Library
1,410 messages
11mJeremy Utley · Oct 13
1h 1mNCCF Church · Oct 13
34mNCCF Church · Oct 6
37mNCCF Church · Sep 29
10mJeremy Utley · Sep 24
1h 9mZac Poonen · Sep 22
1h 0mAnnie Poonen · Sep 19
1h 9mZac Poonen · Sep 19
7mBobby McDonald · Sep 15
38mNCCF Church · Sep 15
47mNCCF Church · Sep 8
15mBobby McDonald · Sep 1
44mNCCF Church · Sep 1
50mZac Poonen · Aug 26
19mZac Poonen · Aug 26
5mJeremy Utley · Aug 25
20mBobby McDonald · Aug 19
25mNCCF Church · Aug 19
1h 8mZac Poonen · Aug 13
20mJeremy Utley · Aug 7
54mNCCF Church · Aug 4
48mNCCF Church · Jul 31
1h 15mZac Poonen · Jul 21
5mBobby McDonald · Jul 21
Zac Poonen · 9m · CFC Daily Devotions
This devotion contrasts the tree of law with the tree of life, exploring how living by legalistic rules differs from living in the Spirit. Zac Poonen teaches that true spiritual life comes not from external commandments but from an intimate relationship with God through the Spirit.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 13, 2014 · 11m
The speaker reflects on Philippians 3:19, focusing on the warning against those whose god is their appetite, drawing a parallel to the Israelites grumbling for food in the wilderness. Ultimately, the message shifts from deep textual analysis to a plea for self-examination, emphasizing that the most crucial spiritual need is for God to reveal the true state of one's heart, rather than mastering complex theological interpretations.
1h 1mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Oct 13, 2014 · 1h 1m
The speaker reflects on several encouraging points shared by others in the church over the past few weeks, highlighting themes of fellowship, recognizing sin, and the importance of faith. He emphasizes that our spiritual life must guide our worldly decisions, and that God often uses trials to draw us closer to Him, pointing to Psalm 16 as a source of comfort and instruction regarding trusting God's plan even when circumstances appear difficult.
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 9mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 22, 2014 · 1h 9m
Jesus' ministry demonstrated that true understanding of God comes from personal knowledge, not just from studying scripture or adhering to tradition. The speaker uses the example of the Pharisees, who, despite reading the Bible, fundamentally misunderstood God's nature and rejected Jesus. He warns that spiritual pride leads to ignorance, causing Christians today to believe they are more enlightened than they actually are.
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.
1h 9mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 19, 2014 · 1h 9m
The central message emphasizes that true Christianity hinges on genuine fellowship with God and with one another, which is more vital than impressive teaching, miracles, or financial giving. The speaker stresses that believers must prioritize listening to the Holy Spirit and maintaining a posture of receptivity, drawing parallels to Mary at Jesus' feet. Ultimately, building fellowship requires living in the light in one's daily life, as the body of Christ functions through interconnected relationships.
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.
38mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Sep 15, 2014 · 38m
The speaker shared an experience where he felt tempted to react negatively to a supposed scam regarding a vacation rental deposit. Through prayer, he was reminded of scripture, specifically 'vengeance is mine' and 'love your enemies,' guiding him to prioritize not sinning over recovering money. He also drew a principle from John 18, learning that Christians should advocate for what is right rather than remaining silent.
47mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Sep 8, 2014 · 47m
The speaker reflects on how personal tragedy and conviction have led him to meditate on the nature of God's goodness. He emphasizes that only God is good, drawing from Lamentations to urge people to examine their own sins rather than complain against God. Ultimately, he argues that our perspective on suffering reveals what we value most, urging listeners to base their view of God on His Word rather than on current circumstances.
15mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Sep 1, 2014 · 15m
Pursuing righteousness means living in a way that reflects Christ, which requires two main actions: dying to self and practicing genuine repentance. True righteousness comes from Christ, meaning we must be willing to deny ourselves in all situations, regardless of our circumstances. Furthermore, genuine repentance involves a deep, regretful sorrow over sin, leading to a desire to change future actions, rather than just saying sorry after the fact.
44mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Sep 1, 2014 · 44m
The speaker uses the analogy of fishing to illustrate the Christian life, emphasizing that the ultimate goal is catching souls for Christ. Key takeaways include maintaining a constant readiness and shared purpose, acting as a unified team where everyone supports the effort, and recognizing that God (the Captain) is in control of the overall mission. Furthermore, the speaker suggests that the collective body of believers (the 'school of fish') is more attractive to the world than individual efforts.
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.
20mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Aug 19, 2014 · 20m
The speaker explains the significance of the New Covenant, emphasizing that it represents a profound shift from external adherence to law to internal transformation through the Holy Spirit. This new reality allows believers to have an intimate, personal relationship with God, making it possible for all to know Him directly, unlike previous covenants. The core message is that God now dwells within believers, enabling a life lived by grace rather than by keeping external laws.
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.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 7, 2014 · 20m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian fellowship requires self-examination and prayer for those encountered. Drawing from Proverbs, he advises that wise speech is characterized by being timely, apt, and sweet, rather than merely immediate. Furthermore, he highlights that fellowship itself can be a powerful source of divine revelation, sometimes more so than dedicated study, requiring us to be equally eager to listen for what the Holy Spirit is communicating.
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.
48mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jul 31, 2014 · 48m
The session emphasizes that the goal of Christians is to reflect Jesus Christ both individually through purity and corporately within the local church. The speaker encourages attendees to view the church gathering as an opportunity to experience love and community, rather than focusing on perfect speaking or performance. A key discussion point revolved around reconciling the biblical concepts of being both a 'son' and a 'bond slave' of Christ, concluding that these two identities are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary aspects of the Christian life.
1h 15mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 21, 2014 · 1h 15m
The central message is that the Christian life's purpose extends beyond mere forgiveness of sins; it is about gaining the 'glory of Christ.' This pursuit requires constantly pressing forward toward this goal, remembering that one must not become complacent by dwelling on past achievements. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that living this life is impossible without continuous dependence on and filling by the Holy Spirit, which requires faith—believing God is more eager to grant what He has promised than we are to receive it.
5mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 21, 2014 · 5m
The central message emphasizes that our righteousness before God is not derived from our own efforts or the law, but entirely through faith in Christ. The speaker draws a parallel to the Prodigal Son, illustrating that true appreciation for God's grace comes when we recognize our own unworthiness. Therefore, we should take sin seriously to better appreciate that God sees Christ's righteousness in us.