Library
384 messages
11mZac Poonen · Dec 22
9mZac Poonen · Dec 21
12mZac Poonen · Dec 18
8mZac Poonen · Dec 17
12mZac Poonen · Dec 16
10mZac Poonen · Dec 13
9mZac Poonen · Dec 12
8mZac Poonen · Dec 11
12mZac Poonen · Dec 10
13mZac Poonen · Dec 9
13mZac Poonen · Dec 8
13mZac Poonen · Dec 6
9mZac Poonen · Dec 1
12mZac Poonen · Nov 29
12mZac Poonen · Nov 24
13mZac Poonen · Nov 23
10mZac Poonen · Nov 22
14mZac Poonen · Nov 21
9mZac Poonen · Nov 19
10mZac Poonen · Nov 18
11mZac Poonen · Nov 17
14mZac Poonen · Nov 16
9mZac Poonen · Nov 15
13mZac Poonen · 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.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 22, 2024 · 11m
The speaker argues that the true Gospel is not merely forgiveness of sins, but the 'gospel of the glory of Christ'—a reality beyond simple pardon. He contrasts the Old Covenant's focus on the written word with the New Covenant, where the Word became flesh in Jesus Christ, making life itself the light. Believers must move beyond merely confessing sins to recognizing that Jesus saves people from sin, requiring a life that mirrors the truth preached.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 21, 2024 · 9m
The message uses the story of Joseph to teach that when tempted, one should remember the conviction, "How can I do this great evil and sin against God." Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that focusing on the needs and sorrows of others, like Joseph did in prison, can be God's way of directing you to opportunities and blessings, even when you are facing personal hardship.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 18, 2024 · 12m
Jesus came to save us not just from sin, but to save us from sin progressively, leading to a life where we become more like Him. The Christian life is a race requiring perseverance, discipline, and refusing to be discouraged by setbacks. True victory means striving to enter heaven and hear Jesus say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 17, 2024 · 8m
The message emphasizes that believers must be extremely careful in their conduct to avoid causing any stumbling block to children. This responsibility extends to parents, who must treat every child with equal love and respect, mirroring how they would treat Jesus himself. Furthermore, parents must be mindful of their behavior, both with their children and with each other, as these actions are constantly observed and can cause spiritual stumbling.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 16, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that true humility, which is necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, must be learned from little children, not pretended. The speaker warns against the danger of pride masquerading as humility, noting that genuine humility is characterized by a complete lack of pretense. To achieve this, one must focus on the inner state of the mind, learning from the natural simplicity of a child rather than adopting outward appearances.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 13, 2024 · 10m
The speaker emphasizes that it is more blessed to give than to receive, applying this principle not just to money but to time, energy, and even spiritual knowledge, which should be shared. He also expounds on Romans 8:28-29, teaching that if one truly loves God and desires to fulfill His purpose, every negative event or hardship will ultimately work out for their good and make them more like Christ.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 12, 2024 · 9m
The sermon outlines several 'laws' for Christian living, emphasizing that one's life is governed by faith, seeking God's kingdom first, and sowing rightly. Key points include that what you receive is proportional to your faith, that seeking God's kingdom (living by God's rules) ensures earthly needs are met, and that sowing to the Spirit yields eternal life while sowing to the flesh brings corruption. The overarching message is to live according to God's established laws for personal benefit.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 11, 2024 · 8m
The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate reward in heaven, according to Revelation 22:12, is not material wealth but closeness to Jesus Christ. He cautions against serving God or others merely to receive a reward, stressing that true service must stem from love and gratitude. The goal of Christian life should be to emulate Christ's selfless love, rather than accumulating earthly or heavenly accolades.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 10, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that true spiritual progress involves a daily, conscious effort to become more Christlike in every area of life. The speaker emphasizes that this growth must be evident in relationships (like loving one's spouse as Christ loved the church) and in handling worldly concerns, such as money and enemies. Ultimately, the motive behind obedience, whether tithing or following commandments, is more important than the act itself, stemming from a love for Christ.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 9, 2024 · 13m
The central message is that the Christian life must be characterized by a personal, daily devotion to Christ, which is the true 'Tree of Life.' This devotion ensures that one's life path, like the sunrise, continuously brightens toward Christ's return, preventing backsliding. The speaker emphasizes that God's ultimate goal is not merely salvation or earthly blessings, but transforming believers to be like Christ, which requires presenting one's entire body, mind, and passions to God, rather than just giving money.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 8, 2024 · 13m
God's ultimate goal for humanity is not wealth, health, or any earthly achievement, but rather Christ-likeness. The speaker emphasizes that believers are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, citing Romans 8:29 as the key scripture. He cautions against following teachings that set worldly goals as spiritual aims, urging listeners to focus on this divine destination.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 6, 2024 · 13m
The central message is the necessity of replacing the natural tendency toward criticism and accusation with genuine appreciation in all areas of life. The speaker emphasizes that to maintain a 'new covenant life,' one must emulate Jesus's profound appreciation, even for those who are unconverted or who have wronged us. This practice should be applied to spouses, parents, children, and those who serve us, starting with small, consistent acts of gratitude.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 1, 2024 · 9m
The central message is that while salvation is secured by faith in Christ, the quality of one's life's work—not its quantity—will be tested by the fire of Christ's return. Just as wood, hay, and straw burn to ashes, works done apart from Christ will prove worthless, whereas works built on Christ will endure. Believers must live daily to please the Father, focusing on genuine devotion rather than worldly approval or impressive achievements.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 29, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that a Christian's ultimate ambition must be to please God alone, both in this life and in eternity. The speaker contrasts those who merely desire to go to heaven with those who are willing to follow Christ daily by denying themselves and taking up the cross. He warns that the opportunity to sacrifice and deny oneself is only available on Earth, making this a critical, non-negotiable commitment for believers.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 24, 2024 · 12m
True spirituality comes not from intellectual understanding (the mind) or emotional fervor (emotions), but from crucifying one's own will. The speaker cautions against being deceived by 'bright ideas' derived from scripture or by overwhelming emotions, emphasizing that genuine spiritual life requires yielding one's will to God. The ultimate measure of spiritual maturity is the willingness to self-deny, mirroring Christ's crucifixion.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 23, 2024 · 13m
The message advises believers to live simply and intentionally, resisting the world's constant pressure to accumulate material things. Instead, Christians should adopt a different set of values—focusing on being a blessing to others, helping the weak, and prioritizing eternal matters over temporary comforts. Ultimately, the goal is to live in a way that reflects God's purpose, rather than conforming to worldly standards.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 22, 2024 · 10m
Jesus died not only to save us from our sins but also to rescue us from the 'spirit of the world'—a mindset governed by worldly values. The speaker warns that loving the world, which manifests as excessive consumption of media or materialism, will squeeze out the love for God. True discipleship requires drawing a clear line between oneself and the world's desires, choosing instead to live according to God's will.
14mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 21, 2024 · 14m
God tests believers in small areas of life to prepare them for greater trials, requiring them to prioritize God over worldly acceptance or loss. Noah serves as an example of faith, drawing a clear line between the world and God's truth by building the ark, an act that condemned the world. This requires believers, especially parents, to live visibly according to God's values, demonstrating that God is primary in all aspects of life.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 19, 2024 · 9m
The speaker emphasizes the need for spiritual maturity, urging believers to move beyond merely giving unsolicited advice and instead become encouraging mentors. Drawing from Titus 2, he details specific roles for older and younger members, stressing that true Christian maturity involves practical skills, such as homemaking for younger women, alongside spiritual soundness in faith and love for all ages. The core message is that knowledge of scripture must translate into practical, godly works that honor God.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 18, 2024 · 10m
The message emphasizes the importance of developing the 'tongue of a disciple,' drawing lessons from Isaiah 50:4-10, which describes how Jesus lived. Key aspects include maintaining a disciplined tongue, being obedient to God's word even through suffering, and relying on God as one's advocate. The speaker urges listeners to meditate on these verses to achieve maturity, become a blessing to others, and overcome the evil one by allowing the word of God to abide in them.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 17, 2024 · 11m
The message outlines three stages of spiritual growth, drawing from 1 John 2:12-14: little children, young men, and fathers. Little children rejoice in forgiveness and knowing God as a Father, while young men are characterized by zeal and the ability to overcome evil through the Word of God abiding in them. The speaker strongly emphasizes that true maturity requires diligent, disciplined study of scripture, citing Jesus's early learning as an example, and urges listeners to prioritize deep scriptural knowledge over other ministries.
14mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 16, 2024 · 14m
The speaker urges the audience to move beyond basic teachings, comparing spiritual understanding to a baby who only drinks milk. True spiritual maturity requires consistently consuming the 'word of righteousness'—the 'solid food'—which involves confronting difficult truths like denying oneself and forsaking the world. This consistent diet trains one's senses to discern good from evil, a mark of maturity that prevents spiritual harm.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 15, 2024 · 9m
The central message warns against becoming dull of hearing, which the speaker equates to only wanting to hear comfortable, encouraging messages. True spiritual growth, and learning obedience, comes from areas of suffering and self-denial, not just easy obedience. The speaker urges listeners to cultivate a daily discipline of reading scripture personally, comparing it to the Israelites needing to gather manna every morning for survival.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Nov 14, 2024 · 13m
The message emphasizes that true spiritual maturity and understanding come from learning obedience through suffering, drawing parallels from Jesus' life. The speaker warns that merely performing easy acts of piety, like attending church, does not equate to deep spiritual growth; genuine learning occurs in areas requiring self-denial and suffering. Therefore, to truly grow, one must embrace the difficult obedience that involves sacrifice.