Being Your Brother's Keeper - Santosh Poonen - January 21, 2018
Sermon Series: To Save That Which is Lost (Part 3) http://rlcfchurch.org/being-your-brothers-keeper River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message is that true obedience and love for God must originate from God Himself, not merely from human effort or sincerity. The speaker emphasizes that while we strive to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, the New Covenant requires God to direct our hearts into that love. He urges the congregation to pray for the Word of God to be glorified and for the church to maintain a high standard of spiritual seriousness.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Everything initiates with GodThe speaker reflects on how trying to love God through our own independent effort leads to frustration, noting that all true obedience must be initiated by God.2 Thessalonians 3:3
Congregation, club, or church?Examining Matthew 18, the speaker contrasts three types of gatherings to show that building a genuine church requires opening ourselves up to potential conflict and learning how to handle offenses.
Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifiesWhen faced with knowledge, we reach a fork in the road where we must choose between the arrogance of knowledge and the edifying power of love.
The righteousness of JosephAs the first man called righteous in the New Testament, Joseph displayed righteousness by wanting to cover Mary's perceived disgrace secretly rather than exposing her.Matthew 1:18
Two ministries: accusation and intercessionWhen dealing with sin or hurt, believers face a choice between a ministry of accusation that exposes faults and a ministry of intercession that seeks restoration and covers wrongs.
Joshua the high priest and the enemy of sinThe vision of Joshua in Zechariah illustrates that even when real sin is present, Satan stands ready to accuse, but the Lord rebukes him and provides cleansing garments.Zechariah 3:3
Changing our attitude toward those who hurt usThe speaker concludes by urging believers to ask God to change their hearts so they respond to offenses by praying for God's cleansing and blessing upon the person who caused the hurt.
