Library
260 messages
18mJeremy Utley · Nov 7
19mJeremy Utley · Oct 31
26mJeremy Utley · Oct 24
28mJeremy Utley · Oct 17
32mJeremy Utley · Oct 10
29mJeremy Utley · Oct 3
17mJeremy Utley · Sep 26
12mJeremy Utley · Sep 5
15mJeremy Utley · Aug 22
31mJeremy Utley · Aug 15
16mJeremy Utley · Aug 8
21mJeremy Utley · Jul 18
21mJeremy Utley · Jul 11
16mJeremy Utley · Jul 5
21mJeremy Utley · May 2
9mJeremy Utley · Apr 25
17mJeremy Utley · Apr 11
17mJeremy Utley · Apr 4
10mJeremy Utley · Apr 3
17mJeremy Utley · Mar 21
13mJeremy Utley · Mar 14
15mJeremy Utley · Mar 8
12mJeremy Utley · Mar 1
11mJeremy Utley · Feb 22
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.
18mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 7, 2016 · 18m
True maturity in the Christian life progresses beyond simply being a son or daughter, or even being a soldier for Christ, to embracing the heart of a servant. The speaker distinguishes between a 'service mindset,' which focuses on activity and checking off tasks, and a 'servant heart,' which is a continuous, voluntary position of lowliness. This servant heart is demonstrated by proactively seeking out tasks that others avoid, making it a constant determination of mind rather than just an act of service.
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 31, 2016 · 19m
The message draws from Isaiah 62, comparing the church to Zion, which is called to shine brightly so the nations will see God's righteousness. The core exhortation is to adopt the attitude of a watchman, who must pray and cry out day and night until God establishes His purpose. This requires a devoted, persistent faith, much like Daniel, and maintaining the mindset of a soldier who is focused on the spiritual battle rather than being entangled in everyday concerns.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 24, 2016 · 26m
The speaker discusses the responsibility and calling to be a 'pillar' or leader in the church, drawing lessons from the story of the Golden Calf. He argues that the failure was not solely the people's fault, but a failure of leadership, specifically pointing to Aaron. The core message is that spiritual vision is crucial; where there is no vision, the people become unrestrained, requiring every aspiring leader to take personal responsibility and maintain a holy zeal to guide the body of Christ.
28mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 17, 2016 · 28m
The central message is how to maintain a sense of neediness in one's spiritual life, which is crucial for spiritual growth. This is achieved by regularly entering God's presence, which reveals our own corruption, and by constantly comparing oneself to Jesus Christ. The speaker also highlights that receiving rest from Jesus involves a two-part transaction: bringing burdens to Him and then willingly taking His yoke to learn from Him.
32mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 10, 2016 · 32m
The speaker emphasizes that Christians must maintain a constant sense of needfulness, praying with urgency both in times of abundance and times of need. He draws parallels from Jesus's experience in Gethsemane, noting that spiritual willingness is insufficient without persistent prayer. Ultimately, feeling spiritually needy is a blessing that keeps one reliant on God, whereas assuming self-sufficiency leads to spiritual danger.
29mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 3, 2016 · 29m
The speaker shares a burden concerning the church, emphasizing that while God alone can build it, believers have a responsibility to actively participate in building the Body of Christ. He draws from scripture to argue that the church's unity and perfection are central to revealing God's mystery to the world. Ultimately, he calls for a zealous and wholehearted commitment to this calling.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 26, 2016 · 17m
Jesus defines the faith he hopes to find upon his return as one characterized by persistent, continual prayer and crying out to God day and night. The speaker illustrates this through the examples of the Syrophoenician woman and Bartimaeus, emphasizing that true faith endures opposition, remains humble despite rejection, and refuses to accept anything less than God's goodness.
12mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 5, 2016 · 12m
The central message is a warning to be extremely careful when giving advice or when feeling spiritually elevated, emphasizing the need to constantly look inward. The speaker draws from scripture to caution that even those who feel mature enough to guide others are susceptible to falling, and the best way to help others is by first diligently examining and cleansing one's own heart. This principle of self-examination applies not only to giving advice or judging others but also to one's own spiritual walk within the church.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 22, 2016 · 15m
The speaker advises that Christian life is a daily walk, not defined by milestones, and outlines three daily pursuits: seeking to hear God's voice, seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and seeking to respond to God's voice and the Holy Spirit. Hearing God's word daily, seeing God's purpose in the present day, and persistently asking for the Holy Spirit are key practices for spiritual growth.
31mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 15, 2016 · 31m
The speaker encourages those seeking God's will by emphasizing that believers can know what God desires for them, rather than wandering in spiritual darkness. He cites scripture, particularly Isaiah 30:21, assuring listeners they will hear God's direction. Furthermore, he advises trusting God completely, acknowledging Him in all ways, and being transformed by renewing one's mind according to God's will.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 8, 2016 · 16m
The central message is that while God has the power to write His law on our hearts, Christians must take personal responsibility for cultivating a heart that desires what pleases God. This involves actively guarding what fills our minds—our thoughts, entertainment, and conversations—rather than passively waiting for transformation. True spiritual health requires cooperation with God's work, much like needing to change diet alongside working out at a gym.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 18, 2016 · 21m
The sermon emphasizes that Christian life requires endurance through trials, drawing from James 1 and Hebrews 12. Discipline from the Lord should not be taken lightly; instead, believers should examine it to root out pride and seek God's purpose. True discipline is more than mere punishment for sin, encompassing difficult circumstances and conviction as God works to perfect the believer.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 11, 2016 · 21m
The central message is that growing in the fear of the Lord requires our affections to reflect God's, meaning we must hate evil, pride, and perverted speech. The speaker specifically warns against the 'two G's'—gossip and grumbling—as these are forms of perverted speech that distract from disciplined living. He urges listeners to guard their mouths by keeping their thoughts in their minds, contrasting this with the tendency to talk about others when there is nothing productive to do.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 5, 2016 · 16m
The central message is that true holiness cannot be achieved through individual sinlessness alone; it requires active fellowship within the local church. The speaker argues that focusing only on personal purity is a deception, drawing parallels to the biblical statement, 'It is not good for man to be alone,' which applies equally to the church. Together, believers are meant to be knitted together as a body, reflecting the manifold grace of God and becoming a worthy bride for Christ.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · May 2, 2016 · 21m
The sermon uses the life of Joshua conquering the Promised Land to illustrate how believers can inherit God's promises. Key lessons include making things right when neglecting a command (like circumcision after crossing the Jordan), having the faith to obey seemingly ridiculous instructions (like marching around Jericho), dealing ruthlessly with sin within the community (as seen with Akhan), and executing strategic obedience even after setbacks. The overarching theme is that victory comes through faith, patience, and obedience to God's specific commands.
9mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 25, 2016 · 9m
The central message is that merely coming to Jesus is insufficient; one must actively 'come and drink' of the water of life. The speaker emphasizes that true faith requires an expectation that Jesus will meet our needs, moving beyond a mere ritualistic visit. If we come to Christ but leave thirsty, it suggests a failure to fully trust in the provision He offers.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 11, 2016 · 17m
The central message is that God's promised rest is not automatically permanent; it must be actively maintained through diligent obedience. Drawing from Joshua 23, the speaker argues that while God can deliver believers from known enemies, they must remain vigilant in obeying God's commandments to avoid being ensnared by worldly compromises. Maintaining this rest requires constant faithfulness to God's ways.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 4, 2016 · 17m
The sermon explores the depth of loyalty God desires from His people, drawing heavily from Hosea and the Book of Joel. The speaker emphasizes that God values genuine, persistent loyalty over mere outward sacrifices or temporary resolutions to return. True loyalty, according to the speaker, means crying out to God in times of potential separation or struggle, demonstrating a desire to remain close to Him before falling, which is rooted in believing in His keeping power.
10mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 3, 2016 · 10m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of recognizing one's true spiritual condition, drawing parallels from Malachi and Revelation. He focuses heavily on the command to 'put away all bitterness,' realizing that difficult circumstances provide unique opportunities to obey God's commands. Ultimately, he teaches that the true enemy in any struggle is not another person, but one's own fleshly inclination toward ease and irritation.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 21, 2016 · 17m
The central message is that Christians must intentionally choose to be weapons of righteousness in God's hand rather than allowing sin to make them weapons of unrighteousness. This requires a deep personal confrontation with one's own sin, prioritizing God's glory over anything else, and being willing to surrender even what is precious to oneself. The speaker uses biblical examples, like Job and King Saul, to illustrate this principle of total consecration to God.
13mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 14, 2016 · 13m
The central message is derived from Matthew 5:23, urging believers to reconcile with anyone who has an issue with them *before* presenting any offering or dedicating themselves to God. The speaker emphasizes that the first step in spiritual dedication is reconciliation, not the act of worship itself. He warns against the flesh's tendency to self-defend or rationalize conviction, encouraging instead the humble submission of 'let it be according to your will.'
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 8, 2016 · 15m
The central message is that having witnessed God's miraculous work in our lives should lead to unwavering confidence and a refusal to doubt Him when facing new challenges. Drawing from David's account in Psalm 95, the speaker warns against hardening our hearts by grumbling or questioning God's presence, even after experiencing His provision. The goal is to maintain faith and trust in God's purpose, regardless of current circumstances.
12mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 1, 2016 · 12m
The central message is that Christian life should shift focus from merely crying out for personal deliverance to actively praying, "Father, glorify your name." The speaker outlines three ways to grow in concern for God's glory: first, obeying God regardless of the outcome, as exemplified by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; second, fixing one's mind on God's ultimate purpose, recognizing that challenges are for transformation into Christ's image; and third, maintaining faith and hope even when deliverance is not visible.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 22, 2016 · 11m
The speaker encourages listeners to emulate the lives of those who have fully surrendered to God, drawing inspiration from biblical figures like Paul. He emphasizes that true spiritual growth requires not only observing godly examples but also diligently putting what is learned, received, heard, and seen into daily practice. A key focus is the ministry of intercession, urging the congregation to emulate Jesus' persistent prayer for the church's righteousness.