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1,036 messages
25mZac Poonen · Apr 22
24mZac Poonen · Feb 27
26mZac Poonen · Feb 27
23mZac Poonen · Feb 27
25mZac Poonen · Feb 27
25mZac Poonen · Feb 24
25mZac Poonen · Feb 20
25mZac Poonen · Feb 20
24mZac Poonen · Feb 20
25mZac Poonen · Feb 19
25mZac Poonen · Feb 19
24mZac Poonen · Feb 17
25mZac Poonen · Feb 17
25mZac Poonen · Feb 17
25mZac Poonen · Feb 12
25mZac Poonen · Feb 12
25mZac Poonen · Feb 12
24mZac Poonen · Feb 12
24mZac Poonen · Feb 12
24mZac Poonen · Feb 11
24mZac Poonen · Feb 11
24mZac Poonen · Feb 11
25mZac Poonen · Feb 11
25mZac Poonen · Feb 11
Zac Poonen · 10m · CFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen teaches that idolatry constitutes spiritual adultery against God, drawing a parallel between unfaithfulness in marriage and unfaithfulness in our devotion to God. The message calls believers to recognize idolatry in their lives and turn from it in repentance to restore their relationship with God.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2015 · 25m
The sermon continues studying Jesus' teachings, focusing on the parables in Matthew 25 regarding readiness for Christ's return. The speaker emphasizes that the fullness of the Holy Spirit and love for God are necessary to endure to the end. He interprets the parable of the talents to teach that God entrusts gifts to us for His glory, and the reward for faithfulness is based on stewardship, not the quantity of the gift received.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 27, 2015 · 24m
The sermon examines Matthew 24, focusing on Jesus' words regarding the second coming of Heaven and Earth. The central message is that believers must remain constantly alert and prepared for Christ's return, comparing the waiting Christian to a faithful bride awaiting her groom. The speaker clarifies that for believers, the coming of Christ is not like a thief in the night, but rather a sudden, expected event for those who are children of the light.
26mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 27, 2015 · 26m
The speaker emphasizes that fulfilling the Great Commission requires more than just evangelism; it demands diligent disciple-making and teaching everything Jesus commanded. He warns against deception, stressing that true knowledge of God's word and a desire to do God's will are the antidotes. Furthermore, he cautions against misunderstanding the signs of the end, particularly the Great Tribulation, which he asserts is a reality that many are being misled into ignoring.
23mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 27, 2015 · 23m
The sermon analyzes Matthew 23, warning against superficial piety, noting that correct doctrine and outward religious observance do not guarantee salvation. True faith requires aligning one's inner life with one's external beliefs, which is the core message regarding the Pharisees. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that evangelism must lead to true discipleship—a commitment to loving Christ above all else, daily self-denial, and relinquishing possessions—rather than mere doctrinal conversion.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 27, 2015 · 25m
Jesus taught that true discipleship involves both correct doctrine and consistent practice, contrasting this with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees who preached what they did not live. The speaker emphasizes that understanding scripture requires humility, as apparent contradictions are often due to immaturity rather than genuine conflict. Ultimately, following Christ means first practicing what is right and then teaching it, rather than the reverse.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 24, 2015 · 25m
The passage uses the story of the two blind men to illustrate several key lessons: one must persistently cry out to the Lord for genuine needs, ignoring discouraging advice. Secondly, when praying, one must be specific about what is needed rather than making general pleas. Finally, any blessing received from God is intended to enable the believer to follow Jesus more closely. The text concludes by noting that Jesus's actions, like entering Jerusalem on a donkey, teach deeper spiritual lessons.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 20, 2015 · 25m
The speaker continues studying Jesus' teachings, focusing on Matthew 18. He emphasizes that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, using the parable of the lost sheep to illustrate God's deep care for every individual. The discussion then moves to church discipline, outlining a three-stage process: private confrontation, involving two or three witnesses, and finally, bringing the matter before the church if the individual remains defiant. The speaker concludes by noting the authority given to the local church to bind and loose.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 20, 2015 · 25m
Jesus taught that true discipleship requires abandoning the desire for earthly status and embracing humility, comparing it to the state of a little child. The speaker emphasizes that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must undergo a fundamental change in thinking, adopting the mindset of helplessness and dependence on God. Furthermore, he advises Christians to prioritize grace and avoid unnecessary offense, even if it means foregoing a perceived right, mirroring Jesus' actions.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 20, 2015 · 24m
Jesus taught that the church is not a building or an organization, but a living body of Christ, where members are interconnected and function together through a shared connection to the Head. To build this body, individuals require revelation from heaven and spiritual authority from Christ, rather than just human wisdom or appointment. Ultimately, building the church requires members to deny their own interests and take up their cross, prioritizing God's will.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 19, 2015 · 25m
The speaker uses Peter walking on water to illustrate that overcoming the 'law of sin and death' requires crying out to the Lord when one is beginning to sink, not after reaching rock bottom. He emphasizes that true faith must be based on what God has commanded, not on self-generated ideas. The core message is to trust in the grace available through God's word and to emulate Jesus' life by humbly obeying His commands.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 19, 2015 · 25m
The central message is that true Christian maturity requires moving beyond mere intellectual understanding (being a scribe) to active obedience and practice (becoming a disciple). To fulfill the Great Commission, believers must teach others to 'do everything Jesus commanded' by drawing from their own lived experiences of faith, which are the 'treasure' of their lives. This practical ministry comes not just from study, but from enduring trials, mirroring Christ's own example.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 17, 2015 · 24m
The sermon explores what Jesus taught by examining passages from the Gospels, focusing on the seriousness of spiritual commitment. It warns that abandoning the truth after knowing it can lead to a worse state than never knowing it, comparing this to a dog returning to its vomit. Furthermore, the teaching emphasizes that true discipleship requires prioritizing spiritual relationships—those who hear and do God's word—above all earthly family ties.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 17, 2015 · 25m
The sermon emphasizes that understanding Jesus' teachings requires studying both his words and his life, leading to the assurance of the Lord's constant presence for those who teach others to do what He commanded. The speaker contrasts two passages—Luke 9:50 and Matthew 12:30—to clarify that while one should not hinder those merely casting out demons, the ultimate calling of the church is discipleship. Therefore, believers must focus on gathering people into discipleship, as those who are not wholeheartedly with Christ can hinder the work.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 17, 2015 · 25m
The speaker advises listeners to follow Jesus' example, particularly regarding withdrawal when facing danger, rather than attempting to display bravery. He cautions against the modern tendency to overemphasize physical healing, noting that Jesus' miracles were attestations of his divine nature, not a model for imitation. Ultimately, the message emphasizes looking carefully at Jesus' life—specifically his non-quarreling nature and his quiet, powerful ministry—as the true standard for Christian living.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 12, 2015 · 25m
The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires actively doing what Jesus taught, not just knowing it, drawing a parallel between teaching from a blackboard and demonstrating in a river. It contrasts the Old and New Covenants, stressing that the New Covenant grants the Holy Spirit dwelling *within* the believer, a privilege unavailable before. Finally, the speaker cautions against expecting miraculous signs to repeat throughout the Christian era, urging believers to remain unoffended by God's timing or actions.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 12, 2015 · 25m
The sermon continues studying Matthew, focusing on the persecution faced by true disciples, who will be hated by the world, even by family. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires standing for the truth, even when unpopular, and warns against false teachings that minimize sin. Ultimately, the message urges the audience not to fear anything because God is sovereign, and if we fear God, we need fear nothing else.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 12, 2015 · 25m
The speaker analyzes Matthew 10, arguing that the commission given to the apostles was specific to a temporary period before the New Covenant. He cautions against selectively quoting verses from this passage for modern gospel preaching, pointing out contradictions and contextual shifts (e.g., the change in provisions after the Last Supper). The central message is the necessity of comparing Scripture with Scripture to understand the full truth, distinguishing between what was said for a specific time versus enduring principles.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 12, 2015 · 24m
Jesus' life demonstrated that one must be willing to interrupt their plans for those in need, showing that flexibility is key to ministry. The speaker emphasizes that living by the Holy Spirit's guidance, rather than strictly by rules or laws, is the true principle for Christians. Ultimately, believers must be led by the Spirit and emulate Jesus' life of witness, knowing when to accept or reject opportunities.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 12, 2015 · 24m
The speaker analyzes Jesus' calling of Matthew, noting that Jesus called him directly from his place of work, not from his home. He argues that this pattern—calling people from their secular jobs—serves as a test of genuine commitment, requiring a tangible sacrifice. Furthermore, he suggests that having experience in the pressures of secular employment equips individuals to better understand and endure the struggles inherent in ministry.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 11, 2015 · 24m
The sermon uses the account of Jesus calming the storm to teach that true discipleship requires overcoming the fear of death, which the speaker identifies as the highest form of slavery. Jesus's death, according to the speaker, was not only to forgive sins but also to render Satan powerless and deliver humanity from the fear of death. Overcoming this fear is achieved not through mental effort, but through receiving God's deliverance by faith.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 11, 2015 · 24m
Jesus taught through both his words and his actions, emphasizing that true discipleship requires radical surrender, exemplified by the statement that the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. The speaker cautions against ministry based merely on academic study, advocating instead for supernatural discernment and walking in constant fellowship with God. Ultimately, following Christ demands humility and freedom from the love of money, regardless of public acclaim.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 11, 2015 · 24m
The speaker analyzes Jesus' teachings through the lens of Matthew 8, emphasizing that the true imitation of Christ involves following His life, not replicating His miraculous ministry. He stresses the necessity of humility, acknowledging our limitations compared to Christ's perfect faith, and cautions against false teachings regarding scripture interpretation, particularly concerning the fulfillment of Isaiah 53.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 11, 2015 · 25m
Jesus taught that true discipleship requires more than just hearing or understanding His words; it demands obedience. The analogy of building a house illustrates this: building on sand represents intellectual understanding or emotional excitement without action, while building on rock requires yielding one's will to God's will. True worship, therefore, is defined by the denial of self-will, exemplified by Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 11, 2015 · 25m
The central message is that true discipleship requires more than mere belief; it demands genuine repentance and a life lived according to Christ's teachings, as illustrated by the Sermon on the Mount. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ's atoning work, which necessitates turning from sin. Genuine faith will inevitably produce good works and a desire to live righteously, proving that 'faith without works is dead.'