11th March 2018 - Following Jesus As Our Forerunner
Following Jesus As Our Forerunner- Zac Poonen
Summary
The sermon focuses on the theme of praising God's unmatched glory and sovereignty, emphasizing that He is always on the throne. The message encourages believers to worship Him with their entire lives, acknowledging that He alone is worthy because He purchased them with His blood. It calls for proclaiming His glorious acts to all nations.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Opening worship and praiseThe service begins with congregational singing focused on lifting up the name of Jesus and offering a sacrifice of praise.
Celebrating our RedeemerThe songs celebrate how Jesus purchased His people with His blood and brought them from death to life.
God's unchanging sovereigntyThe speaker reminds the congregation that regardless of past circumstances, God remains eternally on His throne.
A call to worship God's gloryThe speaker begins with a call for all creation to praise the Lord for His greatness and for His coming judgment.
Why Jesus did not entrust himself to some believersReflecting on John 2:23, the speaker explains that even though many believed in Jesus, He did not rely on them because He knew their true hearts.John 2:23
The Tabernacle as a shadow of heavenly realitiesThe speaker explains how the Old Testament Tabernacle was a symbolic pattern of heavenly things, specifically illustrating the access we now have to God through Christ.
Jesus as our ForerunnerWhile Jesus has many titles, 'Forerunner' is a significant one that describes His role in leading us into the most holy place.
The three levels of the TabernacleUsing the Tabernacle as a metaphor, the speaker describes the outer court (salvation and baptism), the holy place (service and prayer), and the most holy place.
The danger of performing miracles without holinessUsing Matthew 7, the speaker warns that even those who perform miracles can be rejected by God if they continue to live in sin and lack a true relationship with Him.
What is the true definition of the cross?The cross is not worldly hardships like difficult bosses or sickness, but rather the decision to do God's will instead of our own, as demonstrated by Jesus in John 6:38.John 6:38
Choosing between our will and God's willWe face frequent temptations to follow our own desires, such as anger or lust, but following Jesus means choosing the narrow way of obedience.Hebrews 4:15
Following the Forerunner to the finish lineBy fixing our eyes on Jesus and enduring opposition without losing heart, we can overcome our own will and share in His victory.Hebrews 12:2Revelation 3:21
What does it mean that the veil was rent?Jesus inaugurated a new and living way by tearing the veil, which represents a life of saying 'not my will' to our own desires.
The power of desperate prayer for victory over sinTrue victory over persistent sin comes from praying with intense desperation and tears, rather than taking sin lightly.
Choosing to enter the inner circleWe can choose to be in Jesus's 'inner circle' by daily deciding to die to ourselves and seek Him as our forerunner.
