Living Without Fear when Facing Trials - Zac Poonen - May 13, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/living-without-fear-facing-trials River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is to live without fear by trusting God's providence, drawing parallels from the early Christians facing persecution to modern anxieties. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires a willingness to take a stand, even against one's own family, as Jesus taught that his coming would bring a dividing sword. Ultimately, faith must be demonstrated by prioritizing God's will above all earthly relationships or comforts.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did Jesus repeatedly say 'do not fear'?In Matthew 10, Jesus tells His disciples not to fear multiple times because they were facing a hostile world, much like Christians today might fear the coronavirus or other trials.
God's detailed care for sparrows and His peopleJesus used sparrows, which were cheap and insignificant, to illustrate that not a single bird falls without the Father knowing, showing how much more He cares for humans.
Walking in the will of GodA person walking entirely in God's will is immortal until their life's work is finished, and nothing can touch them until their designated hour has come.
God's covering over familiesWhen a person is righteous, God takes care of their family and children, as David noted that he had never seen a righteous man forsaken or his children begging for bread.Psalm 37:25
Where is your faith?Just as Jesus rebuked the disciples in the storm and Peter on the waves for lacking faith, He asks believers today where their faith is during difficult situations.
Claiming the love of the FatherJesus prayed in John 17 specifically for those who had forsaken everything to follow Him, meaning worldly Christians cannot casually claim the same promises without being true disciples.
Jesus brings a sword, not peaceJesus stated that He did not come to bring peace on earth but a sword that divides family members, which many converts from non-Christian homes experience firsthand.Matthew 10:34
No compromise with family tiesA person cannot be a true disciple if they allow parents, spouses, or children to interfere with how they follow the Lord, or if they love family more than Jesus.
Receiving Christ's representativesWholehearted disciples who take up their cross daily can truly claim that whoever receives them is receiving Christ Himself.
The reward for a cup of cold waterJesus remembers even the smallest acts of kindness done to His disciples, such as giving a glass of water, and will reward them even thousands of years later.
Remembering the good and forgetting the badBelievers should strive to be the opposite of ungrateful human nature by never forgetting the small kindnesses others have done, while forgetting past evil and their own good deeds.
All who live godly will be persecutedScripture makes it clear that everyone who lives a godly life in Christ Jesus will face persecution because their lifestyle is the exact opposite of the world's.2 Timothy 3:12
Two types of persecutionJesus spoke of being persecuted for righteousness' sake and for standing up directly for our relationship with Him.Matthew 5:10
Standing for honesty in everyday situationsPersecution often looks like small everyday choices, such as refusing to lie for a boss on the phone or refusing to cheat on taxes, which may cost promotions or income.
Remaining upright when others do wrongWhen facing pressure or strikes at a workplace or business, a believer must have the right motive to stand up for righteousness and trust God to stand by them.
