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384 messages
12mZac Poonen · Aug 7
10mZac Poonen · Aug 6
13mZac Poonen · Aug 3
10mZac Poonen · Aug 1
10mZac Poonen · Jul 31
8mZac Poonen · Jul 27
10mZac Poonen · Jul 24
13mZac Poonen · Jul 21
12mZac Poonen · Jul 20
8mZac Poonen · Jul 19
12mZac Poonen · Jul 17
11mZac Poonen · Jul 15
13mZac Poonen · Jul 14
10mZac Poonen · Jul 13
11mZac Poonen · Jul 12
10mZac Poonen · Jul 11
8mZac Poonen · Jul 8
11mZac Poonen · Jul 4
8mZac Poonen · Jul 1
10mZac Poonen · Jun 28
9mZac Poonen · Jun 27
10mZac Poonen · Jun 26
13mZac Poonen · Jun 25
9mZac Poonen · Jun 20
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.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 7, 2024 · 12m
The speaker explains that the 'Kingdom of God' should be understood today as the 'government of God,' meaning believers must allow God's principles to govern every aspect of their lives, including work and thoughts. He draws parallels between the power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the need for believers to follow the teachings they hear, citing John the Baptist's ministry as an example of preparation for Christ. The central message is to live under God's governance in all areas of life.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 6, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that true Christian living requires a radical commitment to unselfishness, mirroring the life of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that love, as defined by scripture, does not seek its own benefit, contrasting this with worldly notions of love or self-interest. To live in God, one must intentionally live for others, as this selfless focus leads to genuine happiness and spiritual richness.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 3, 2024 · 13m
True eternal life is not merely a state of endless existence but is defined by the deep knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ. This knowledge leads to a desire to serve actively in the church, moving beyond mere attendance. The speaker urges listeners to cultivate a desperate thirst for a deeper relationship with Christ, which will result in an overflowing life that blesses others.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 1, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that true spiritual fulfillment comes not from titles, forgiveness, or even powerful supernatural experiences, but from a deep thirst for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Drawing parallels from Elijah and Elisha's journey through Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho, the speaker argues that one must continually press beyond mere blessings to embrace the daily commitment of taking up the cross, symbolized by crossing the Jordan.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 31, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that true spiritual preparation for serving God requires profound humility, contrasting sharply with modern reliance on formal education like Bible schools. The speaker uses Moses' life—who was highly educated but humbled by years of shepherding—to illustrate that God trains people by breaking their self-sufficiency until they become 'zeros' in their own eyes. Furthermore, the sermon warns that God's goodness is matched by His severity, meaning believers cannot become careless or arrogant after receiving an anointing, as God can withdraw that anointing.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 27, 2024 · 8m
The message emphasizes that true discipleship requires striving against sin to the point of shedding blood, mirroring Jesus' ultimate sacrifice. The speaker warns that sin, even seemingly small acts like lust or anger, breaks one's fellowship with the Father, which is the most valuable thing. To emulate Christ, one must value this fellowship so highly that any temptation causes an immediate and profound reaction of repentance.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 24, 2024 · 10m
The sermon compares the last days to the times of Noah and Lot, noting characteristics like widespread violence and unnatural behavior. The central call is for believers to be like Noah—preachers of righteousness who build the Church of Jesus Christ with unwavering passion. This requires personal sacrifice, family cooperation, and a commitment to leading others to godliness.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 21, 2024 · 13m
The central message is that the true result of serving the Lord is sanctification, meaning one's life becomes progressively more Christlike. The speaker emphasizes that God's ultimate plan for believers is not merely to reach heaven, but to be conformed to the image of Christ. This process requires believers to press on toward perfection, recognizing that the Old Covenant law has been abolished and cannot achieve this sanctification.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 20, 2024 · 12m
The central message emphasizes that believers have only one life and must use it wisely by denying their self-will to follow Jesus. The speaker argues that true reward in heaven comes not from accumulating earthly achievements or possessions, but from a life lived in selfless obedience to God's will. Following Jesus' example, one must constantly choose the Father's will over personal desires, even when it is difficult.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 19, 2024 · 8m
The central message encourages the listener to maintain a fresh appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus, realizing that the truth of Christ dying for our sins should never become casual. Furthermore, the speaker urges believers to emulate Christ by willingly taking the blame for others, even when it is not their fault, and to embrace this path through a willingness to die and be resurrected with Him.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 17, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that the true church is built by those who genuinely fear God and are willing to make profound sacrifices, like Abraham offering Isaac. True devotion requires laying down what we love most—whether it's status, money, or ambition—at the altar. Furthermore, one must obey God's commands without relying on personal reason or cleverness, and these acts of sacrifice should be done privately for God alone.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 15, 2024 · 11m
The message emphasizes achieving a state of being 'without blame' before Christ's return by diligently self-examining daily, treating scripture both as encouragement and as reproof. To increase in love, one must realize that this supernatural ability comes from God's power, not personal effort. The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant's declaration of delighting in God's will with the New Covenant's reality, where God actively works within us by the Holy Spirit to both desire and accomplish His will.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 14, 2024 · 13m
True Christian fellowship with God is achieved not through emotional experiences or outward displays, but by consistently denying one's own will and taking up the cross daily. The speaker argues that genuine spirituality comes from this self-denial, which is tested in daily life, rather than from feelings evoked during worship. He warns against mistaking emotional manipulation (the 'Soul') for the genuine work of the Holy Spirit.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 13, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that true fellowship with God requires the breaking of one's self-will, symbolized by the tearing of the veil in the Old Testament. The speaker distinguishes between the soul (mind, feelings, will) and the spirit, emphasizing that the spirit must rule the soul for a life connected to God. This breakthrough is achieved through the Holy Spirit, which leads believers into a life of true fellowship with the Father.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 12, 2024 · 11m
The speaker contrasts living by the 'Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil' (which only distinguishes right from wrong) with living by the 'Tree of Life.' True spiritual growth requires moving beyond merely doing what is lawful or right, and instead, discerning what is truly profitable by seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This means prioritizing the will of God above all other good or permissible activities, much like Jesus prioritizing His mission over worldly opportunities.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 11, 2024 · 10m
The central message revolves around the necessity of taking up the cross, which the speaker clarifies means putting one's 'soul life' to death, rather than merely understanding the concept. He argues that a failure to hate one's soul life leads to constant offense, susceptibility to praise, and spiritual stagnation, keeping believers in a 'kindergarten' phase of faith. True spiritual growth and freedom come from accepting that only God's opinion matters.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 8, 2024 · 8m
The central message is that true victory over sin and spiritual life are not achieved through self-effort or self-determination, but only through constant dependence on and abiding in Christ. The speaker warns that any perceived victory leads to pride, which is a subtle sin. Furthermore, being a true servant in the New Covenant means adopting a humble attitude, focusing on the spirit rather than rigidly adhering to the letter of the law or judging others.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 4, 2024 · 11m
The central message is that the most crucial element for the day of judgment is fervent, all-consuming love for Jesus Christ, surpassing any earthly desire or achievement. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship is proven not by works like preaching or miracles, but by the depth of one's devotion to Christ, drawing parallels to Psalm 73:25. He urges listeners to prioritize this intimate relationship with the Lord above all else.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 1, 2024 · 8m
The message emphasizes the vital Christian habit of encouraging one another daily, drawing from the title that describes God as the Giver of Perseverance and Encouragement. Encouragement is presented not just as words of thanks, but as a necessary spiritual practice for marriage, parenting, and community life. The speaker urges listeners to develop this habit, noting that even in difficult circumstances, like Joseph in prison, encouragement can open doors to God's greater purposes.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 28, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that God promises to honor those who honor Him, drawing from 1 Samuel 2:30. The speaker emphasizes that honoring God is demonstrated through faithfulness in small, daily matters, such as paying taxes honestly and being accountable in all dealings. Ultimately, true honor comes from dedicating one's entire life—body, mind, and personality—to God, especially by teaching the next generation to uphold truth even when it causes suffering.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 27, 2024 · 9m
The central message is that honoring God must permeate every aspect of family life, as failure to do so can lead children astray. The speaker draws parallels between the original sin (rebellion against authority, committed by Lucifer) and modern failures in parenting, emphasizing that parents must be strict in teaching submission to authority. He stresses that honoring parents is a commandment with a promise attached, and parents must actively teach their children to obey and never lie.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 26, 2024 · 10m
The sermon uses the examples of Eli and Samuel to warn against parents who favor their children over correcting them when they sin. The central message is that honoring God requires prioritizing Him above all relationships, including family. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship means loving Christ more than any human relationship, and neglecting to correct children can have eternal consequences.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 25, 2024 · 13m
God uses trials and afflictions—like pruning a branch—to bring forth greater fruit in our lives. The speaker illustrates this using the life of Joseph, who endured betrayal, slavery, and false imprisonment, all of which ultimately prepared him to save his family and become a blessing. This principle shows that God works all things, even human evil, together for good.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 20, 2024 · 9m
God uses experiences like constant defeat to strip away self-confidence, which is necessary for true transformation. The speaker contrasts self-reliance, exemplified by Abraham's initial attempts, with God's timing, which requires us to reach a point of impossibility. True spiritual maturity involves a 'casting away of confidence in our flesh,' meaning we must stop feeling proud of our small victories or looking down on the failures of others.