1.Come Away From The Law - Zac Poonen
Kakinada Meetings - 2011: A Bridal Relationship With Christ
Summary
The speaker argues that the relationship God desires with humanity is not one based on the law, which treated Israel like a master-servant dynamic. Instead, God desires a relationship akin to a wife's devotion to her husband, which is best understood through the Song of Solomon. True devotion comes from love, not fear or transactional 'business' with God, and the ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ's sacrifice, leading to a life of joy.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Understanding the Song of Solomon and the bridal relationshipThe conference theme is drawn from the Song of Solomon, which can only be understood by those who desire a bridal relationship with Jesus Christ, contrasting how God dealt with Israel versus how He deals with the church now.
How God dealt with Israel under the lawUnder the old covenant, God dealt with Israel through the law where obedience brought earthly blessings like money and prosperity, and disobedience brought punishment like sickness and famine.
The old covenant as a master-servant dynamicThe relationship between God and His people under the old covenant was like a master and a servant, where people served to get a salary or avoid punishment.
The old testament as preparation for ChristGod did not want a mere servant relationship; the entire old testament was a preparation for 1,500 years to teach people through animal sacrifices that sin is serious, leading up to the coming of Jesus Christ.
Song of Solomon as a picture of intimacyRight in the middle of the old testament books, Song of Solomon points to a unique type of relationship where God desires intimacy with man like a husband with a wife.
Dying to the law and avoiding transactional faithBelievers are meant to die to the law, yet many christians maintain an attitude toward God that feels like being under the law, operating out of fear of punishment or doing business with God.
Rejecting false financial teachingsSome modern television preachers teach that giving money brings financial returns, but neither Jesus nor the apostles ever taught this business-like approach of seeking personal gain from God.
Serving God like a wife serves her husbandA true wife does not serve her husband to get money from him, unlike people who serve God only to get benefits or pass examinations.
The law and God's word acting as a mirrorJames compares the hearer of the word to someone looking at a face in a mirror; God gave the law so man could see the wrong things inside his life, much like a medical x-ray or scan.
The big difference between the old and new covenantsWhile old covenant believers obeyed out of fear like small children or servants under threat of punishment, new covenant believers obey because they love God.
Living in constant joy and loving God for HimselfInstead of living in fear of punishment, believers are called to rejoice always in the Lord, desiring God Himself rather than just His gifts, just as a mother delights in a child who loves her unconditionally.Philippians 4:4
