Words of Encouragement - David Lane, Santosh Poonen - August 26, 2018
http://rlcfchurch.org/words-of-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true security and devotion must rest solely in a personal love relationship with God, rather than in the church community or external religious activities. He draws heavily from Song of Solomon and John 14-15, arguing that this deep, personal love is the foundation from which genuine obedience flows, making commandments joyful rather than burdensome. Cultivating this primary relationship with Christ is presented as the most vital contribution to the church.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The removal of things that can be shakenGod allows trials and insecurities to shake our lives so that everything built on temporary foundations is removed and only what cannot be shaken remains.
The mutual love relationship in Song of SolomonThe bride's call for the king to draw her represents our relationship with the Lord, where we desire to run together with Him and value His love more than anything else.
How the Lord views His brideThrough justification on the cross, God looks at us as altogether beautiful without blemish, and our prayers make His heart beat faster with a single glance.
Obedience flowing from loveTrue obedience to God's commandments is not a tedious duty done to earn His love, but a natural fruit that flows out of a vibrant love relationship with Him.
The goal of the commandment is loveThe ultimate purpose of keeping God's commandments is to produce love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
God circumcising our hearts to love HimJust as promised in the Old Covenant, God is the one who circumcises our hearts so that we can truly love Him with all our heart and soul when we yield to Him.
The ocean of God's loveOur comprehension of God's love grows deeper over time, moving from a basic awareness of escaping hell to realizing that we overwhelmingly conquer in all things through Him.Romans 8:37
The New and Living Way through faith, hope, and loveHebrews 10 outlines the practical walk of the New and Living Way by calling believers to draw near in faith, hold fast to hope, and stimulate one another to love.Hebrews 10:19–22
Hope when facing hostilityBelievers find hope amid the hostility of sinners by fixing their eyes on Jesus, who endured the cross and suffered far worse than any circumstance we will ever face.
Hope when facing the Father's disciplineWhen the Lord disciplines us through trials, losses, or failures, we should not despise it, but recognize it as a profound expression of His love focused on our future good.
Hope amid intense shakingGod shakes everything in our lives that is unstable so that we are left with an unshakable foundation built entirely on Jesus Christ rather than temporary things.
