Heaven: Jesus and the Bride in Whom He Delights - Santosh Poonen - March 18, 2018

Santosh PoonenMarch 19, 201847mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionSantosh Poonen Sermons - 2008-2018185 messages

http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/heaven-jesus-and-the-bride/ River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA

Summary

The speaker discusses the balance between faith and works, using the analogy of a closed faucet to illustrate that the righteousness of Christ is already complete and available. Human effort, like opening the faucet, only allows the pre-existing water (Christ's righteousness) to flow through us; it does not create it. True Christian living involves surrendering to Christ's finished work, allowing His righteousness to flow through us, rather than trying to manufacture spiritual power through personal works.

Outline

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

Unblocking the love of ChristAny un-Christlikeness or sin in our lives is simply the result of the love of Christ being hindered or blocked.

The faucet and the water analogyOpening a faucet does not create the water inside the pipe, but rather allows the pre-existing water to flow into the cup; similarly, our faith and works do not create Christ's righteousness, but simply unstop the blockage to let it flow.

Taking up your crossTaking up our cross is not a work that manufactures resurrection power on our own, but rather a small act of surrender that allows God to impart His resurrection power into us.

Controlled by the love of ChristPaul explains in Corinthians that Christ died so we would no longer live for ourselves, but be controlled by the love of Christ rather than our own selfish desires.

Experiencing heaven todayWe do not have to wait until we die to experience the spiritual reality of devotion to Jesus; heaven can be experienced and grown into right now.

Transformed from glory to gloryChristianity is a daily walk where we are transformed step by step into the image of Jesus, avoiding the tragedy of living an earth-bound life and treating heaven as a massive, sudden leap.

Living by faith and not shrinking backInstead of shrinking back in fear, we are called to live by faith, assured that when we see Jesus we will be like Him.Hebrews 10:37–39

Undistracted devotion to JesusHeaven is characterized by undistracted devotion to Jesus, much like putting on blinders to focus entirely on Him while the world's lusts swirl around us.

Cleansing the vile faucetJesus takes vile, filthy vessels of clay from the gutter to let His pure water flow through them, proving that our contribution is merely a cleansed vessel.

The new name on the stoneOvercomers receive a white stone with a new name that honors God and the church, hiding our personal, self-centered identities completely.Revelation 2:17

Hepzibah and Beulah: Married to JesusIsaiah prophesies about Zion being called by new names—Hepzibah, meaning 'my delight is in her,' and Beulah—representing a complete marriage and union where our identity is lost in Jesus.

Ready for heaven through decreasingWe know we are truly ready for heaven when we decrease until our own names are forgotten and we are known only as the bride over whom Jesus delights.

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Heaven: Jesus and the Bride in Whom He Delights - Santosh Poonen - March 18, 2018

Santosh Poonen · March 19, 2018 · 47m

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