NCCF Church Sharing

January 23, 202315mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: NCCF Church Title: NCCF Church Sharing Date: 01/22/2023 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that Christian life requires a constant, painful process of self-examination and purification—a 'circumcision of the heart'—to remove anything competing with a wholehearted love for God. This process is necessary for spiritual life, requiring believers to daily repent of distractions like money, pleasure, or even misplaced ministry focus. The ultimate goal is to run the Christian race by keeping our focus fixed on Jesus, embracing neediness rather than complacency or pride.

Outline

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

Deuteronomy 30:6 memory verseThe speaker introduces the memory verse from Deuteronomy, focusing on the promise that God will circumcise the hearts of His people.Deuteronomy 30:6

A matter of life and deathThe first point is that spiritual circumcision is a matter of life or death, necessary for us to truly live spiritually.

Cutting off what is not beneficialCircumcision in a spiritual context means cutting off things in our lives and hearts that compete with our wholehearted love for God.

Daily conviction and repentanceThe Lord wants to convict us daily of things to repent of, making us more like Jesus as we run the marathon of faith.

The sick have one desire to be healedComplacent believers may feel condemned by calls to change, but the needy recognize their sickness and welcome God's healing invitation.

The achilles tendon analogyLike choosing surgery for a ruptured achilles tendon over limping through life, God cuts us open temporarily so we can run the race.

Coming to Jesus in humilityJesus welcomes the weary and heavy-laden, but resists pride while giving grace to the humble who admit their need.

The easy commandment to turnThe commandment to turn and obey the Lord with all our heart is not out of reach; we simply must turn away from distractions and fix our eyes on Jesus.Deuteronomy 30:11

A promise for our descendantsDeuteronomy 30:6 promises heart circumcision for our children and descendants as well, prompting us to check our parental desires.Deuteronomy 30:6

What do we celebrate in our children?Parents must examine whether they celebrate academic and athletic success more than seeing their children love the Lord and deny themselves at home.

Distinguishing failure from disobedienceWe should be more disturbed by casual disobedience in our children than by academic failure, recognizing true heart work by the Lord.

Delighting in the Lord over worldly desiresReflecting on Psalm 37:4, a testimony is shared about moving away from worshiping money and worldly security to resting in God's ongoing work.

Finding grace in weaknessWhen human patience dries up, God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Radiating the love of the FatherThe message concludes with a reminder to seek the Holy Spirit in private life and focus entirely on God rather than earthly things in order to truly radiate His love.

Related messages

Back to the catalog

NCCF Church

NCCF Church Sharing

January 23, 2023 · 15m

Repentance Freedom from sin