Library
60 messages
16mJeremy Utley · Sep 29
26mNCCF Church · Aug 23
10mJeremy Utley · Aug 18
22mNCCF Church · Apr 20
11mJeremy Utley · Apr 14
36mBobby McDonald · Apr 5
21mNCCF Church · Feb 15
24mBobby McDonald · Dec 28
27mNCCF Church · Oct 19
30mJeremy Utley · Aug 10
23mBobby McDonald · Dec 12
48mZac Poonen · Nov 4
30mNCCF Church · Sep 26
19mZac Poonen · Mar 18
21mJeremy Utley · Feb 11
9mBobby McDonald · Nov 4
23mJeremy Utley · Oct 30
12mBobby McDonald · Oct 17
16mJeremy Utley · Aug 29
18mJeremy Utley · Jun 7
20mJeremy Utley · Apr 26
14mJeremy Utley · Dec 13
15mJeremy Utley · Nov 14
10mBobby McDonald · Nov 7
Zac Poonen · 10m · CFC Daily Devotions
Repentance is the defining mark of a truly born-again Christian. Without genuine repentance—a turning away from sin with changed behavior—one's claim to conversion is hollow and superficial.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 29, 2021 · 16m
The central message is that joyful fear, a reverent hope, is the antidote to dread, which is the opposite of this holy fear. To overcome dread—which manifests as fear of sin or life's challenges—one must remember God's past faithfulness (what He did to Pharaoh) and trust in His present promise. Furthermore, believers must embrace the reality that God leads them into victory and the promised life 'little by little' for their protection.
26mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Aug 23, 2021 · 26m
The speaker discusses the importance of maintaining an undistracted devotion to the Lord, drawing from 1 Corinthians 7:35. He warns that distraction is a tactic used by the enemy, citing examples from C.S. Lewis's *The Screwtape Letters* and the danger of letting worldly concerns pull focus from God. Practically, he advises guarding against negative influences from online content, ensuring hobbies do not become idols, and being mindful of distractions during prayer.
10mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 18, 2021 · 10m
The speaker urges listeners to adopt a proactive, aggressive stance against the flesh, drawing parallels from Numbers 25 where God commanded Moses to be hostile to the Midianites. He emphasizes that the mindset on the flesh is hostile toward God, contrasting it with the Spirit's mindset of life and peace. The ultimate goal in life, even when facing trials, is not mere deliverance, but achieving Christ-likeness, recognizing that the flesh, not external circumstances, is the greatest enemy.
22mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Apr 20, 2021 · 22m
The speaker shares three key areas of encouragement from the Lord: maintaining trust despite setbacks, remembering to look to heaven during difficulties, and guarding one's thoughts. He uses the example of the Israelites at the Red Sea to illustrate trusting God's faithfulness publicly, even when circumstances are challenging. He also warns against allowing the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke spiritual growth, emphasizing the need to guard one's mind.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 14, 2021 · 11m
The central message is that Christian work, even secular employment, has eternal significance if done correctly. To earn reward from the Lord, one must serve with a good attitude—characterized by friendly, helpful, and cooperative feelings—and with the motive of pleasing God, not people. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that spiritual battles in the workplace are internal, against self-will and selfishness, requiring the strength of the full armor of God.
36mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Apr 5, 2021 · 36m
The speaker discusses nine tactics Satan uses to tempt Christians into sin, emphasizing that the devil seeks small compromises rather than just major sins. He details the first tactic as doubting God's love and goodness, using examples from Genesis and Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. He also addresses the tactic of fear, drawing comfort from the assurance that salvation rests on God's perfect love, not on personal performance.
21mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Feb 15, 2021 · 21m
The message encourages believers to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning corporately within the local church. Key themes include realizing that God has called us to victory over our desires and thoughts, and that our victory is ultimately His. The speaker emphasizes that God's power is boundless, providing the Holy Spirit's help in every temptation, and that we must press on in faith, trusting in God's provision for escape.
24mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Dec 28, 2020 · 24m
The central message encourages listeners to find deep rest and peace, even amidst life's storms, by modeling Jesus's trust in God. Drawing from the account of Jesus sleeping in the boat during a storm, the speaker emphasizes that true rest comes from weaving together the love of God and the power of God. This combination provides a stable cushion of peace that sustains us through any difficulty.
27mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Oct 19, 2020 · 27m
The central message emphasizes the necessity of cultivating the spirit of forgiveness, modeled after Jesus' words from the cross: 'Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.' The speaker urges the audience to extend this forgiveness to unbelieving family, friends, or co-workers, recognizing that others may not understand the truth or may be struggling with unseen burdens. Ultimately, the goal is to reflect Christ's compassion by fighting spiritual battles with mercy.
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.
23mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Dec 12, 2019 · 23m
The speaker reflects on David and Goliath, emphasizing that true confidence in God is not based on personal ability but on God's power. He teaches that faith requires persistence, even when efforts fail, drawing parallels between David's preparation (taking five stones) and the need to remain steadfast in spiritual battles. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to face life's 'giants'—whether external or internal, like bitterness or lack of self-control—with unwavering confidence in God's provision.
48mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Nov 4, 2019 · 48m
The central message is that true spiritual growth requires a genuine 'new birth' from the Spirit, which is distinct from merely being a good person or knowledgeable about scripture. The speaker emphasizes that one must be discerning enough to know if they are truly born again, warning against relying on religious language or the opinions of others. Spiritual growth involves an increasing awareness of sin, much like a student learning new subjects.
30mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Sep 26, 2019 · 30m
The central message is to live without fear because Jesus is present in every situation, comparing life's challenges to a boat in a storm. The speaker emphasizes relying on promises like John 6:37, which assures that Jesus will never cast believers away. He encourages trusting God's timing, even when situations seem hopeless, and focusing on the core need to lead others to know Christ.
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
Jeremy Utley · Feb 11, 2018 · 21m
The central message is that Christian life requires continuous effort and a warrior's attitude to overcome spiritual giants, rather than settling for a comfortable 'happy medium.' Drawing parallels to Israel's journey, the speaker emphasizes that true abundance is found only through active struggle, using the example of Joshua to warn against complacency despite past victories. The core call is to remain willing to fight and serve actively in the Lord's army.
9mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Nov 4, 2017 · 9m
The sermon warns that Satan's primary tactic is to convince believers that God does not love them, comparing this to a persistent gossip trying to tear apart a marriage. The speaker emphasizes that God is watching us in every temptation, as stated in Proverbs 15:3. Therefore, believers must live every moment as if Christ is present, choosing to deny themselves and resist temptation to bring joy to God.
23mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 30, 2017 · 23m
The speaker warns that Satan uses subtle tactics to cool down a believer's devotion to Jesus, warning against the danger of lukewarm faith. He identifies two primary methods of attack: cutting off the believer's spiritual supply lines and spreading the battlefront. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that the source of true devotion comes from recognizing the immense forgiveness received, which inspires a corresponding deep love for Christ.
12mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Oct 17, 2017 · 12m
The central message is that Christians are called to be strong in the Lord, drawing strength from the armor God provides. The speaker emphasizes that true strength is measured by what it takes to discourage us, urging listeners not to be broken by small, everyday circumstances. He encourages relying on God's armor rather than succumbing to discouragement, anger, or anxiety over minor issues.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 29, 2017 · 16m
The central message encourages believers to maintain hope in God's promises, viewing current struggles or 'giants' not as insurmountable obstacles, but as evidence that Christ's victory is certain. The speaker emphasizes that true victory comes not from personal strength, but from looking to Jesus, who is continually interceding for us against our own flesh. Ultimately, confidence in God's love is found even in the midst of spiritual battle.
18mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jun 7, 2017 · 18m
The speaker encourages the congregation to overcome discouragement by actively sharing what the Lord teaches them, drawing a parallel to the principle that 'he who waters others will be watering himself.' He emphasizes that holding back spiritual gifts or encouragement causes them to dry up, urging listeners to take a step of faith. Furthermore, he teaches that feeling 'in a funk' is a temptation, and the prescribed response is to resist it and choose to rejoice in the Lord always.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 26, 2017 · 20m
The speaker discusses two primary ways Satan deceives wholehearted disciples, drawing parallels from Joshua's victories and the Gibeonites' deception. The first deception is the temptation to do as much good as possible, which can lead Christians to focus on their own extensive to-do lists rather than solely on what God has specifically prepared for them. True discipleship requires a posture of listening to Jesus's teaching rather than being overwhelmed by the world's perceived needs.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 13, 2016 · 14m
To maintain pure devotion to Christ, one must actively guard against doubts regarding God's good intentions, which the devil exploits by making us question God's love. This requires renewing the mind by immersing oneself in Scripture, using God's Word as a 'bit' to rein in emotional doubts and affirm God's consistent, loving will. Furthermore, spiritual readiness requires actively applying teachings from church meetings to avoid spiritual 'NSF' charges when trials come.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 14, 2016 · 15m
The central message is that Christians are obligated not to the desires of the flesh, but to the Spirit. This freedom from the flesh's demands allows believers to fulfill their obligation to the Spirit, which involves making war spiritually. The speaker identifies prayer and fasting as two indispensable spiritual weapons for this spiritual warfare.
10mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Nov 7, 2016 · 10m
The central message is that Christians have guaranteed victory through Christ's authority, which is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that while God provides the power to overcome sin and temptation, He does not promise that the process will be easy; rather, the struggle is necessary for believers to learn dependence on Him through prayer and His Word. The ultimate goal is to participate actively with Christ in the spiritual battle against the devil.