Be Rich Towards God - Santosh Poonen - July 29, 2014 (Session 2)
http://rlcfchurch.org/rlcf-youth-conference-2014 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that Jesus Christ must have preeminence—superiority and priority—in every aspect of a believer's life. He argues that if Christ is not preeminent, the believer is wasting their Christian life. The message introduces
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does it mean for Christ to have preeminence?The speaker asks the audience to define preeminence, establishing that Jesus should have priority, control, and supremacy in every thought and aspect of daily life.
Miracles as signs pointing to JesusExamining John chapter 2, the speaker explains that John calls miracles 'signs' rather than just acts of human compassion, designed to manifest the glory of Jesus.
God's dependent way of building His kingdomUnlike creation where God spoke without help, God chooses to work through the church and human agency so that Christ may have the first place in everything.
God's inheritance in the saintsReading from Ephesians 1, the speaker encourages introverted or struggling believers, reminding them that God has an inheritance in them and values their place in His body.Ephesians 1:18
Unbelief ties God's handsJust as Jesus could not perform many signs in Nazareth due to unbelief, our hidden sins and unwillingness to let Jesus into every area of our lives restrict His working.Matthew 13:58
Chasing after JesusLooking at the multitudes running after Jesus in John 6, the speaker challenges believers to chase after Christ in their everyday circumstances and temptations.
Jesus has compassion instead of criticismWhen faced with the hungry multitude, Jesus does not scold them for lacking food; instead, He has compassion and intercedes to find a solution.John 6:5
Philip's calculating responsePhilip evaluates the situation through human math and costs, demonstrating the calculating attitude of a Christian who fails to see Jesus as preeminent.
The lad who gave his allIn contrast to Philip, the young boy who surrendered his small lunch of five loaves and two fish shows the maximum mentality of giving everything to Jesus.
Being rich towards God versus building bigger barnsThe speaker concludes with the parable of the rich fool from Luke 12, urging listeners to give everything to God rather than hoarding treasure and failing to be rich towards Him.Luke 12:16–21
