Library
390 messages
2h 27mZac Poonen · Nov 7
13mZac Poonen · Oct 30
21mZac Poonen · Oct 30
21mZac Poonen · Oct 23
23mZac Poonen · Sep 11
10mZac Poonen · Sep 4
10mZac Poonen · Sep 4
12mZac Poonen · Aug 28
17mZac Poonen · Aug 28
18mZac Poonen · Aug 28
19mZac Poonen · Aug 14
15mZac Poonen · Aug 7
42mZac Poonen · Jul 31
13mZac Poonen · Jul 24
42mZac Poonen · Jun 26
17mZac Poonen · Jun 19
31mZac Poonen · Jun 5
48mZac Poonen · May 29
13mZac Poonen · May 22
15mZac Poonen · May 8
12mZac Poonen · Mar 27
39mZac Poonen · Mar 20
9mZac Poonen · Mar 13
15mZac Poonen · Mar 6
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.
2h 27mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Nov 7, 2023 · 2h 27m
The speaker celebrates Zac Poonen's 84th birthday, highlighting his 60 years of faithful ministry. He praises Zac for serving God freely and at his own expense, often doing so uncompromisingly despite personal costs. The message encourages the congregation to appreciate the gifts and ministry they have received, using Zac's life as an example of God's faithfulness.
13mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 30, 2023 · 13m
True worship, according to the New Covenant, must be offered in spirit and in truth, moving beyond mere external displays like music or hand-raising. Worship in truth means it must be genuine and heartfelt, reflecting a real connection with God rather than just performing songs. Worship in the spirit, as detailed in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, means acknowledging the three parts of humanity—spirit, soul, and body—and allowing the Spirit to govern the soul and body.
21mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 30, 2023 · 21m
The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, emphasizing that under the New Covenant, believers are not ruled by sin but by grace, as stated in Romans 6:14. A key difference highlighted is the nature of spiritual warfare: the New Testament teaches that our struggle is against evil rulers and powers, not against 'flesh and blood' (human enemies). To overcome Satan's schemes, one must avoid arguing with people over earthly or doctrinal matters.
21mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Oct 23, 2023 · 21m
The speaker argues that the Old Covenant has been abolished, and Christians must live entirely under the New Covenant, which requires internal transformation rather than mere external adherence to rules. True holiness, which is the nature of God, can only be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit, making deep, internal commitment to God's standard essential for entering the Kingdom. This internal reality is contrasted with superficial living, illustrated by the parable of building on sand versus rock.
23mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 11, 2023 · 23m
The central message is that true discipleship requires fulfilling three difficult conditions set by Jesus: loving Him above all relationships, daily self-denial by taking up the cross, and giving up the love of possessions. The speaker emphasizes that the conflict is ultimately between devotion to Christ and devotion to money, warning that one cannot serve two masters. Faithfulness in handling small things, like money, demonstrates one's true allegiance.
10mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 4, 2023 · 10m
The central message is that true discipleship requires constantly taking up the cross by dying to one's own will, which is more critical than merely reading the Bible daily. This daily self-denial allows the life of Jesus to become manifest in our character, leading to a life where God uses us to bring living water and blessing to others. This process of being delivered to death is how the life of Christ is made evident through us.
10mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 4, 2023 · 10m
The speaker argues that true entry into the New Covenant requires discipleship, which is more than just knowing how to escape hell. He emphasizes that discipleship involves prioritizing Christ above all earthly relationships—father, mother, wife, and children. This submission means that if Christ commands something, it must take precedence over the wishes of family members.
12mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 28, 2023 · 12m
The sermon explains that the New Covenant promises believers both the desire and the ability to do God's will, which is accomplished through the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Hebrews 8 and Philippians 2:13, the speaker emphasizes that God works within us to produce a passionate desire and the strength to obey. Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to live with eternity in view, trusting that God can restore even years perceived as lost, as demonstrated by the Apostle Paul.
17mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 28, 2023 · 17m
The New Covenant reveals that God is revealed to us as a personal Father, accessible through the Holy Spirit. Unlike the old covenant, where one might feel they needed to be mature or knowledgeable to approach God, the New Covenant allows even the newest believer to approach God intimately, like a child speaking to a father. This intimate relationship provides the security to live without anxiety, as we trust that our Heavenly Father cares for every need.
18mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 28, 2023 · 18m
The sermon explains the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. A core tenet of the New Covenant is that believers are under grace, meaning sin cannot rule over them, and God promises not to remember their past sins. The speaker emphasizes that true forgiveness requires confession to the Lord, and that God's mercy covers all past failures, which believers must then extend to others.
19mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 14, 2023 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that the greatest miracle God offers is deliverance from sin, contrasting this with the common focus on healing from all sicknesses. He argues that the New Covenant promises salvation *from* sin, not just forgiveness after the fall. The sermon uses examples from Genesis and Matthew to illustrate that sin, such as anger and lust, is a direct path to spiritual death, a warning the devil contradicts by suggesting these actions are harmless.
15mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Aug 7, 2023 · 15m
The central message is that true discipleship requires embracing the difficult truth, as God disciplines those He loves. The speaker contrasts the desire for comfortable, affirming messages with the challenging, corrective word found in Scripture, citing examples from the Old Testament (Micaiah) and Revelation. He emphasizes that genuine spiritual growth comes from accepting rebuke, rather than merely receiving comfort.
42mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 31, 2023 · 42m
The speaker outlines two levels of Christian living: one focused on avoiding unlawful actions to maintain a clear conscience, and a higher level centered on choosing what is most profitable for glorifying God's Kingdom. He emphasizes that true devotion goes beyond mere legality, requiring a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort or desires to align with God's will, citing fasting and prayer as examples of this higher commitment.
13mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 24, 2023 · 13m
Christ offers two types of rest: the first is a gift for the weary, relating to the cleansing of sin through confession and the assurance that God will not remember past sins. The second rest is something believers must actively find by taking up Christ's yoke and learning from Him, which involves walking in the Spirit's guidance in all areas of life, including career and relationships.
42mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 26, 2023 · 42m
The true mark of a New Testament church is not adherence to specific doctrines or charismatic gifts, but rather that people leave feeling they have genuinely encountered God's presence. The speaker emphasizes that the primary purpose of gathering is to meet with the Lord, which can be cultivated through conscious devotion, such as when singing hymns directed to Jesus. Furthermore, he teaches that God often brings us into His presence through trials and suffering, which are signs of spiritual promotion.
17mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 19, 2023 · 17m
The central message is that true Christian life requires knowing God personally as a Father, which is achieved by being filled with the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that this relationship eliminates anxiety and worry, as a Heavenly Father provides for all needs—physical, financial, and emotional. He urges listeners to move beyond merely having the Holy Spirit to being filled with it, allowing them to live in a state of rest and trust.
31mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 5, 2023 · 31m
The central message is that to live an exciting and godly Christian life, one must take every word of God seriously, understanding that man lives not on food alone, but on every word proceeding from God's mouth. The speaker emphasizes that a deep commitment to Scripture, including reading it cover-to-cover, demonstrates true love for God, contrasting this with merely seeking benefits from faith. Ultimately, respecting God's Word changes one's attitude toward sin and equips believers for every good work.
48mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2023 · 48m
The central message is that true Christian life requires moving beyond external piety to achieve victory over sin in the inner life, which is the hallmark of the New Covenant. The speaker emphasizes that salvation is from sin, not just from hell, and that the greatest achievement is overcoming sin internally, surpassing even the exemplary life of John the Baptist. This is achieved by laying aside every sin and fixing one's eyes on Jesus as the ultimate example.
13mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 22, 2023 · 13m
Repentance is defined as a U-turn from sin, and the New Testament standard for sin is higher than the Old Testament's focus on the Ten Commandments, encompassing thoughts like lust and anger. True Christian life requires constant repentance, meaning believers must continually strive to walk exactly as Jesus walked daily, viewing this process as an endless learning journey. Furthermore, believers must take accountability for every word spoken, as all idle or hurtful words will be accounted for at judgment.
15mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 8, 2023 · 15m
The central message is that true spiritual growth requires developing sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking from within, which is superior to hearing God's word from an external source. This sensitivity is achieved by being filled with the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to fulfill God's specific plan for their lives. The speaker warns that focusing on past accomplishments or worldly priorities can dull one's spiritual hearing.
12mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 27, 2023 · 12m
The central message is that Christians should emulate God's character by becoming sources of encouragement, rather than condemnation. The speaker argues that our perception of God—whether as an exacting judge or an encouraging Father—shapes our lives and how we treat others. True discipleship involves daily encouragement in our homes and relationships, which is a reflection of worshipping an encouraging God.
39mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 20, 2023 · 39m
Jesus taught that a person cannot serve two masters, specifically God and wealth, requiring a complete devotion to God. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life means prioritizing God above all earthly attachments, using the example of Zacchaeus to illustrate that salvation, in this context, means being saved from the love of money. This salvation is a change in attitude and devotion to God, not merely a change in financial status.
9mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 13, 2023 · 9m
The central message is the necessity of diligently seeking a heart of wisdom by recognizing the preciousness of each day. This wisdom is characterized by having no bitterness, loving everyone, and having forgiven and sought forgiveness for all wrongs. The speaker warns against false teachings that diminish the need for perseverance in love, emphasizing that enduring in love until the end is what leads to salvation.
15mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 6, 2023 · 15m
The central message is that the Christian's true birthright is the Kingdom of God, which is not a future reward but a present reality comprising righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The sermon warns against trading this eternal inheritance for temporary, earthly satisfactions, comparing this trade to Esau selling his birthright for a meal. Believers must actively guard their peace and righteousness against worldly compromises.