The Narrow Way that Leads to Life - Zac Poonen - September 9, 2018
http://rlcfchurch.org/the-narrow-way-that-leads-to-life River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages the audience to develop a deep, conscious awareness of Jesus's constant presence in their lives, comparing it to singing hymns with true meaning rather than just ritual. He emphasizes that recognizing Christ's presence prevents sin and that setting the Lord before oneself is the key to a life that cannot be shaken. Ultimately, true joy and remaining in God's presence are maintained by confessing unconfessed sin and guarding against pride.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Recognizing the presence of Jesus in worshipDeveloping the habit of recognizing Jesus's real presence while singing hymns transforms familiar songs into fresh, meaningful worship filled with heartfelt emotion.
Setting the Lord continually before usDrawing from Psalm 16, keeping God always before us prevents us from being shaken or falling into sin, offering practical protection in daily life.Psalm 16:8
Jesus keeps us from fallingTrue victory over sin is not about gritting our teeth in our own strength, but trusting Jesus to keep us from stumbling and falling into sin.
The two houses and the exercise of the willBuilding your house on the rock requires moving from understanding a message and feeling emotional excitement to actually obeying God through the exercise of your will.
Calvary comes before PentecostJust as Calvary came before Pentecost, experiencing the resurrection power of Christ requires embracing the way of the cross and putting our self-life to death.
The narrow way that leads to lifeAt the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasts the broad destruction with the narrow way of radical obedience, such as loving our enemies and speaking truth without oaths.
Rated as insignificant before GodThe true meaning of being poor in spirit in Matthew 5 is rating oneself as insignificant, recognizing that human achievements are mere zeros unless Christ is placed in front as the one.Matthew 5:3Psalm 22:1
Deceiving ourselves by thinking we are somebodyAnyone who thinks they are a somebody when they are spiritually nothing is only deceiving themselves, missing out on the humility required to open the doors of heaven.Galatians 6:3
Following the example of Jesus in rejectionJesus faced rejection without complaint when no one offered Him a place to stay after preaching, teaching us to trust our heavenly father and be content rather than seek pity.John 7:37
