The Foundation For God's Purpose - Zac Poonen
Proclaiming The Whole Purpose Of God Visit our website for more information: www.cfcindia.com
Summary
The central message is the necessity of proclaiming the 'whole purpose of God,' drawing from Paul's testimony of being innocent of the blood of all men. This means preaching the complete truth, not just what is popular or profitable, which is often a worship of Mammon. To fully proclaim God's purpose, truth must always be covered with grace, and every believer should be able to testify, 'Follow me as I follow Christ,' even if they are not perfect.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What does it mean to be free from the blood of all men?Paul tells the elders in Ephesus that he is innocent of the blood of all men because he did not hesitate to proclaim the whole purpose of God to them.
Balancing truth and graceTruth is like the bones of the body and grace is the flesh covering it; preaching the whole purpose of God requires both without acting like rigid Pharisees.
Following Christ and mentoring othersEvery true servant of God and older believer should be able to tell younger believers to follow them as they follow Christ.
Filling in the missing parts of the circleJust as a school needs empty departments filled, the church must focus on preaching the neglected aspects of God's truth rather than repeating what others already teach.
Overcoming conscious sinA Christian should not live defeated by conscious sin, just as the Israelites gradually conquered the giants in the land of Canaan one by one.
Purifying ourselves as we wait for ChristBelievers are already children of God, but the goal of the Christian life is to keep purifying ourselves until we are finally made like Him when He appears.1 John 3:2
Finishing the work God gave youJesus glorified the Father on Earth by finishing the work assigned to Him, and every believer has a unique work prepared for them since before birth.
God overlooks times of ignoranceGod is willing to overlook past years of ignorance and wasted time if believers repent and turn to live fully for Him from this day forward.
Genesis 1 as a picture of human redemptionThe creation story illustrates how God takes man in a dark, formless, and empty state, sends His Spirit and Word, and brings light into the heart.
God separates light from darknessJust as God divided light from darkness in creation, He separates believers from worldly systems, ungodly associations, and unequal yokes.
The Father has no SabbathEver since man sinned in Genesis 3, the Father and Jesus have been working without a Sabbath rest to bring humanity back into the image of God.Genesis 2:2
The hidden foundation and rootsJust like a tree's survival in a storm depends on its hidden roots, the strength of a Christian's life depends on their hidden private life and foundation.
The danger of failing to finish the towerPeople who lay a foundation but fail to finish the building face ridicule, highlighting the necessity of meeting the true costs of discipleship.
The three conditions of discipleshipLaying the proper foundation requires loving Jesus more than family members, dying to one's own will daily, and holding all possessions loosely as God's property.
