Introduction:

Below are concise notes from CFC Bangalore Sunday Church Service on April 20, 2025, as provided in the YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzH4yhGgn-Q).

Speakers:

1. Brother Zac Poonen

2. Brother Danish

Living an Unshakable Christian Life

- Zac Poonen

Introduction: The Call to an Unshakable Life

God desires a Christian life that remains steady, steadfast, and unshakable, unaffected by circumstances, storms, unexpected events, or failures. This mirrors the life Jesus lived, enabled by the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers, duplicating the same life Jesus lived as a man.

Jesus as an Example: Jesus, though God, never used His divine resources while on earth. He approached a fig tree to check for fruit, was unaware of His second coming’s date, experienced tiredness, and faced temptation—demonstrating He relinquished divine privileges to be an example for humanity (Matthew 21:19, Matthew 24:36, John 4:6, Hebrews 4:15).
Follow, Don’t Admire: Jesus could not be an example if He used powers unavailable to believers. He never said “admire me” but consistently said “follow me,” inviting believers to walk in His footsteps (John 10:27, Matthew 4:19).

The Challenge of Following Jesus

Many Christians fail to live an unshakable life because they doubt they can follow Jesus, believing He lived as He did because He was God, using resources unavailable to them. This misconception insults Jesus, suggesting He taunted believers with an impossible command to follow Him.

Biblical Standard: The Bible calls believers to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). The Living Bible paraphrases this as living as Christ lived, setting the Christian standard.
Jesus’ Unshakable Life: Jesus remained unshaken through trials, such as being interrupted and nearly thrown off a cliff in Nazareth, staying calm during a storm on the lake, and facing capture in Gethsemane (Luke 4:28-30, Mark 4:37-39, John 18:4-8).
Personal Reflection: “I can either admire Him, which of course we do. We adore Him. But also the thing that challenges me is Lord with the Holy Spirit’s power, I can live like this on this earth where nothing disturbs me. I’m completely unshaken.”

The Secret of Jesus’ Unshakable Life

Jesus lived an unshakable life by constantly beholding the Father’s presence, as prophesied in Psalm 16:8-11 and quoted in Acts 2:25: “I was always beholding the Lord in my presence. He’s at my right hand. Therefore, I shall not be shaken.”

Constant Presence: Unlike Old Testament believers, who experienced the Holy Spirit temporarily, New Testament believers can dwell in God’s presence continually through the indwelling Spirit.
Two Key Aspects: Living in God’s presence involves faith (trusting God) and obedience (revering and obeying Him).

Faith: The Foundation of an Unshakable Life

Faith is essential for an unshakable life, distinct from Old Testament experiences where even great figures like Job, Elijah, and John the Baptist wavered due to the absence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Faith in God’s Foreknowledge: Nothing in the past or future surprises God. Events that shock believers never catch God off guard, providing comfort and confidence (Revelation 1:8).
- Personal Reflection: “There’s nothing that’s ever happened to you or to me in our past life that surprised God. As if He were to say, ‘Boy, I never thought that would happen.’ Not even the way you failed Him.”
Faith in God’s Provision: God, like a loving father, makes provision for every future challenge, including those caused by the devil or personal failures (Genesis 3:15).
- Example: When Adam and Eve sinned, God immediately provided a plan for redemption through Christ, demonstrating His preparedness for human failure.
Faith in God’s Purpose for Trials: Trials are designed to make believers spiritually strong, not fat, by converting spiritual “food” (God’s Word) into muscle through resistance against temptation (James 1:2-4).
- Illustration: Eating without exercise leads to fatness, but eating with exercise builds strength. Similarly, trials (resistance) transform spiritual intake into strength.
Faith in God’s Faithfulness: No trial will exceed a believer’s ability to handle, as God tailors tests to spiritual maturity and provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Personal Reflection: “Whenever you say, ‘Oh, God, this is becoming too much for me,’ you’re saying, ‘God, you’re unfaithful. You’re a liar.’ I want to say to you in Jesus’ name, it’s not beyond your ability.”
Faith in God’s Grace: Believers receive grace to overcome trials when they ask in faith, not relying on their own strength (James 4:2, James 1:6-8).
Faith in God’s Love: Even after failure, God’s love remains unwavering, as seen in the prodigal son and Peter’s restoration (Luke 15:11-32, Luke 22:31-32).
- Example: The prodigal son, sitting with pigs, believed his father still loved him, leading to his return. Jesus prayed not that Peter wouldn’t fall but that his faith in God’s love would not fail after denying Him.

Humility: The Key to Sustained Grace

Humility is the great virtue God seeks to build, especially after blessing believers, as pride poses a constant danger.

God’s Resistance to Pride: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, making humility essential for receiving strength (1 Peter 5:5).
God’s Methods to Humble: God uses trials like financial crises, difficult relationships, or job loss to humble believers. As a last resort, He may allow failure to break pride (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
- Example: Paul’s thorn in the flesh humbled him, preventing pride from his revelations. Peter’s denial humbled him, enabling future ministry.
Jesus’ Example: Jesus remained humble without falling into sin, showing believers it is possible to stay humble through God’s warnings and grace.

Obedience: Building on the Rock

Obedience, alongside faith, makes a believer’s life unshakable, as illustrated in Matthew 7:24-25, where those who hear and do Jesus’ words are like a house built on a rock.

God’s Commands for Good: God’s commands are for believers’ benefit, like a parent’s instructions to children. Disobedience stems from thinking one knows better than God.
- Example: Refusing to forgive harms the unforgiving person, not the offender. Viewing impure content leads to tormenting dreams, damaging one’s own life.
Sermon on the Mount: Obedience to Jesus’ teachings, such as surpassing the Pharisees’ external righteousness with inward purity, ensures entry into God’s kingdom (Matthew 5:20).
- Pharisaical Righteousness: The Pharisees’ external holiness, clean on the outside but dirty within, is insufficient. Believers must prioritize inner purity over outward appearances (Matthew 23:25-26).
- Personal Challenge: “If you’re only concerned about your outward testimony before others in this church or anywhere else, you are a Pharisee.”

Practical Applications for Inner Righteousness

Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount provide specific commands for an unshakable life.

Treat Others Well: Treat others as you wish to be treated, avoiding gossip or evil-speaking, as God treats believers as they treat others (Matthew 7:12).
- Example: The servant forgiven $10 million but unwilling to forgive $10 faced restored debt, showing God’s principle of reciprocal treatment (Matthew 18:23-35).
Avoid Judging Others: Judging others prematurely, before their death, usurps God’s role, who waits until death to judge, hoping for repentance (Hebrews 9:27).
- Example: The thief on the cross was saved in his final moments, showing God’s patience (Luke 23:39-43).
- Personal Practice: “I wrote in front of my table… ‘The happiest people in the world are those who never judge others but only judge themselves.’ I kept that verse before me because I found in that race of Adam a tremendous tendency to judge people.”
Discernment vs. Judgment: Discernment avoids ungodly practices or churches without judging individuals, focusing on personal faithfulness (1 Peter 4:17).

The First Step: Honesty

God asks for honesty as the first step toward an unshakable life, acknowledging personal sin and need (Jeremiah 3:13).

Examples of Honesty: The thief on the cross admitted he deserved punishment, and the woman caught in adultery confessed her sin, receiving mercy (Luke 23:41, John 8:11).
Personal Call: “Lord, I want to be honest about my own need. I am a hypocrite. The inside of my cup is dirty. Why am I worried about other people’s cups? Look at my own cup. It’s dirty. Let me clean up my own cup first.”
God’s Response: Honesty leads to cleansing through Christ’s blood, strength to overcome, and freedom from sin’s rule under grace (1 John 1:9, Romans 6:14).

God’s Eagerness to Bless

God is more eager to bless, cleanse, make unshakable, and fill believers with the Holy Spirit than they are to receive these blessings.

Prayer for Transformation: “I want you to open your heart now to God and just be honest. Take that first step and say, ‘Lord, I acknowledge my need. I acknowledge my sin. I don’t want to be occupied anymore with anybody else’s sin. Not my wife’s, not my neighbor’s, not my husband’s, my sin. Cleanse me. Help me to come to this unshakable life so that I can face the difficult days in the future without being shaken.’”

Bible References

Genesis 3:15: God’s provision for redemption after Adam and Eve’s sin.
Psalm 16:8-11, Acts 2:25: Jesus’ unshakable life through God’s presence.
Psalm 125:1, Psalm 112:7: Trust in God leads to steadfastness.
Matthew 4:19, John 10:27: Jesus’ call to follow Him.
Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:12, Matthew 7:24-25, Matthew 23:25-26: Sermon on the Mount teachings on righteousness, treatment of others, and obedience.
Matthew 18:23-35: The unforgiving servant and God’s reciprocal treatment.
Matthew 21:19, Matthew 24:36, John 4:6, Hebrews 4:15: Jesus’ human limitations.
Luke 4:28-30, Mark 4:37-39, John 18:4-8: Jesus’ unshakable responses to trials.
Luke 15:11-32: The prodigal son’s restoration through faith in his father’s love.
Luke 22:31-32: Jesus’ prayer for Peter’s faith after failure.
Luke 23:39-43, Luke 23:41: The thief on the cross’s honesty and salvation.
John 8:11: The woman caught in adultery’s forgiveness.
1 Corinthians 10:13: God’s faithfulness in limiting trials.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9: Paul’s thorn in the flesh for humility.
1 Peter 4:17, 1 Peter 5:5: Judging oneself and God’s grace to the humble.
1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:6: God’s forgiveness and call to walk as Jesus walked.
James 1:2-4, James 1:6-8, James 4:2: Trials for strength, asking in faith, and receiving grace.
Jeremiah 3:13: Acknowledging iniquity as the first step.
Romans 6:14: Freedom from sin under grace.
Hebrews 9:27: God’s judgment after death.
Revelation 1:8: God’s foreknowledge of all events.

Embracing God's Unshakable Life

- Brother Danish

Introduction: Small Obstacles to Great Blessings

Great blessings are often hindered or prevented by small things. God's plan for Lazarus was resurrection from the dead, but it was prevented by the stone covering the tomb. Jesus instructed the people to move the stone, but they were afraid. This illustrates how small obstacles can impede significant divine plans.

The Central Message: Personal Application of God's Word

The core message is to identify and address the one thing hindering personal spiritual growth. Many believers think, "I've heard this before," and are familiar with biblical promises, such as God causing all things to work together for good and not being tested beyond one's strength. However, familiarity can lead to complacency. The Word is not just for others, such as a spouse or children, but for oneself. For example, some pray, "Oh Lord, speak to my wife. Fill her with the Holy Spirit," or "Lord, save my children," focusing on others rather than personal transformation.

The Danger of External Validation

A great mistake is evaluating one's life based on acceptance within the church. Respect, love, value, or advice sought from others can lead to the assumption, "I must be a spiritual person." True spirituality is not measured by external affirmation but by internal alignment with God's standards.

Gracious Speech and Genuine Love

Speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, to respond appropriately to each person (Colossians 4:6). I believe I am careful in my speech, especially in church, where words are sometimes so sweet they feel like "honey, so much honey." However, love must be without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9). The love shown to others must reflect genuine concern. For instance, when I say, "Brother, I'll pray for you. Don't worry," it must be true in my heart, valuing and loving that brother or neighbor as myself. Hypocritical love blinds believers, but genuine love brings divine light.

Touching the Real Person

God allows people to touch the real person, not just the outward appearance, during times of testing. This is evident at home, where one is without a mask. I acknowledge with sorrow the failures in my own life, but I see Christ as unshakable. An example from Mark 5 illustrates this: a woman with a bleeding condition touched Jesus and received healing, forgiveness, and comfort. Jesus only knew power had gone out from Him, but her touch connected with His divine power. Similarly, people, including children, touch the real person at home, revealing one's true character.

Responding to Misunderstandings with Grace

People often misunderstand others, and there is a tendency to clarify or correct one's stand. Jesus, however, did not react defensively when His brother suggested He go to Jerusalem to gain fame. Instead of saying, "You misunderstood me, brother. That was not my intention," Jesus likely prayed, "Lord, please be merciful to him. Give him eternal life. Let him know who is the Father." This demonstrates a gracious response to misunderstanding, focusing on prayer rather than self-justification.

The Need for a Pure Heart

A pure heart is essential to see the Lord, as stated in Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are those who are pure in heart, for they shall see God." I believe I must see the Lord, not just my circumstances. Sensitivity to the unspoken cries of others, such as mother-in-laws or father-in-laws, is crucial. Outward expressions may deceive, but a pure heart, empowered by the Holy Spirit, discerns the inner person. This purity is not just for preachers or ministers but for everyone—mothers, children, and parents.

The Promise of an Unshakable Life

Jesus promised an unshakable life, as seen in John 4 with the Samaritan woman. Her life was unstable, marked by five divorces and a current relationship, each time hoping for stability. Meeting Christ transformed her perspective. Jesus told her that if she knew God's gift and asked in faith, she would receive living water, leading to eternal life. I confess that, despite years in the church, my life is not where it ought to be. I desire this unshakable life, not just for myself but for others to taste through my actions.

The Challenge of Living Authentically

Talk is easy, but walking the talk is hard. I recognize the hunger and thirst for an unshakable life, praying, "Lord, I want to come to You for that unshakable life." This requires authenticity, being the same inside and outside, without pretense. The Lord is more eager to bless than believers are to receive, as seen in Jesus' promise that even an evil father gives fish, not a snake, when asked (Luke 11:11). The heavenly Father, when asked with a pure motive for the Holy Spirit, grants grace for an unshakable life.

Teaching and Trusting in God

Teaching children to cycle illustrates the joy of seeing them gain steadiness and move forward. Similarly, God trains believers to rely on Him, not on self-sufficiency. I acknowledge that I am often full of myself, knowing verses and how to speak, but lacking the unshakable life. God's treasure is kept in earthen vessels, and acknowledging personal need allows the Holy Spirit to fill and baptize believers with grace to live this unshakable life.

Closing Prayer and Reflection

I thank God for speaking personally and showing the prepared life. Despite knowing every detail of believers' lives, including failures, God remains merciful. I pray that the days ahead will be different, with transformed home lives and responses to circumstances. I ask God to replace fear with trust, deepen roots, and grant steadiness against life's winds. Amen.

Bible References

Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person."
Romans 12:9: "Let love be without hypocrisy."
Mark 5: The story of the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus and received healing.
Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
John 4: The story of the Samaritan woman who received the promise of living water.
Luke 11:11: "If your children ask for fish, even an evil father will not give him a snake."