Global Online Meeting Q&A -- Zac Poonen -- May 8, 2021

Zac PoonenMay 13, 20211h 35mWatch on YouTube

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This Q&A session is from the monthly Global Online Meetings with Zac Poonen. To be informed about these events, please write to: info@rlcf.church --- 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:16 - 1. What advice would you give to new believers, or those who have fallen away and have come back to God, but who feel like there is so much un-Christlikeness still in them that they wouldn't be ready for Christ's return if He came now? 00:05:43 - 2. What does it mean practically to live in our will? 00:10:12 - 3. How do you differentiate between the voice of the Holy Spirit and common sense, when you're not really sure about the voice of the Holy Spirit? 00:19:37 - 4. How can we rejoice in the Lord always when we've experienced deep loss? 00:24:44 - 5. What is your understanding of how it will be in heaven if some of our dearly beloved ones are not there? 00:28:43 - 6. What is the balance between God's sovereignty and our free will -- (i) in the imputed righteousness of Christ and our working out salvation; (ii) God's hardening the hearts of some? 00:35:15 - 7. How can we overcome the fear of people when it comes to obeying God? 00:37:44 - 8. How can someone deal with a spouse who is living in willful habitual sin? 00:44:41 - 9. Can you give some encouragement to widows who are alone without any family to help them? 00:50:36 - 10. Can you give some encouragement to those who are having to raise their children alone due to an unbelieving spouse? 00:55:58 - 11. What does it mean practically for adults to honor their parents? 01:03:01 - 12. Could you share some practical disciplines from your own life that helped you grow spirituall? 01:10:34 - 13. How do we balance commitment to the Lord and His kingdom while still being faithful in our responsibilities to our families. 01:16:10 - 14. What are the marks of a good church and godly elders? In what areas must we submit to elders in the church? 01:26:10 - 15. Many churches are teaching that a true Christian will support a particular political party because of some things that they stand for. What is your opinion on that? 01:35:05 - 16. How can we pray specifically for you, brother Zac and sister Annie? --- https://rlcf.church/media/sermons/gomzp-qa-210508 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA

Summary

The speaker addresses questions regarding spiritual readiness for Christ's return, emphasizing that honesty—both in one's outer and inner life—is key, regardless of past sins. He explains that 'living in one's will' means actively choosing to obey God's commands, such as forgiving others and trusting Him with anxieties, rather than succumbing to natural worry or bitterness.

Outline

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

Addressing concerns of new and falling-away believersThe speaker acknowledges questions from new believers struggling with sin and those who have drifted from their faith, focusing on how to be ready for Christ's return.

Avoiding hypocrisy through honestyUsing the Samaritan woman in John 4 as an example, the speaker explains that being honest about one's sins is more important than pretending to be perfect.

The importance of a clear conscienceThe speaker urges believers to settle all debts and wrongs, arguing that it is better to have an empty bank account than a guilty conscience when Christ returns.

Living a life of total surrenderTrue spiritual vitality and the flow of God's blessing come from surrendering completely to God's will and obeying Him immediately.

How to rejoice in the Lord during griefWhile death brings natural grief, believers have hope because they know those who die in Christ are merely 'asleep' and will be raised again.

Understanding spiritual progress and mistakesMaking mistakes in new areas of life is part of spiritual education; we are justified and accepted by God even as we learn and grow.

God has an answer for every situationWhile there is no standard biblical answer for every marriage crisis, God's wisdom and power are infinite, and we must begin with the faith that nothing is impossible for Him.

The foundation of prayer: God's love and powerWhen praying to our Father, we must recognize both His intense personal love for us and His absolute sovereignty over the entire universe.

The power of passing on a legacy of faithUsing the example of Timothy's mother, Eunice, the speaker shows how teaching children to turn to Jesus in prayer creates a lasting foundation of faith.

Using Jesus as the dictionary for lifeThe speaker explains that he uses the person of Jesus Christ as his primary reference for understanding how to respond to various life situations, such as when to be angry and when to remain calm.Ephesians 4:26

Practical disciplines for spiritual growthReflecting on his younger years, the speaker describes how he disciplined himself in managing money, studying the Bible systematically, and avoiding sin through mental discipline.

Balancing love for Christ with family and ministryThe speaker uses the illustration of the sun and stars to explain how loving Jesus supremely does not mean hating one's family, but rather that Christ's love is so bright it eclipses all other loves.Luke 14:26

The importance of a passion to build a churchIf you do not have a passion for building a New Testament church, God will not work through you. Zac shares how he prayed for years to find godly people and emphasizes that true ministry requires a willingness to sacrifice personal resources, much like Noah built the ark.

The cost of true worship and leadershipUsing David's example in 2 Samuel 24:24, the speaker explains that we should never offer to God what costs us nothing. He also describes the heart of a true elder as one who possesses God's heart for compassion, forgiveness, and strictness.2 Samuel 24:24

Navigating politics through prayer and submissionThe speaker advises against aligning with any political party, noting that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. Instead, he encourages believers to follow the instruction in 1 Timothy 2 to pray for those in authority and to submit to government laws unless they violate Christian principles.

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River of Life Christian Fellowship

Global Online Meeting Q&A -- Zac Poonen -- May 8, 2021

Zac Poonen · May 13, 2021 · 1h 35m

The Lord’s return Repentance