The Hindrance Of Traditions - Zac Poonen (Telugu)
Theme of the conference : How to be Ready for Christ's Return. Message by Br.Zac Poonen from the 2008 Hyderabad conference with Telugu translation.
Summary
The speaker urges listeners to move beyond mere religious observance and instead cultivate genuine godliness in preparation for Christ's return. He distinguishes between being 'religious' (adhering to traditions) and being 'godly' (having true devotion), warning that focusing on external piety can be a hindrance. True readiness requires giving up not just sin, but also the adherence to religious traditions, as exemplified by the Pharisees' focus on minor rules over genuine faith.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
How to be ready for the coming of ChristBelievers must examine what religious people engage in, recognizing that God is not satisfied with mere outward religious desires which resemble animal instincts.
The difference between being religious and being godlyBeing religious is different from having true godliness; Jesus was godly, whereas the Pharisees were merely religious, and we must give up being merely religious to be ready for Christ.
Why the Pharisees opposed JesusThe Pharisees did not kill Jesus because He preached against sin, but because He and His disciples broke traditions like washing hands and keeping Sabbath regulations.
The marks of religious peopleReligious people are very hard on sinners while being blind to their own sin, focusing heavily on external holiness rather than inner purity.
The three groups of people and the leaven to avoidJust as there were three groups in Jesus' time, today there are worldly Christians, intellectual believers, and rule-bound traditionalists whose leaven we must avoid.
The Herodians: Worldly Christians who enjoy powerful messagesHerodians enjoy listening to powerful preaching just as Herod enjoyed John the Baptist, yet they still live worldly lives filled with compromise.
The Sadducees: Intellectual Christians lacking supernatural faithSadducees have much Bible knowledge and rely on human help rather than God, lacking real faith in miracles and the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
The Pharisees: Rule-bound traditionalistsPharisees believe in resurrection and doctrine, but they are full of rules, judgment, and human traditions that override God's word.
How human traditions cancel out God's wordJesus rebuked the Pharisees for setting aside God's commandments in order to keep their own traditions through three escalating steps.
Laying aside sin and heavy burdens in the Christian raceThe Christian life is a race where we must get rid of the sin that easily entangles us and lay aside every heavy burden, including human traditions.
What we look for in a church reveals our heartPeople search for external traditions and secondary practices in churches rather than true love, which is the real mark of Christ's disciples.
Training children for the coming of ChristParents must teach their children godly values like humility and kindness rather than pushing them to seek human pride, school ranks, or outward appearances.
Religion hindering us from following JesusFrom Cain offering sacrifices while harboring a wrong heart to people breaking bread with un-reconciled conflicts, religion can blind us to true fellowship with God.
Examining our hearts before the Lord's returnBelievers must draw near to the coming of the Lord by examining their hearts, cleaning out sin and tradition, and walking in genuine love for God and others.
