Library
685 messages
51mNCCF Church · Dec 1
8mBobby McDonald · Nov 26
5mJeremy Utley · Nov 17
34mNCCF Church · Oct 6
37mNCCF Church · Sep 29
10mJeremy Utley · Sep 24
1h 0mAnnie Poonen · Sep 19
7mBobby McDonald · Sep 15
50mZac Poonen · Aug 26
19mZac Poonen · Aug 26
5mJeremy Utley · Aug 25
25mNCCF Church · Aug 19
1h 8mZac Poonen · Aug 13
54mNCCF Church · Aug 4
1h 24mZac Poonen · Jun 9
1h 5mZac Poonen · Jun 8
1h 11mNCCF Church · Jun 8
1h 11mZac Poonen · Jun 8
48mNCCF Church · Apr 24
1h 9mNCCF Church · Mar 31
41mNCCF Church · Jan 3
54mNCCF Church · Dec 21
34mNCCF Church · Nov 22
54mZac Poonen · Nov 6
Zac Poonen · 10m · CFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen teaches that idolatry constitutes spiritual adultery against God, drawing a parallel between unfaithfulness in marriage and unfaithfulness in our devotion to God. The message calls believers to recognize idolatry in their lives and turn from it in repentance to restore their relationship with God.
51mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Dec 1, 2014 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that a core goal for Christians is to reflect Jesus Christ, which requires both personal purity and active participation in the local church. A key theme is the vital importance of accepting correction and criticism from others, viewing it as a divine treasure for spiritual growth. The message concludes with encouragement to remain steadfast and gaze upon the Lord, regardless of external agitation or opposition.
8mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Nov 26, 2014 · 8m
Paul compares the Christian life to a race, emphasizing that the goal is not merely salvation, but the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus. He urges believers to maintain this zealous pursuit of knowing God, suggesting that true seeking involves dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to drawing closer to Jesus, rather than adhering to specific religious actions. The central message is to make knowing God the ultimate priority in life.
5mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 17, 2014 · 5m
The central message is that Christians must maintain an attitude of pressing forward toward Christ, recognizing that spiritual growth is a lifelong pursuit, even after significant achievements. Paul's example shows that even when one has attained much, one must continue pressing on toward the upward call of God. This pursuit requires resisting complacency and embracing God's correction as an act of love, which necessitates renewing the mind.
34mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Oct 6, 2014 · 34m
The speaker discusses the purpose of trials, drawing from scripture to show that God uses difficulties to bring us back to Him when we wander or become self-sufficient. Trials serve to empty us of our own fullness so that God can fill us with His nature and purpose. Ultimately, enduring suffering allows us to receive God's comfort so that we can, in turn, comfort others.
37mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Sep 29, 2014 · 37m
The speaker emphasizes that sharing testimonies of God's work in daily life is a blessing that encourages believers to follow God more closely. He draws lessons from scripture, particularly the Canaanite woman's faith in Matthew 15, highlighting that true faith persists even when facing doubt or perceived rejection. Finally, he stresses the importance of daily encouragement among believers, referencing Hebrews 10, to prevent hardening by sin.
10mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 24, 2014 · 10m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of being unified as the body of Christ, drawing heavily from Philippians 3. He cautions against being deceived by mere titles or outward appearances, urging the congregation to carefully observe and emulate those who truly follow the pattern set by the Apostles, particularly Paul. Key examples of this pattern include caring more about the spiritual state of others than any material gift, and rejoicing in suffering for the sake of the church.
1h 0mNCCF Church
Annie Poonen · Sep 19, 2014 · 1h 0m
The speaker encourages mothers by reminding them that their lives are not defined by small struggles, such as daily chores or parenting difficulties, but by the grand work God is doing—building a 'cathedral' or temple in them. She advises focusing on this ultimate purpose for God's glory, rather than getting bogged down in minor details or worldly concerns, and emphasizes that the ultimate pattern for raising children must come from the Lord, not from external philosophies or cultural examples.
7mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Sep 15, 2014 · 7m
The passage encourages believers to follow the example of those who are striving to be like Christ, urging them to observe and emulate the godly qualities they see in others. The speaker emphasizes that the church community acts like a picture of Jesus, where each individual possesses a 'strip' or piece of Christ's image. By observing the gifts and godliness in fellow believers, one is motivated to grow in those areas where they are lacking.
50mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 26, 2014 · 50m
The central message is that Christian maturity requires continuous, steady growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, which is necessary to avoid spiritual stagnation. The speaker cautions against misunderstanding justification by faith as a license to sin, emphasizing that this doctrine must motivate believers toward perfection. True growth is achieved by living in fellowship with Christ, allowing one to discern God's will even in unscriptural situations.
19mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 26, 2014 · 19m
The central message is that raising children for God requires recognizing that the children ultimately belong to the Lord, not to the parents' personal goals. True dedication goes beyond mere ceremony; it demands a daily commitment to nurturing them in an atmosphere that reflects heaven—characterized by peace, joy, and freedom from negative habits like gossip. Parents are entrusted with a tremendous responsibility to model a godly life at home.
5mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 25, 2014 · 5m
The central message draws from Philippians 3:7-14, emphasizing that gaining Christ is worth counting everything else as rubbish. The speaker stresses that achieving the benefits of knowing Christ—including the resurrection and fellowship of suffering—requires a cost: counting all earthly things as worthless compared to Christ. Furthermore, the speaker encourages treasuring God's upward call, correction, and conviction as the ultimate prize one presses toward.
25mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Aug 19, 2014 · 25m
The message emphasizes that true wealth and blessing come not from material possessions, but from spiritual virtues like love, reverence for God, peace in the home, and victory in one's spirit. The speaker uses scripture to warn against mistaking worldly wealth for God's approval, urging listeners to prioritize faith in God's promises over visible material success. A secondary point encourages believers to maintain a constant spiritual hunger for God, modeled after Paul's life.
1h 8mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 13, 2014 · 1h 8m
The speaker contrasts the fervent dedication of Paul in his pursuit of Christ with the lukewarm faith of many Christians, comparing it to people who will go to extreme lengths for a visa. He argues that Christians should possess this same level of passion for God, noting that Paul's radical commitment, despite his past life, exemplifies what is possible. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to be wholehearted and determined in their faith, following Christ's path.
54mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Aug 4, 2014 · 54m
The speaker encourages the congregation to share what God has laid on their hearts, emphasizing that it is better to offer something imperfect than nothing. Key themes include maintaining confidence in prayer by keeping one's conscience clean, and embracing correction as a means of spiritual growth. The message draws parallels between learning to ride a bike and the continuous, daily effort required to press on toward Christlikeness.
1h 24mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 9, 2014 · 1h 24m
The speaker discusses how God uses failure as a tool to humble us and prepare us for ministry, citing the example of Peter. He contrasts the tendency of some preachers to induce guilt with the need to encourage people toward hope. Ultimately, he emphasizes that while we focus on short-term comfort, God operates with a long-term perspective, using trials—even failures—for our ultimate good.
1h 5mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 8, 2014 · 1h 5m
The speaker urges listeners to prioritize spiritual health over physical health or education, comparing the care given to physical well-being with the neglect of spiritual life. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires recognizing that one has completely surrendered their life to Christ, not merely offering a partial commitment. This surrender is likened to being purchased property, meaning one has no right to self-determination, echoing Paul's description of being a bond slave to Jesus.
1h 11mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jun 8, 2014 · 1h 11m
The message emphasizes that Christ seeks a functioning body, not just a preaching center, and encourages the congregation to demonstrate this by sharing their faith. The core teaching, drawn from Psalm 131, compares the believer to a weaned child resting against a mother, illustrating that God is the Great Giver and the believer is the receiver. Therefore, the practical application is to remain closely connected to Jesus, recognizing Him as the ultimate gift, much like a branch must remain attached to the vine to bear fruit.
1h 11mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 8, 2014 · 1h 11m
The central message is that God looks for humility and a contrite spirit in those who build His church, rather than outward displays of piety or worldly achievements. The speaker emphasizes that true closeness to God is marked by profound humility, citing Jesus washing the disciples' feet as an example. Furthermore, believers must align their thinking with God's way, recognizing that "my thoughts are not your thoughts."
48mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Apr 24, 2014 · 48m
The reflections centered on the theme of the 'fear of the Lord,' emphasizing that true reverence for God must permeate daily acts, such as prayer, which should be done with genuine meaning rather than rushed through. The speaker also explored profound concepts of humility, drawing from Philippians 2 and Galatians 2, noting that true obedience often requires a willingness to 'die' to self and sin, mirroring Christ's obedience. Finally, the message stressed looking out for the interests of others, always guiding them toward Christ.
1h 9mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Mar 31, 2014 · 1h 9m
The speaker shares reflections on serving others, drawing heavily from Matthew 6, which warns against practicing righteousness to be noticed by people. The central message is that one should strive to serve in secret, trusting that God sees and will reward actions done for His favor rather than for earthly recognition from family or community. This principle was applied to the speaker's experience of moving and serving within the home.
41mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jan 3, 2014 · 41m
The central message emphasizes the necessity of continuous spiritual growth, urging believers to become more like Christ through discipline and submission to the church's leadership. The speaker stresses that true faith involves a deep yearning—a hunger—to spend time with Jesus, moving beyond mere methodology or intellectual understanding. This yearning requires believers to continually ask God to fill them to the fullness of His glory.
54mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Dec 21, 2013 · 54m
The sermon emphasizes that true spiritual maturity involves shifting focus from personal piety to the body of Christ. Drawing from Jesus's life and the feeding of the five thousand, the speaker argues that believers must learn to 'pour themselves out' for the church rather than hoarding their spiritual gifts or resources. This selfless giving is presented as the core message of the New Covenant, moving beyond individual salvation to corporate ministry.
34mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Nov 22, 2013 · 34m
The speaker reflects on the human tendency to seek periods of ease, contrasting this with Jesus' teaching that we must continue to work in His day. Drawing from Matthew 25, the sermon emphasizes that our lives will be judged by how we serve others, even in tedious tasks. The core message is that all actions, no matter how unglamorous or difficult, done for the sake of Christ are what truly matter in the end.
54mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Nov 6, 2013 · 54m
The sermon emphasizes that the Church is the body of Christ, meant to continue the ministry Jesus fulfilled. True spiritual authority comes from having one's will broken to God's will, exemplified by Jesus at the cross. This authority is not over people, but over sin and the forces of evil, requiring believers to live in a way that leaves no foothold for the devil.