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196 messages
11mZac Poonen · Oct 8
10mZac Poonen · Oct 4
9mZac Poonen · Oct 1
12mZac Poonen · Sep 27
9mZac Poonen · Sep 23
11mZac Poonen · Sep 14
12mZac Poonen · Sep 12
12mZac Poonen · Sep 1
10mZac Poonen · Aug 20
10mZac Poonen · Aug 19
7mZac Poonen · Aug 13
13mZac Poonen · Aug 9
13mZac Poonen · Aug 4
13mZac Poonen · Aug 3
12mZac Poonen · Jul 9
8mZac Poonen · Jul 6
10mZac Poonen · Jun 30
10mZac Poonen · Jun 29
10mZac Poonen · Jun 28
10mZac Poonen · Jun 22
11mZac Poonen · Jun 13
10mZac Poonen · Jun 11
13mZac Poonen · Jun 6
10mZac Poonen · Jun 1
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 · Oct 8, 2024 · 11m
The central message is that the most crucial element of the Christian life is maintaining a fervent, pure devotion to Jesus Christ, which is likened to remaining at the Tree of Life. The speaker warns that focusing too much on secondary Christian practices, such as avoiding sin, being upright, or even specific spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, can distract from this primary devotion. True Christianity, therefore, means desiring nothing on earth except Christ and making Him the passion of one's life.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Oct 4, 2024 · 10m
The speaker discusses how God allows believers to experience perplexity, drawing parallels to the mystery of the Gospel. He explains that this state of not knowing the next step is a sign of maturity, comparing it to how parents guide children less as they grow older. Ultimately, the message encourages trusting God's plan even when direction is unclear, pointing to the greater blessing of believing without physical or audible signs of God's presence.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Oct 1, 2024 · 9m
The central message is that believers must learn not to take offense at God, even when His dealings do not align with our expectations or prayers. The speaker warns against the tendency to feel entitled to blessings due to faithfulness, reminding the audience that they deserve nothing but hell. True joy comes from accepting God's sovereignty and trusting Him completely, leading to a life free from complaint or disappointment.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 27, 2024 · 12m
The central message encourages believers to keep their eyes fixed on the ultimate goal of becoming more like Christ daily, comparing this focus to driving to a destination. The speaker emphasizes that God's plan is for our eternal good, not just temporary earthly comfort. True Christian living means living in a way that will bring no regret when Christ returns, aligning our lives with God's eternal purpose.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 23, 2024 · 9m
The central message encourages believers to view the command to 'walk as Jesus walked' not as an impossible standard, but as a possibility granted by God's help, which is the language of faith. The speaker warns against the unbelief that treats biblical commands as unattainable, citing the example of the Sermon on the Mount. He cautions against selectively applying scripture, arguing that no part of the New Testament is exempt from God's teaching.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2024 · 11m
The speaker warns against the danger of the love of money, emphasizing that craving for wealth is a root of all evil, not merely possessing it. He uses examples from scripture, like the Israelites craving meat instead of accepting what God provided, to illustrate that prioritizing worldly gain over spiritual fellowship leads to spiritual wasting. Ultimately, he advises that true contentment and focus on God's calling are more valuable than material riches.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 12, 2024 · 12m
True strength comes not from avoiding trials, but from accepting them and experiencing God's grace within them, as illustrated by Paul's acceptance of his thorn. The message emphasizes that God never tests us beyond our ability, and that acknowledging God's sovereignty in difficult circumstances—rather than blaming people—is key to becoming an overcomer. Ultimately, enduring these trials leads to a place of abundance, drawing us to the throne of grace for mercy.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 1, 2024 · 12m
The central message is the vital importance of maintaining a passionate, first-love devotion to Jesus Christ, warning against spiritual complacency that can creep in with a sense of religious 'reputation.' The speaker uses the Song of Solomon and Malachi to illustrate that true devotion is not merely ritualistic attendance but a deep, personal longing for Christ's presence. Losing this initial passion leads to a dry, form-like Christianity.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 20, 2024 · 10m
The sermon emphasizes that all things are possible through belief, drawing parallels from Jesus' teachings on wealth and the Kingdom of Heaven. The speaker urges listeners to confront their potential spiritual hypocrisy—admitting they are 'rich' in earthly terms—and to exercise faith in God's promises, particularly that sin will no longer rule over believers. True faith requires honest self-assessment and unwavering belief in God's Word.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 19, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that fearing God means fearing nothing else, as God's care is perfect. The speaker explains that fear often increases when our reverence and respect for God diminish, leading to compromise in our lives. True reverence for God leads to freedom from fear, and Jesus's life demonstrates that even when tempted by fear and money, He overcame through reverence for the Father.
7mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 13, 2024 · 7m
The central message is that a truly poor in spirit person, like a child, is free from anxiety because they trust completely in a caring Father. Anxiety stems from feeling like an orphan who lacks a reliable father figure. The speaker emphasizes that believers should remember God's care, citing the example of sparrows, and instead of worrying about everything, they should cast their burdens onto the Lord.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 9, 2024 · 13m
The message emphasizes that believers are called to be witnesses of God, speaking only as God's utterances, which requires being filled with the Holy Spirit. True faith is depicted as a life of constant dependence on God, like a branch drawing life from the Tree of Life. Furthermore, the speaker stresses that hearing God requires a clear conscience, urging listeners to forgive others daily to remain attuned to God's voice.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 4, 2024 · 13m
The message emphasizes that true life requires walking the entire 'narrow way,' not just passing through a narrow gate, cautioning against doctrines like 'once saved, always saved.' The speaker stresses the importance of understanding the full truth by balancing scripture, noting that the devil often quotes scripture to mislead. Ultimately, he advises that true Christian life requires a balance of repentance and faith, and that genuine service to God is never motivated by money.
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.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 9, 2024 · 12m
The message contrasts the 'old Covenant' as a ministry of condemnation with the 'New Covenant' as a ministry of righteousness. The speaker emphasizes that true repentance is an act of the will, not self-condemnation, and that believers should rest in the assurance that Christ's blood cleanses from sin. Ultimately, believers are declared righteous (justified) by faith, meaning they are treated as if they had always been righteous, not just that they never sinned.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 6, 2024 · 8m
The central message is that true devotion to God requires prioritizing the pursuit of righteousness, peace, and joy over the love of money. The speaker uses personal testimony to illustrate that by focusing on the Kingdom of God, God provides for all needs, contrasting this with the futile accumulation of wealth. He urges the audience to examine their lives and live as living testimonies of God's provision.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 30, 2024 · 10m
The central message emphasizes that gratitude must be a constant, heartfelt expression in all aspects of life, moving beyond mere ritual. The speaker warns against treating one's relationship with God as a business transaction, contrasting this with the grace found in the New Covenant. True gratitude, exemplified by the Cross of Christ, should motivate every action and prevent one from living under the curse of the Old Covenant.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 29, 2024 · 10m
The central message is that seeking the Kingdom of God first means pursuing righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, rather than focusing solely on external acts like evangelism or material success. True peace encompasses peace with God (freedom from condemnation), peace in one's heart (freedom from anxiety), and peace with people (forgiveness and lack of bitterness). This state is achieved through faith in Christ's righteousness, which brings a joy that endures through trials.
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.
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.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 13, 2024 · 11m
The central message is that true worship involves declaring to Jesus that nothing on earth is desired more than Him, as exemplified by Psalm 73:25. The speaker emphasizes that genuine spirituality comes from being a worshipper, not just knowing scripture, and that this devotion must remain constant even when life circumstances change. Ultimately, the goal is to love Christ supremely, prioritizing Him above career, wealth, comfort, or even ministry itself.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 11, 2024 · 10m
The central message emphasizes that faith, not human reason or understanding, is the greatest asset in the Christian life. The speaker draws from Proverbs 3 to warn against leaning on reason, citing Jesus's consistent praise of faith, even in seemingly insignificant acts. He also stresses the importance of appreciating others, even unbelievers, and notes that true discipleship requires humility and an honest heart, free from hypocrisy.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 6, 2024 · 13m
The most important commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, which supersedes all other concerns. The speaker argues that most life tensions, including those in marriage and church fellowship, stem from failing to prioritize this all-encompassing love for God. True freedom from anxiety comes from seeking God's kingdom first, as taught in Matthew 6:33.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 1, 2024 · 10m
The central message emphasizes the necessity of developing discernment, which is distinct from judging others. The speaker advises believers to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves, urging the audience not to be fooled by appearances or pass judgment prematurely. True wisdom involves trusting in God's ultimate revelation rather than relying solely on one's senses or immediate opinions.