Austin CFC Zac Poonen conf 2018 - Session 2 – Jesus Was Tempted Exactly Like Us
Summary
The speaker argues that the New Covenant provides believers with something superior to the miracles and acts of faith seen in the Old Covenant. He emphasizes that while the Old Testament focused heavily on external obedience, Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, brought the focus inward—addressing internal matters like anger and lust. The Christian life is thus presented as an inward race running after Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God has provided something better for usGod has provided a superior inheritance for New Covenant believers that goes beyond what Old Testament figures like Moses, Elijah, or John the Baptist experienced.Hebrews 11:40Matthew 11:11
The Christian life is a race following Jesus as our forerunnerHebrews 12 connects directly to chapter 11, showing that Jesus is our forerunner who opened the way to the presence of God.Hebrews 12:1–4
The contrast between external law and inward graceThe Old Covenant focused on external rules and physical blessings, whereas the New Covenant works like an antibiotic, hitting the root of sin inside the heart.
Earthly blessings versus heavenly inheritanceOld Testament promises were earthly and physical, but the New Covenant calls us to a heavenly kingdom rather than seeking merely external testimony and material prosperity.
Enduring the cross means death to self-willTaking up the cross means giving up our own will every single day and choosing the will of God instead of demanding our own way.
Despising the shame in a world that hates ChristJust as Jesus despised the shame, believers today must be willing to be hated by all nations for standing up for Christ and His convictions.Matthew 24:3–9
Setting the Lord always before usJesus lived His life with the Father constantly in front of Him, and we can overcome anger and fear by allowing the Holy Spirit to make Christ's presence real to us.Acts 2:22–25
Walking in the footsteps of faith and love during trialsWhen facing unfair opposition or legal trouble, we are called to walk in the footsteps of faith in a sovereign Father and love for our accusers.
Jesus made like His brothers in all thingsJesus had to be made like us in every way so that He could become a merciful high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses.Hebrews 2:17–18Hebrews 4:15
Facing temptations in every area of human lifeJesus experienced the full range of human temptation—from imperfect earthly authorities in childhood to the pressures faced by teenagers and adults—yet He never sinned.
The one-line autobiography of Jesus: Doing the Father's willAll sin originates from doing our own will, but Jesus summarized His life by stating He never did His own will, but always the will of the Father.John 6:38
Refusing to use personal power outside the Father's willEven when fasting and hungry, Jesus refused to turn stones into bread on His own initiative, demonstrating a level of holiness where He lived entirely by every word proceeding from God.
