Zac Poonen - Our Destination Is Christlikeness

Zac PoonenMay 15, 20171h 8mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionZac Poonen379 messages

Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: Our Destination Is Christlikeness Date: 05-14-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The Christian life is not a single event but a lifelong journey with a specific destination. This destination is not a physical place like heaven, but a spiritual one: becoming a likeness of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that understanding this goal requires looking at scripture contextually, particularly Romans 8:29, which states that God predestines believers to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Outline

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

The Christian life as a journeyThe Christian life is not just a single event of receiving Christ, but a long journey that requires knowing your direction and destination.

Our destination is a spiritual oneMany Christians mistake heaven for their destination, but the Bible establishes a spiritual destination rather than a physical one.

Romans 8:28-29 and God's purposeGod works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called to His specific purpose, which is being conformed to the image of His Son.Romans 8:28–29

Conformity to Christ from withinTrue spiritual value lies in the hidden part of a person, requiring purity in thoughts, attitudes, and motives rather than merely outer pretense.

The difference between the Old and New CovenantsOld Testament figures like David and Moses fell into grave sins because they did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit, and believers today must not use their failures to excuse sin.

Jesus as our primary exampleJesus is the first and primary example given in Scripture to follow, and human leaders like Paul only serve as examples insofar as they follow Christ.

Spiritual versus earthly blessingsWhile the Old Covenant focused on material and earthly blessings, the New Covenant focuses on spiritual wealth, health, and spiritual children.

Jesus as the firstborn among many brothersThrough resurrection, Jesus became the firstborn among many brothers and sisters, inviting believers into a familial relationship as younger siblings of Christ.

The primary ministry of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit's main role is to remove the veil so we can behold the glory of Jesus in the Word and be changed into that same image from glory to glory.2 Corinthians 3:18

Choosing a church aligned with the destinationBelievers should join a local church whose preaching and community actively help them reach the destination of christlikeness.

Purifying oneself in light of Christ's returnThe hope of Christ's return is proven by a believer's active, daily pursuit of personal purity in their inner life.

Living without making demands on othersJesus lived without making selfish demands or grumbling when treated inconsiderately, setting an example of selfless service.

The woman caught in adulteryJesus demonstrated the spirit of the law over the letter by refusing to hastily condemn a repentant sinner, choosing instead to offer forgiveness and a call to holiness.

The two parts of the Full GospelThe complete gospel message consists of absolute freedom from condemnation for past sin followed by the clear call to stop sinning.

True holiness produces genuine humilityAs believers grow in fruitfulness and christlikeness, they must guard against looking down on others, maintaining genuine humility as the mark of true holiness.

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Zac Poonen - Our Destination Is Christlikeness

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