Library
215 messages
7mBobby McDonald · Jul 19
11mBobby McDonald · Jul 13
13mBobby McDonald · Jun 29
18mBobby McDonald · Jun 29
3m 3sBobby McDonald · Jun 15
29mBobby McDonald · Apr 19
3m 55sBobby McDonald · Apr 19
7mBobby McDonald · Mar 29
8mBobby McDonald · Mar 9
17mBobby McDonald · Jan 26
5mBobby McDonald · Jan 25
14mBobby McDonald · Jan 19
17mBobby McDonald · Jan 12
8mBobby McDonald · Jan 5
16mBobby McDonald · Jan 5
9mBobby McDonald · Jan 1
8mBobby McDonald · Nov 26
6mBobby McDonald · Oct 20
7mBobby McDonald · Sep 15
15mBobby McDonald · Sep 1
20mBobby McDonald · Aug 19
5mBobby McDonald · Jul 21
5mBobby McDonald · Oct 16
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.
7mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 19, 2015 · 7m
The central message is the importance of submitting to God's will in all circumstances. The speaker shares personal anecdotes, such as accepting traffic delays and yielding a parking spot, to illustrate that peace comes from accepting what God allows, even when it contradicts personal desires. He emphasizes that true submission, like Mary's response, means prioritizing God's will over personal rights or comfort.
11mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jul 13, 2015 · 11m
The speaker distinguishes between 'devotion to God' and 'love for God.' Devotion is defined as making one's life revolve around Jesus, exemplified by Mary choosing the 'good part' over Martha's many tasks. Love, conversely, is rooted in action for another's sake, citing John 15:13, and is best understood through keeping God's commandments (1 John 5:3) as a sacrifice. Ultimately, both concepts require centering life on Christ above all else.
13mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jun 29, 2015 · 13m
The central message is that the Christian life is not built by human effort but by relying on what God has already provided in Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 6, the speaker details the 'full armor of God'—truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—as essential tools for spiritual warfare. True strength comes from grasping these divine provisions rather than self-effort.
18mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jun 29, 2015 · 18m
The central message encourages Christians to strive to be 'hundred-fold' in their devotion to Jesus, drawing lessons from the Bible. The speaker emphasizes that true growth involves deep self-conviction, exemplified by David's repentance after sinning, and maintaining humility by owning one's own faults rather than blaming others. Furthermore, he advises praising God constantly by focusing on the blessings already received, rather than dwelling only on current lacks.
3m 3sNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jun 15, 2015 · 3m 3s
The central message is that living a Christian life requires the consistent, repetitive practice of internalizing God's truth, much like memorizing a verse. Just as verses fade without constant review, spiritual truths must be repeatedly spoken and lived out to become permanent parts of us. This process of continuous engagement with Scripture is what allows the Holy Spirit to bring truth to mind during times of need.
29mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Apr 19, 2015 · 29m
The sermon uses the stories of Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage to emphasize the power of genuine faith. The central message is that believers must continue to believe in God's promises even when circumstances become impossible or when evidence suggests otherwise. The speaker stresses that faith acts as a conduit, allowing God's power to flow immediately, without needing evaluation or a back-and-forth process.
3m 55sNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Apr 19, 2015 · 3m 55s
The central message is that Christians should strive to be presented to God at the end as holy, blameless, and beyond reproach. This goal is achieved both individually through personal purity and corporately by building up one another within the church. The speaker emphasizes that the best gifts we can give God are our character and the spiritual cleansing we achieve for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
7mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Mar 29, 2015 · 7m
The central message is the necessity of actively taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ to combat a mind set hostile toward God. The speaker emphasizes that true victory over temptation requires a proactive surrender—a pre-determined decision to yield one's will to God's desires, much like programming a safe system. This surrender, exemplified by watching and praying, allows believers to overcome temptations when they arise.
8mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Mar 9, 2015 · 8m
Jesus Christ is established as the head of the body, which is the church, meaning believers are meant to actively participate in God's work rather than passively receiving it. The sermon emphasizes that Christian life requires taking responsibility and laboring for Christ, both in personal growth and within the community. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that Jesus remains preeminent in every area of life, causing all other concerns to dim.
17mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 26, 2015 · 17m
The central message is that a godly love for the local church is a commitment to concern for the spiritual growth of fellow believers, aiming for Christ-likeness. True unity requires moving beyond self-concern and embracing the shared journey toward this ultimate goal. The speaker uses the Israelites' unbelief regarding the Promised Land to illustrate that we must fully trust God's plan for the church's development, even when the process is difficult or unseen.
5mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 25, 2015 · 5m
The speaker contrasts the initial joyous praise of the Israelites after the Red Sea crossing with their subsequent grumbling when faced with hunger and thirst in the wilderness. He emphasizes that true praise to God must be steadfast and consistent, even when circumstances are difficult. The key takeaways for overcoming discouragement are to joyously give thanks regardless of feelings and to persevere, knowing that discouragement will pass.
14mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 19, 2015 · 14m
The central message is that Christian life requires being 'rooted and grounded in love,' which is achieved by understanding God's profound love for us. The speaker emphasizes that struggles like anger, doubt, or fear are symptoms of not seeing God correctly. Being grounded in this truth leads to a deeper love for God, removes fears about life's aspects, and frees one from guilt.
17mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 12, 2015 · 17m
True discipleship is defined not by outward actions or visible sacrifices, but by the inward willingness to deny oneself and follow God's will. The speaker emphasizes that merely performing religious acts or serving others is insufficient if the motive is not pure. True discipleship requires a deep, internal commitment to Christ that supersedes all other desires, even when no one is watching.
8mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 5, 2015 · 8m
The central message is that Christians are called not just to know God's will, but to deeply understand it to know His heart. The speaker contrasts this understanding with merely obeying out of compulsion, drawing parallels from Psalm 32 and Psalm 73. Ultimately, true understanding leads to a joyful, surrendered life where one desires only God's will, realizing that God's plan is always best.
16mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 5, 2015 · 16m
The central goal for Christians is to reflect Jesus Christ, which is achieved both individually through personal purity and corporately within the local church. The speaker argues that the best guide to Jesus' life is not observation, but rather following what Scripture commands, as Jesus' teachings, like the Sermon on the Mount, were rooted in his lived experience. Key aspects of his life included gentleness, a deep hunger for righteousness, immense mercy, and a focus on inward purity and heavenly concerns.
9mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Jan 1, 2015 · 9m
The central message encourages believers to shift their perspective from earthly troubles to the spiritual blessings provided by Christ. Drawing from Philippians 4:8 and Ephesians 1:3, the speaker emphasizes that Christians should focus on what is true, noble, and spiritually blessed rather than dwelling on difficulties. Ultimately, the goal is to live a life characterized by constant praise and gratitude for everything God has provided.
8mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Nov 26, 2014 · 8m
Paul compares the Christian life to a race, emphasizing that the goal is not merely salvation, but the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus. He urges believers to maintain this zealous pursuit of knowing God, suggesting that true seeking involves dedicating oneself wholeheartedly to drawing closer to Jesus, rather than adhering to specific religious actions. The central message is to make knowing God the ultimate priority in life.
6mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Oct 20, 2014 · 6m
The central message is that Christians must maintain the perspective that their true citizenship and ultimate value reside in heaven, not in earthly possessions or circumstances. The speaker emphasizes that God's love is heavenly, seeing us through a lens that builds us up for our eternal home. This mindset should guide us daily, allowing us to trust God's perfect, enduring love even through difficult experiences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5mNCCF Church
Bobby McDonald · Oct 16, 2013 · 5m
The speaker discusses the concept of being filled by the Holy Spirit, noting that those who are thirsty or hungry are the ones who receive it. He shares personal struggles with self-sufficiency and the realization that life's trials, like Paul's thorn, are necessary for humility. Furthermore, he teaches that living in the presence of God is deeper than constantly thinking about Him, emphasizing that faithfulness in daily tasks, like work, is about pleasing God rather than constant mental focus.