Speaker:
Zac Poonen
Title:
Building the Church With the Spirit of Christ
Date:
10/26/2025
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
Zac Poonen teaches that building a God-honoring church requires the attitude of Christ—doing nothing from selfishness and regarding others as more important than yourself. Using Philippians 2:3-5 and examples from Jesus's ministry, he emphasizes that becoming like Christ involves humility, genuine care for others (even to the point of inconvenience), and constant self-examination to measure spiritual growth. The foundational principle is that everything must be done for God's glory, not personal advancement or honor.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Do nothing from selfishnessBelievers are given the foundational rule for building the church and separating from the world: to do absolutely nothing from selfish ambition.
Consider others as more importantJust as people step back to let others pass through a door, believers must cultivate the mindset of regarding others as more important than themselves.
Have the attitude of ChristOur ultimate goal is to become like Jesus, who lived His entire life completely unselfishly and had the very attitude we are called to imitate.
The humility of the Canaanite womanWhen Jesus tested the woman by comparing her to a dog, her humble response of accepting the crumbs led to the deliverance of her daughter.
Seeing the love of Jesus through a mapBy studying a map, we realize Jesus walked fifty miles each way—a four-day journey—just to help one Gentile woman, showing His immense compassion and willingness to be inconvenienced.
A spiritual health checkupJust as people physically check their blood pressure and sugar levels, believers must test themselves to see how much they are truly becoming like Jesus in their daily lives.
The rebuke through HaggaiHaggai delivers a straightforward rebuke from the Lord to people who claimed it was not yet time to build God's house while fully engrossed in improving their own homes.
Seeking the kingdom of God firstHaving spent decades in full-time work without asking for a salary, the speaker testifies that God faithfully provides for earthly needs when His kingdom is put first.
Building the temple and the wallHaggai concentrated on building the temple representing the church, while Nehemiah focused on building the walls of separation to keep the world out.
Everyone building next to one anotherA careful reading of Nehemiah chapter 3 shows that leaders and everyday people built the wall directly next to each other without leaving any gaps.Nehemiah 3:1–31
Closing any gaps between brothers and sistersBelievers must humble themselves, let go of personal offenses or pride about status, and ensure there are no gaps or divisions in God's house.
Speaker:
Zac Poonen
Title:
Building the Church With the Spirit of Christ
Date:
10/26/2025
Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29)
We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3)
We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
Zac Poonen teaches that building a God-honoring church requires the attitude of Christ—doing nothing from selfishness and regarding others as more important than yourself. Using Philippians 2:3-5 and examples from Jesus's ministry, he emphasizes that becoming like Christ involves humility, genuine care for others (even to the point of inconvenience), and constant self-examination to measure spiritual growth. The foundational principle is that everything must be done for God's glory, not personal advancement or honor.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Do nothing from selfishnessBelievers are given the foundational rule for building the church and separating from the world: to do absolutely nothing from selfish ambition.
Consider others as more importantJust as people step back to let others pass through a door, believers must cultivate the mindset of regarding others as more important than themselves.
Have the attitude of ChristOur ultimate goal is to become like Jesus, who lived His entire life completely unselfishly and had the very attitude we are called to imitate.
The humility of the Canaanite womanWhen Jesus tested the woman by comparing her to a dog, her humble response of accepting the crumbs led to the deliverance of her daughter.
Seeing the love of Jesus through a mapBy studying a map, we realize Jesus walked fifty miles each way—a four-day journey—just to help one Gentile woman, showing His immense compassion and willingness to be inconvenienced.
A spiritual health checkupJust as people physically check their blood pressure and sugar levels, believers must test themselves to see how much they are truly becoming like Jesus in their daily lives.
The rebuke through HaggaiHaggai delivers a straightforward rebuke from the Lord to people who claimed it was not yet time to build God's house while fully engrossed in improving their own homes.
Seeking the kingdom of God firstHaving spent decades in full-time work without asking for a salary, the speaker testifies that God faithfully provides for earthly needs when His kingdom is put first.
Building the temple and the wallHaggai concentrated on building the temple representing the church, while Nehemiah focused on building the walls of separation to keep the world out.
Everyone building next to one anotherA careful reading of Nehemiah chapter 3 shows that leaders and everyday people built the wall directly next to each other without leaving any gaps.Nehemiah 3:1–31
Closing any gaps between brothers and sistersBelievers must humble themselves, let go of personal offenses or pride about status, and ensure there are no gaps or divisions in God's house.
