6.The Proof Of Faith - Zac Poonen
God's Magnificent Promises
Summary
True faith is not proven by material blessings or answered prayers for physical needs, but rather by enduring trials and suffering. The speaker emphasizes that the primary focus of Christian life, as taught by Jesus, is glorifying God's name and advancing His kingdom. Genuine faith is proven when one praises God and overcomes sin during times of tribulation, as pure gold is tested by fire, not by comfort.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Prioritizing spiritual needs over physical comfortWhen faith is limited to physical and material things, it descends to the level of animals. A godly person places the needs of the spirit above the needs of the body, praying for God's kingdom and will before asking for daily bread.
The proof of faith through various trialsPeter explains that believers may be distressed by various trials so that the proof of their faith—more precious than gold tested by fire—will result in praise and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Expecting tribulation rather than prosperityJesus explicitly stated that in this world believers will have tribulation, not ease. The popular prosperity gospel ignores suffering, leaving believers unprepared for real trials and spiritual victory.Psalm 34:19
Gold and faith are tested in the fireJust as pure gold is tested and proven in the fire, genuine faith is proven when believers go through suffering and trials while still praising the Lord, rather than through material blessings.
God proving His servants as seen in JobFrom the very beginning of the biblical record in the book of Job, God has looked for individuals who will stand true to Him and praise Him even when material blessings are removed.
God displays faith, not bank accountsOn the final day, God will display our faith as evidence of victory, not our material prosperity, houses, or bank accounts.
The necessity of being detached from material possessionsTo serve the Lord effectively, believers must be completely detached from material things like money, property, and clothes, just as Abraham had to be detached from Isaac.
Every believer is called to a royal priesthoodUnlike the old covenant where ministry was restricted to the tribe of levi, the new covenant opens up the ministry of a king and priest to every single member of the body of christ, including sisters.
True ministry is forged through personal trialAuthentic ministry does not come from memorized knowledge or borrowed points, but is produced by God through secret trials and suffering, much like the lives of Jesus and Paul.
The fire of humiliationGod allows His children to face humiliation as a fire to prove their faith genuine, resulting in a heart that forgives and loves those who mistreat them.
Facing the end-times tribulation and the antichristScripture warns that believers will face trials and even the opposition of the antichrist during the great tribulation, where saints overcome through faithful endurance unto death.
Choosing the weakness of JesusTrue spiritual strength is found in choosing the way of the cross, possessing power yet choosing not to retaliate or use self-defense, relying entirely on God's power instead.
Walking by faith through perplexityAs believers spiritually mature, God leads them less through explicit external direction and more through faith and perplexity, mirroring Jesus' struggles in Gethsemane.
