Library
390 messages
48mZac Poonen · Oct 21
51mZac Poonen · Oct 14
50mZac Poonen · Oct 7
42mZac Poonen · Sep 30
8mZac Poonen · Sep 26
1h 0mZac Poonen · Aug 26
1h 3mZac Poonen · Aug 19
1h 2mZac Poonen · Aug 12
49mZac Poonen · Aug 5
1h 12mZac Poonen · Aug 5
44mZac Poonen · Jul 29
37mZac Poonen · Jul 22
46mZac Poonen · Jul 8
1h 9mZac Poonen · May 13
1h 8mZac Poonen · Apr 29
54mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 1mZac Poonen · Apr 15
30mZac Poonen · Mar 25
23mZac Poonen · Mar 25
22mZac Poonen · Mar 18
19mZac Poonen · Mar 18
21mZac Poonen · Mar 11
20mZac Poonen · Mar 11
22mZac Poonen · Mar 4
Zac Poonen · 11m · CFC Daily Devotions
True blessing under the New Covenant is not measured by material wealth and health, but by spiritual transformation and union with Christ. The mark of God's blessing is internal holiness and a clear vision of Christ, not external prosperity.
48mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 21, 2019 · 48m
The central message is that the Christian Church's calling is to be the light of the world, which requires more than just words; it demands a pure, lived testimony. True discipleship means following Christ's example, not just reciting doctrine, and this example must be lived out in daily life, including relationships and handling finances. The speaker emphasizes that this calling is an imitation of Christ's life, not a boast of personal superiority.
51mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 14, 2019 · 51m
The sermon contrasts the ideal Christian life—being a pure bride prepared for Christ—with the spiritual state of a harlot, representing compromise with the world. Drawing from Malachi's critique of offering blemished sacrifices, the speaker argues that Christians often give God only what costs them nothing, mirroring the Israelites' failure. True devotion requires offering something costly, reflecting the purity expected of the Church.
50mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 7, 2019 · 50m
The speaker contrasts living by the 'knowledge of good and evil' (which leads to spiritual death) with living by the 'Tree of Life.' He defines the Tree of Life not as theological knowledge, but as simple, pure devotion to Jesus Christ. The central warning is that deep knowledge of doctrine, even if morally upright, is insufficient if it lacks this pure devotion to Christ, as this is the greatest form of deception.
42mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 30, 2019 · 42m
The central message is that true Christian strength comes not from human capability or education, but from acknowledging weakness, echoing Paul's statement, "When I am weak, then I am strong." The speaker emphasizes that God's ways are different from man's, and that believers must be honest enough to walk in the light—meaning acknowledging sin—for the cleansing power of Jesus' blood to be effective. Furthermore, God's primary interest is transforming us into the image of Christ, not merely granting us comfortable external blessings.
8mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 26, 2019 · 8m
The speaker distinguishes between John's baptism of repentance and the baptism commanded by Jesus. While John's baptism acknowledges past sin, Jesus' baptism signifies a desire to be united with Christ in his death to sin, leading to the power of his resurrection. True baptism involves a complete immersion, symbolizing the burial of the old self and the reliance on God to raise the believer to a new life.
1h 0mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 26, 2019 · 1h 0m
The central message is that true Christian life requires a solid grip on several key areas: knowing God intimately as Father, understanding the cleansing power of Christ's blood through repentance, living by the 'Living Word' of God, experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit, embracing the way of the Cross, and finally, becoming fully united in the Body of Christ. The speaker warns that many Christians are spiritually deficient in these areas, contrasting the New Covenant blessings with the limitations of the Old Covenant.
1h 3mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 19, 2019 · 1h 3m
The central message is that following Jesus requires a daily commitment to taking up one's own cross, which means denying self-will. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship is not merely believing in Christ's sacrifice but actively choosing to follow Him daily, mirroring Jesus' own life. This daily self-denial is presented as the key to a life free from sin and the grip of the devil.
1h 2mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 12, 2019 · 1h 2m
The central message is that the goal of the Christian life is to reflect Jesus Christ, which is achieved through personal purity and functioning within the local church. The speaker emphasizes that being filled with the Holy Spirit must be measured against the life of Christ, not just gifts. He cautions against counterfeit experiences, noting that the Holy Spirit's work is characterized by Christ's example—lifting people up and manifesting God's will through character, especially humility.
49mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 5, 2019 · 49m
The central message is that Christians must develop a habit of not just reading Scripture, but actively listening to the living Word of God, which is what empowers us to reflect Jesus. This requires meditating on God's word daily, which results in being firmly planted, bearing fruit in season, and never being discouraged. True prosperity is defined not by wealth, but by fulfilling God's will in this life.
1h 12mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 5, 2019 · 1h 12m
The central message emphasizes that Christian life requires constant awareness of speaking to God, not just going through religious motions. Drawing from scripture, the speaker stresses that life comes not from mere knowledge or ritual, but from hearing and living by every word proceeding from God in the present tense. True fellowship with God requires walking in the light—meaning honesty—which allows the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from sin.
44mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 29, 2019 · 44m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires a solid grip on knowing God as Father, which is achieved by seeking Him with all one's heart. He draws a parallel between the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt and the need for believers to cry out in deep desperation over their sin. Ultimately, the blood of Christ is presented as the only means of salvation, mirroring how the blood applied to the doorposts protected the Israelites from judgment.
37mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 22, 2019 · 37m
The sermon emphasizes the need for Christians to maintain consistency in their faith life, comparing it to having a solid grip on an object. This solid grip is built upon six elements, starting with knowing God as our loving Father in Heaven, which requires praying in the pattern taught by Jesus. Ultimately, the speaker stresses that the Father is best understood by observing Jesus, particularly His profound humility, as demonstrated when He washed the disciples' feet.
46mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 8, 2019 · 46m
The central message is that true Christian progress requires daily self-judgment and self-examination to become a reflection of Jesus. The speaker contrasts the tendency to judge others, like the Pharisees, with the necessity of looking inward. He emphasizes that this daily self-assessment is the mark of the family of God, leading to continuous spiritual growth, much like Paul's inner man being renewed daily despite the decay of the outer body.
1h 9mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 13, 2019 · 1h 9m
The speaker shares his personal journey of faith, emphasizing that true assurance of salvation comes from a sincere commitment to Christ, not just childhood religious upbringing. He highlights that key evidences of being born again are a desire to read God's Word and a consistent habit of prayer. The message concludes by urging listeners to make a definitive choice between serving God and serving money, as this choice determines one's life harvest.
1h 8mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Apr 29, 2019 · 1h 8m
The central message is that true victory over sin requires a determined effort to learn to walk, comparing the process to a child learning to walk rather than being constantly carried. The speaker argues that a wholehearted disciple should achieve this victory in about two years, drawing parallels to the Israelites' original two-year timeline after leaving Egypt. He emphasizes that spiritual maturity requires actively engaging with the struggle against sin rather than remaining in a state of perpetual comfort.
54mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2019 · 54m
The central message is that God uses our trials not only to strengthen us but also to prepare us to comfort others in their own afflictions. The speaker emphasizes that God will never allow us to face a trial beyond our ability, citing 1 Corinthians 10:13. Furthermore, true endurance in trials comes not from our own strength, but from humility, as God promises grace to those who humble themselves.
1h 1mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Apr 15, 2019 · 1h 1m
The central goal of the Christian life is to be conformed to the image of Christ, as stated in Romans 8:29. The speaker cautions against letting secondary goals—such as worldly success, wealth, or even solely focusing on social work—distract from this primary destination. He emphasizes that all life decisions, including parenting ambitions, must be evaluated against the singular goal of Christ-likeness.
30mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 25, 2019 · 30m
The speaker contrasts the individualistic fellowship of the Old Covenant with the corporate life of the New Covenant, emphasizing that true Christian fellowship requires more than just good relationships or psychology. He stresses that both individuals must accept the cleansing of Christ's blood for sin and crucify their old, sinful nature. This shared acceptance of the cross is what breaks down the inherent enmity in the flesh, allowing for genuine, barrier-free fellowship.
23mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 25, 2019 · 23m
The central message is that the New Covenant emphasizes internal righteousness and quality over the Old Covenant's focus on external actions and quantity. Jesus taught that true righteousness comes from the heart—addressing root issues like anger and lust—rather than merely following external rules. This principle applies to all areas, including prayer, fasting, and giving, where the motive and quality of action are paramount.
22mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 18, 2019 · 22m
The speaker contrasts the 'health and wealth' gospel of the Old Covenant, which promises blessings for obedience, with the true message of the New Covenant. He emphasizes that the New Covenant message, centered on Jesus, is about being saved from sin, not from physical ailments or poverty. The speaker urges listeners to examine what Jesus has truly saved them from, suggesting that many misunderstand the meaning of Jesus' name and the scope of salvation.
19mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 18, 2019 · 19m
The speaker reviews key differences between the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that in the New Covenant, believers are transformed from glory to glory and are justified by Christ's blood. Crucially, he distinguishes between earthly enemies and spiritual ones, teaching that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. Therefore, believers must resolve to never fight with any human being, no matter the disagreement.
21mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 11, 2019 · 21m
The central message is that entering the New Covenant requires more than intellectual knowledge or cleverness; it demands a childlike humility. The speaker emphasizes that pride in one's intelligence or knowledge hinders the reception of divine revelation, which is instead given to those who are humble, like babies. True understanding and participation in the New Covenant come through genuine discipleship, not academic prowess.
20mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 11, 2019 · 20m
The central message is that the New Covenant, established through Christ's death, has broken down all distinctions—including those of race, intellect, and social standing—creating one unified body in Christ. Paul emphasizes that this unity is a mystery known only through divine revelation, not mere intellectual understanding. The speaker urges believers to live out this reality by embracing the 'new self' renewed in Christ, rejecting all forms of internal and external enmity.
22mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 4, 2019 · 22m
The central message is that true spiritual understanding and entering the New Covenant require humility, acknowledging that one knows nothing, much like a child. Jesus taught that one must learn from Him—specifically His humility and gentleness—rather than relying on personal cleverness or intelligence. This rest from self-effort means responding immediately to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on one's own works or bright ideas.