Everything Comes From God
Zac Poonen teaches that true Christian faith is rooted in the assured love of God as a heavenly Father, and that our lives must be built on the foundation of Christ with faith working through love.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life of faith working through love, rooted in the assurance of God's intense love for us. It contrasts building our lives on man's ideas and abilities (wood, hay, straw) with building according to God's plan and power (gold, silver, precious stones). The speaker encourages seeking God's will, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and living to glorify God, drawing inspiration from Jesus and the Apostle Paul's examples of finishing the work God has given us.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Foundation of Faith in God's Love
- Faith means being assured of God's intense love as a heavenly Father
- The Holy Spirit removes the orphan spirit and confirms God's love
- Old Testament faith lacked this assurance of God's love
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II. Faith Working Through Love as the Basis of Christian Life
- External rituals or works without faith and love are meaningless
- True service to God must originate from faith and be expressed through love
- Faith is the foundation on which we build our Christian lives
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III. Building on the Foundation of Christ
- Christ alone is the foundation for salvation and acceptance before God
- Believers must build their lives with enduring spiritual materials like gold and silver
- Our works will be tested by fire to reveal their eternal value
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IV. The Consequences of How We Build Our Lives
- Failure to build beyond the foundation leads to regret in eternity
- Living selfishly or shallowly results in loss despite salvation
- A life fully surrendered to God's love leads to rewards and joy
Key Quotes
“Faith working through love. So all of our life must be faith working through love.” — Zac Poonen
“God is never angry with me. I'm absolutely sure of that. He's sometimes sad, and I hope as I walk with the Lord, He's less and less sad with my life, and more and more happy.” — Zac Poonen
“The foundation is only Christ. Christ and Christ alone is the foundation on which I build my life.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Seek a deep, personal revelation of God's love through the Holy Spirit to overcome doubt and insecurity.
- Build your daily life—thoughts, actions, and motives—on the foundation of Christ with faith working through love.
- Live intentionally for God's glory to avoid eternal regret and to receive rewards in heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zac Poonen mean by 'faith working through love'?
He means that genuine faith is not just belief but is demonstrated through loving actions, and this combination is what pleases God.
Why is assurance of God's love important in the Christian life?
Because without a settled confidence in God's love, believers may live with doubt and insecurity, hindering their spiritual progress.
What is the role of the Holy Spirit according to the sermon?
The Holy Spirit assures believers of God's love, removes the orphan spirit, and enables them to be rooted and grounded in that love.
How does building on the foundation of Christ affect a believer's eternal rewards?
Believers who build their lives with enduring spiritual qualities will receive rewards, while those who build with worthless materials will suffer loss though still saved.
Can a Christian have regret in heaven according to Zac Poonen?
Yes, he believes that Christians who do not live fully for the Lord may experience eternal regret despite being saved.