Faith Is Helpless Dependence Upon God
Zac Poonen teaches that true faith is recognizing our helpless dependence on God, especially as no one can perfectly keep God's commandments on their own.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of moving from a life of struggling under the law to a life of rest and victory through faith in God. It highlights the need for humble dependence on God to receive His grace and overcome sin, drawing parallels from the Old Testament Israelites' journey to the promised land and the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda. The message encourages listeners to seek a life of obedience that stems from faith, leading to true transformation and victory over sin.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Old Testament Emphasis on Obedience
- 613 commandments given to Israel focusing on obedience
- The Ten Commandments as the core, especially the 10th about coveting
- No one could perfectly keep all commandments, especially the 10th
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II. The Rich Young Ruler and the Challenge of the 10th Commandment
- Jesus highlights keeping commandments but the young ruler fails on covetousness
- The 10th commandment reveals the heart's lust and desire
- Many today struggle with the same issue of coveting and lust
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III. Apostle Paul's Experience with the Law
- Paul was blameless on the first nine commandments
- Romans 7 reveals his struggle with the 10th commandment
- The law exposes sin but cannot save from it
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IV. The New Testament Gospel of Salvation from Sin
- Jesus came to save people from their sins, not just forgive
- Faith leads to the obedience of faith, empowered by grace
- The resurrection empowers believers to overcome sin
Key Quotes
“If you would only understand how much God loves you, it'll be the easiest thing in the world to forgive people.” — Zac Poonen
“Jesus will save his people from their sins, not just forgive them.” — Zac Poonen
“God is very exact if you are exact with Him.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Recognize your inability to keep God's commandments perfectly and depend fully on His grace.
- Seek to understand and experience God's love deeply to grow in forgiveness towards others.
- Live by the obedience of faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on self-effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the 10th commandment added if no one could keep it?
God added the 10th commandment to reveal the sinfulness of the human heart and to show that no one can be righteous by their own efforts.
What is the difference between being forgiven and being saved from sin?
Forgiveness removes the penalty of sin, but being saved from sin means being delivered from its power and influence in our lives.
How does understanding God's love help in forgiving others?
Experiencing God's immense love makes it easier to forgive others because we realize how much we ourselves have been forgiven.
What does 'obedience of faith' mean?
It means living a life empowered by faith in Jesus, resulting in obedience that flows from dependence on God, not from self-effort.
Why do many Christians struggle with lust and coveting?
Because the heart's desires are deeply rooted in human nature, and only through God's grace and the Holy Spirit can these be overcome.