Words of Encouragement -- Olu Talabi & Dave Bertsch -- August 1, 2021
http://rlcf.church River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit for Christian living, drawing parallels from Jeremiah 13:23 regarding the impossibility of inherent change. He stresses that believers cannot achieve purity or godliness by their own strength, but must rely on the Spirit's power, which leads to transformation into the image of Christ. Furthermore, the message highlights the intimate relationship with God as a Father, contrasting this truth with the devil's deception that suggests God is uninterested in us.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Can an Ethiopian change his skin?The speaker points to Jeremiah's rhetorical question about skin color and leopard spots to show that humans accustomed to evil cannot change themselves.Jeremiah 13:23
Alive by the SpiritBelievers are dead in sin on their own, but the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead brings life to mortal flesh.
Presented pure to ChristPaul expressed a godly jealousy to present the church as a pure, spotless virgin to Christ, which requires the strengthening of the Spirit.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is libertyBelievers are changed into the image of Christ from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
The simple daily prayer for helpThe speaker explains that his primary daily prayer is simply asking God for help in faith whenever he senses unsettling fear or trouble.
Crying Abba, FatherBecause believers are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into their hearts, causing them to cry out Abba, Father.Galatians 4:6
Old Testament saints did not know God as FatherFigures like Job, Daniel, and Moses were righteous and wise, yet they did not experience the intimacy of knowing God as a father.
The devil's deception about God's interestThe enemy tries to deceive believers into thinking that God is distant, disinterested, or merely a creator who left us alone.
God is not far from usPaul declares in Acts that people should seek the Lord because He is not very far from any one of us.Acts 17:27
Having the spirit of a victorious lifeThe speaker concludes with a prayer to possess the same Spirit that was in Jesus, leading to a victorious life that calls out Abba, Father.
