A Helpless Soul Hanging on God -- Santosh Poonen -- April 18, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/helpless-soul-hanging-god River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that Christian promises are conditional, requiring believers to examine their hearts. Drawing from the hymn "Hangs My Helpless Soul on Thee," the speaker urges the congregation to recognize that their ultimate refuge and support must be solely in God, not in worldly comforts, relationships, or self-defense mechanisms. True reliance means accepting a defenseless state before God, trusting in His unwavering presence.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The conditional promise in MatthewThe final command in Matthew is to make disciples and teach them all that Jesus commanded, which comes with the conditional promise of His presence.Matthew 28:18–20
Other refuge have I noneThe speaker shares how the Lord asked him whether he still relies on temporary earthly refuges like food, comfort, or entertainment instead of God alone.
Hangs my helpless soul on theeUsing a rag doll illustration, the speaker explains what it means to hang helplessly on God with a completely defenseless head rather than defending oneself.
The secret to the Christian lifeThe secret to fighting sin, raising children, and living a godly life is a helpless hanging on God rather than relying on human techniques.
Receiving the implanted wordJames instructs believers to be doers of the word, which begins by putting aside wickedness and receiving the word in humility and helplessness.
The anger of manThe command to be slow to anger refers specifically to the frustration and anger of man trying to achieve God's righteousness through human effort.
Moses as the most helpless manNumbers describes Moses as the most meek or tamed man on earth, possessing inner brokenness rather than physical weakness.
Moses tries in his own strengthAt age forty, Moses tried to deliver his people using his own strength and anger by striking down an Egyptian, leading to forty years in the wilderness.Exodus 2:11–12
God breaks Moses for forty yearsAfter twelve thousand days of being a shepherd and having his self-reliance frustrated, Moses finally responds to God's call with total helplessness.
Called to follow in His stepsBelievers are called to suffer for doing right, following the supreme example of Christ who suffered without retaliation.
Submitting when suffering unjustlyGod grants grace when believers bear up under sorrows and unjust treatment with a conscience toward God, refusing to shake their fists at Him.
Jesus uttered no threatsWhen reviled and crucified, Jesus committed no sin and uttered no threats, but continually entrusted Himself to the One who judges righteously.
The Lord preserves the simplePsalm 116 highlights that when we are brought low and helpless, the Lord preserves the simple and the little ones.Psalm 116:6
Exchanging strength by waiting on GodThose who wait on the Lord give up their own vigorous human strength and exchange it for God's supernatural strength.Isaiah 40:30–31
Glorying in our disabilitiesLike the Apostle Paul, believers can glory in their weaknesses, infirmities, and disabilities because God's power is perfected in weakness.
Related messages
- Full message: https://youtu.be/9v278E9e-Mg Cover my defenseless head, hangs my helpless soul on Thee59s
- Eternal Life Comes Only from Constant Dependence on God — Santosh Poonen — December 18, 2022Santosh Poonen · 1h 2m
- I Would Have Despaired Unless I Had Believed - Santosh Poonen - October 22, 2017Santosh Poonen · 57m
