Zac Poonen - Be Like a Baby in Humility

Zac PoonenJune 24, 202410mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionZac Poonen379 messages

Speaker: Zac Poonen Title: Be Like a Baby in Humility Date: 06/23/2024 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

Jesus taught that true greatness in God's kingdom comes through becoming like a child—humble, uncompetitive, and dependent on God. Drawing from Matthew 18 and reflecting on the characteristics of babies, Zac Poonen exhorts believers to abandon pride and comparison, embrace helplessness, forgive easily, and continually cry out to God for grace just as a baby cries for milk. This pursuit of childlike humility is a lifelong marathon toward becoming free from pride, shame, and self-reliance.

Outline

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

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?The speaker introduces Matthew 18, noting that the question of who is the greatest is natural to human beings from childhood.

Why Jesus was born in a stableJesus chose to be born in a filthy cow stable because God planned for Him to enter the world in the most lowly place possible.

The rat race in churchesAfter decades as a Christian, the speaker observes the same competition for status and recognition operating even within churches.

Conversion from prideJesus calls His disciples to be converted from all pride and become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Meditating on babies to understand humilitySince we cannot physically see Jesus today, babies serve as a visible, impactful example of true humility.

No comparison and no grudgesBabies do not compare themselves with others and quickly forget when someone hurts them, unlike adults who hold onto offenses.

Being unashamedly helplessBabies readily acknowledge their helplessness and need for constant care without pride or shame.

Jesus needed help carrying the crossEven Jesus allowed another man to help carry His cross, ending His life as a helpless babe needing assistance.

Constant crying for milk as a picture of prayerJust as a baby constantly cries out when it needs milk, believers must continually cry out to their heavenly father for grace.

Avoiding self-sufficiencyOnly proud people think they can manage on their own, while those who are humble recognize they need help all day long.

Related messages

Back to the catalog

NCCF Church

Zac Poonen - Be Like a Baby in Humility

Zac Poonen · June 24, 2024 · 10m

Humility Following Jesus