Have The Same Ambition On Earth As You Will Have In Heaven
Zac Poonen teaches that believers should have the same ambition on earth as in heaven—to please the Father by hearing and obeying His will above all else.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of staying true to the core principles of the new covenant established by Jesus through His sacrificial death. It warns against falling into the trap of intellectual understanding without experiencing the reality of the new covenant in daily life. The speaker urges listeners to seek to please the Lord above all else, just as Jesus sought to please the Father in every aspect of His life. The message highlights the need to move beyond mere knowledge and rituals to truly living in the life of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit to hear God's voice and follow His will.
Sermon Outline
-
I. The New Covenant and Its Reality
- Jesus established the new covenant through His blood and death
- The new covenant is experienced in the spirit, not just understood intellectually
- Testing circumstances reveal true understanding of the new covenant
-
II. Ambition to Please the Father
- Our ambition on earth should mirror our ambition in heaven
- Jesus' life exemplified seeking to please the Father above all
- Pleasing God is the highest ambition, not personal success or recognition
-
III. Hearing and Obeying God's Voice
- God speaks daily and we must cultivate the habit of listening
- Doing good works without hearing God is ineffective
- Sacrificing our own will to follow God's will is essential
-
IV. Living a Life Aligned with God's Will
- Our choices must be guided by God's direction, not our own ideas
- True reward comes from pleasing God, not human approval
- Seek God's will in all life decisions, including marriage and ministry
Key Quotes
“The new covenant that Jesus established with his blood... that death was a very important part of the new covenant.” — Zac Poonen
“If it's not working in your daily life... you have not understood it in your spirit. It's only in your mind.” — Zac Poonen
“Only what Christ does through me will last.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Develop the habit of listening daily to God's voice to discern His will.
- Align your ambitions and life goals with the desire to please God above all else.
- Sacrifice your own ideas and plans to follow God's direction faithfully.