(Clip) Those I Love I Rebuke and Correct
Zac Poonen teaches that God's love is demonstrated through His loving rebuke and discipline, which are essential for spiritual maturity and perseverance.
This sermon emphasizes how the Lord's love is shown through rebuke and discipline towards those He loves. The speaker shares a personal journey from understanding Jesus' love through His sacrifice to recognizing it through rebukes and discipline. The message highlights the importance of being corrected by God, expressing gratitude for His care even in moments of rebuke, and the commitment to never be offended but to embrace correction as a means of growth and preservation from falling away.
Full Transcript
Those whom I love, the Lord says, I reprove and I discipline. So what does the Lord do to those whom he loves? He rebukes them. He disciplines them.
When I was a young Christian, the only proof I had that Jesus loved me was that he died for me on the cross. So if you had asked me in those days, how do you know Jesus loves you? I say, oh, it's easy. He died for me on the cross.
Today, if you ask me, I'm a mature Christian. How do you know Jesus loves you? I say, boy, he rebukes me. He disciplines me.
And the more responsibility I have, the more severely he rebukes me. You ask me, do you hear an audible voice? No. But what I hear in my heart is almost as loud as an audible voice, a rebuke.
I'll tell you, there are times when the Lord has rebuked me for some small little thing that I have wept with joy, wept with joy. I often weep before the Lord when I'm alone, mostly when I wake up in bed in the middle of the night or something like that, but I don't disturb anybody, and wept with joy that the Lord cares so much for me that he would, you know, punish me for a small slip up. And I say, Lord, please do that.
Please keep on doing that. I know many preachers who have done great ministries and fallen away, and I'm not any better than them. If you preserve me, I will never fall away.
I want you to correct me, correct me, correct me. I promise you I'll never get offended. I've said that to God and to man.
I will never in my life get offended. I've finished with getting offended. That'll never happen in my life.
There are certain areas I'm battling, but getting offended is not one of them. That's finished years ago. I want all of you to overcome getting offended.
Our children will get offended.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- God's love is shown through rebuke and discipline
- Jesus' death was the initial proof of His love
- Mature Christians recognize love through correction
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II
- The intensity of God's rebuke increases with responsibility
- God's rebuke can be felt inwardly, not audibly
- Rejoicing in God's correction is a sign of spiritual growth
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III
- The importance of asking God for correction
- Commitment to never take offense
- Encouragement to overcome offense in personal life
Key Quotes
“Those whom I love, the Lord says, I reprove and I discipline.” — Zac Poonen
“The more responsibility I have, the more severely he rebukes me.” — Zac Poonen
“I will never in my life get offended. I've finished with getting offended.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Welcome God's correction as a sign of His love and care for your spiritual growth.
- Commit to overcoming offense and maintain a humble heart toward rebuke.
- Pray regularly for God to reveal areas needing correction in your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Zac Poonen describe God's love?
He describes God's love as being demonstrated through rebuke and discipline, not just through Jesus' sacrifice.
Why is rebuke important in the Christian life?
Rebuke helps believers grow spiritually and stay on the right path, preventing them from falling away.
Does Zac Poonen hear an audible voice from God when rebuked?
No, he hears a strong inner conviction or rebuke in his heart, which is as impactful as an audible voice.
What attitude does Zac encourage towards correction?
He encourages believers to welcome correction without offense and to see it as a sign of God's love.
How can believers overcome getting offended?
By committing to never get offended and by understanding that correction is an expression of love.