Library
1,410 messages
32mNCCF Church · Jul 15
4m 19sJeremy Utley · Jul 15
43mNCCF Church · Jun 25
1h 24mZac Poonen · Jun 9
1h 14mZac Poonen · Jun 9
1h 5mZac Poonen · Jun 8
1h 11mNCCF Church · Jun 8
56mZac Poonen · Jun 8
48mZac Poonen · Jun 8
1h 11mZac Poonen · Jun 8
1h 28mNCCF Church · May 31
1h 2mNCCF Church · May 7
48mNCCF Church · Apr 24
36mNCCF Church · Apr 10
1h 34mNCCF Church · Apr 2
1h 49mNCCF Church · Mar 31
1h 9mNCCF Church · Mar 31
43mNCCF Church · Mar 26
31mNCCF Church · Mar 20
1h 13mNCCF Church · Feb 24
52mNCCF Church · Feb 10
51mNCCF Church · Jan 29
57mNCCF Church · Jan 22
46mNCCF Church · Jan 6
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.
32mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jul 15, 2014 · 32m
The speaker advises against making life decisions based on the extremes of fear or overconfidence, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from trusting in the Lord rather than one's own knowledge. He stresses that believers must rely on God's leading and that memorizing scripture is crucial so that one can draw encouragement from God's Word during personal trials and help others.
4m 19sNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 15, 2014 · 4m 19s
The speaker discusses Philippians 3:7-8, emphasizing the need to re-evaluate what the world considers advantageous. He urges listeners to take stock of their natural strengths or achievements and intentionally count them as disadvantages when approaching God's Word. True advantage is found by desiring to be like a 'babe' in spiritual understanding, relying solely on the Holy Spirit rather than personal learning or ability.
43mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jun 25, 2014 · 43m
The speaker reflects on the challenge of living in a way that testifies that the ruler of this world has nothing in the speaker. This requires going beyond merely confessing sin to seeking the root causes of sin, recognizing that even routine actions must be done for God's glory. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes maintaining a constant sense of urgency, treating life as a spiritual battle rather than a comfortable routine, drawing a parallel to the necessity of heat in blacksmithing to shape metal.
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 14mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 9, 2014 · 1h 14m
The speaker emphasizes that the church built by Christ is indestructible by Satan, which requires strong, plural leadership rather than a one-man pastor system. He details that the church is meant to be a place of conflict and spiritual battle, requiring believers to proclaim Jesus' lordship to overcome opposition. Furthermore, the speaker stresses that discipline, as taught in Matthew 18, is a loving process aimed at winning a brother back, and if all else fails, the brother must be treated like an unbeliever.
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.
56mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 8, 2014 · 56m
The speaker advises that true prayer involves listening more than speaking, contrasting it with the common misconception of simply talking to God. To discern God's voice amidst many voices, one must cultivate a habit of listening by first obeying what is written in the Bible. He emphasizes that true Christian fellowship is found through God, not merely through association with people of different faiths.
48mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 8, 2014 · 48m
The speaker discusses the Holy Spirit's power, emphasizing that it is for witnessing and overcoming sin, requiring a clear conscience and continuous seeking. He distinguishes between the grace to overcome sin, which is tied to humility, and the anointing for service, which is not diminished by sin. Furthermore, he advises that ministry must be rooted in love, and cautions against allowing outright unbelievers on church worship teams, stressing the importance of spiritual values over natural ability.
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."
1h 28mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · May 31, 2014 · 1h 28m
The speaker shares a recent professional crisis where his company unexpectedly decided to sell off his division, causing shock among employees. He uses this experience to teach that relying on man's promises or worldly stability is futile, citing scriptures like Isaiah 2:22 and Psalm 18:10. The central message is to place unwavering trust in the Lord, as only God's promises endure, ensuring that our faith remains rooted and fruitful regardless of external circumstances.
1h 2mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · May 7, 2014 · 1h 2m
The speaker shares a profound realization from a temptation where he learned that resisting sin, even if it causes physical pain, is preferable to yielding to sin, which causes spiritual separation from God. He emphasizes that every victory over sin is progress, and the ultimate focus should be on pleasing God rather than managing one's reputation or appearance before people. The message concludes with the assurance that when we are in fellowship with the Lord, He will guide us on when and how to speak.
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.
36mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Apr 10, 2014 · 36m
The speaker warns against compromising integrity for material gain, using examples from the car industry and the parable of the harlot. He emphasizes that true fellowship with God is maintained by walking in the light and upholding moral integrity. The message concludes by stressing the importance of deeply studying scripture, noting that a burning heart for God's Word is a sign of spiritual maturity.
1h 34mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Apr 2, 2014 · 1h 34m
The central message revolves around the nature of faith, which the speaker emphasizes is a gift from God, not something that can be self-generated through sheer determination. He illustrates this progression using the life of Peter, showing his journey from overconfidence to denial, and finally to a mature faith rooted in recognizing God's patience and mercy. The speaker concludes that true faith requires both acknowledging God's power and trusting in His active, loving will toward the individual.
1h 49mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Mar 31, 2014 · 1h 49m
The speaker emphasizes that God is continually demonstrating His righteousness in the present moment, which is a source of great encouragement. Drawing from Proverbs, he discusses how this demonstration involves increasing our sensitivity to evil, prompting us to hate sin while developing compassion for sinners. Ultimately, he finds assurance that God is the justifier, meaning believers do not need to prove themselves, but rather can trust God's ongoing revelation of His own righteousness.
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.
43mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Mar 26, 2014 · 43m
The speaker shared reflections based on passages concerning the veil, emphasizing that self-dependence and sin create a separation from God, similar to the veil. True fellowship with God is restored when we turn to Him, as the veil is lifted. The core message encourages believers to fix their eyes on the unseen eternal realities in Christ rather than on temporary circumstances, trusting in God's constant help and never being forsaken.
31mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Mar 20, 2014 · 31m
The central message is that spiritual life and approaching God should be simple, focusing on genuine presence rather than complex reasoning or performance. The speaker emphasizes that God expects simplicity, comparing it to the relationship between a father and child, and points to biblical examples like the poor widow and Timothy to illustrate that simple devotion and caring for others are what matter most. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to stop overthinking and simply come to God.
1h 13mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Feb 24, 2014 · 1h 13m
The sermon emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pure heart and first love within the church, warning against complacency and spiritual routine. The speaker encourages members to remain serious in their commitment to Christ and to avoid judging or looking down upon other Christians or denominations. True spiritual growth requires self-examination and a continuous desire for purity before God.
52mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Feb 10, 2014 · 52m
The speaker reflects on Jeremiah 2:13, which states that the people forsake the fountain of living waters for cisterns that hold no water. Using the analogy of large, stagnant underground reservoirs (cisterns) versus a pure fountain, the message warns against the tendency to hoard spiritual knowledge or resources. The core message is that spiritual life requires daily, direct dependence on God's fresh provision, rather than relying on stored notes, past teachings, or accumulated knowledge.
51mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jan 29, 2014 · 51m
The speaker shares an anecdote about a humble man who waited patiently outside a closed door to listen to a message, illustrating God's care for those who seek Him even when access is difficult. He then reflects on the crucifixion narrative, emphasizing that salvation is a pure gift of grace, as demonstrated by one criminal who repented at the last moment. The core message is that salvation is unearned and requires a soft heart receptive to the Holy Spirit's work.
57mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jan 22, 2014 · 57m
The service begins with extended worship, focusing on themes of ascending to a 'higher ground' and finding refuge in God's love. The teaching segment discusses the difference between sympathy and empathy, drawing from Hebrews 4. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus doesn't just sympathize with our weaknesses; He truly empathizes with us, going beyond mere understanding to share our feelings.
46mNCCF Church
CFC Messages · Jan 6, 2014 · 46m
The speaker encourages the congregation to draw strength from scripture, particularly Isaiah 41:10, emphasizing that God's strength in upholding us is more important than our own performance. He stresses that we should not fear, remembering that God's presence is our ultimate security through trials. The message concludes by encouraging complete trust in the Lord and viewing current trials as a refining process that purifies faith for eternal glory.