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384 messages
10mZac Poonen · Feb 23
10mZac Poonen · Feb 18
13mZac Poonen · Feb 17
12mZac Poonen · Feb 16
8mZac Poonen · Feb 15
11mZac Poonen · Feb 14
8mZac Poonen · Feb 13
10mZac Poonen · Feb 7
9mZac Poonen · Jan 28
11mZac Poonen · Jan 26
9mZac Poonen · Jan 25
11mZac Poonen · Jan 24
11mZac Poonen · Jan 23
10mZac Poonen · Jan 19
9mZac Poonen · Jan 16
9mZac Poonen · Jan 14
13mZac Poonen · Jan 12
8mZac Poonen · Jan 7
13mZac Poonen · Jan 4
13mZac Poonen · Jan 3
10mZac Poonen · Dec 31
9mZac Poonen · Dec 29
12mZac Poonen · Dec 25
8mZac Poonen · Dec 24
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.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 23, 2025 · 10m
The central message is that true understanding of God comes not merely from reading the Bible or hearing preachers, but from hearing Jesus speak directly to the heart through the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that one must maintain absolute honesty with their conscience, as ignoring it leads away from God. Ultimately, the goal of Christian life is to cultivate a personal relationship with Christ, desiring to hear Him speak daily.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 18, 2025 · 10m
The central message encourages listeners to follow Christ by imitating Jesus's humble life, emphasizing that true discipleship begins with small, everyday acts of service without concern for dignity. The speaker assures the congregation that if they ask the Lord for the power to do something, He will provide it, urging them to overcome discouragement and start walking in faith today.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 17, 2025 · 13m
The central message emphasizes the biblical command to honor and obey parents and older people, arguing that this respect is crucial for a life that goes well. The speaker draws parallels between this respect and following Jesus' example of submission to authority, suggesting that a lack of respect for elders is a sign of the end times. He concludes by encouraging listeners to learn from submission, even in seemingly boring or difficult circumstances.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 16, 2025 · 12m
The central message is that true Christian living begins by imitating Jesus's life, which involved submitting to imperfect human authority. The speaker emphasizes that submission to God-appointed authority is a crucial, often difficult, lesson in discipleship. He assures listeners that if they are wholehearted disciples, God will never test them beyond their ability, and all things will ultimately work for their good.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 15, 2025 · 8m
The message encourages listeners to follow Jesus by imitating His life, rather than focusing on ministry achievements. The speaker emphasizes that following Christ means emulating His life, not His miracles or supposed heavenly experiences, warning against deception from Satan and false teachings. True discipleship is rooted in living according to Christ's example.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 14, 2025 · 11m
The message encourages listeners to imitate Paul's wholehearted devotion to Christ, contrasting this with the boasting of false apostles and deceitful workers. Paul's true boasting is not in his accomplishments, but in his willingness to endure extreme suffering, danger, and constant concern for the global church. The central message is that true discipleship is demonstrated through sacrificial living, not mere words or visible achievements.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 13, 2025 · 8m
The central message is that one's inherent being and character before God are more important than the amount of religious service or accomplishments one performs. Drawing from Acts 1:1, the speaker emphasizes that Jesus' ministry involved first *being* and then *doing* and *teaching*. Therefore, Christian life should flow from one's inner life and conduct at home, as this is where Jesus desires to live through believers.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Feb 7, 2025 · 10m
True spirituality requires the Word of God to penetrate beyond mere thought and feeling, sinking deep into the spirit. The speaker explains that the Bible divides humanity into body, soul (mind and feelings), and spirit, and true growth happens when the Word compels us to deny our own will. This daily process of taking up the cross—responding to life's challenges by choosing Christ's will over our own desires—is what allows the seed of the Word to take root deeply, like building on the rock.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 28, 2025 · 9m
The central message warns against the corrupting influence of bad company, referencing 1 Corinthians 15:33. The speaker emphasizes that this corruption is slow and insidious, leading to self-deception. True Christian life is marked by seeking fellowship with those who are also committed to Christ, and believers must be discerning about the company they keep, both in the world and within the church.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 26, 2025 · 11m
The speaker argues that modern Christianity has been compromised by the influence of music, money, and psychological gimmicks, which have replaced the true power of the Holy Spirit. He contrasts superficial displays of faith, like elaborate worship or reliance on music, with the genuine, life-altering surrender to God found in silence and discipleship. True worship, for him, is the complete surrender of the self, not mere performance.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 25, 2025 · 9m
The central message emphasizes that encouragement is far more effective than criticism or despising others, drawing parallels to Paul's teaching on being fathers rather than just teachers. The speaker advises that when someone messes up, one should first help them solve the problem before gently correcting them, rather than immediately pointing out their mistakes. Ultimately, the message encourages having the heart to serve like a father, showing hope especially for those who have strayed.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 24, 2025 · 11m
The central message is that the church must be built in a place of genuine sacrifice, not cheaply or emotionally. Drawing parallels from the building of the temple and Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, the speaker emphasizes that true devotion requires giving what costs us everything—time, comfort, reputation, or life—rather than what costs nothing. He advises believers to
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 23, 2025 · 11m
The central message is the necessity of daily self-denial, echoing Jesus' command to take up the cross every day. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires constantly saying 'no' to one's own will and saying 'yes' to the Father's will, a process that must be lived out daily, not just once. This daily surrender is likened to the 'New and Living Way' inaugurated by Christ, which allows believers to enter God's presence.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 19, 2025 · 10m
The central message is the importance of being disciplined with time, as the days are evil and time cannot be recovered. The speaker emphasizes that while God can restore lost money or health, wasted time is permanently lost. He encourages listeners to utilize small, fragmented moments—like dedicating 15 minutes daily to Bible study—to make the most of their time for Christ.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 16, 2025 · 9m
The central message is the necessity of developing a deep, personal, and devotional relationship with Jesus Christ, which is described as the 'vertical arm' complementing fellowship. The speaker warns against merely engaging in external religious activities, emphasizing that true devotion leads to a life where Christ is the glory. He concludes by noting that God treats people according to their genuine response and righteousness, suggesting that fervent prayer from a righteous heart has significant power.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 14, 2025 · 9m
The speaker draws parallels between two historical journeys of Israel—Egypt to Canaan and Babylon to Jerusalem—and applies them to Christian life. The journey from Egypt to Canaan represents a personal move from sin and defeat to victory, while the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem signifies leaving a corrupt system (like one preoccupied with money) for true obedience to God's Word. He emphasizes that the New Covenant pattern involves moving from isolated, one-man ministries to genuine, two-by-two fellowship.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 12, 2025 · 13m
The central message contrasts self-will with God's will, drawing heavily from John 6:38, which states Jesus came not to live a decent life, but to do the will of the Father. The speaker argues that true discipleship requires a commitment to God's will in the hidden, secret areas of life, which is a higher standard than merely avoiding obvious sins. Furthermore, the sermon emphasizes that salvation is not achieved through good works or self-effort, but through acknowledging sin and accepting Christ's free sacrifice.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 7, 2025 · 8m
The sermon warns that prosperity and comfort can lead to forgetting God and becoming arrogant, a danger that often strikes when life becomes materially easy. The speaker urges listeners to remember their past struggles and maintain humility, emphasizing that raising children requires intentional spiritual focus and acknowledging parental failure to God for change to occur. True discipleship requires remaining humble before God, regardless of worldly success.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 4, 2025 · 13m
The central message warns against pursuing knowledge or religious practice for personal honor or status, equating this to the spirit of Babylon. True devotion, like Abel's offering, is characterized by giving the best and living selflessly for Christ, rather than meeting a minimum requirement. The speaker contrasts this with the self-centered nature of those who use religion to advance themselves.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jan 3, 2025 · 13m
The message contrasts the 'Spirit of Babylon' with the 'New Jerusalem' (the bride of Christ), warning that spiritual adultery comes from being unfaithful to Christ. This unfaithfulness is characterized by friendship with the world system, which deceives those who claim to be Christian. The speaker emphasizes that true devotion involves doing the will of God, contrasting the world's lusts (flesh, eyes, pride) with the life found in Christ.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 31, 2024 · 10m
Jesus' earthly life was a spiritual education, requiring him to learn everything from basic academics to obedience through suffering. The core lesson is that sin stems from yielding to 'my will' rather than God's will, which is exemplified by Adam and Eve's fall. True discipleship means resisting personal desires and choosing to obey God's will, as Jesus did throughout his life.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 29, 2024 · 9m
The central message is that true life and spiritual sustenance come from living by every word of God, not just material provision. The speaker urges listeners to diligently study scripture daily, teaching God's word to their children, and to remain constantly aware of God's guidance. He emphasizes that a deep knowledge of scripture is essential for spiritual effectiveness, especially during times of temptation.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 25, 2024 · 12m
The message outlines three key components of the New Covenant based on Hebrews 8:10-12. First, all past sins are completely blotted out, which God will not even remember. Second, believers will know God personally through the Holy Spirit, rather than needing constant teaching. Third, God writes His law in the mind (giving desire) and, crucially, in the heart (giving ability) through grace. True discipleship requires not just hearing Jesus' teachings (like the Sermon on the Mount) but actively obeying them, building one's life on the rock.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Dec 24, 2024 · 8m
The central message is that true worship in the New Covenant is not merely external praise or thanksgiving, but a complete presentation of one's body and mind as a living sacrifice to God. This spiritual worship involves dedicating every part of oneself—tongue, eyes, hands, and mind—to God's will, allowing the mind to be renewed according to God's perfect will. This contrasts with the Old Covenant, which could only address outward obedience, whereas the New Covenant allows God to dwell within the believer's spirit.