Words of Encouragement - Ajay Chakravarthy & David Lane - November 4, 2018
http://rlcfchurch.org/words-encouragement River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages the audience to look beyond memorizing scripture verses and instead study their context. Using Ezekiel 11 as an example, he contrasts man's self-made coverings (like building Jerusalem on human strength) with God's intended way, which involves giving a new heart and spirit. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that receiving God's protective covering requires rejecting our own ideas of security, as seen in examples from Genesis, David and Jonathan, and the Ark.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the context of God giving a new heart?In Ezekiel 11, the people of Jerusalem were gathering together to build their own city with an iron shield of human protection, rather than letting God build it.
Adam and Eve's fig leaves versus God's animal skin coveringAfter sinning, Adam and Eve tried to cover themselves with fig leaves, but God rejected this and provided an acceptable covering made of animal skin.Genesis 3:21
David as God's covering for Saul and IsraelJonathan and David had their hearts knit together by God, but Saul became jealous of David and pushed him away, failing to realize that David was the very covering God had provided to protect Israel.1 Samuel 18:1
The waters of the earth and the Ark of NoahIn the time of Noah, people rejected the protective covering God placed over the earth, turning that same element into judgment, yet God provided safety through the Ark.
Finding our covering in God and His churchBelievers must relinquish self-reliance and submit to the divine covering and new heart that God offers through His church.
The power of God's 'I will' promisesWhen God says 'I will', He activates His own will to perform good things for His people, desiring our spiritual growth even more than we desire it for ourselves.
Nebuchadnezzar's testimony of God's absolute sovereigntyNebuchadnezzar acknowledged that God does according to His will among heaven and earth, and no one can stay His hand or question His actions.
Standing on the unchanging promises of GodA series of scripture passages highlight God's unfailing commitments, including never forsaking His people, holding them by the hand, remembering their sins no more, and completing the good work He began.
