Austin (TX) CFC Zac Poonen Conference 2017 - Part 1
Theme - Seeing Things from God’s Viewpoint. Part 1 of 5- The Change in the New Covenant June 24 & 25, 2017, Pflugerville, TX
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that the New Covenant calls the church to function like a family rather than just a place of teaching, requiring elders to care for members as parents. A key theme is adopting God's viewpoint—seeing situations through the Father's perspective—which contrasts sharply with human reactions, exemplified by Peter drawing his sword at the crucifixion. Believers must learn this divine perspective in all aspects of life.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Seeing things from God's viewpointUsing a JB Phillips paraphrase of Colossians 1:9, the speaker explains that spiritual wisdom and understanding means learning to view everything from God's perspective.Colossians 1:9
Human reaction versus God's viewpointPeter reacted to Jesus's arrest with a sword out of a human viewpoint, whereas Jesus saw the crucifixion as the cup given to him by his Father.
The woman caught in adulteryJesus looked at the adulterous woman from God's viewpoint—not to stone her, but to deliver her, upholding both halves of the gospel: no condemnation and a command to stop sinning.
Why the first covenant was faultyThe Ten Commandments exposed sin and served as a mirror, but the first covenant was faulty because it only gave external rules and could not change the heart, especially regarding the tenth commandment against inward desire.Exodus 20:2
God takes responsibility in the New CovenantUnlike the Old Covenant's "you shall" and "you shall not," the New Covenant focuses on God declaring "I will" put His laws into our minds and write them on our hearts.
Cooperating with God's inward workGod does not want robots; He works inside believers through the Holy Spirit to give them both the desire and the ability to do His will, requiring human cooperation.
Receiving the Spirit at new birthJesus breathed on His disciples in John 20 to impart spiritual life, corresponding to the moment a person is born again and receives the Holy Spirit.John 20:19–22
The difference between having the Spirit and being filledJust as the disciples received the Spirit in John 20 and were later baptized and filled with the Spirit in Acts 2, believers can have the Spirit without every room of their heart being illuminated.Acts 1:3–5
Honoring God's Word above allBelievers must study the Scriptures directly rather than relying blindly on men or traditions, recognizing that God has magnified His Word together with His name.
