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130 messages
12mZac Poonen · Oct 16
11mZac Poonen · Sep 19
13mZac Poonen · Sep 17
11mZac Poonen · Sep 16
13mZac Poonen · Sep 15
12mZac Poonen · Sep 6
10mZac Poonen · Aug 27
11mZac Poonen · Aug 15
12mZac Poonen · Aug 8
10mZac Poonen · Jul 29
11mZac Poonen · Jul 22
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10mZac Poonen · Jul 5
10mZac Poonen · Jun 22
12mZac Poonen · Jun 10
12mZac Poonen · Jun 4
8mZac Poonen · May 27
9mZac Poonen · May 17
13mZac Poonen · May 12
9mZac Poonen · May 1
9mZac Poonen · Apr 15
10mZac Poonen · Mar 27
12mZac Poonen · Mar 14
11mZac Poonen · Mar 13
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 · Oct 16, 2024 · 12m
True spiritual growth comes not from merely following rules or easing one's conscience, but from diligently meditating on Scripture day and night. The speaker emphasizes that one must actively seek to hear God speak through the Word, as Jesus taught that man lives by every word proceeding from God's mouth. Developing this habit of meditation, even with printed Bibles, is crucial for finding God's guidance in difficult life situations.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 19, 2024 · 11m
The message emphasizes that human life is sustained not by material wealth or comfort, but by living by every word of God. Drawing from Deuteronomy 8, the speaker notes that God uses periods of hardship, like the wilderness, to humble us and test our commitment to His commandments. A warning is issued that when prosperity and comfort arrive, believers must guard against becoming proud, forgetting the Lord who brought them out of sin, and continuing to prioritize obedience to God's word.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 17, 2024 · 13m
The speaker emphasizes that a foundational understanding of the 'fear of God' is necessary to truly grasp the grace of God. He contrasts the early apostles, who were grounded in this fear, with modern Christians who, lacking this foundation, often misunderstand grace and live in greater sin. Ultimately, the speaker stresses that the only opinion that matters is God's, urging listeners to desire the affirmation, 'Now I know that you fear God,' from Him.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 16, 2024 · 11m
The central message emphasizes that true understanding of God's truths, especially the New Covenant, comes through 'Revelation' from the Father, not just intellectual study. The speaker warns against spiritual complacency, noting that merely hearing teachings without deep understanding leads to shallow ministry. He stresses that a foundational 'fear of God' is necessary to properly grasp and live out the grace of God.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 15, 2024 · 13m
The sermon contrasts viewing Christian commands as burdensome weights, like those under the Old Covenant, versus understanding them as possibilities offered in the New Covenant. The speaker emphasizes that following Christ means living in a way that is possible, not forced. He concludes by explaining that understanding God's mysteries, as illustrated by the parables, is not based on intellect but on obedience; what is heard and obeyed becomes one's own possession, leading to further revelation.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that pleasing God requires diligent study of Scripture, exemplified by Jesus at age twelve in the temple. The speaker emphasizes that true study involves meditating on the Word to see God, rather than just accumulating knowledge for teaching. Making time for Scripture requires sacrifice, but the reward is knowing God and seeing Jesus through the text.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 27, 2024 · 10m
The message emphasizes that true spiritual life requires moving beyond mere religious activity to a deep connection with God, symbolized by the rent veil at Christ's death. The speaker stresses that one must study scripture diligently to grasp its full meaning. A major theme is resisting the temptation to use spiritual gifts or ministry for personal gain, honor, or money, as Jesus exemplified by refusing to use divine power for self-benefit. Ultimately, the speaker advises that true truth is found not just in what is written, but in understanding the balance between scriptures.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 15, 2024 · 11m
The central message is that the scriptures do not contain eternal life; rather, they testify about Jesus Christ, who is the true source of life. True spiritual understanding requires the operation of the Holy Spirit, which reveals Jesus in all of scripture, moving believers from mere knowledge to a personal encounter with Christ. The speaker urges listeners to study the Bible not as a set of laws, but with the goal of seeing Jesus in every passage, mirroring the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 8, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that Christian living must be governed by the principles of God's Kingdom in every aspect of life, not just in spiritual matters. The speaker contrasts the Old Testament focus on earthly blessings with the New Testament focus on spiritual blessings in Christ. He urges listeners to apply divine principles—such as honesty and integrity—to their daily work and relationships, even when facing worldly pressures or injustices.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 29, 2024 · 10m
The message emphasizes that justification and redemption are achieved solely through the blood of Jesus Christ. The speaker explains that this blood not only forgives sins but also legally declares the believer righteous, making it as if they never sinned. He further details that 'redeemed' means purchased, and Jesus paid the price to satisfy the law of God, freeing believers from condemnation and the devil's accusations.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 22, 2024 · 11m
The sermon compares the Old and New Covenants, arguing that the Old Covenant offered blessings like forgiveness, healing, and material prosperity, but the New Covenant promises something deeper. The key shift is from merely having the Spirit 'upon' people to having the Spirit dwell *within* the believer's spirit, enabling true worship in the Spirit, which is a profound change from the physical and emotional worship of the past.
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.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 5, 2024 · 10m
The speaker uses the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:39-42) to contrast the busyness of serving with the importance of simply listening to God's word. He advises listeners that if they have complaints about others, they should take them directly to the Lord rather than complaining to people. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that choosing to sit at the Lord's feet to hear His word represents understanding what is truly most important for a changed life.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 22, 2024 · 10m
The sermon warns against the 'leaven of unbelief,' drawing parallels to the Sadducees who doubted the resurrection. The central message is that unbelief manifests when believers limit God's power to only what is doctrinally sound, failing to trust Him with current anxieties or problems. True faith means recognizing God's almighty power, even when facing seemingly insurmountable issues, and maintaining trust in His perfect love even after personal failures.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 10, 2024 · 12m
Jesus' initial ministry began by fulfilling all righteousness, as exemplified by His baptism in the Jordan River. The speaker argues that while salvation comes through faith and repentance, believers must take the seemingly small aspects of Christian practice—like baptism, breaking bread, or head covering—seriously because they are part of God's plan to fulfill righteousness. Arrogance leads us to dismiss these practices as mere symbols, but Jesus viewed them as essential to His divine purpose.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 4, 2024 · 12m
The central message emphasizes the vital discipline of meditating on God's Word daily, going beyond mere reading. The speaker stresses that true spiritual sustenance comes from allowing the Word to guide one's life, citing Jesus' reliance on scripture during temptation. Developing this habit, even with printed Bibles, is presented as foundational for spiritual growth and finding God's guidance in difficult times.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · May 27, 2024 · 8m
The sermon examines the promises given to 'Overcomers' detailed in Revelation chapters 2, 3, and 21. The central message is that overcoming sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil is crucial for receiving eternal blessings, such as eating from the Tree of Life, avoiding the second death, and inheriting eternal life with Christ. The speaker strongly urges the audience to base their understanding of eternal destiny solely on Scripture rather than on the teachings of other preachers.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · May 17, 2024 · 9m
The central message warns that those who do not love the truth found in God's Word will be deceived, even by God Himself, to believe falsehoods. This deception occurs when one lacks a passionate desire to be saved from sin, leading people to twist scripture to suit their convenience rather than accepting it plainly. The speaker urges listeners to prioritize the truth of scripture above pleasing people, even if it means going against popular opinion.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · May 12, 2024 · 13m
The sermon warns against false beliefs regarding salvation, emphasizing that God does not accept 'magic formulas' or mere statements of belief. Using the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the speaker stresses that this account is a true narrative, not a parable, serving as a grave warning. Ultimately, the message asserts that the only way to know the truth about heaven and hell is through the Scriptures, as stated by Abraham: 'they have Moses and the prophets.'
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · May 1, 2024 · 9m
The sermon uses Genesis 1 as an allegory for human spiritual life, noting that humanity starts in a state of being 'formless, empty, and dark' after the fall. True restoration, which mirrors becoming like Christ, requires being 'sick and tired' of one's current state and being filled by both the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. The speaker warns that good works or adherence to scripture without the Spirit leads only to a 'good life,' not the life of Christ, which requires selfless motives.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Apr 15, 2024 · 9m
The central message is the necessity of loving the truth in both self-examination and scripture to avoid deception. The speaker warns that God may allow deception for those who do not love the truth and do not desire to be saved from sin. To remain vigilant, one must honestly acknowledge wrong attitudes to God and must consistently adhere to what the Word of God teaches, even if it contradicts past beliefs.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Mar 27, 2024 · 10m
The speaker emphasizes that God desires an offering that is pure, not merely ritualistic or cheap. He uses biblical examples, such as the blood on the door and the Red Sea crossing, to illustrate that true spiritual life requires a complete break from old ways, symbolized by obedience. The core message is that genuine spiritual growth comes from obedience to scripture, not from maintaining traditions or pleasing people, especially when it means confronting established norms.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Mar 14, 2024 · 12m
Effective prayer is characterized by genuine, two-way communication with God, rather than performing for an audience. The speaker advises praying in secret, as God sees in private and rewards openly. Furthermore, prayer should avoid meaningless repetition, emphasizing that listening to God is often more important than speaking, drawing an analogy to phone conversations.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Mar 13, 2024 · 11m
The central message emphasizes developing a consistent habit of listening to God's voice, comparing it to recognizing a familiar voice amidst many others. The speaker advises believers to study the Bible regularly to make God's word clearer and to be mindful of one's tongue, drawing parallels to Jesus' temptation and the need for disciplined speech. Ultimately, consistent listening, starting from the morning, will guide one through life's decisions and interactions.