He Says 'The Old is Good Enough' - Ajay Chakravarthy - July 5, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/he-says-old-good-enough River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon contrasts the human tendency to desire 'better' things with the sufficiency of what God has already provided. Using the example of Elijah's expected return, the speaker emphasizes that God's promises are fulfilled in ways that often surpass human expectations. Ultimately, the message stresses that true completeness comes not just from outward appearances, but from an internal foundation built on God's promises and the Holy Spirit.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God has provided something betterGod desires to provide something better for us, but many people are happy with what they already have.Hebrews 11:40
The old is good enoughPeople often settle for a comfortable spiritual state where their public testimony is good, while ignoring secret areas of their lives.
The long-awaited promise of ElijahAfter 430 years of waiting following Malachi's prophecy, John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, not in a flaming chariot, but as an ordinary person with a firm foundation of divine promises.Malachi 4:5
Cleaning the outside of the cupJohn could tell people how to live righteous lives on the outside by sharing, being content with wages, and not forcing others for money, but he could not change their hearts.
The questioning of baptism and the PhariseesWhen the Pharisees questioned his authority to baptize since it was unseen in the Old Testament, John pointed away from himself to the One coming after him who would baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire.
Faithfully fulfilling a daily callingGod called John to baptize daily until Jesus was finally revealed, teaching that faithfulness in ordinary, repetitive tasks matters to God.
A signpost, not the destinationAs disciples like Andrew left John to follow Jesus, John's heart rejoiced because he recognized he was only meant to point people to Christ, finding his value in being great in God's eyes alone.
The leaven of HerodImprisoned by Herod for calling out sin, John witnessed Herod's love for hearing preaching without any true desire to repent, warning listeners against enjoying God's word without changing.
A burning candle versus the true lightJesus described John as a burning lamp that people rejoiced in for a while, but believers must not settle for a mere candlestick when they can have Jesus, the true light.John 5:35
Greater than John the BaptistJesus declared that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John because believers can experience inner cleansing and become part of the Bride of Christ.Matthew 11:11
Speaking well of others behind their backReflecting on how Jesus praised John behind his back, believers are encouraged to look for the good in others and speak encouraging words about them instead of finding faults.
Baptized in the Holy Spirit and fireThe speaker closes with an encouragement that people of any age can be baptized by Jesus in the Holy Spirit and fire.
