Putting Christ Above Family Ties - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018

Zac PoonenSeptember 9, 201857mWatch on YouTube

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http://rlcfchurch.org/putting-christ-above-family-ties River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA (We apologize that due to technical difficulties, the audio volume during the first 2 minutes is low. Thank you!)

Summary

The speaker emphasizes that understanding scripture requires taking all of God's Word seriously and viewing it in its totality, rather than focusing on favorite verses. He contrasts the two parts of the Great Commission—preaching the gospel (evangelism) and making disciples—arguing that a church cannot be complete if it emphasizes only one aspect. True church life requires both evangelism and discipleship, where believers are constantly repenting and living in a state of continuous self-correction.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Taking every word of the Bible seriouslyBelieving the Bible is God's word requires taking every part of it seriously rather than picking favorite verses and ignoring others.

The first part of the Great CommissionThe first part recorded in Mark commands believers to go into all the world, preach the gospel, and baptize those who believe, with miracles following to confirm the word.Mark 16:15

Balancing scripture with scriptureJust as Jesus refuted the devil's selective quoting of scripture by citing another passage, we must take the whole counsel of God rather than building doctrine on isolated verses.

The second part of the Great CommissionThe second part in Matthew commands believers to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded, completing the full picture of Christian work.Matthew 28:19–20

Jesus's description of the true churchJesus describes the church using the parable of the lost sheep as ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance because they are constantly judging themselves and staying clean.Luke 15:4–7

Hallowing the name of ChristThe primary prayer taught by Jesus is that God's name be hallowed, which means those who bear the name of Christ must not disgrace it through sinful living.

Disciples first called Christians in AntiochThe early believers were called Christians because they were disciples, showing that true Christianity requires discipleship rather than just a nominal birth certificate.Acts 11:26

The strict conditions of discipleshipJesus addressed large crowds with hard sayings because He sought quality and absolute dedication rather than building a superficial mega church.

Using the Bible as a bathroom mirrorScripture is meant to be a bathroom mirror where we examine our own lives and faults rather than a driving mirror used to judge others.

Hating family in comparison to ChristJesus's strong command to hate father, mother, and family means our love for Him must be so intense that earthly love appears as nothing by comparison.

No longer recognizing anyone according to the fleshIn Christ, old distinctions of nationality, community, and social status disappear as believers become part of a completely new creation.2 Corinthians 5:16–17

Carrying your own cross dailyThe second condition of discipleship is carrying your own cross, which means denying your own will and reckoning your self-life dead when you are hurt or offended.Luke 14:26–27

Crucifying the old self through baptismRomans 6 teaches that our old self was crucified with Christ so we are no longer slaves to sin, symbolized by going down into the waters of baptism.

Noah's flood as a picture of baptismThe story of Noah passing safely through the floodwaters while old earthly connections ended serves as an Old Testament picture of Christian baptism.1 Peter 3:20–21

Crucified to the worldPaul declared that he gloried only in the cross, through which the world was crucified to him and he to the world, having as little interest in worldly things as a dead man.Galatians 6:14

Christ living through us by the SpiritTrue discipleship means moving beyond merely being dead to self to having Christ actively live His life through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Putting Christ Above Family Ties - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018

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