CFC Daily Devotions - Zac Poonen
Excerpt from the message: Learning the fear of God first - Zac Poonen
To listen to the complete message click here : https://cfcindia.com/sermon/learning-the-fear-of-god-first
Visit our website for more information: https://www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The speaker contrasts the advantage of those raised in a culture that taught the fear of God versus those who only hear about God's grace. He argues that while grace is vital, a foundational understanding of the fear of God—which is presented as the beginning of wisdom—is necessary for true spiritual maturity. Without this grounding, Christians may remain complacent in sin despite hearing about God's love.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What advantage has the Jew?The speaker asks whether Christians converted from Judaism had an advantage over those from non-Christian backgrounds, looking at Romans chapter 3.Romans 3:1–2
Why early apostles were so radicalContrasting early apostles with modern believers who struggle with pornography and lack devotion, the speaker asks if Jewish believers possessed something we lack.
Entrusted with the oracles of GodThe advantage was that they spent their lives learning the fear of God and the severity of punishment for sin, never knowing about grace beforehand.
An illustration of schoolingComparing a believer to a student, the speaker illustrates that going through years of school prepares someone for college, just as learning the fear of God prepares a person for grace.
The contrast with a godless backgroundWhile some raised by god-fearing parents have an advantage, most come from godless environments where sin was treated lightly.
Hearing only about graceMany believers heard the gospel and received free forgiveness without ever learning the ABCs of the fear of God.
The fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdomScripture teaches in Psalms and Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the hatred of evil.Psalm 111:10
Being half-converted and missing disciplineWithout being taught the fear of God by their parents, people grow up half-converted and only hear messages about God's love and wonderful plans.
The bitter fruit of a loose attitude to sinHearing only that God loves you no matter how many times you sin leads to decades of ongoing sin, hypocrisy, pride, and a loose attitude toward unrighteousness.
CFC Daily Devotions - Zac Poonen
Excerpt from the message: Learning the fear of God first - Zac Poonen
To listen to the complete message click here : https://cfcindia.com/sermon/learning-the-fear-of-god-first
Visit our website for more information: https://www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The speaker contrasts the advantage of those raised in a culture that taught the fear of God versus those who only hear about God's grace. He argues that while grace is vital, a foundational understanding of the fear of God—which is presented as the beginning of wisdom—is necessary for true spiritual maturity. Without this grounding, Christians may remain complacent in sin despite hearing about God's love.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What advantage has the Jew?The speaker asks whether Christians converted from Judaism had an advantage over those from non-Christian backgrounds, looking at Romans chapter 3.Romans 3:1–2
Why early apostles were so radicalContrasting early apostles with modern believers who struggle with pornography and lack devotion, the speaker asks if Jewish believers possessed something we lack.
Entrusted with the oracles of GodThe advantage was that they spent their lives learning the fear of God and the severity of punishment for sin, never knowing about grace beforehand.
An illustration of schoolingComparing a believer to a student, the speaker illustrates that going through years of school prepares someone for college, just as learning the fear of God prepares a person for grace.
The contrast with a godless backgroundWhile some raised by god-fearing parents have an advantage, most come from godless environments where sin was treated lightly.
Hearing only about graceMany believers heard the gospel and received free forgiveness without ever learning the ABCs of the fear of God.
The fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdomScripture teaches in Psalms and Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the hatred of evil.Psalm 111:10
Being half-converted and missing disciplineWithout being taught the fear of God by their parents, people grow up half-converted and only hear messages about God's love and wonderful plans.
The bitter fruit of a loose attitude to sinHearing only that God loves you no matter how many times you sin leads to decades of ongoing sin, hypocrisy, pride, and a loose attitude toward unrighteousness.
