The Church Characterized By Love - Santosh Poonen - December 24, 2017

Santosh PoonenDecember 25, 201738mWatch on YouTube

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Santosh Poonen Sermons - 2008-2018185 messages

Sermon Series: To Save That Which is Lost (Part 1) http://rlcfchurch.org/church-characterized-love River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA

Summary

The central message is that the defining characteristic of the Church must be its mission to save those who are lost, encompassing both those outside the faith and those who have backslid within it. The speaker warns against allowing the focus on personal piety, discipleship, and fellowship to become self-centered, urging the congregation to maintain the passion and burden that drove Jesus to leave heaven for humanity. Ultimately, every believer, regardless of their current comfort level, is a missionary in their immediate surroundings.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Matthew 18 and the Pursuit of the LostThe speaker introduces Matthew 18 to highlight the mission and calling of the church, noting that Jesus came to save that which is lost, which includes both unbelievers and believers who have drifted away.Matthew 18:11–17

Avoiding a Self-Centered GospelBelievers can easily become consumed with personal discipleship and spiritual growth while losing their daily burden and passion for the hurting people around them.

Following Christ from Comfort to SacrificeJust as Jesus left the holiness and fellowship of heaven to rescue humanity, believers must not let a relatively comfortable life distract them from being missionaries in their everyday surroundings.

Focusing on TodayBelievers are commanded to focus on today, leaving behind the shame of the past and the worries of tomorrow, seizing the current opportunities to love and serve.

The Brand of Early ChristiansQuoting Tertullian, the speaker notes that early Christians were identified by the world primarily because of their noble deeds of love and their willingness to die for one another, in stark contrast to a world of mutual hatred.

Spiritual Gifts Without Love Equal ZeroA church can possess tongues, prophecy, faith, and even martyrdom, but Jesus considers it all a zero if it lacks genuine love.

Reading First Corinthians 13The apostle Paul explains that speaking without love makes a person like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal, and sacrificing one's body without love profits nothing.

Love Keeps No Record of WrongsDivine love allows a person to remember a wrong in their human memory while choosing, by an act of the will, to keep no record of it, just as God chooses not to remember forgiven sin.

Love Does Not Rejoice in UnrighteousnessInstead of secretly rejoicing when an enemy or a difficult person falls into sin, true love grieves over their unrighteousness and seeks to intercede for them.

Growing Fervent in LoveScripture commands believers to cultivate a boiling, fervent love that covers a multitude of sins rather than exposing them.1 Peter 4:8

The Example of Noah's SonsUnlike Ham, who exposed his father Noah's sin, Shem and Japheth demonstrated love by walking backward to cover their father's nakedness.

Hospitality Without Complaint and Serving Through GiftsFervent love expresses itself through hospitality without complaint and by faithfully serving one another as good stewards of God's grace.

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The Church Characterized By Love - Santosh Poonen - December 24, 2017

Santosh Poonen · December 25, 2017 · 38m

The lost Following Jesus