Enduring In Love Until The End | 10. Judge What God Exposes In Your Flesh - Zac Poonen

Summary

The speaker delves into the profound meaning of dwelling with the 'burning fire' from Isaiah 33:14, relating it to the New Testament concept of the Holy Spirit's purifying fire. Emphasizing the need for daily self-judgment and repentance, the sermon encourages believers to continually cleanse themselves of unchristian traits, aiming for a life that increasingly reflects Christ's image. The discourse also cautions against gossip and judgment of others, urging instead a focus on personal spiritual growth and purity, culminating in a call for a renewed commitment to Christ-like living.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The concept of 'dwelling with the burning fire' from Isaiah 33:14 is a metaphor for living with the purifying and judgmental presence of the Holy Spirit.
• 🙏 Many people misunderstand the prayer for baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, thinking it's an exciting experience for ministry, rather than a call for personal sanctification.
• 🌱 The 'fire' symbolizes the judgment that burns away impurities within us, as explained in 1 Peter 4:17, where judgment begins in the house of God, starting with us.
• 🤔 The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and repentance, encouraging believers to daily judge themselves and purify their hearts from anything unlike Christ.
• 🐍 The 'Viper' represents the sinful nature or the flesh that the Holy Spirit's fire exposes and helps believers to overcome.
• 👨‍👧 The speaker calls for a deeper commitment to becoming more Christ-like, stating that God's purpose in saving us is to reflect His image, as opposed to our inherited sinful nature.
• 👀 The speaker warns against the dangers of gossip and judging others based on incomplete information, urging believers to focus on their own spiritual growth instead.
• 🙅‍♂️ The importance of not being a 'busybody' in other people's matters is highlighted, with the speaker equating it to the same level of sin as murder, theft, or evildoing.
• 💧 The speaker encourages believers to seek a daily renewal in Christ, striving for a life that continually progresses towards the perfection of Christ's nature.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker envisions a revival in the church if every believer commits to becoming more like Christ and to stop engaging in gossip and judgment of others.
• ⏳ The speaker calls for an immediate and ongoing commitment to personal sanctification, with the goal of daily growth in Christ's likeness, rather than complacency or hypocrisy.

Q & A

What does it mean to dwell with the consuming fire, according to the speaker?

Dwelling with the consuming fire means living in a state of continuous judgment and purification, where the fire of God exposes and burns up impurities in one's life.

What is the significance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire?

The baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire signifies a process of purification and judgment, where God burns away things in us that are not aligned with His will.

How does the speaker interpret 1 Peter 4:17 in relation to the consuming fire?

The speaker interprets 1 Peter 4:17 as indicating that judgment must begin with the house of God. This means that believers must first judge and purify themselves, allowing God's fire to cleanse them.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the concept of the fire of God revealing impurities?

The speaker uses the example of Paul shaking off a viper into the fire, which symbolizes the fire of God driving out hidden sins and impurities in one's life.

What does the speaker suggest is necessary for continuous spiritual growth?

The speaker suggests that continuous spiritual growth requires daily self-judgment and repentance, allowing God's fire to purify and cleanse one's life.

How does the speaker connect the hope of the second coming of Christ with self-purification?

The speaker connects the hope of the second coming of Christ with self-purification by referencing 1 John 3:2-3, which states that those who have this hope will purify themselves to become like Christ.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of judging oneself daily?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of judging oneself daily to ensure continuous cleansing and to become more like Christ, avoiding the deception of believing one is already pure.

What is the speaker's view on Christians who engage in gossip and judgment?

The speaker views Christians who engage in gossip and judgment as aligning with the accuser of the brethren, which is contrary to the teachings of Christ. He urges believers to refrain from such behavior.

What does the speaker believe will result from a church where judgment begins with its members?

The speaker believes that a church where judgment begins with its members will experience revival, as individuals become more Christ-like and the purity of their lives enhances the power of their ministry.

How does the speaker relate the concept of perfecting holiness to daily life?

The speaker relates the concept of perfecting holiness to daily life by encouraging believers to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, striving to become more like Christ every day.