Library
260 messages
20mJeremy Utley · Mar 21
16mJeremy Utley · Mar 12
25mJeremy Utley · Mar 5
20mJeremy Utley · Feb 26
33mJeremy Utley · Feb 20
7mJeremy Utley · Feb 13
27mJeremy Utley · Feb 12
21mJeremy Utley · Feb 11
15mJeremy Utley · Jan 30
19mJeremy Utley · Jan 15
15mJeremy Utley · Jan 9
11mJeremy Utley · Dec 26
26mJeremy Utley · Dec 21
16mJeremy Utley · Dec 4
16mJeremy Utley · Nov 28
14mJeremy Utley · Nov 21
16mJeremy Utley · Nov 13
19mJeremy Utley · Nov 10
23mJeremy Utley · Oct 30
18mJeremy Utley · Oct 17
17mJeremy Utley · Oct 12
11mJeremy Utley · Oct 2
17mJeremy Utley · Sep 27
31mJeremy Utley · Sep 18
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.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 21, 2018 · 20m
The central message is the necessity of actively rooting out bitterness to become a reflection of Jesus' gentleness and humility. The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual growth involves moving away from self-condemnation and instead focusing on receiving rest and grace from God. He warns that bitterness, like a weed, can spread and defile not only the individual but also those in their community.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 12, 2018 · 16m
The central message is that a Christian life, like the Kingdom of Heaven, should be completely permeated by God's authority, much like leaven permeates all the flour. The speaker urges listeners to examine every area of their lives—finances, speech, relationships, free time—to ensure nothing remains untouched by God's rule. This permeation is rooted in living with the hope of God fulfilling His promises, as exemplified by Abraham.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 5, 2018 · 25m
The central message is that true spiritual understanding, or revelation, must be received by the Holy Spirit, not merely held as doctrine. The speaker emphasizes that the proof of receiving revelation is a transformation in prayer life, leading one to pray boldly for God's promises, much like David did. He encourages the congregation to examine their prayers to see if they reflect a deep, revealed understanding of God's power.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 26, 2018 · 20m
The central message is that true spiritual maturity requires discerning God's will, rather than merely reacting to visible opportunities or circumstances. The speaker contrasts seeking 'open doors' with knowing God's will, emphasizing that one must wait for the Lord's leading rather than acting on every apparent opportunity. He urges listeners to pray for discernment, asking God's will rather than just for open doors, and to be willing to knock on closed doors.
33mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 20, 2018 · 33m
The central message is that Christians should exult in tribulation, which serves as proof that they truly believe God's ways are wonderful and perfect. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus's coming was an act of love, not necessity, and that our ability to praise God during difficulty demonstrates our understanding of His incomprehensible grace. This response is rooted in the assurance that God will never allow temptation beyond what we can bear, always providing an escape.
7mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 13, 2018 · 7m
The central message is that believers must actively grasp and live in the promises and doctrines they have heard, rather than letting them remain mere theology. The speaker encourages the audience not to be discouraged if they feel they haven't yet experienced a promised blessing, drawing parallels from Abraham's faith in Romans 4 and Genesis 15. Ultimately, the call is to respond to God's voice today with faith, believing that the promises are not passed by and can be credited to us as righteousness.
27mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 12, 2018 · 27m
The central message is to never despise the current, seemingly small responsibilities or 'pasture' God has placed before us. Using David's life as an example, the speaker argues that these overlooked assignments are actually God's appointed training grounds. By faithfully serving in our current roles, we acquire necessary skills—like a shepherd's heart, fighting ability, and contentment—that prepare us for greater ministry.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 11, 2018 · 21m
The central message is that Christian life requires continuous effort and a warrior's attitude to overcome spiritual giants, rather than settling for a comfortable 'happy medium.' Drawing parallels to Israel's journey, the speaker emphasizes that true abundance is found only through active struggle, using the example of Joshua to warn against complacency despite past victories. The core call is to remain willing to fight and serve actively in the Lord's army.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 30, 2018 · 15m
The speaker outlines three areas—the pigsty, the church, and the bridal chamber—that can prevent a person from experiencing God's love. He argues that true fatherhood is experienced only when one willfully separates from sin (the pigsty), that religious activity cannot replace constant righteousness (the church), and that even when seemingly close to God, one must be ready to move out of complacency (the bridal chamber).
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 15, 2018 · 19m
The central message is that manifesting the life of Christ requires a constant, willful commitment to taking up one's cross daily, which means being continually delivered over to death for Jesus' sake. The speaker draws a parallel between the Israelites conquering the Promised Land and believers overcoming sin and worldly desires. He advises that one's attitude toward the very next 'giant' in life is the best indicator of one's overall readiness to conquer all remaining struggles.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 9, 2018 · 15m
The central message is that Christian progress requires being both completely obedient and completely unsatisfied with current blessings. Drawing from Acts 13, the speaker emphasizes that spiritual advancement happens when believers are diligently ministering to the Lord and fasting. This means remaining obedient to what has been taught while maintaining a deep, eager longing for God's further leading, exemplified by the servant leading by the Spirit.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 26, 2017 · 11m
The central message is that Christians must hold fast to a specific, scripturally defined hope, which is not merely worldly success or even just evangelism. The speaker outlines several key aspects of this hope: being conformed to Christ's character, freedom from sin's mastery, being filled with the Holy Spirit, having confident access to God, and the church's ability to equip members and draw people to Christ. These promises are rooted in the faithfulness of God.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 21, 2017 · 26m
The central message is that true discipleship is not defined by correct profession or belief, but by one's willingness to remain devoted to Jesus even when his teachings or actions are difficult or offensive. The speaker uses the example of the disciples in John 6 and John the Baptist's interaction with Jesus to illustrate that knowing Jesus means following Him through challenging circumstances, rather than just making a verbal declaration of faith.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 4, 2017 · 16m
The speaker suggests that a person's spiritual appetite can be tested by examining their attraction to others, drawing parallels between this and the need to be drawn to Christ for the right reasons. He argues that being drawn to Jesus's purity and humility, rather than sensational signs or miracles, is the true measure of faith. Ultimately, the speaker encourages the audience to proactively choose to be attracted to godly people, recognizing that our affections reveal the true state of our hearts.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 28, 2017 · 16m
The speaker uses the analogy of parenting and sports training to illustrate that true growth requires focusing intensely on one or two core lessons at a time, rather than trying to learn everything at once. He applies this principle to his relationship with God, warning against the modern obsession with novelty and new stimuli. Instead, he urges listeners to deeply internalize and establish themselves in the truths and teachings they have already received, as advised in Proverbs 4:20.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 21, 2017 · 14m
The speaker warns against the danger of worry, citing three key biblical reasons: worry chokes the Word of God (Luke 8), it renders one unprepared for Christ's return (Luke 21), and it disqualifies one from serving God (Matthew 6). To combat worry, the speaker advises, using Proverbs 18:10, that when fear or anxiety arises, one must actively run to the Lord, rather than assuming automatic protection.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 13, 2017 · 16m
The speaker advises listeners never to waste a temptation, viewing it as a divine opportunity. Drawing from Hebrews 4, he emphasizes that when tempted, the first action must be to pray and draw near to the throne of grace. Furthermore, he uses James 1 to distinguish between being tempted and actually sinning, suggesting that recognizing temptation is a reminder of the persistent 'flesh' within us, which should prompt a renewed hatred for wickedness.
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 10, 2017 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian living requires having the fullness of Jesus' heart, which is characterized by profound love for sinners. He uses 1 Peter 2:21-23 to illustrate that Christ's example was not just in enduring reviling without retaliation, but in his ultimate mission to save and forgive, even those who crucified him. The central message is that our goal must be to emulate Christ's boundless compassion for the lost, rather than merely achieving personal peace or non-retaliation.
23mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 30, 2017 · 23m
The speaker warns that Satan uses subtle tactics to cool down a believer's devotion to Jesus, warning against the danger of lukewarm faith. He identifies two primary methods of attack: cutting off the believer's spiritual supply lines and spreading the battlefront. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that the source of true devotion comes from recognizing the immense forgiveness received, which inspires a corresponding deep love for Christ.
18mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 17, 2017 · 18m
The central message is that God prepares us to serve Him by leading us through a period of hidden preparation, mirroring Jesus' own life. Drawing from Psalm 40, the speaker emphasizes that true service comes not from immediate action, but from patiently waiting on the Lord, being brought out of difficult circumstances, and ultimately developing a deep delight in doing God's will. This process requires a commitment to a hidden life of devotion.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 12, 2017 · 17m
The speaker draws parallels between Nehemiah's zeal and the need for a higher perspective, arguing that true success is measured against God's ultimate plan rather than current improvements. He emphasizes that the goal for Christians is to be holy, citing 1 Peter 1:16, and stresses that this command to be holy is underpinned by the promise that God will make us holy because He is holy.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 2, 2017 · 11m
The central message is that Christians are called to reflect Jesus, which requires a standard higher than mere honesty or 'being real.' The speaker argues that simply stating what one feels, even if true, can be unhelpful or unedifying to others. Instead, speech must be seasoned with grace, building up the listener, and even our thoughts must be guarded, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 27, 2017 · 17m
The sermon warns against two dangerous attitudes in the Christian life: believing God doesn't love you, and conversely, believing you deserve favor because of your longevity or effort. Drawing from the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, the speaker emphasizes that those who are established in faith can become complacent, thinking they deserve more reward than others. The central message is to remain humble and recognize that God's grace is freely given, regardless of how long one has been following Him.
31mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 18, 2017 · 31m
The central message is that overcoming evil with good is impossible through personal effort alone; it requires God's power and love. True ability to overcome sin comes only after accepting God's unconditional love, as exemplified by the 'I do not condemn you' promise. Practically, growing in the knowledge of God's love requires two things: seeing how much He loves us and how much He has forgiven us, which is best cultivated by prioritizing a deep, childlike desire to simply be in His presence.