Library
1,410 messages
1h 13mZac Poonen · Aug 29
9mBobby McDonald · Aug 22
15mJeremy Utley · Aug 22
6mSolomon · Aug 22
31mJeremy Utley · Aug 15
28mBobby McDonald · Aug 15
7mNCCF Church · Aug 8
13mBobby McDonald · Aug 8
16mJeremy Utley · Aug 8
10mBobby McDonald · Jul 25
21mJeremy Utley · Jul 18
10mBobby McDonald · Jul 18
4m 37sNCCF Church · Jul 18
8mBobby McDonald · Jul 11
21mJeremy Utley · Jul 11
4m 17sNCCF Church · Jul 11
58mZac Poonen · Jul 8
3m 2sNCCF Church · Jul 5
16mJeremy Utley · Jul 5
19mBobby McDonald · Jul 5
1h 12mZac Poonen · Jun 27
1h 8mZac Poonen · Jun 27
50mZac Poonen · Jun 26
33mZac Poonen · Jun 26
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.
1h 13mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 29, 2016 · 1h 13m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christianity requires living according to the New Testament standard, which involves desiring nothing but God. He draws from James 5 to teach patience, comparing the Christian life to a farmer waiting for a harvest, urging believers not to complain or judge others because the Lord's return is near. Suffering and trials are likened to the birth pains before Christ's return, and enduring them patiently, like the Old Testament prophets and Job, leads to a great reward.
9mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Aug 22, 2016 · 9m
The sermon emphasizes that the Christian life requires an eagerness to follow Jesus, mirroring the Ethiopian eunuch's willing commitment. This commitment is not a one-time event but a daily choice to die to self and live for Christ. Furthermore, the speaker clarifies that church membership involves a voluntary commitment to submit to the local church's elders for mutual care and guidance, distinguishing committed members from mere visitors.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 22, 2016 · 15m
The speaker advises that Christian life is a daily walk, not defined by milestones, and outlines three daily pursuits: seeking to hear God's voice, seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and seeking to respond to God's voice and the Holy Spirit. Hearing God's word daily, seeing God's purpose in the present day, and persistently asking for the Holy Spirit are key practices for spiritual growth.
6mNCCF Church
Solomon · Aug 22, 2016 · 6m
The speaker shares his journey of joining the church, emphasizing the importance of observing the church's character over simply attending events. He contrasts the approach of some groups, which focus on attracting members through conferences, with his new church, which encouraged him to take time to observe their lives and teachings. He concludes by expressing gratitude for the genuine love, humility, and commitment to growth he has experienced.
31mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 15, 2016 · 31m
The speaker encourages those seeking God's will by emphasizing that believers can know what God desires for them, rather than wandering in spiritual darkness. He cites scripture, particularly Isaiah 30:21, assuring listeners they will hear God's direction. Furthermore, he advises trusting God completely, acknowledging Him in all ways, and being transformed by renewing one's mind according to God's will.
28mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Aug 15, 2016 · 28m
The speaker advises that maintaining passion for God is not a one-time fix but a daily pursuit requiring consistent effort, much like physical health. He cautions against confusing emotional highs with genuine devotion, emphasizing that true spiritual life comes from seeking God daily through the Holy Spirit, not just through intense feelings. Ultimately, believers should focus on doing their best with what they have, resisting Satan's accusations of inadequacy by serving the Lord cheerfully.
7mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Aug 8, 2016 · 7m
The speaker emphasizes that the Christian life requires becoming an exact reflection of Jesus, achieved through personal purity and functioning within the local church. He stresses that true faith is not based on feeling but on confidently claiming God's promises by fulfilling the necessary conditions, such as repenting and asking for the Holy Spirit with simple sincerity. Furthermore, he warns against spiritual idols—such as lust, greed, and envy—which cause us to forfeit God's grace.
13mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Aug 8, 2016 · 13m
The speaker argues that a deep, godly sorrow over sin is foundational to a personal and intimate relationship with God. Drawing from the Prodigal Son narrative, he emphasizes that this sorrow leads to true repentance, which is distinct from worldly regret. He concludes that God uses convictions and rebukes to guide us toward greater Christlikeness, leading to an appreciation of His mercy.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 8, 2016 · 16m
The central message is that while God has the power to write His law on our hearts, Christians must take personal responsibility for cultivating a heart that desires what pleases God. This involves actively guarding what fills our minds—our thoughts, entertainment, and conversations—rather than passively waiting for transformation. True spiritual health requires cooperation with God's work, much like needing to change diet alongside working out at a gym.
10mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 25, 2016 · 10m
The central message is that a genuine pursuit of God must be inseparable from a pursuit of godliness and Christlikeness. The speaker argues that one cannot truly know God while simultaneously living in sin, as God and sin cannot coexist. True relationship with God is found by denying oneself and aligning one's will with God's will, mirroring the selfless love found in deep human relationships.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 18, 2016 · 21m
The sermon emphasizes that Christian life requires endurance through trials, drawing from James 1 and Hebrews 12. Discipline from the Lord should not be taken lightly; instead, believers should examine it to root out pride and seek God's purpose. True discipline is more than mere punishment for sin, encompassing difficult circumstances and conviction as God works to perfect the believer.
10mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 18, 2016 · 10m
The speaker shares how a recent physical ailment led him to meditate on God's care, particularly focusing on Matthew 6. He emphasizes that God's care extends not just to major spiritual matters but also to the small, temporary details of life, like minor aches and pains. Ultimately, he concludes that because God is our Father, every burden, no matter how small, is also His burden.
4m 37sNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jul 18, 2016 · 4m 37s
The speaker emphasizes the critical difference between possessing Bible knowledge in the head versus having it deeply rooted in the heart, which leads to genuine reality in life. He encourages the audience to move beyond mere intellectual agreement to actively desiring and living out God's will, using the analogy of learning a physical skill. Furthermore, he shares that understanding the Church as the Bride of Christ promotes mercy and acceptance of others' flaws because all believers are deeply loved and complete in Christ.
8mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 11, 2016 · 8m
The tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit's work is demonstrated by a growing hatred for sin and a love for what God loves. Drawing from the New Covenant, the Spirit writes God's desires on the heart, making believers naturally desire goodness and reject evil. This process is described as moving 'from glory to glory,' proving God is working in us even when we cannot see the progress.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 11, 2016 · 21m
The central message is that growing in the fear of the Lord requires our affections to reflect God's, meaning we must hate evil, pride, and perverted speech. The speaker specifically warns against the 'two G's'—gossip and grumbling—as these are forms of perverted speech that distract from disciplined living. He urges listeners to guard their mouths by keeping their thoughts in their minds, contrasting this with the tendency to talk about others when there is nothing productive to do.
4m 17sNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jul 11, 2016 · 4m 17s
The speaker discusses that God allows us to experience brokenness for several reasons, including confronting pride, which is warned against as it precedes a fall. Brokenness also serves to strengthen us so we can better serve others, echoing Jesus' command to Peter to tend the sheep. Ultimately, this process leads to restoration, reminding us that God is near to the brokenhearted and uses brokenness to build us up to resemble Jesus.
58mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 8, 2016 · 58m
The speaker addresses several questions, emphasizing that overcoming negative thoughts requires renewing the mind by consistently reading and meditating on the Bible, as this focuses one on God's interests. He stresses that true Christian life begins with a genuine new birth, evidenced by a desire not to sin again, and that the test of faith is not falling into sin, but the immediate reaction to it. Finally, he advises that in matters of conviction within a home, one should practice giving freedom, as Christian discipleship is never forced.
3m 2sNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jul 5, 2016 · 3m 2s
The central message emphasizes that the true unifying element of the local body of Christ is the shared love for Jesus and the desire to follow God alone, not cultural or ethnic background. The speaker reflects on how Christ unites people from opposing groups, encouraging the congregation to break down cultural barriers to achieve true fellowship.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 5, 2016 · 16m
The central message is that true holiness cannot be achieved through individual sinlessness alone; it requires active fellowship within the local church. The speaker argues that focusing only on personal purity is a deception, drawing parallels to the biblical statement, 'It is not good for man to be alone,' which applies equally to the church. Together, believers are meant to be knitted together as a body, reflecting the manifold grace of God and becoming a worthy bride for Christ.
19mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 5, 2016 · 19m
The central message is that true Christian wisdom requires humility, contrasting the tendency to rely on clever reasoning with the need to approach God's Word like a child. The speaker emphasizes that when our minds become elevated or prideful, we must become foolish to realize our dependence on God. He also highlighted that true strength comes after reaching a point of utter dependence, as exemplified by Peter.
1h 12mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 27, 2016 · 1h 12m
The central message emphasizes that a balanced Christian life requires both loving God and loving one's neighbor, drawing parallels to the two commandments Jesus taught. True love is an attitude of the heart, not merely an action or service, and it must first be practiced within one's local fellowship. Furthermore, genuine love, like Christ's, involves being corrected and disciplined, which proves God's enduring love.
1h 8mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 27, 2016 · 1h 8m
The central message is that a Christian's ultimate goal must be to fulfill God's purpose for their life, which guarantees that all circumstances, even negative ones, will ultimately work for their good, as stated in Romans 8:28. The speaker uses the life of Joseph as a detailed example, illustrating how false accusations, imprisonment, and forgetfulness were all necessary steps orchestrated by God to bring Joseph to his intended place in Egypt. True belief in this principle requires aligning one's life goals entirely with God's plan.
50mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 26, 2016 · 50m
The speaker emphasizes that all Christians are tempted in the same ways, stemming from the root desire to do one's own will, and overcoming these temptations requires following Jesus' example through the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. He advises that spiritual growth is a progressive process, like moving through academic levels, and when discussing sensitive topics like gossip, one must always examine their motive to ensure the discussion is for a good purpose, such as protecting others, rather than tearing them down.
33mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 26, 2016 · 33m
The speaker distinguishes between justification (being accepted by Christ) and sanctification (growth in holiness), using the analogy of a building's foundation and superstructure. While justification is a free gift of God's grace, sanctification requires actively living out good works. True Christian life demands radical repentance—a 180-degree turn from sin—and maintaining this commitment by discerning friendships that pull one toward Christ versus those that pull one back to the world.