Men Who are Rooted in the Love of God — Zac Poonen

The Last Days and the Danger of False Teaching

For this Session let's Turn to a word in Matthew's gospel and chapter 24 speaking here about the last days. Matthew 24, you know, we Hear a lot of things about the last days and it's usually related to wars and rumors of wars and earthquakes and famines.

But there's some other things which are more important. We can't do anything about the wars and earthquakes and famines. But there's something else that Jesus said here in Matthew 24 that we can take heed to in the last days.

It says in Matthew 24 in verse 11. Many false prophets will arise. And will mislead many. That means mislead many very often. We think only a false doctrine that Jesus is not God or something. We won't get deceived by that but into some doctrine.

That any that allows us to live in sin. And not be convicted about it. You know a doctrine which says well, you'll keep on sinning. There's no way out from that and which never enforces Romans 6 14 strongly act like men.

Stand up for the truth. Don't be weak-minded. Be strong. Even if you have to suffer for it, even if you're rejected by people proclaim the truth. That is a mark of love. So, I believe these are the false prophets that's abounding in Christendom today who tell people you're filled with the Holy Spirit just because you speak in tongues.

You know the Corinthians spoke in tongues more than anybody else and Paul tells them you're carnal your babies. I can't speak to you like spiritual men. I mean that should be enough to make anybody come to their senses and say You can speak in tongues and be the most carnal person of all.

There was that guy who spoke in tongues who was. Who slipped into adulterous sin in 1 Corinthians 5? Was handed over to the devil. So We had to see what is the false teaching we can be misled by. Anything that does not lead you to godliness the truth according to godliness.

Scripture, Godliness, and the Man of God

The Bible has been given to us when it says men are to teach. Women are not to teach. Act like men. You may not be a teacher of the word. But stand up for the Word of God and what it stands for even if you're not called to be a teacher let me read to you 2nd Timothy and Chapter 3.

Here it says why God has given us scripture. 2nd Timothy 3 16 says all scripture Is inspired by God and profitable for teaching for reproof used for correction for training in righteousness. So that the man of God speaking about the man of God and that's what each of us should be.

Maybe adequate complete equipped for every good work. So if you neglect the Word of God You're not going to be a man of God. It says your scripture is given so that We might be the type of Men that we should be and so if you neglect the study of the scriptures and all of scripture You won't be equipped for the last days.

So women are not allowed to teach that men should be the ones who are teaching. And this must begin in our home. First of all You know the Bible the New Testament gives a great emphasis on the home which is not found in the Old Covenant.

The Old Covenant how a man lived with his wife was unimportant. How we brought up his children was also unimportant. Moses family life we read That he was fighting with his wife on his way to Egypt to speak to Pharaoh and he had not obeyed in Circumcising his son.

He had listened to his Gentile wife and Not circumcised his son till God almost tried to kill him. You read that in Exodus 4. You read that Eli a high priest his children were wayward committing adultery and Samuel who rebuked Eli.

Samuel's own sons Way were wayward till the Israelites came to us and said Samuel. We don't want your sons here. What you've given them positions you've done some nepotism here in giving your son's positions even though they are not fit to be there.

So the Old Testament that is not important, but when you come to the New Covenant 1 Timothy 3 says and You must not make an elder an elder. He's not brought up his children properly. He must be living with one wife presumably peacefully happily.

It's not a question of his wife being spiritual. Forget about whether his wife is spiritual or not. He must have a good family life very very important so How shall we obey the command to act like men.

Being Filled With the Holy Spirit in Marriage

Let's begin at home Ephesians chapter 5. Let's look at Ephesians 5 beginning at verse 18. Ephesians 5 18 Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Very very important be filled with the Holy Spirit and what would be the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

There are a number of things mentioned there and one of it is be subject verse 21 to one another in the fear of Christ and Husbands Love your wives. Verse 25 as Christ loved the church it all follows on from being filled with the Holy Spirit.

So people ask What is the mark of being filled with the Holy Spirit? I say, okay, let's go to the teaching sections of Scripture. We're being filled with the Spirit as mentioned in Ephesians 5 18. It should result in Exalting one another speaking in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and Giving thanks for all things and being subject to one another verse 21 in the fear of Christ and If you're a man verse 25 Loving your wife trying to love her as Christ loved the church.

That's how you act like a man be strong and don't Say, but my wife is not submitting to me. That is none of your business. You know, we say you shouldn't read letters that are not addressed to you. Do you open somebody else's letters.

You open somebody else's envelope and I'd let her address to somebody open it and read it. No. Well, here's a letter addressed to your wife. You're not supposed to read it. Unless you're a teacher of the world.

Ephesians 5 22 wives. Be subject to your husband's. That's for a wife to listen and follow. It's not for a husband to open that letter and say hey. God's written a letter to you my wife that you should be subject to me.

No, the letter God wrote to you husband is in verse 25 love your wife as Christ loved the church. And if she doesn't listen to what God has told her let God deal with her. You got to be patient and you got to love.

Christ loved us even though we are rebelling against him so much. He didn't give up on us. So to act like a man must begin at home where I learned to love no matter how strong the temptation is to not love and one very important part of love is Forgiving others.

Forgiveness and the Danger of Cold Love

This is so important. In Matthew 24, I was pointing out this passage to you. I want to pursue there. Many false prophets will arise and we read in verse 11 misleading many sin will increase and Many people's love will grow cold.

That's the point here. The love of many people will grow cold. That is the false doctrine into which False teaching is leading people. Love for Christ is growing cold. Love for money is increasing and love for one another is growing cold.

They Will fight with somebody who doesn't agree with them in doctrine. We must avoid strife at any cost. I refuse to argue with the person even if he disagrees with me on doctrine. I say God bless you.

I'm not going to argue with you if you want to know the truth. But I'm not going to argue with you about scripture. I point out scripture to you. That's all we are called to pursue love and it says here because of sin verse 12 many people's love is going to grow cold and verse 13, but The one who endures in love to the end Will be saved.

So let's take the home. I was talking about the home in Ephesians 5 supposing you find That the love of your wife is growing cold. She ignores you. Argues with you. Despises you perhaps creates a lot of problems.

The love of many is going to grow cold because he sees sin everywhere in his house. But he who endures to the end in love will not only save himself he'd save others as well. For that we need to begin at Ephesians 5 18.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. You have no excuse for not loving under any circumstance because of one verse. 1 Corinthians 10 13 says God will never allow you if you're a wholehearted disciple of Jesus Christ.

God will never allow you to be tested beyond your ability. So, how are you going to act as a man in your house? Not just by Ephesians 5 22 Which says the husband is the head of the wife. Yeah, you can misunderstand that who is to be subject to whom?

It says in a few before it says the husband is the head of the wife. And before it says the wife must submit to the husband. It says in Ephesians 5 21 be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. So The wife must be subject to the husband and the husband must be subject to the wife in their own sphere.

I'm not saying the husband is going to obey his wife. But for example God has given all of us a sphere of responsibility. And I must not tread into that sphere. A woman who's your wife is also not a sphere.

I must allow God to work in her life in that sphere and not tread into that. I must not be a busybody in an area which God has allotted to her. Say in the kitchen, for example, let's take one example.

I must give her a little freedom. Not be dictatorial. I'm not making a law here. There's a good loving relationship between husband and wife. You don't need these rules. But rules are needed where people don't live in love and the vast majority of Christians don't know how to live in love.

So love means I give Freedom. I give space to that other person to move in that sphere. Very often the conflict comes When a husband thinks I've got total authority to do whatever I like in my home. Do you know that even your little children have got a little sphere into which you must not tread.

Give you one example if your children misbehave while Guests are present. You must not discipline them publicly. Because then you're not only disciplining them. You're humiliating them before those others.

Either postpone the discipline to a later time. Or take them to another room and they discipline them. That is respecting the boundary of the child. I have four sons and if I had to discipline one of them I would send the other three out of the room and talk to that son alone and discipline him in private.

Because he has a sphere of Respectability I must respect He's god has not given absolute authority even over my children. I have to respect their dignity as a human being. So be a man means I respect the dignity of my wife respect the dignity of my children.

And there I exercise my headship in a wise way. See god almighty for example, he's given man freedom. And so he doesn't force man even to go to heaven. The most blessed thing that a man could Experience when he dies is to go to heaven.

But think of the millions of people who died In one day who died in one day. God doesn't force any of them to go to heaven because he's given man freedom of will. So when it says Husbands are the head of their wives I must recognize her sphere and my sphere and not tread into her sphere.

Forgiveness as Protection From Satan's Schemes

So in this matter of Love I want to mention one area Where it's very easy for the devil to get advantage of us. In second corinthians chapter two. It speaks about forgiveness. Forgiveness second corinthians 2 and verse 10.

He's speaking about forgiving a brother in the church in current. He says whom you forgive anyone. I also forgive and if I have forgiven anyone I did it for your sakes in the presence of christ. Second corinthians 2 verse 10 and then it says in verse 11.

Why. So that no advantage. Be taken of us by satan for we are not ignorant of his schemes. Do you know that one scheme of satan to take advantage of a believer listen carefully according to this verse Is to keep an unforgiving attitude in him towards somebody who has harmed him.

And that's very easy For the devil to play up in your mind the evil that somebody did. Somebody did to your family or to your children or to yourself. Or in your place of work your boss or somebody. And there's a little bit of a wrong attitude you have towards that person.

And you haven't forgiven that person. And god will sometimes give you evidence of that something bad happens to that person and you inwardly rejoice. Ah. The holy spirit says Did you see that? Why did you rejoice over that person's misery.

Or that person running into a problem because you did not forgive him. Which proves you don't love him. The bible says love your enemies. Bless those who curse you pray for those who despitefully use you.

Be a man. Act like men be strong. And obey those commands. You can't do it without the power of the holy spirit. I agree. But seek for the power of the holy spirit. And whenever a thought comes into your mind which makes you Happy at somebody else's misfortune or Unhappy when something good happens to that person.

There the holy spirit is trying to tell you you got a wrong attitude judge yourself. Now initially all of us have to admit That we have failed in this area, but you'll keep on failing in this area if you don't judge yourself.

I've failed in this area. I remember years ago When someone did some harm and then later on something bad happened to him I was happy. And the lord immediately convicted me. Why are you happy? You say you've forgiven him, but you haven't.

And I said lord right now. In jesus name I forgive that person completely. I will not wish any evil for him. And I will not rejoice any if any evil happens to that person. I will be happy When something good happens to him.

Now we cannot remove from our mind The memory of wrong that other people have done. That's not possible because we have no control over our memory. So don't condemn yourself if you remember The things that other people did that were wrong.

But live in your will this is what's helped me lord in my will. I have decided I forgive that person and I forgive that other person and the other person think of all the people Who have done it's good to take a little time who have done harm to you in your entire life.

Take a little time someday. This is an exercise that you should go through. Seriously at one time and then keep it there. Keep Yourself in that place where you're forgiving everybody but take time to think back to your entire life as far back as you can remember.

And think of people who have hurt you. And ask yourself. Have you forgiven that person? Have you forgiven that person. Be strong act like a man? And follow jesus who forgave even those who were crucifying him.

Father forgive them. See whatever evil other people here may have done to you. The greatest evil that was ever done on this earth the greatest sin That was ever committed on this earth. Was the crucifixion of the son of god?

Nobody has ever done any evil to you or me. That's greater than that. Not even one millionth of that. And that greatest sin Jesus as a man forgave him. As an example for us to follow. Let no one say That he's a disciple of jesus.

If he does not follow jesus in this primary area of forgiveness. I believe this is the reason why many people do not remain filled with the holy spirit. You know how you can fill a vessel with water. And there's one hole in it.

And you go back for a little while and you find the vessel is empty. How is that? One hole not 25 holes one hole. One person you've not forgiven. And you're no longer filled with the holy spirit. I've seen numerous cases like that.

Forgiveness, Healing, and the Lord's Prayer

Whenever I pray for people who are sick who come to me for prayer I don't go around praying for people who don't ask for it. But the bible says if someone is sick they should go to the elder and ask for prayer.

And when people come to me and ask for prayer, I pray for them. But I always ask one question. I don't care if it's my closest friend or colleague or somebody I don't know. I ask this question. I say I don't want to know what all sins you're committed in your life.

I ask you one question. Have you forgiven everybody that you know of? I'm not asking whether you remember the evil people did to you. But have you forgiven everyone? There are cases where some people say Well, i'm not so sure and I say let's wait a minute.

You can do it right now within the next one minute. You can do it. Who is that person you have not forgiven? I don't want you to know know the name. I don't want to know the name but in your mind. Say to god Lord, I forgive that person.

And I will not hold any grudge against that person. Is there another one? Forgive him also. And just say to god lord, I forgive this person and this person and this person. In fact right now somebody comes to your mind say to the lord in your mind lord.

I forgive that person. Very very important. This is what it means to be strong and to act like a man. This is what's hindering your faith. This is what's hindering your growth in christ. This is what's hindering you from being filled with the holy spirit.

This is what's hindering you from being a powerful instrument in god's hands to build his church. Satan has taken advantage of you because you have not forgiven somebody jesus said in matthew chapter 5.

Sorry, matthew chapter 6. And verse 15. If you do not forgive others. Your father will not forgive your sins. This is so serious a matter. That if you don't forgive somebody and die like that I have don't have any doubt you go straight to hell.

I have no doubt about it. I'll tell you why. Because I believe jesus words heaven and earth will pass away. But this word will not pass away. Which word if you do not forgive others. Your father will not forgive your father not talking about god.

You're a believer your father not your god. Then it could be referred to unbelievers. Your father is speaking to believers will not forgive your sin. Now here's a believer. God is his father. And he hasn't forgiven somebody.

According to that word of jesus. His heavenly father has not forgiven him. And he dies. Where does he go? Is there some sort of purgatory afterwards where he can forgive that person? Is there some place after he dies where he can?

Say lord, please forgive me. I'll forgive that person now. No. It is appointed unto men once to die. Hebrews 9 27 28 after that the judgment. That's why I believe. There are people who are once born again go in hell today.

You can Say that's a false doctrine. Believe what you like, but don't end up in hell yourself. And don't lead other people to hell, please. Even if you go there don't lead other people there. Proclaim what jesus said if you do not forgive men their transgressions your heavenly father will not will not will not.

Forgive your transgressions, you know in the lord's prayer, which immediately precedes that. There are six requests. Three concerning god three concerning ourselves. Number one. Hallowed be your name our father who art in heaven.

Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Three requests concerning god. Then three concerning ourselves give us this day our daily bread forgive us our sins as we forgive others.

Not just forgive us our sins forgive us exactly as we forgive other others. And the sixth one. Deliver us from all evil. So lead us not in temptation, but deliver us from evil. So the second one. Concerning ourselves is forgive us.

Exactly as we have forgiven others. What does that mean? Lord, I have forgiven that person, but I've got a grudge against him father. You forgive me in the same way keep a grudge against me. Is that how you want god to forgive you?

God i've forgiven him, but I wish some evil upon him lord. Forgive me like that. Forgive me, but wish some evil for me. You're praying forgive me as I have forgiven others. Read that carefully. You don't just pray lord forgive my sins.

Many people pray like that, but that's not what jesus taught us to pray. Lord, forgive me. No, he said forgive me exactly as I have forgiven others. Did you commit a sin this morning? I asked the lord to forgive you exactly like you forgive others.

Whatever sin you confess. Now if you're forgiving everybody and you're living in that then you don't have to repeat that last last phrase every time. But if you're not careful to forgive others. Then you need to repeat that last phrase every time to remind yourself that god will not forgive you.

If you don't forgive others. And you say that's really tough. Well, it certainly is. I agree. It's tough. In fact, you can't do it if you're not filled with the holy spirit. You have to be filled with the holy spirit to love.

The Holy Spirit Pours God's Love Into the Heart

Because it says in romans in chapter 5. What is the mark of being filled with the holy spirit to me? It is not acts 2 4. Because I do not get a doctrine. From the teaching from the historical sections of scripture.

It's dangerous not even the historical sections of the new testament. I get my doctrines from the teaching sections of scripture. Romans 5 5. The when we are filled with the holy spirit the love of god is shed abroad.

Has been poured out within our hearts through the holy spirit. Who fills our hearts. So when the holy spirit fills my heart? He fills my heart with love. To me this is the New testament verse that tells me what is the mark of a person being filled with the holy spirit and that grows.

You see there's a growth in being filled with the holy spirit. We read in the acts of the apostles itself that the apostles were filled with the spirit a number of times we read uh in Ephesians 5 18 be being filled with the spirit Is not just once for all the word.

There is a present continuous Keep on being filled with the holy spirit. And that that means our capacity increases. For example when we are born again We have a cup. I will lift up the cup of salvation we read in the psalms.

Lord fill me. And my cup is filled with the holy spirit. I have a certain amount of love love for jesus. And love for others. Based on a certain understanding of god's love for me. That's the foundation, but it's like a cup.

My understanding of god's love is like a little cup of water. My love for jesus is like a little cup of water. My love for others is like a little cup of water. But from that point if I take up the cross every day Deny myself take up the cross take up the cross take the press after a while this cup Becomes a bucket.

The cup was full. I was filled in the spirit. The cup has now become a bucket. So when I pour the water of this cup into this bucket It's only about 10 full. Lord fill me with the spirit again. And the bucket gets full.

Now I have a greater understanding of god's love for me. I have a greater love for jesus christ and a greater love for others. But i'm not satisfied because I haven't become like jesus yet lord. Expand me as I take up the cross more and more gradually the Bucket expands and becomes like a tub.

And I pour the bucket of water into the tub it's so little lord fill me again. God fills the tub. And then I continue to take up the cross every day and deny myself and follow. The tub becomes believe it or not a lake.

You pour a bucket of water into a lake. You can hardly see it. Lord fill me again. And the lake in my heart Is filled with the holy spirit and my understanding of god's love is enlarged. How much god loves me?

I don't doubt it anymore and my love for jesus becomes correspondingly great intense. I'm willing to sacrifice anything for him deny anything Myself anything for him and my love for others difficult people enemies becomes large.

But it doesn't stop there. As I deny myself and walk take up the cross and follow jesus again. This lake becomes a river. Wow. You empty the lake into a river and the river looks pretty dry. Lord fill me again.

And god fills that river which is now flowing out to bless others. In the lake other people had to come and dip The their buckets to get water, but now i've become a river. Where i'm just blessing others is just flowing out of me without their having to come and dip inside me.

It's flowing out. And then i'm not satisfied still I deny myself take up the cross and follow jesus more. This river becomes many rivers. Then this scripture is fulfilled. John 7 37. He who believes in me From his innermost being will flow rivers.

Not one river. Not a cup. Not a bucket. Not a tub. Not a lake. Not one river but rivers of living water in many directions. That is not just for a few people. That is for every single believer. It says there in john 7 37 to 39.

This speak he of the holy spirit which those who believe in him would receive. Do you believe in him? That's for you this river of love That can flow out from your heart. But remember the foundation is your understanding that god Loves you perfectly.

And that You discover how when you meditate on how patient god has been with you. How long suffering. The word long suffering has to be spelled with many many o's l o o o o o l g. Oh on long suffering of god has been with you and the Longer that word long is long suffering in you the easier it will be for you to be long suffering with others.

Rooted and Grounded in God's Love

So we got to be founded on the fact that god loves me intensely. We must meditate much On how much jesus loved me how long suffering he was. That's what it means to be a man in leadership in the house.

That people must see you as the head of the house. As one forgiving long suffering firm in your leadership you won't Tolerate anything contrary to the word of god in your house. You will not allow your children to play music in the house, which is ungodly.

You will not allow anything to be seen on television, which is ungodly. Anything that will pollute the minds of people. You'll be careful With what your children if they are growing up watch on their computers, you'll be very strict.

But you'll be long suffering. It's a love which is based on god's love for you. It's a love which will not hesitate to rebuke in order to help. Do you know that Jesus rebuked peter calling him satan. You read in matthew 16.

There are two things I see there, which are both the marks of love. Turn with me to matthew 16. Jesus was praying for peter. He wanted peter to get a revelation about who he was. Which the pharisees did not have.

The pharisees thought he was bilziba. They studied the old testament scriptures, which all spoke about jesus. And they still thought he was a devil. But he prayed for peter. And then we read here in matthew 16 jesus said Who do people say that I am.

Matthew 16 verse 13. And they said well. Some people call you the devil, of course, but there are some others who Appreciate you. They say you're john the baptist or elijah. I mean that sounds good, but that's not good enough.

Elijah, etc. Then he asked what do you say? Who do you say that I am? And peter said none of these. You're the christ the son of the living god. Peter didn't have a full understanding of the trinity there, but he expressed something by revelation.

Here is the second person of the trinity. Who has come down to earth? And jesus said Look at these words of encouragement. Imagine if you heard these words from jesus own mouth simon barjona. Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you.

Matthew 16 17. But my father in heaven boy. If I had heard those words from jesus, i'd be so encouraged. Lord, you mean I got that as a revelation from heaven? And then jesus says Simon on this rock that you've just confessed Christ the son of the living god.

I will build my church. I'm going to use you. To build my church such a church against which the gates of hell will not be able to prevail. Well simon was excited and jesus went on. And I want to tell you simon peter.

Matthew 16 19. I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven whatever you Bind on earth will be bound and whatever you lose on earth will be loosed. What authority He gave to peter and peter was so encouraged one mark of love.

Encouragement Before Correction

Is that you encourage your children? You encourage your wife? Hebrews 3 13 says encourage one another daily. Lest you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. That's a very important verse for believers to recognize and remember hebrews 3 13 encourage One another daily.

The king james version says exhort. Well, it's a word which has multiple meanings. The greek word there encourage. I believe is a better word than exhort because Uh exhort can give you the impression that you have to rebuke and correct people.

Whereas I can encourage a person to live a godly life by challenging that person. So it's challenge and encourage encourage one another daily. Daily every day. And I ask you this question you men who do you see every day daily.

You don't see the other brothers in the church every day. You don't see other people around the world every day. The one person you see daily Normally is your wife. So that's where you must begin. The holy spirit will come upon you jesus said and you shall be witnesses first of all in jerusalem.

That's where you are right now. And for you jerusalem is your home. Then judea then samaria then the outermost parts of earth. So it goes in concentric circles beginning in jerusalem, which is your home.

That's where the disciples were at that time. So encourage one another daily you begin in your home. I want to prove myself to be a man at home a man of god. I want to be strong in love. As a man of god in my home.

It's not always saying words to encourage. It's your whole attitude towards your wife by which you encourage her by your way of life. By your merciful attitude by your never murmuring. Never complaining never grumbling when things can go wrong in every house things can go wrong.

The food can be overcooked or maybe there was too little salt or too little too much salt or whatever it is. These things are unimportant. And you don't complain. You don't get upset you don't get angry.

That is encouragement or words to encourage appreciation words of appreciation. When you first got married, maybe you were in love with your wife and encouraged her By words of appreciation. Have you stopped doing that now?

Do you have to stop telling your wife that You love her or that you're thankful for. The cup of tea she brings you in the morning or anything else. Why do we lose all that? Encourage one another daily.

Very often people have Unsubmissive wives because the husbands themselves have failed miserably in encouraging their wives. Be act like a man and be strong in encouraging your wife by your life. By your behavior by your words.

Otherwise what will happen. Hebrews 3 13 says. She will be discouraged. And then she'll grumble and complain and fight with you. You ask yourself whether you encouraged her. How often should you do it once a year?

No daily. Hebrews 3 13 is clear. And as I said not necessarily with words. You deny yourself and you take up the cross and your life itself your way of life. Will be an encouragement to people in your home, even if you don't open your mouth.

And occasionally you get the opportunity you open your mouth. Express appreciation just like jesus did. You know, jesus was a master at expressing appreciation. Think of that roman centurion. Who said my servant is ill at home.