Not That I Loved Him, But Christ Loved Me First — Santosh Poonen — July 7, 2024
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker addresses the fear of hell, assuring the congregation that those in Christ are secure from condemnation. However, his primary concern is a 'healthy fear'—a reverential dread of failing to follow Christ closely when he returns. He emphasizes that true discipleship means following Jesus wherever he leads, even into difficult, painful, or uncomfortable circumstances, lest one be left behind at the final moment.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why I am no longer afraid of hellWhile hell is a real place for those who reject Christ, those who are in Christ have no reason to fear condemnation.
The only thing that scares me nowThe speaker's only fear is that when Jesus returns, he will be spiritually far away because he stopped following where Jesus led.
The return of Christ in the twinkling of an eyeChrist's return will happen instantly, leaving no time to correct course if you were not already following Him closely.
Chosen to be with HimJesus chose His disciples primarily so they could be with Him, not merely to give them a ticket to heaven or a platform.Mark 3:14
Mary Magdalene as our exampleUnlike those who get offended over lack of recognition or roles, Mary Magdalene followed Jesus quietly out of a simple desire to be near Him.Matthew 27:55
They have taken away my LordMary's deep grief at the tomb stemmed solely from losing sight of Jesus, illustrating the bridal longing for Christ alone.John 20:13
Abiding in me and having full joyJesus commands us to abide in Him so that our joy may be made full, without adding comfortable lives, health, or other earthly demands.John 15:4
The Song of Songs and the up-and-down lifeThe Song of Solomon pictures the journey of a bride whose love fluctuates until she rests entirely in belonging to her beloved.
Not that I loved Him, but that He loved me firstThe Christian life ceases to be an exhausting attempt to manufacture love for God and rests completely on the fact that He loved us first.
The bridegroom is the one who has the brideJohn the Baptist's perspective highlights that our ultimate security rests in the fact that the bridegroom holds and keeps His bride.John 3:30
The story of Ruth and OrpahWhile Orpah turned back to comfort, Ruth chose to follow Naomi and God regardless of the cost and suffering ahead.
Boaz as a picture of ChristBoaz acknowledged Ruth's sacrifice in leaving her homeland to seek refuge under the wings of the God of Israel.Ruth 2:10
Coming from the wilderness leaning on her belovedThe speaker concludes with the desire to be found by Christ at His return leaning completely upon the Beloved.Song of Solomon 8:5
