The Presence of God
The primary mark of a new-covenant church is the presence of Divine life, demonstrated by conviction of sins and acknowledgment of God's presence.
Zac Poonen preaches that the primary mark of a new-covenant church is not in its structure or form of meeting, but in the presence of Divine life. Just like a baby in the womb first has life before taking shape, a church must prioritize having God's life within it. The key indicator of a new-covenant church is the tangible presence of God during gatherings, leading to conviction of sins and acknowledgment of His presence among the believers.
Text
What is the primary mark of a new-covenant church? Many think that it is having a particular pattern of church government and a particular form of meeting. But it is neither of these. The important thing about the church is that it should have Divine life .
When a baby is being formed in its mother's womb, in its early weeks it does not even have the shape (pattern) of a human being. It only has life. The shape (pattern) comes later. It is the same when a new church is being established anywhere. It will take time for the proper pattern to emerge. But meanwhile there must be life.
The primary mark of a new-covenant church is that God is present in its midst. When the church comes together, and everyone prophesies under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, those who come to the meeting should be convicted of their sins and acknowledge that God is present in the meeting (1 Cor.14:24,25). That, and that alone proves that such a church has the right pattern.
If the presence of God is absent, we must confess that we have come short of God's perfect plan - and we must repent.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Primary Mark of a New-Covenant Church
- A. Not a particular pattern of church government
- B. Not a particular form of meeting
- C. The presence of Divine life
- II. The Importance of Divine Life
- A. Like a baby in the womb, the church must first have life
- B. The shape (pattern) comes later
- III. The Presence of God in the Church
- A. Proven by conviction of sins and acknowledgment of God's presence
- B. Demonstrated through prophesying under the Holy Spirit's anointing
Key Quotes
“The primary mark of a new-covenant church is that God is present in its midst.” — Zac Poonen
“When the church comes together, and everyone prophesies under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, those who come to the meeting should be convicted of their sins and acknowledge that God is present in the meeting.” — Zac Poonen
Application Points
- We must prioritize the presence of God in our churches and meetings.
- If we feel that the presence of God is absent, we must confess our shortcomings and repent.
- The presence of God is demonstrated by conviction of sins and acknowledgment of His presence.