How Sensitive Are You to God's Grace? - Santosh Poonen - January 26, 2020
http://rlcfchurch.org/how-sensitive-gods-grace River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon emphasizes that true Christian life requires a shift from relying on what the senses perceive to trusting God's unseen guidance, drawing parallels to being 'blind' to worldly perspectives. Key themes include embracing the New Covenant, which promises a 'heart of flesh' over a 'heart of stone,' resulting in a sensitive conscience. This sensitivity is foundational to the Christian journey, which begins with a good conscience, exemplified by the reality of baptism.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
God leads the blind by an unknown wayGod wants to lead believers on a journey without showing them the future, turning darkness into light so they rely entirely on Him rather than their own understanding.
The promise of a new heart under the New CovenantUnder the New Covenant, God promises to take out our hard heart of stone and give us a soft heart of flesh so He can write His nature within us.
The Christian journey begins with a sensitive conscienceTrue baptism points to a spiritual reality where God grants us a clean, tender conscience that feels His gentle corrections instead of remaining hardened.1 Peter 3:21
Warning against a seared conscienceScripture warns that in later times, persistent hypocrisy and lying can sear a once-sensitive conscience, making a person spiritually numb to sin.
Maintaining a blameless conscience before God and menFollowing the example of the Apostle Paul, believers must diligently maintain a clear and sensitive conscience in view of the final resurrection.
Sin, grace, and humilitySin happens when we are not under grace, and grace is only given to the humble because God opposes the proud.Romans 6:14
Leaning on the Lord instead of our own understandingUsing the metaphor of leaning on walking sticks, believers must place their entire weight on God's grace so they instantly notice the moment that support gives way.Proverbs 3:5
The devil's tactics against our spiritual center of gravityThe devil prowls around like a roaring lion trying to shift our confidence away from God and onto our own wisdom, opening the door for pride and the withdrawal of grace.1 Peter 5:5–8
The example of Jacob leaning on his staffA great act of faith recorded in Scripture is aged, broken Jacob worshipping and leaning on the top of his staff as he blessed the sons of Joseph.
