Humility and Trembling at God's Word - Zac Poonen - March 2, 2013
http://rlcfchurch.org/act-like-men-and-be-strong RLCF Men's Conference 2013 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message emphasizes that building God's house—which encompasses one's personal life, family, and the church—requires profound humility and a contrite spirit. Drawing from Isaiah 66, the speaker argues that God looks upon those who are humble and tremble at His word. True humility involves recognizing others as more important than oneself, mirroring the attitude of Christ, and maintaining a perpetual awareness of one's own spiritual need, like a beggar waiting at a gate.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The person God looks to with favorGod looks with favor to build His house upon the person who is humble, contrite of spirit, and trembles at His word.
Considering others as more importantBelievers are called to have the attitude of Christ, regarding one another as more important than themselves rather than trying to act like spiritual superiors.Philippians 2:3–5
The master key of poverty of spiritBeing poor in spirit means maintaining a perpetual awareness of our spiritual need, acting like a beggar who constantly waits at God's gates for sustenance.Matthew 5:3
Jesus taking the form of a servantThough He was equal with God, Jesus lived incognito on earth and took the form of a servant, demonstrating that human beings are meant to serve rather than rule.
Giving worth to the weak and marginalizedJesus treated the marginalized and broken with dignity, giving them a sense of human worth without ever condoning sin.
Trembling at every command of GodTrembling at God's word means taking even the smallest commands seriously and obeying them, rather than sitting in judgment over which instructions matter.
Rejecting pyramid structures and independent isolationMany human religious systems mirror corporate pyramids or completely independent entities, but neither matches the New Testament pattern of apostles raising churches and appointing elders.
The dangers of Babylon: Politics and moneyBabylon represents Christianity mixed with political power and money, where religious work relies on financial campaigns rather than the power of the Holy Spirit.
Building with gold, silver, and precious stonesTrue work for God originates in Him, is done through His power, and is directed entirely to His glory, standing distinct from massive human projects built with wood, hay, and stubble.
Noah's exact obedience in building the arkIn the spirit of Noah, who walked with God and meticulously followed every specification for the ark, believers in the last days must obey God's pattern precisely.
Constructing a dwelling place where Jesus feels at homeThe church must be built as a sanctuary where God can rest and feel completely at home, just as Moses oversaw the construction of the tabernacle down to the smallest detail.Exodus 25:8
Testing obedience in the small thingsTrue obedience is tested not by avoiding extreme sins, but by how we respond to the tiny, specific instructions and commands found in the New Testament.
Doing everything just as the Lord commandedThe scripture repeatedly emphasizes that Moses and the people completed every part of the work exactly as the Lord commanded, culminating in the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle.Exodus 39:1
