The Danger of Money in Building the Church
Zac Poonen warns that building a true New Covenant church requires complete self-denial and surrender to God's authority, rejecting the worldly love of money and superficial spirituality.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of being gripped by the new covenant distinctives in our hearts, distinguishing between mere head knowledge and heart transformation. It challenges the audience to examine their reactions to spiritual truths and to ensure that they are truly experiencing a deep change within. The sermon also highlights the need to prioritize surrendering to God, seeking a pure offering, and serving God wholeheartedly without being entangled by the pursuit of wealth or worldly gain.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Difference between head knowledge and heart conviction
- Importance of being a man after God's own heart
- The necessity of experiencing the new covenant in the heart
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II
- The cost of building a true church like Jesus did
- The danger of cheap, counterfeit versions of church
- The call to die to self to bear lasting fruit
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III
- The importance of being part of a spiritual building under authority
- The problem of instability and compromise in churches today
- The spirit of Babylon centered on money versus God's kingdom
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IV
- The eternal value of gold, silver, and precious stones versus wood, hay, and straw
- The necessity of forgiving others to be forgiven
- The warning against superficial spirituality and love of money
Key Quotes
“If you fall into the ground and die, to all that you are, dead to the world and its applause... so dead that no desire will rise to appear good or great or wise in any but my savior's eyes.” — Zac Poonen
“Babylon is a place of business. And the principle of business is spend as little as you can and gain as much as you can.” — Zac Poonen
“I don't want a single person to come to our church because they like our music or because they like our building or even because they like the eloquence of the preacher.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- Examine your heart to ensure you are not just intellectually hearing God's word but truly embracing it.
- Be willing to die to your own desires and ambitions to bear lasting fruit in God's kingdom.
- Submit yourself under God-ordained authority and avoid the temptation of building a church for personal gain or comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zac Poonen mean by 'head knowledge' versus 'heart conviction'?
He means that merely knowing biblical truths intellectually is not enough; true transformation happens when these truths deeply affect and change your heart.
Why is money considered dangerous in building the church?
Because a focus on money promotes a business mentality of getting as much as possible while giving as little as possible, which opposes Christ’s self-sacrificial example.
What does it mean to 'fall into the ground and die' according to John 12:24?
It means to die to self completely, surrendering personal desires and ambitions to bear lasting spiritual fruit in God’s kingdom.
Why is being under authority important in the church?
Because spiritual growth and building a New Covenant church require submission to God-ordained leadership, reflecting Jesus’ own submission to His earthly parents.
What is the consequence of not forgiving others?
According to Matthew 5:16 and the sermon, if you do not forgive others, God will not forgive your sins, which endangers your eternal salvation.