Worship First, Then Serve - Zac Poonen - May 23, 2015
http://rlcfchurch.org/worship-first-then-serve RLCF Men's Conference 2015 - Session 3 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The central message emphasizes that living by God's Word is paramount, drawing parallels from Jesus' temptation response and the story of Mary and Martha. The speaker advises believers to prioritize deep study and meditation on scripture, recognizing that true spiritual life requires devotion to hearing and absorbing God's word above all other lawful activities. This devotion is presented not as a strain, but as the most joyful and necessary focus for a Christian life.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Man shall live by every word of GodJesus answered the first temptation by declaring that humans live by every word proceeding from God's mouth, requiring believers to select profitable spiritual things over merely lawful ones.Matthew 4:4
The one thing needfulThrough the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus teaches that sitting at His feet to listen to His word is the single necessary priority in life.
Service that flows from listeningEffective service comes from waiting on God and following His specific direction rather than rushing around in human effort.
You shall worship and serve God onlyResponding to the third temptation, Jesus establishes the order of worship: believers must first be true worshippers before becoming servants.
Worshipping the Father in spirit and truthJesus explained to the Samaritan woman that New Covenant worship goes beyond outer court bodily expressions into the innermost spirit.
Desiring nothing on earth or in heaven but GodTrue worshippers have pure hearts, seeing God in all circumstances and desiring Christ alone above ministry, family, or heavenly rewards.Psalm 73:25
Avoiding Babylon and self-built ministryReflecting on personal achievements like Nebuchadnezzar builds Babylon; true ministry must originate from God, through Him, and for His glory.
The way of Cain and the trap of jealousyCain brought an ordinary offering and grew jealous when God accepted Abel's best, illustrating the root of ministry competition and jealousy.
The maximum Christian lifeWhile minimum Christians calculate what little they must give, maximum Christians surrender their entire lives to God without reservation.
Effortless ministry like a branch on the vineTrue spiritual service is effortless and flows like a river of living water when the believer remains utterly dependent on God.
The wonderful exchange of total surrenderJesus demonstrated a life where everything He had belonged to the Father, leading to a divine exchange where the Father's resources became His.John 17:10
