The 3 Secrets of the Christian Life (Clip)
Zac Poonen teaches that the essence of the Christian life is humility, exemplified by Christ's descent from God to man, then slave, and finally to a criminal's death.
This sermon emphasizes the profound humility of Jesus, who descended from God to man, then to the level of a slave, and ultimately to the depth of being crucified as a criminal, showcasing the essence of humility in the Christian life. It challenges the worldly notion of success based on upward progression, highlighting that true spiritual growth involves a downward journey of humility and servanthood.
Full Transcript
He became a slave. That's going further down. That's why he washed people's feet, is the job that slaves did.
And as if that was the bottom, no, he still went further down and was crucified like a criminal. That's even lower than a slave. So, from God he became man, man he became a slave, and slave he became like a criminal, even though he was not a criminal.
So, it was humility, humility, humility. So, that's why I say those are the three secrets of the Christian life. And have this attitude in you.
He went down, down, down. So, my spiritual growth is evaluated in exactly the opposite way the world thinks. The world thinks of going up and up and up in business or in your profession or from grade two to grade three to grade four to grade five, always going up.
But in the Christian life, growth is the other way around.
Sermon Outline
-
I
- Christ's descent from God to man
- The significance of becoming a slave
- The ultimate humility of crucifixion
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II
- Humility as the core secret of the Christian life
- Adopting Christ's attitude of going down
- Contrasting worldly growth with spiritual growth
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III
- Evaluating spiritual growth by humility
- Rejecting the world's upward success model
- Living a life marked by self-emptying
Key Quotes
“He became a slave. That's going further down.” — Zac Poonen
“So, from God he became man, man he became a slave, and slave he became like a criminal, even though he was not a criminal.” — Zac Poonen
“My spiritual growth is evaluated in exactly the opposite way the world thinks.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Embrace humility in daily life as the foundation of spiritual growth.
- Follow Christ's example by serving others selflessly, even in lowly tasks.
- Measure your spiritual progress by your willingness to go 'down' rather than seek worldly elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three secrets of the Christian life according to Zac Poonen?
The three secrets are humility demonstrated by Christ becoming man, then a slave, and finally dying as a criminal.
How does Zac Poonen describe spiritual growth?
Spiritual growth is measured by going down in humility, opposite to the world's idea of going up in status or success.
Why did Christ wash people's feet?
Because washing feet was a slave's job, showing Christ's humility and servant heart.
What does Zac Poonen say about worldly success?
Worldly success is about going up, but Christian growth is about going down in humility.