one: Loving Christ above all human relationshipsJesus demanded that His followers love Him so supremely that affection for parents, spouses, and children is like the light of the stars disappearing before the sun.
Condition two: Taking up the cross dailyTaking up the cross means putting fleshly desires to death consistently, responding to praise, criticism, and mistreatment like a dead man.Luke 9:23
Condition three: Giving up all possessionsDiscipleship requires holding earthly possessions and property in an open palm, recognizing that everything belongs to the Lord.
Rating oneself as insignificantThe Sermon on the Mount begins by calling blessed those who view themselves as insignificant in relation to others, mirroring Jesus' humble demeanor.
Being merciful and forgiving othersJust as Jesus forgave His crucifiers immediately, believers must forgive everyone who has harmed them, because God's forgiveness is conditioned upon forgiving others.Matthew 5:7
The higher responsibility of the New CovenantWith the greater privilege of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament comes the strict requirement to forgive others and obey Christ's commands fully.
Trusting the Bible over popular preachersAs Abraham told the rich man in the parable, people have the scriptures to guide them and do not need extra miracles or sensational preachers to know God's truth.
An urgent call to forgive everyoneThe speaker leads the listeners into a time of prayer to release all bitterness, forgive anyone who has caused harm, and fully commit to obeying Jesus.
