In Gods Plan, By Gods Power and For Gods Glory by Zac Poonen

Devotional

Day 1: When Prophets Run Without Being Sent

The weight of speaking for God hangs over every word shared in His name. Jeremiah’s warning cuts deep: preaching without divine commission isn’t just error—it’s theft. Eternal consequences ripple when human words masquerade as heavenly revelation. True messengers wait in God’s presence before declaring His mind. Every utterance must be tested, every motive purified. [02:00]

“I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways.” (Jeremiah 23:21, ESV)

Reflection: When have you been tempted to share “God’s word” without first sitting in His presence? How might your words change if you waited to hear Him before speaking?

Day 2: Building With Gold, Not Straw

Life is a construction site. Each choice—how time is spent, relationships nurtured, resources allocated—adds either eternal materials or flammable filler. Gold and silver endure fire; wood and hay vanish in smoke. The world applauds size, but heaven measures substance. What looks impressive today may leave only ash tomorrow. [08:23]

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:12–13, ESV)

Reflection: What “building materials” dominate your daily choices—things that gratify now, or investments that outlast fire?

Day 3: The Crowd Leaves, The Truth Remains

Jesus’ popularity crumbled when He refused cheap grace. Thousands abandoned Him after one hard sermon, leaving only eleven uncertain disciples. Yet this remnant ignited global transformation. Offending crowds often confirms faithfulness—truth thrives not in numbers, but in surrendered hearts willing to bear rejection. [14:13]

“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’” (John 6:66–67, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you softened truth to keep people comfortable? What costly message might God be asking you to uphold?

Day 4: From Him, Through Him, To Him

Eternal work follows a threefold cord: divine origin, supernatural power, and Godward glory. Human ideas, even good ones, become kindling without this trinity. The tabernacle’s precise blueprints reveal God’s obsession with detail—He cares how we stitch each curtain of our lives. Lasting fruit grows only in surrendered soil. [19:15]

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, ESV)

Reflection: Which part of your current work relies more on your ability than His power? Where might self-glory be stealing His due?

Day 5: Every Word Proceeding, Every Morning Listening

God’s voice isn’t a archived recording but a living stream. Manna ceased if hoarded; daily bread demands fresh gathering. Like bankers counting currency, believers must audit each syllable from heaven. The morning’s first breath becomes sacred ground—ears open, agenda surrendered, eternity’s blueprint sought. [31:28]

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4, ESV)

Reflection: What practical step will you take tomorrow to position yourself to hear God’s “proceeding” word before the day’s noise begins?

Sermon Summary

Jeremiah 23 warns that God does not recognize those who run without being sent, who say “the Lord declares” when the Lord has not spoken. That fear of presumption sets the tone. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3 says the foundation is Christ, and the question is not if a structure rises but what kind. Gold, silver, and precious stones stand the test. Wood, hay, and straw burn. The picture is clear. A small house of gold is better than a massive straw palace. The issue is quality, not quantity.

John 6 shows how truth thins crowds. “Make him king” fades when Jesus says, “eat my flesh and drink my blood.” Ten thousand become eleven, and with eleven Christ turns the world upside down. That is the kind of work that lasts.

Romans 11:36 gives the test for what will remain. “From him, through him, and to him are all things.” Eternal work begins from God’s mind, proceeds through God’s power, and ends for God’s glory. The opposite is easy to spot. From man, through man, to man. That is wood, hay, and straw. So Matthew 4:4 sets the daily posture. Man lives by every word that proceeds from God’s mouth. Begin the day saying, “Speak, Lord.” Keep listening through the day. A busy life that never gets still will build the wrong house.

Isaiah 42:8 says God will not give his glory to another. That protects from the devil’s fall. The picture helps. If someone else baked the cake, the server does not take the compliments. Every gift and result belongs to God. Jude 24–25 then anchors assurance. God is able to keep from stumbling and to present blameless with great joy. So the song at day’s end is the same as the Bible’s, “To the only God be glory.”

Exodus 25–40 reveals a God of details. The tabernacle is not left to clever ideas. Thread color, measurements, metal weights, all given. The church must be built that way. Scripture shows elders, not a single titled man. Titles that belong to God, like “reverend,” must not be touched. Acts shows servants waiting for power, then being filled again and again. Isaiah 40:31 promises strength for those who wait. Genesis 11 exposes the other city. Babel begins from man, moves through man’s power, and ends in man’s name. Jerusalem begins from God, moves through God, and ends in God. The choice stands in every home and task. Keep a clear conscience. Ask forgiveness. Refuse the glory. Keep the face in the dust. Then the work will stand.

Key Takeaways

1. Build for eternity, not appearance The test is fire, not size. Gold, silver, and precious stones may look small now, but they endure. Straw structures impress crowds, then vanish in smoke. Let quality, not quantity, govern choices. [08:06]
2. Begin everything from God “From him” means listen first, not act first. Start the day and each task asking, What has God said, not What do I feel. Every word that proceeds will guide the next step, not the whole map. [19:15]
3. Depend on the Spirit’s power Truth known without power becomes toil. The Lord’s pattern is wait, then work. Be filled again and again, or yesterday’s filling will leak into today’s strain. Strength rises where waiting deepens. [42:15]
4. Refuse to touch God’s glory God gives gifts, help, and fruit, but never his glory. Taking credit turns an angel into a devil. Stay the distributor, not the baker, and the song will remain praise, not pride. [24:07]
5. Keep a clear, humble conscience A blocked conscience is a stopped ear. Set wrongs right, and ask forgiveness where harm was done. Humility keeps the line open, and the heart sensitive to every fresh word. [39:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Jeremiah’s warning to speak only God’s word
[04:54] - Build carefully on Christ the foundation
[08:06] - Gold, silver vs wood, hay, straw
[09:44] - John 6: crowds thinned by hard truth
[16:40] - Baptism in the Spirit and counterfeits
[19:15] - From Him, through Him, to Him
[21:15] - Start each day listening and praying
[24:07] - Do not touch God’s glory
[29:57] - Tabernacle pattern and every word
[33:39] - Learn to listen amid busyness
[35:24] - More blessed without seeing
[39:07] - Clear conscience and ask forgiveness
[42:15] - Wait for power; be filled again
[49:59] - Babel vs Jerusalem: two ways to build

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (ESV)
"According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."

Observation questions

What two categories of building materials does Paul contrast in 1 Corinthians 3:12, and what happens to each when tested by fire?
In John 6, how did Jesus’ teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood affect the size of His following? [13:49]
According to Romans 11:36, what three phrases describe the eternal nature of God’s work? How does the sermon contrast this with human-centered efforts? [19:15]

Interpretation questions

Why might Paul use metaphors like gold, silver, and straw to describe spiritual work? What do these materials represent about motives or methods in ministry?
How does Isaiah 42:8 (“I will not give my glory to another”) protect believers from repeating the devil’s sin? What happens when humans claim credit for God’s work? [24:40]
The sermon contrasts Babel (built by human effort for human glory) with Jerusalem (built by God for His glory). How do these two models help us evaluate our daily priorities? [50:15]

Application questions

What practical step could you take tomorrow morning to begin your day by saying, “Speak, Lord,” rather than rushing into tasks? How might this shift your focus to “every word that proceeds from God’s mouth” (Matthew 4:4)? [21:15]
Reflect on a recent accomplishment (at work, home, or church). How can you intentionally redirect any personal pride or credit toward God’s power and grace? [25:29]
In what area of life (parenting, work, relationships) do you most often rely on your own strength instead of waiting for the Spirit’s power? What would it look like to “be filled again” (Acts 4:31) in that area? [44:38]
The sermon warns that a blocked conscience hinders hearing God’s voice. Is there a relationship, past action, or unconfessed sin you need to address to keep your conscience clear? [39:07]
How can you discern whether a goal or project in your life originates from “man’s clever ideas” or God’s direction? What habits would help you prioritize eternal quality over temporary results? [20:27]
The tabernacle was built with exact obedience to God’s instructions. What “small detail” in your daily obedience (e.g., honesty, patience, generosity) might God be calling you to align more closely with His Word? [30:13]

Sermon Clips

"you may not be a preacher, you may not planting churches, but every one of us is an eternal being created by God. And we have one life to live. And we must use that one life to do a work that will remain for eternity. Even if your part is a small part in a church, make sure that your the work that you do, however small it is, will last for eternity. the most ungifted person sitting here. I want to say to you that God has a plan for your life." [00:15:08]

"So the emphasis here is on quality, not quantity. The world emphasizes quantity. How many people in your church, they never ask the question, do people in your church have victory over sin? No. How many people is your church increasing in number? Not is the word that you hear in the church more prophetic. Are people being convicted in the church of sin? Are people getting offended and leave the church? I tell you that is a very good indication of a good church." [00:08:51]

"the great danger is after we are born again, we can still be careless about how we live our life. And I'm not talking about full-time Christian workers or preaching or building the church. Your life is a building that you're building. The way you live at home, the way you treat your wife, the way you bring up your children and the way you work in your office or place of work and everything, you're building something." [00:06:49]

"There are three things mentioned here. from him, from God, through God, and to God are all the things that will last forever. What are the things that will perish? The opposite of that, whatever originated from man, done through man's power, and done for man's glory. So, you got it. Now we understand what is gold, silver, precious stones." [00:19:07]

"Whatever you do that is originated in God's mind. In other words, it's not your bright idea. You've studied the scriptures. You've understood God's mind and you're seeking to do according to God's mind. Number one, that's not enough. And secondly, you're seeking God for his power to do it in his power, not in your own ability. And when you do it, you're doing it for his glory. That is gold, silver, and precious stones." [00:19:55]

"We must develop the habit of listening. That's why Jesus often went alone. Even he whose life was perfect and sinless needed to get alone to be able to hear his father. And I want to say to you, my dear brothers and sisters, don't make your life so busy that you don't have time to hear what God is saying. In the midst of all your work, learn to be still, to listen." [00:33:37]

"And with those 11 people, he turned the world upside down in a way that has lasted for 2,000 years. That's the type of work I want to do. I don't want a work that is temporarily excited and a lot of people come and nice singing and nice music. That's not what I'm interested in. I want to do a work that will last for eternity." [00:14:40]

"And at the end of your life, the Bible says that the Lord will examine that building to see how did you build? What sort of life did you live? How did you spend your time? How did you spend your money? Those are two very valuable things God has given us. Time and money. How did you spend it?" [00:07:21]

"If you don't depend helplessly upon the Lord for his power, it'll be burnt up. And thirdly, when God has accomplished something through you wonderful and you take the credit for it, it'll be burnt up. It must be for his glory." [00:20:47]

"Keep your conscience clear. That's one thing the Lord's taught me. However difficult it is, keep your conscience clear. In money matters, keep it clear. If you hurt somebody, ask forgiveness. And if somebody has hurt you, forgive them." [00:39:48]

"So God said, "I'm going to protect all of you from becoming like the devil. I will not give my glory to anyone. Don't touch the glory of God. Everything we have is what God gives us." [00:25:00]

"But if your aim is to please your heavenly father, period, that's all. Then and if you're willing to seek God for his power and for his glory, do everything, you can build a la a work that will last forever." [00:15:59]

"Jesus message was always like that. It was not increasing the numbers. You know, you couldn't go to Jesus. How many more people are coming to your meeting? How many more people are attending your church? He preached the truth so strongly that people left him." [00:13:51]

"That's how Jesus was. He had no desire for men to appoint him to a position. Every position, one day he's going to be king of kings, but it'll be appointed by the father, not by man. Dear brothers, don't seek for any position in the church which some man is giving you. if you're not fit for it. If God doesn't appoint you to that position, you're wasting time." [00:11:13]

"So it is a very serious thing in the Old Testament to speak to give your testimony is fine but to speak and say this is what the Lord is saying is extremely serious thing and I I live in fear of it. I'll tell you that honestly." [00:04:33]

Ask a question about this sermon

SermonIndex.net This sermon · AI assistant

What defines work that will last for eternity?

How is gold versus wood imagery interpreted spiritually?

What does from God through God to God mean?