Manifesting Jesus' Life As We Die To Our Self-life - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The central message is that manifesting the life of Jesus requires the believer to die to their self-life, comparing this to a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground to bring forth much fruit. The speaker argues that earthly achievements, reputation, or even consistent church attendance are insufficient; true life for God is only revealed when the outer shell of self-will is broken open through affliction, perplexity, and submission. This process is necessary for the treasure—the life of Christ—to become manifest.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the meaning of baptism?Romans 6 teaches that baptism is a symbol of submitting to death to our self-life and being crucified with Christ.
The contrast between old and new covenant blessingsWhile old covenant blessing was marked by material prosperity and success, New Covenant blessing is about manifesting the life of Jesus in our bodies.
The grain of wheat principleJesus explained that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, illustrating that our outer self-life must be cracked open to bring forth fruit.
How God cracks the outer shellGod uses afflictions, perplexities, and persecutions to break our self-life so that the dying of Jesus can be carried in our body.
The promise of manifested lifeAccepting this daily dying to self ensures that the life of Jesus is manifested not only in our own bodies but also through us to others.
Rest in peace as the proof of deathJust like the inscription on a coffin, complete rest and peace in the face of provocation prove that we have truly died to self.
The lesson of the Sabbath restGod taught Adam and Israel through the Sabbath that all work must flow from a place of inner rest rather than anxious struggle.
Salvation through repentance and restIsaiah and the writer of Hebrews emphasize that entering God's rest saves us from our self-life and the endless striving of human effort.Isaiah 30:15
Letting the peace of Christ refereeColossians 3 teaches us to let the peace of Christ act as a referee in our hearts, stopping us immediately when unrest arises so we can choose to die to self.Colossians 3:15
Responding to unrest without blaming othersInstead of blaming people around us for our frustration, we should recognize the referee's whistle, embrace the dying of Jesus, and watch His life manifest.
