Library
176 messages
25mZac Poonen · Jul 19
20mJeremy Utley · Jul 14
15mJeremy Utley · Jun 21
23mZac Poonen · Jun 14
24mZac Poonen · May 17
7mJeremy Utley · May 12
18mZac Poonen · May 3
46mZac Poonen · Apr 26
16mJeremy Utley · Mar 31
26mJeremy Utley · Mar 23
17mZac Poonen · Mar 22
10mNCCF Church · Mar 16
20mJeremy Utley · Mar 3
27mNCCF Church · Feb 8
1h 4mZac Poonen · Feb 1
21mBobby McDonald · Jan 25
25mJeremy Utley · Jan 18
17mJeremy Utley · Jan 13
19mBobby McDonald · Dec 14
25mBobby McDonald · Nov 16
27mJeremy Utley · Oct 14
1h 6mZac Poonen · Oct 5
12mJeremy Utley · Sep 30
58mZac Poonen · Sep 28
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.
25mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 19, 2021 · 25m
The central message is that Christians are chosen by God to reflect Jesus Christ, which requires both personal purity and active church participation. The speaker emphasizes that this calling is a miracle of God's sovereignty, not human choice, and that humility is essential for progress. Ultimately, the goal is to live a life so Christ-conforming that one stands before Him with nothing to confess.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 14, 2021 · 20m
The central message is to avoid the errors exemplified by Judas Iscariot, which involves misplaced ambition and a failure to heed warnings. The speaker cautions against reducing discipleship to mere rules or cold orthodoxy, emphasizing instead the 'law of the spirit'—a living, sensitive connection to Christ. Furthermore, one must guard against seeking recognition or status, remembering that true service is done as unworthy servants.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jun 21, 2021 · 15m
The central message is that Christians must actively resist the natural tendency of the heart to become troubled, echoing Jesus' command in John 14:1. When trouble threatens peace, the remedy is not to ignore it, but to deliberately bring all cares and anxieties to God's presence. This act of casting cares, which demonstrates humility, allows God to bring His peace and perspective, transforming distress into worship.
23mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 14, 2021 · 23m
The central message emphasizes that true Christian growth comes not from impressive knowledge or ministry activity, but from loving the Lord with one's whole self and loving one's fellow believers. The speaker argues that genuine spirituality is found in humility, comparing the pursuit of knowledge to the 'tree of knowledge' versus the life found in the 'tree of life,' which is accessed through humble devotion. Ultimately, Christian growth requires moving understanding from the mind to the heart, which is achieved through humility.
24mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 17, 2021 · 24m
To be a true disciple, one must be willing to sacrifice what is precious to them when following Jesus, as illustrated by examples where disciples were called to give up prior commitments. The core message emphasizes that discipleship requires immediate obedience to the Lord's call, without delaying it with personal priorities or plans. Ultimately, true discipleship is defined by doing the will of God, which requires denying one's own will.
7mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · May 12, 2021 · 7m
The central message is that casting our cares upon the Lord is a profound act of humility, which in turn helps us remain sober-minded and resist spiritual attack. The speaker draws from 1 Peter 5:6, emphasizing that we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand by entrusting our anxieties to Him. This practice is presented not only as a means of humility but also as a way to be spiritually alert and receive God's perfecting, confirming, strengthening, and establishing grace.
18mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 3, 2021 · 18m
The most repeated statement of Jesus in the Gospels is that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires more than just self-improvement or appearing godly; it demands a willingness to be despised and rejected for Christ. Ultimately, all actions, even mundane ones, must be done for the glory of God, which requires a profound brokenness, exemplified by Jacob wrestling with God.
46mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Apr 26, 2021 · 46m
The central message warns believers against becoming arrogant teachers or spreading gossip, cautioning that such behavior can lead to stricter judgment. The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual maturity involves humility, recognizing one's limitations, and speaking carefully, especially regarding ministry gifts and personal speech. Instead of spreading unverified information or gossip, believers should focus on sharing the gospel and encouraging others.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 31, 2021 · 16m
The central message is that Christians must strive to be a reflection of Jesus, which is best exemplified through profound humility. The speaker draws parallels between Jesus's willingness to endure the cross and his ultimate service, noting that his humility is evident in both his divine glory and his earthly ministry. This enduring, humble path is presented as the ultimate model for Christian living, even when facing mockery or opposition.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 23, 2021 · 26m
The sermon encourages the congregation not to grow weary in ordinary days, asserting that these mundane times are the extraordinary way God accomplishes His purpose. The speaker emphasizes that to continue in God's word, one must progress deeply into both the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus Christ. True spiritual growth, like Jesus's ministry, is found not in dramatic moments but in humble, steadfast obedience within the daily grind.
17mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 22, 2021 · 17m
The central message is that true godliness and humility are found by modeling oneself after Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate example. The speaker emphasizes that understanding scripture requires going to the
10mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Mar 16, 2021 · 10m
The central message is that true contentment and richness are found solely in Christ, who is our ultimate inheritance. The speaker encourages the audience to open their hearts to see this spiritual wealth, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of worldly riches. He emphasizes that contentment comes not from adding things, but from subtracting desires until one is satisfied only with Christ.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 3, 2021 · 20m
The central message is that true discipleship requires acknowledging the impossibility of keeping God's standards, rather than adopting an attitude of familiarity or complacency. The speaker uses examples from Israel (Exodus 24 and Joshua 24) and the New Testament (Peter, Ephesus) to illustrate how people fall away when they treat God's commands as manageable. The key is to maintain a sense of awe and recognize that fulfilling God's will is beyond human capability.
27mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Feb 8, 2021 · 27m
The central message emphasizes that the primary requirement for receiving God's grace is maintaining humility, as taught by Peter's admonition. The speaker draws parallels from biblical figures like Cain, Abel, Saul, and David, highlighting that true discipleship requires continuous self-abasement and repentance. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to live with humility, knowing that God's presence and grace are promised to those who remain lowly in heart.
1h 4mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Feb 1, 2021 · 1h 4m
The speaker contrasts two spiritual streams, comparing them to Cain and Abel, and later to Saul and David. The 'minimum' stream represents those who only do what is required to be accepted by God or the community, while the 'maximum' stream represents those who give their absolute best. True Christian life requires striving for the maximum, characterized by humility and giving fully, rather than settling for the minimum required effort.
21mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 25, 2021 · 21m
The speaker draws lessons from Psalm 73, where Asaph struggled with envy and comparison after seeing the prosperity of the wicked. He emphasizes that the primary source of discouragement is comparing oneself to others, which tempts us to doubt God's goodness and love. True contentment comes from appreciating what we already have, recognizing that our joy is tied to God's constant presence, and enjoying the earthly blessings given with gratitude.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 18, 2021 · 25m
The central message is that God's power is best displayed through human brokenness, not through remaining intact or being scattered. The speaker draws from scripture to argue that while we naturally fear brokenness, God desires to use our broken pieces as the canvas for His surpassing greatness. Therefore, Christians must learn to treasure their weakness and brokenness as part of their discipleship.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 13, 2021 · 17m
The central message is to resist a transactional approach to faith, where one approaches God only when needing something or having a task. Drawing from the example of Mary choosing the 'good part,' the speaker emphasizes that simply sitting at Jesus' feet and drawing near to Him is sufficient. Furthermore, the sermon warns against looking upon others—whether fellow believers or unbelievers—with contempt, urging instead to adopt the humble, needy posture of the publican.
19mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Dec 14, 2020 · 19m
The central message is that true discipleship requires completely disregarding the self and exalting Jesus, mirroring Christ's willingness to die for others. This surrender means letting go of personal rights, ambitions, and earthly attachments, finding freedom in focusing on God's will rather than self-centered desires. The speaker emphasizes that this mindset, like Paul's, allows one to endure suffering and focus on the eternal reward.
25mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Nov 16, 2020 · 25m
The speaker encourages the audience to live with the awareness that their days are numbered, drawing from Psalm 90:12. He suggests that proving one's commitment to God involves practicing humility, as exemplified by Moses, and recognizing that life is fleeting, as taught in James 4. Ultimately, he emphasizes that the constant practice of repentance—confessing sin, forsaking it, and drawing near to God—is the safest and highest priority in life.
27mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 14, 2020 · 27m
The central message is the necessity of growing in the fear of the Lord, which is presented as the beginning of wisdom and the fountain of life. The speaker emphasizes that this fear is not merely a feeling but a deep awareness of God's presence, which is crucial for living in the new covenant. He suggests that signs of growth include adopting childlike humility and maintaining a constant awareness of the Lord's presence, much like a dove leaving a place of quarreling.
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.
58mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 28, 2020 · 58m
The central message warns against both overestimating and underestimating oneself spiritually. The speaker cautions that modern tendencies, influenced by psychology, can lead people to think too highly of themselves, a danger exemplified by the Pharisee. True spiritual health requires a constant, humble self-assessment, recognizing that the greatest enemies are selfishness and pride, which must be addressed internally rather than through external displays of humility.