Entering the Promised Land - Zac Poonen - May 24, 2017
http://rlcf.church/sermons/entering-promised-land River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon uses the Old Testament account of the Israelites passing through the Red Sea as a warning for believers regarding spiritual discipline and perseverance. Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is a race requiring self-control, warning that even those who seem successful can be disqualified. The core message is to guard against an 'unbelieving heart'—a failure to truly believe and heed God's warnings—and to hold fast to the assurance of faith until the end.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The danger of being disqualified in the Christian racePaul uses the metaphor of a race and a boxing match in 1 Corinthians to warn believers that even someone who preaches to others can end up disqualified if they do not discipline their bodies.
The example of the Israelites in the wildernessThough redeemed, baptized, and nourished spiritually, most of the Israelites displeased God and fell in the wilderness because they craved evil things and tested the Lord, serving as an example for us.
An evil, unbelieving heartHebrews warns believers to watch out for an evil, unbelieving heart that causes them to fall away from the living God by refusing to take His warnings seriously.
Giving an account for every careless wordJesus teaches in Matthew 12 that people will give an account for every careless word on the day of judgment, a warning many believers fail to take seriously.Matthew 12:36–37
Having a godly fear that moves God to answer prayerJesus' prayers were heard because of His godly fear, contrasting with believers who lazily blame God's will for unanswered prayers rather than examining their own lack of reverence and faith.
Fearing lest we fall short of God's restHebrews 4 urges believers to fear missing out on the promised rest of Canaan, which pictures a life of victory over sin received by uniting with faith like Joshua and Caleb.
The two-part promise given to Moses in ExodusGod promised the Israelites in Exodus to both bring them out of Egypt and bring them into Canaan, but the second part was unfulfilled for many because they lacked faith.Exodus 3:15–17
Overcoming the giants in the landJust as the Israelites viewed the giants as too big, Christians often claim victory over sin is impossible, whereas faith sees those obstacles as bread to be conquered through the Spirit.
Contending for the faith against perverted graceJude wanted to write about common salvation, but the Holy Spirit prompted him to urge believers to contend for the faith because ungodly people had crept in, turning grace into a license for immorality.
The responsibility of the doorkeeper to stay alertJesus' parable in Mark commands the doorkeeper to stay alert, picturing church leaders who must guard the flock against teachers of false grace who slip in unnoticed.
Preaching the Word in season and out of seasonPaul instructs Timothy to faithfully preach, reprove, and exhort because people in the last days will gather teachers who tickle their ears with myths rather than truth.2 Timothy 4:2–4
Conquering giants step by step in the life of victoryEntering Canaan pictures a life of victory where believers must tackle conscious sins one by one, relying on God to reveal further areas of unlikeness to Christ as they progress.
