14th October 2018 - Guarding Our Lampstand For Jesus - Sandeep Poonen
14th October 2018 - Guarding Our Lampstand For Jesus - Sandeep Poonen. Preserving Our Devotion To Jesus - Zac Poonen For more sermons please visit https://www.cfcindia.com/
Summary
The message draws parallels between the Israelites' poor offerings described in Malachi 1 and the spiritual decline of the Church in Ephesus, as detailed in Revelation 2. The central warning is that merely going through the motions of religious duty or ritualistic obedience is insufficient for God. True devotion requires offering one's best and first love, or else the spiritual presence (the lampstand) risks being removed.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
A call to worshipThe service begins with musical worship and a focus on the greatness and majesty of God.
Be still before the LordThe speaker invites the congregation to quiet their spirits and minds in the presence of God's throne.
The warning to the church in EphesusThe speaker connects the rejected offerings in Malachi to the threat of Jesus removing the lampstand from the church in Ephesus if they do not return to their first love.
The risk of compromising churchesSome churches may focus on excitement or popularity while lacking a message of holiness. The church in Ephesus was warned that even with good theology, losing their first love could lead to Jesus removing His presence.
The challenge of the 'first love'Whether someone has experienced a profound first love or simply adopted doctrines out of fear, God calls for a best love. The speaker notes that many people may have drifted into a routine of good doctrine without true passion.
Remembering the cross as the starting pointTo find the way back, one must remember the reality of being an enemy of God at the cross. True repentance and a change in thinking toward God flow naturally from recognizing His sacrificial love while we were still sinners.Romans 5:8–10
Changing your thinking about sin and GodTrue repentance requires more than just turning from sin; it requires changing your view of God from a judge to a loving Father.
The appeal for a good conscienceUsing 1 Peter 3:21, the speaker describes baptism as an appeal to God for a good conscience that is sensitive to even the slightest sin.1 Peter 3:21
Returning to the simplicity of faithTo recover our first love, we must return to a simple relationship with God, focusing on His love rather than complex theological disputes.
The importance of a sensitive conscienceTo avoid shipwrecked faith, we must arm ourselves to keep our consciences extremely sensitive and tender toward God.
The difference between the Old and New CovenantsWhile the Old Covenant focused on obeying specific commandments, the New Covenant is about a personal relationship where our conscience convicts us when we lose our love for Christ.
Seeking the person of Jesus above all elseTrue spirituality is not about following a new list of rules, but about seeking the Lord whom our soul loves, which naturally leads us to choose what is profitable.
True Christianity is personal devotion to JesusThe essence of the Christian life is not following rules, but a deep, personal longing for the presence of Christ.
The danger of reputation and slacking offAs believers gain a reputation within the church, there is a great temptation to become less passionate about seeking Jesus' presence.
The goal of being a witnessA true witness is someone through whom people can sense the presence and character of Jesus, like a lingering aroma.2 Corinthians 2:14
