23rd July 2023 - CFC Bangalore - Are You Seeking God's Approval Or God's Blessing? - Zac Poonen
23rd July 2023 - CFC Bangalore - Sunday Church Service | Are You Seeking God's Approval Or God's Blessing? - Zac Poonen For more sermons please visit https://www.cfcindia.com/
Summary
The speaker begins by leading the congregation in various hymns and prayers of praise, focusing on God's glory and the sacrifice of Jesus. The sermon segment, which begins after the worship, references scripture passages concerning election and redemption. The core message, though not fully delivered in the provided transcript, seems to revolve around the unique nature and calling of the church, as indicated by the speaker's introduction to a discussion about CFC's distinctiveness.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Opening worship and adorationThe service opens with a musical hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity, focusing on the holiness of God.
Reflecting on the suffering of ChristA musical meditation on how Jesus was rejected and treated like a lamb to the slaughter, yet through His wounds, salvation and freedom were achieved.
The spiritual blessings of GodThe speaker introduces the sermon by reading about how God has blessed believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
A prayer of thanksgiving for God's graceThe speaker begins by reciting scripture regarding our redemption and adoption through Christ, leading into a prayer of gratitude for God's immense love.
Reviewing the week's scriptureThe speaker reviews last week's promise from John and introduces this week's command from Galatians regarding not losing heart in doing good.Galatians 6:9
Seeking God's approval rather than His blessingThe speaker argues that instead of praying only for personal prosperity and blessings, Christians should aim to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Faith without works is deadThe speaker clarifies that while salvation is by faith alone, true faith inevitably produces works, citing James 2 to show that a faith that does not change one's behavior is useless.
The distinction between being saved and walking in good worksUsing Ephesians 2, the speaker explains that we are saved by grace through faith not to earn salvation, but so that we can walk in the good works God prepared for us.Ephesians 2:8–10
Seeking God's approval rather than His blessingThe speaker concludes that while God provides common blessings like sun and rain to both the righteous and unrighteous, the ultimate goal for a believer should be to live a life that pleases Him, just as Jesus did.
Two groups of believers at Christ's returnUsing 1 John, the speaker describes two types of believers: those who will welcome Christ with confidence and those who will shrink away in shame because they sought God's blessings rather than His approval.
The goal of Christian hope is transformationTrue Christian hope is not merely meeting Christ, but the expectation that we will be purified to become like Him when we see Him.
The distinction between the multitude and the 144,000While a vast multitude is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, a specific small group is identified by their refusal to be defiled by false Christianity and their commitment to follow the Lamb wherever He goes.Revelation 14:1–5
Seeking to please God rather than just seeking blessingsWhile many come to church seeking God's blessings, the speaker emphasizes that a small number of true disciples are those who wholeheartedly seek to please Him.
How to follow Jesus through self-denialBased on Luke 9:23, the speaker explains that following Christ requires saying no to our natural grasping tendencies and taking up our cross daily.Luke 9:23
A prayer for a life of service and surrenderThe message concludes with a prayer focused on responding to God's sacrifice by asking how to serve Him, forgive others, and live a life that pleases Him.
