Library
685 messages
27mNCCF Church · Oct 26
11mBobby McDonald · Oct 21
1h 6mZac Poonen · Oct 5
12mJeremy Utley · Sep 30
19mNCCF Church · Sep 21
32mJeremy Utley · Sep 7
59mZac Poonen · Aug 31
28mNCCF Church · Aug 24
10mWenhai Pan · Aug 17
23mZac Poonen · Aug 17
14mJeremy Utley · Aug 12
30mJeremy Utley · Aug 10
20mZac Poonen · Aug 10
6mBobby McDonald · Aug 10
1h 2mZac Poonen · Aug 3
56mZac Poonen · Jul 27
37mJeremy Utley · Jul 24
57mZac Poonen · Jul 13
9mZac Poonen · Jul 6
1h 0mZac Poonen · Jul 6
1h 0mZac Poonen · Jun 29
55mZac Poonen · Jun 22
6mBobby McDonald · Jun 1
48mZac Poonen · May 31
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.
27mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Oct 26, 2020 · 27m
The speaker emphasizes that following Jesus requires a radical commitment, illustrated by calculating the cost of discipleship and being prepared for hardship. Key passages from Luke 14 and John 14 are used to teach that discipleship demands giving up personal will and possessions, while the Holy Spirit promises constant presence and guidance through tribulation. The message concludes with a call to practice kindness and forgiveness, mirroring the immense grace God has shown.
11mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Oct 21, 2020 · 11m
The central message is that true spiritual life involves embracing the Holy Spirit's work, which requires burning away personal attachments and self-centered desires. This process leads to a life that overflows, enabling one to bless and minister to others. The speaker warns against the temptation to desire comfort over ministry, citing examples like Jonah's bitterness and emphasizing that God's joy is found in serving and loving others.
1h 6mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 5, 2020 · 1h 6m
The central message draws from Matthew 18, emphasizing that entering the Kingdom of God requires adopting the humility of a little child. The speaker warns against pride and comparison, noting that true greatness in the church is found in decreasing oneself so that Christ can increase. He concludes by highlighting that receiving or caring for children in Christ's name is equivalent to receiving Christ himself.
12mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 30, 2020 · 12m
The central message is that true Christian life requires adopting Jesus' mindset, which is characterized by deep humility and a willingness to embrace the cross. The speaker emphasizes that genuine humility goes beyond mere performance or thought; it must be rooted in the heart and is achieved through obedience—taking up Christ's yoke. This obedience is exemplified by viewing the cross not as a burden to dread, but with the same passionate anticipation Jesus had.
19mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Sep 21, 2020 · 19m
The sermon emphasizes that the Christian life should not be a self-satisfied 'well' but a continuous 'river' of life flowing out to benefit others. Drawing from Ezekiel 47, the speaker illustrates this progression from a trickle to a life-giving river that brings freshness and sustenance. The core message is to move beyond self-pleasing stagnation and actively bear the weaknesses of others, reflecting Christ's love in one's family, community, and church.
32mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 7, 2020 · 32m
The Lord builds the church, but He equips it through every individual member functioning properly, like the joints of a body. The speaker warns against neglecting one's personal spiritual life—one's 'own vineyard'—while focusing on ministry or serving others. To care for one's own vineyard, one must examine the fruit of love, the soil of humility, and other aspects of personal devotion.
59mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 31, 2020 · 59m
The central message is that true discipleship requires the believer to prioritize Christ above all earthly relationships, even family. The speaker draws from John 2:24-25 and Matthew 10:34, arguing that Jesus did not entrust himself to those who merely believed in him without genuine commitment. True faith involves a hatred for sin and a willingness to place Christ's will above the desires of family or man.
28mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Aug 24, 2020 · 28m
The speaker emphasizes that the goal of Christians is to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning corporately within the local church. Drawing from Jonah's experience, the message stresses the necessity of calling out to the Lord in distress and remembering Him amidst difficult times. The sermon also uses the story of Joshua and the Gibeonites to warn against making covenants or decisions based on short-term appearances rather than seeking God's counsel.
10mNCCF Church
Wenhai Pan · Aug 17, 2020 · 10m
The speaker draws lessons from Daniel's life, emphasizing the importance of having a deep concern for the Lord's name above personal comfort or achievement. He argues that true devotion means praying for God's glory regardless of whether God will use you or if your own efforts are sufficient. The ultimate goal is to live in a way that brings glory to God, exemplified by the desire to bring Him joy, much like a child bringing a gift the parent loves.
23mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 17, 2020 · 23m
The central message is that while salvation is founded solely on Christ's righteousness, believers are still accountable for how they live their lives after conversion. Just as a building needs more than just a foundation, a Christian's life must be built upon Christ through righteous works, which will ultimately be tested by fire. The speaker warns that the greatest regret in heaven will not be about salvation, but about the selfish, self-centered way one lived life while being given the opportunity to live for Christ's kingdom.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 12, 2020 · 14m
The speaker cautions against developing a jealous or critical heart when witnessing the ministry or spiritual gifts of others. Drawing parallels from Jesus's hometown reception and the disciples' reaction to miracles, he emphasizes that believers must receive God's word and the works of others' lives as if it came directly from the Lord. Ultimately, the message urges believers to prioritize seeking the approval of God over seeking the notice or praise of men.
30mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 10, 2020 · 30m
The speaker uses the biblical example of Kiriath Arba, which was renamed Hebron after a great victory by Caleb, to warn that spiritual victories are not permanent without vigilance. He argues that if believers become complacent, the enemy (the 'giants') can reclaim areas of life that God has already given victory in. The central message is a call to remain watchful, diligent, and obedient to keep the path of righteousness growing brighter.
20mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 10, 2020 · 20m
The central message is that raising children is a divine gift that requires intentional effort to prepare them to glorify God. Drawing from Psalm 127, the speaker urges parents to sharpen their children, viewing them as arrows for God's use against the enemy. The most crucial values to instill from childhood are godly character, humility, and a deep desire to love Jesus above all earthly achievements.
6mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Aug 10, 2020 · 6m
The central message is that Christian living involves dying to sin not for its own sake, but so that one can be alive to God and please Him. The speaker emphasizes that when tempted, one's focus should be on pleasing God, drawing inspiration from Jesus' endurance on the cross, which was motivated by the joy of pleasing the Father. Ultimately, the goal is to overcome sin to deepen one's relationship with God.
1h 2mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 3, 2020 · 1h 2m
The central message is that true growth in Christlikeness involves partaking of Jesus' nature, not merely imitating his life. While the Bible warns against judging others, the speaker clarifies that discernment is necessary and appropriate when one has authority, such as elders judging within the church or parents guiding their children. Ultimately, judgment must be based on the Spirit's revelation, not merely on what the eyes see or what the ears hear.
56mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 27, 2020 · 56m
The sermon explores achieving Christlikeness by examining Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, contrasting the spirit of Christ with the spirit of self-life. A major focus is on the relationship between money, love, and spiritual focus, emphasizing that one's true treasure—whether in money or in God—will determine where the heart and mind are fixed. The speaker stresses that faithfulness in managing earthly resources, like money, is a prerequisite for receiving the true riches of the Holy Spirit and likeness to Christ.
37mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 24, 2020 · 37m
True worship is not merely singing or being moved by music, but rather presenting one's entire body as a living and holy sacrifice to God. Drawing from John 4 and Romans 12, the message emphasizes that true worship is demonstrated by living in spirit and truth, especially during times of temptation or undesirable circumstances. The speaker urges the audience to continually renew their minds and offer their lives to God without hesitation, like providing a lamb morning by morning.
57mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 13, 2020 · 57m
The sermon emphasizes that Christian growth requires reflecting Christ's likeness through personal purity and active church participation. Specifically, the speaker warns against performing acts of piety—giving, praying, or fasting—to gain human honor, noting that such actions negate divine reward. True devotion must be done in secret, and prayer should be a simple request to God, not a lecture detailing one's needs.
9mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 6, 2020 · 9m
The central message emphasizes that true Christian fellowship requires an individual's deep fellowship with Christ's suffering and death. The speaker uses the Lord's Supper to illustrate that our unity as a body is rooted in Christ's sacrifice, which was endured without regard for his own welfare. Believers must judge themselves to ensure their participation is a genuine acknowledgment of this profound sacrifice.
1h 0mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 6, 2020 · 1h 0m
The speaker continues the study of growth in Christ's likeness, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount. He clarifies that understanding Jesus' teachings requires understanding the Spirit's guidance, warning against literal interpretations that lead to becoming a 'New Covenant Pharisee.' The central message is that the ultimate answer to keeping the Sermon on the Mount, especially commands like loving enemies, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as illustrated by the promise to ask for the Spirit.
1h 0mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 29, 2020 · 1h 0m
True Christ-likeness requires more than just following the Sermon on the Mount; it demands a deep commitment to discipleship, including loving Jesus above all else and being willing to die to oneself. The teaching emphasizes that righteousness must be internal, addressing sins like anger and sexual lust, and warns that lying is fundamentally linked to hypocrisy. Ultimately, believers must guard against legalism by adhering strictly to the word of God, neither adding to nor subtracting from it.
55mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 22, 2020 · 55m
The central message is that Christians, especially fathers, are called to reflect God the Father through their own lives, mirroring Jesus' ministry. This requires acknowledging personal failings and humbly recognizing that even the best earthly fathers fall short compared to God's goodness. True transformation begins with confessing faults and seeking the Holy Spirit's filling to model God's love and character for our children.
6mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jun 1, 2020 · 6m
The central message is that Christians must intentionally follow the narrow path of discipleship, which is the way that leads to life and is characterized by God's will. This path, modeled after Jesus' teachings, offers rest and peace, much like power-steering assists in driving. When we seek God's will and walk in it, He guides us, making the journey restful rather than a struggle against our own efforts.
48mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 31, 2020 · 48m
The sermon outlines the path to growing in Christlikeness by examining the attitudes described in the Sermon on the Mount. Key elements include being pure in heart, which means centering all love on God, and progressing from being a mere child of God to a true son. This journey requires first achieving peace with God through justification by faith, which then enables one to become a peacemaker in life.