Pursuing Likeness to Christ - Zac Poonen - May 29, 2016
http://rlcfchurch.org/having-the-mind-of-christ RLCF Family Conference 2016 - Message #7 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The message encourages believers to actively pursue the likeness of Christ in their daily lives. It emphasizes that this pursuit involves adopting Christ's mindset and character in all aspects of life. Ultimately, the goal is transformation into Christ's image.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did Jesus sit when He taught?Jesus sat while teaching to show that the church is a family, not a classroom, operating under a father's care rather than a paid teacher's instruction.
The secret of not getting discouragedBelievers can avoid discouragement by understanding that their core ministry is allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them into the likeness of Christ day by day.
Prioritizing spiritual progress over earthly thingsMost discouragement comes from earthly disappointments, but when our singular goal is to become like Jesus, trials and losses become tools for our transformation.
The true compassion of JesusJesus felt compassion for the multitudes not just for physical needs, but because they were like sheep without a shepherd, facing eternity without guidance.Matthew 9:36
Jesus restores Peter after failureJesus restored Peter after his severe failure by asking if he truly loved Him, looking for wholehearted devotion rather than worldly success or money.
The rich young ruler and the cost of following JesusJesus refused to compromise with a wealthy, upright man who loved money, teaching that discipleship requires letting go of everything to follow Him.
Feeding the multitude and training childrenJesus cared for the physical hunger of those who spent three days listening to His word, highlighting the supreme importance of knowing God's scriptures.Matthew 15:38
Not allowing relatives to dictate God's callJesus did not let His mother's requests override His heavenly Father's timing, demonstrating that discipleship requires a radical, supreme love for God compared to which all human relationships look like hatred.
Years of submission and being broken by GodGod must break our pride through family trials, unfair treatment, and even falling into sin before He can entrust us with true spiritual authority.
The Father was pleased to crush JesusIsaiah 53 shows that God was pleased to crush Jesus, and true followers must be willing to embrace rejection, suffering, and humility without complaint.Isaiah 53:10
Following the example of broken apostlesApostles like Paul faced continuous humiliation, persecution, and weakness so that Christ's power alone would be seen, leaving an example for believers today.
