(Amazing Facts) 8. the Most Amazing Fact
The most amazing truth in the world is that the greatest sinner can become a child of God in a single moment if he seeks God in earnest.
Zac Poonen delivers a powerful sermon comparing our search for God to finding water in a desert, emphasizing the importance of freely sharing the message of eternal life with others. He highlights the incredible truth that even the worst sinner can become a child of God instantly through genuine seeking. Poonen challenges listeners to value God above all else, illustrating that God desires genuine relationships with His children, not robotic obedience. He stresses the significance of repentance and accepting Jesus' sacrifice for forgiveness, urging individuals to make the life-changing decision to follow Christ for eternal salvation.
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We are all like people travelling in a desert, dying of thirst. If someone finds water somewhere, he will certainly want to inform others about it. He cannot compel them to drink. But he can point out the oasis to them. That's what we're doing too - pointing out where eternal life is available freely, to all who desire it.
The most amazing truth in the world is that the greatest sinner can become a child of God - in a single moment, if he seeks God in earnest.
If you lose a 5-paisa coin while walking along the road one night, how long would you spend looking for it? Perhaps not even a minute! But if you had misplaced a bundle of one-hundred rupee notes somewhere, how long would you search for that? You would search until you found it. Many treat God like a 5-paisa coin. No wonder they don't find Him! He is far more valuable than that - far more than even a wad of one-hundred rupee notes, for that matter.
God doesn't want robots. He wants sons. That's why He has given us all a free will. We can choose either to obey Him or to disobey Him. It is through the exercise of this free will in disobedience to God that we have all gone astray. Sin has not only ruined our lives, it has destroyed our families as well. It makes us miserable on earth and will finally send us to hell for eternity.
But now God invites us to repent (that is, to turn our backs to our sinful way of life and to turn towards God) so that we might receive a full and free pardon for all our past sins through the death of Jesus Christ.
God could have forced us to do this. He could have punished us with diseases every time we sinned until we were compelled to obey Him. But then we would have become robots and slaves - not sons. So He doesn't do that. He waits for us to turn from sin through our own choice.
Make that decision now. And you can become a child of God in a moment. You may not realize it, but this is a matter of life and death.
Why not pray this prayer to God right now:
Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge that I am a sinner deserving judgement. Thank you for taking my punishment and dying for my sins, and for coming out alive from the grave after death. I really desire to give up my sinful way of life. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me and help me to start a new life today. Give me your power so that I can live the rest of my life for your honour. Thank you for hearing my prayer.
This will be the most important decision that you ever made in your life.
God bless you richly.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Seeking God
- The Consequences of Disobedience
- The Invitation to Repentance
- The Decision to Follow God
- We must make a conscious choice to obey God
- This decision is a matter of life and death
Key Quotes
“The most amazing truth in the world is that the greatest sinner can become a child of God - in a single moment, if he seeks God in earnest.” — Zac Poonen
“God doesn't want robots. He wants sons.” — Zac Poonen
“Make that decision now. And you can become a child of God in a moment.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We must make a conscious choice to obey God and give up our sinful way of life.
- Repentance is a matter of turning from our sinful ways and seeking God with earnestness.
- The decision to follow God is a matter of life and death.