Library
260 messages
25mJeremy Utley · Sep 12
22mJeremy Utley · Sep 12
16mJeremy Utley · Aug 29
14mJeremy Utley · Jul 20
25mJeremy Utley · Jul 11
19mJeremy Utley · Jun 28
18mJeremy Utley · Jun 7
20mJeremy Utley · Apr 26
17mJeremy Utley · Apr 19
12mJeremy Utley · Mar 28
19mJeremy Utley · Mar 13
14mJeremy Utley · Mar 7
17mJeremy Utley · Feb 27
14mJeremy Utley · Feb 16
16mJeremy Utley · Feb 9
29mJeremy Utley · Feb 1
11mJeremy Utley · Jan 19
28mJeremy Utley · Dec 26
9mJeremy Utley · Dec 20
14mJeremy Utley · Dec 13
11mJeremy Utley · Dec 5
11mJeremy Utley · Nov 28
8mJeremy Utley · Nov 21
15mJeremy Utley · Nov 14
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.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 12, 2017 · 25m
The speaker uses the story of Gideon to illustrate that the greatest sin is not the initial failure, but the subsequent refusal to repent and bounce back to God. He emphasizes that believers must actively maintain their faith, resisting discouragement and the enemy's lies that suggest God's promise is not for them. The core message is to actively return to God with zeal, focusing on His goodness and power rather than dwelling on past failures.
22mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 12, 2017 · 22m
The speaker emphasizes that the goal of Christians is to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning within the local church. He draws from Psalm 126, teaching that reaping a joyful harvest requires sowing God's Word into one's heart with tears and desperation, not indifference. He also shares personal lessons learned, warning against spiritual pride and stressing the need to give all glory to God for every victory.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 29, 2017 · 16m
The central message encourages believers to maintain hope in God's promises, viewing current struggles or 'giants' not as insurmountable obstacles, but as evidence that Christ's victory is certain. The speaker emphasizes that true victory comes not from personal strength, but from looking to Jesus, who is continually interceding for us against our own flesh. Ultimately, confidence in God's love is found even in the midst of spiritual battle.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 20, 2017 · 14m
The central message is the necessity of actively clinging to God's promises rather than merely acknowledging them. The speaker uses the contrast between Orpah and Ruth to illustrate this, noting that while Orpah returned to her own people, Ruth remained devoted to Naomi and her God. He warns that the enemy's tactic is not outright doubt, but a subtle tendency to move away from God's promises, which is functionally the same as doubting them.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 11, 2017 · 25m
The central message is that Christian obedience, while sometimes burdensome, should be fueled by the desire to see God's smile and pleasure. The speaker emphasizes that keeping oneself in God's love is key, and this connection—seeing God pleased with one's obedience—will make following commandments feel refreshing rather than a heavy cross. He encourages the congregation to proactively seek this light of favor.
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jun 28, 2017 · 19m
The central message is the necessity of bouncing back to Jesus with zealous repentance after falling into sin. The speaker emphasizes that repentance should be immediate, like a ball bouncing back instantly, avoiding self-pity or discouragement. True repentance involves a godly sorrow that leads to immediate obedience and a passionate devotion to God, rather than becoming lukewarm or sluggish.
18mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jun 7, 2017 · 18m
The speaker encourages the congregation to overcome discouragement by actively sharing what the Lord teaches them, drawing a parallel to the principle that 'he who waters others will be watering himself.' He emphasizes that holding back spiritual gifts or encouragement causes them to dry up, urging listeners to take a step of faith. Furthermore, he teaches that feeling 'in a funk' is a temptation, and the prescribed response is to resist it and choose to rejoice in the Lord always.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 26, 2017 · 20m
The speaker discusses two primary ways Satan deceives wholehearted disciples, drawing parallels from Joshua's victories and the Gibeonites' deception. The first deception is the temptation to do as much good as possible, which can lead Christians to focus on their own extensive to-do lists rather than solely on what God has specifically prepared for them. True discipleship requires a posture of listening to Jesus's teaching rather than being overwhelmed by the world's perceived needs.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 19, 2017 · 17m
The speaker argues that the pursuit of holiness is not merely about eliminating sin or strife, but must culminate in the fullness of love, which is described as the perfect bond of unity. True spiritual growth requires believers to actively increase and abound in love for one another, moving beyond just an 'elimination plan' to embody Christ's love. He concludes by contrasting judgment with mercy, emphasizing that compassion is the true mark of a godly life.
12mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 28, 2017 · 12m
The central message is that God places us in specific times and places to make us 'grope for him' and find Him. This process of longing and seeking God is necessary for spiritual growth, much like physical growth requires discomfort. The speaker emphasizes that recognizing our own shortcomings is not a cause for discouragement, but rather a sign of God's loving discipline, which prompts us to yearn for Christ's likeness.
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 13, 2017 · 19m
The sermon warns against the danger of becoming overly familiar with the things of God, citing examples from Leviticus, 1 Samuel, and Samuel 8 where religious leaders failed due to familiarity. The speaker cautions that routine and ritualistic observance, if not accompanied by genuine devotion, can lead to contempt and dull the spiritual fire. True devotion requires guarding against mere familiarity to maintain reverence for God's presence.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 7, 2017 · 14m
The central message is that Christians are called to become an exact reflection of Jesus Christ, a process involving personal purity and corporate church life. This transformation requires more than just abstract hope; it demands actively praying and desiring to be like Christ. Practically, this means proactively guarding one's focus by choosing to dwell upon things that reflect righteousness and integrity, rather than being absorbed by worthless things.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 27, 2017 · 17m
The speaker discusses spiritual pride, identifying jealousy as an early indicator of this deeper sin. He explains that jealousy, especially regarding another's ministry or gifts, stems from the underlying assumption of personal worthiness and deservingness. True Christian unity, exemplified by the body of Christ, requires abandoning this spirit of competition and instead appreciating the unique role God has given to every member.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 16, 2017 · 14m
The speaker uses the Israelites' complaint in Numbers 11, where they longed for Egyptian meat instead of manna, as a warning against desiring things God has not promised. He emphasizes that while having desires is fine, any desire not rooted in God's Word must be concluded with the prayer, 'Thy will be done.' The core message is to stop insisting on what we want and instead focus on trusting God's will, viewing difficult circumstances as opportunities to practice faith and praise.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 9, 2017 · 16m
The speaker interprets Matthew 3:11's promise that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and Fire, focusing on the fire as a purifying element. He explains that this purifying fire comes through trials and difficulties, which God uses to remove impurities and make believers more like Christ. Therefore, believers should not be surprised by hardship, viewing it instead as a fulfillment of God's promise to refine them.
29mNCCF Church
transcribingJeremy Utley · Feb 1, 2017 · 29m
The central goal for Christians is to become an exact reflection of Jesus Christ. This transformation happens both individually through personal purity and corporately by functioning fully within the local church.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 19, 2017 · 11m
The central message is the urgent need for immediate obedience to God's commands, emphasizing that delay is dangerous. Drawing from the Israelites' grumbling in the wilderness, the speaker warns against postponing obedience, noting that conviction from the Holy Spirit requires an immediate response. True obedience involves actively filling the void left by sin or wrong attitudes with positive action, rather than just eliminating the negative behavior.
28mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 26, 2016 · 28m
The speaker emphasizes that Christian preparation involves both God's work in us and our personal effort. Drawing parallels from David being prepared as a shepherd, he argues that even seemingly menial tasks are perfect preparation for God's calling. Furthermore, he advises that preparation requires praying not just for present needs, but also for the future, using the disciples' inability to cast out a demon as an example of being ill-equipped.
9mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 20, 2016 · 9m
The speaker argues that the true understanding of God's grace is proven by the continuous, increasing fruitfulness of one's life, mirroring the gospel's constant bearing of fruit. This fruitfulness is not static; it requires a deliberate process of self-denial, echoing Jesus' teaching that one must
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 13, 2016 · 14m
To maintain pure devotion to Christ, one must actively guard against doubts regarding God's good intentions, which the devil exploits by making us question God's love. This requires renewing the mind by immersing oneself in Scripture, using God's Word as a 'bit' to rein in emotional doubts and affirm God's consistent, loving will. Furthermore, spiritual readiness requires actively applying teachings from church meetings to avoid spiritual 'NSF' charges when trials come.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 5, 2016 · 11m
The speaker encourages the audience to live as visible lights in a dark world by refusing to grumble or dispute, recognizing that God is watching our conduct. He emphasizes that true Christian effort requires more than just personal diligence; it necessitates asking God to work in our will and desire, as promised in the New Covenant. Ultimately, the message calls for actively praying for God to stir our hearts and give us the desire to do His will.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 28, 2016 · 11m
The central message is that Christians are called to reflect the life of Jesus Christ in all circumstances, which requires an abundance of grace. The speaker emphasizes that true devotion to God is not found in ideal or planned circumstances, but rather in depending on Him even when life is inconvenient or difficult. Therefore, believers must intentionally invite the God of all grace into every circumstance, regardless of how imperfect it seems.
8mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 21, 2016 · 8m
The central message is that Christians are not exempt from trials, distress, or persecution. Instead, the promise is that through these difficulties, believers can overwhelmingly conquer by the power of the Holy Spirit. Difficulties are not obstacles to the life of Christ in us, but rather the very path through which His life is manifested, leading to spiritual abundance and a powerful testimony.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 14, 2016 · 15m
The central message is that Christians are obligated not to the desires of the flesh, but to the Spirit. This freedom from the flesh's demands allows believers to fulfill their obligation to the Spirit, which involves making war spiritually. The speaker identifies prayer and fasting as two indispensable spiritual weapons for this spiritual warfare.