Be Ready for Christ's Coming – Forgive Everyone - Zac Poonen - July 23, 2017
http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/be-ready-for-christs-coming-forgive-everyone/ River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon distinguishes between the promises of the Old Covenant (material blessings) and the New Covenant, emphasizing that spiritual blessings are found in Christ. The central message is that true spirituality is not measured by intellectual understanding of scripture, but by the daily, continuous choice to deny one's own will and please God, mirroring Christ's life. This commitment to self-denial is the 'new and living way' inaugurated by Christ's atoning death.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Distinguishing the old and new covenantsBelievers must understand that material promises given to Israel in the Old Testament do not apply directly to Christians under the New Testament, where blessings are spiritual.
The pattern of the tabernacle and the rent veilThe old covenant tabernacle pictures body, soul, and spirit, and the rent veil symbolizes Jesus never doing His own will throughout His earthly life.
The deception of intellectual Bible knowledgeUnderstanding biblical truth clearly does not make someone spiritual; the Pharisees understood truth intellectually yet crucified Jesus because they lacked self-denial.
Two categories of believers at Christ's comingWhen Christ appears, some believers will rise with boldness and joy, while others will shrink back in shame because they are not ready.1 John 2:28
Why unforgiveness hinders us from meeting the LordFailing to forgive those who have harmed us or our family is a major reason some believers will shrink away from Christ in shame at His coming.
Seeing those who hurt us as the apple of God's eyeWhen people harm a wholehearted disciple, they do not realize they are touching the apple of God's eye, which allows us to genuinely forgive them.Zechariah 2:5–8
Forgiveness in the Lord's PrayerIn the model prayer, the only request qualified with a condition is our plea for God to forgive our sins in the exact same manner as we forgive others.Matthew 6:9
The Heavenly Father's condition for forgivenessJesus explicitly emphasizes that if we do not forgive men their transgressions, our heavenly father will not forgive us.
The parable of the slave with the massive debtThe king forgave a slave an unpayable debt of ten million dollars, yet that same slave refused to forgive a fellow slave a small amount.Matthew 18:23–24
Recognizing what we truly deserveBelievers who demand better treatment from others have forgotten that they are wretched, hell-deserving sinners who were shown radical mercy.
All past sins put back on the headWhen a believer refuses to forgive, God can put all their previously forgiven sins back onto their head and call them a wicked person.
God's anger and delivery to the torturersGod is moved with anger against unmerciful children and hands them over to demonic torturers until they clear their spiritual debt through genuine forgiveness.
The sincerity of a repentant heartGod brings people to hear this vital message when their hearts are sincere so they can be properly prepared to meet their Savior.
An act of the will to forgive everyoneBelievers must use an act of their will to forgive every person who comes to mind, abandoning any hidden pleasure found in holding an unforgiving attitude.
Opening the blocked channel to the Holy SpiritGetting past the hurdle of unforgiveness clears the blocked channel in a believer's life, allowing the floodgates of heaven and the Holy Spirit to flow freely.
