Library
1,768 messages
59mZac Poonen · May 22
57mZac Poonen · May 22
1h 0mZac Poonen · May 21
57mZac Poonen · May 21
57mZac Poonen · May 21
57mZac Poonen · May 21
12mZac Poonen · May 21
13mZac Poonen · May 21
14mZac Poonen · May 21
20mZac Poonen · May 21
12mZac Poonen · May 21
17mZac Poonen · May 21
10mZac Poonen · May 21
19mZac Poonen · May 21
37mZac Poonen · May 21
21mZac Poonen · May 20
1h 4mZac Poonen · May 19
1h 8mZac Poonen · May 19
1h 2mZac Poonen · May 19
1h 0mZac Poonen · May 19
1h 4mZac Poonen · May 19
1h 1mZac Poonen · May 19
58mZac Poonen · May 19
1h 6mZac Poonen · May 19
Zac Poonen · 9m · CFC Daily Devotions
This devotion contrasts the tree of law with the tree of life, exploring how living by legalistic rules differs from living in the Spirit. Zac Poonen teaches that true spiritual life comes not from external commandments but from an intimate relationship with God through the Spirit.
59mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 22, 2014 · 59m
True spiritual growth is not measured by Bible knowledge or church attendance, but by a deep, passionate love for righteousness and hatred for iniquity, mirroring Jesus' life. The speaker emphasizes that genuine, lasting joy comes from centering one's life on God's kingdom and will, rather than personal desires or grievances. This requires understanding the fundamental choice between a life centered on self (leading to death) and a life centered on God (leading to life).
57mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 22, 2014 · 57m
The speaker addresses five common struggles for young people: self-acceptance, conflict with parents, peer pressure, sexual temptation, and coping with failure/injustice. He emphasizes that true self-worth comes from knowing that God chose the individual before the foundation of the world, making them inherently valuable. He encourages accepting what cannot be changed while finding the courage and wisdom to change what can be improved.
1h 0mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 1h 0m
The central message is that true belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ must fundamentally change one's daily life and values, distinguishing genuine faith from mere intellectual assent. The speaker warns that simply being born into a Christian family or reciting prayers is insufficient; one must genuinely experience the Holy Spirit to make Christ a living reality in the heart. This spiritual reality is what truly validates the resurrection and should govern all aspects of life.
57mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 57m
The central message is that true Christian experience comes from understanding and experiencing the Father's unconditional love, which is deeper than the love shown to the world. The speaker emphasizes that knowing God as a Father, rather than just through Jesus, is key to overcoming discouragement. This deep knowledge of the Father's love is cultivated by loving the Lord more and trusting in His plan, even when it differs from our own expectations.
57mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 57m
The central message is that Christians must actively strive to conform their lives to the likeness of Christ, which involves daily self-examination and growth in humility, compassion, and purity. Paul urges believers to obey God's word even when the preacher is absent, emphasizing that this diligent effort is what it means to 'work out their salvation with fear and trembling.' True devotion is characterized by fearing God's word, not man.
57mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 57m
The speaker urges listeners to focus on personal commitment to Christ by striving to enter through the narrow door, rather than worrying about the sheer numbers of saved people. He emphasizes that salvation requires a total commitment, using the Rich Young Ruler's story to illustrate that deep-seated attachments, like the love of money, can block entry. Ultimately, the message is a call to review one's life decisions, as they are like seeds sown that will yield future results.
12mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 12m
The central message is that parents must raise their children to be wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ, reflecting the character of God—especially humility—in their homes. True discipleship requires parents to continually seek wisdom from God, acknowledge their own spiritual poverty, and model God's character rather than being satisfied with mere salvation for their children. The highest spiritual goal is to know the eternal God and become like Him.
13mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 13m
The central message is that parents have a profound responsibility to raise their children in the ways of the Lord, emphasizing that a child's upbringing tends to determine their life path. While dedication to God is a gift, the true work is in consistently teaching God's word—when sitting, rising, or walking—to ensure the next generation trusts in God and keeps His commandments.
14mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 14m
The speaker warns that approaching the end times will bring an intense spirit of rebellion, which will cause a distance between parents and children. He emphasizes that teaching children to honor their parents is crucial because this foundational respect is how they learn to respect God. Ultimately, the speaker stresses that the responsibility lies with the parents to model and teach the 'fear of God' by respecting the aged, warning that the spirit of rebellion, not external crises, will destroy the home.
20mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 20m
The central message is the profound responsibility parents, especially fathers, have to teach their children the ways of the Lord so they can place their confidence in God and not forget God's works. This teaching must encompass scripture, the works of God throughout history, and even recording personal miracles to create a legacy of faith. The speaker emphasizes starting this instruction early and maintaining a consistent spiritual lineage of faith across generations.
12mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 12m
The sermon emphasizes that every child is a gift from God, and parents must view raising children as training them to be spiritual warriors against Satan, not just preparing them for earthly battles. Drawing from Psalm 127, the speaker urges parents to take responsibility for sharpening their children's faith by guarding their media consumption and daily influences. Ultimately, the goal is to raise children who will not be ashamed when confronted by their enemies.
17mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 17m
The speaker discusses the spiritual challenges facing Christians in the last days, noting that disobedience to parents is a growing issue. He emphasizes that parents' primary calling is not merely teaching practical skills, but rather modeling and explaining what God is like to their children. This modeling—through attitude toward people versus material things—is how children learn to see God, which requires being filled with the Holy Spirit.
10mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 10m
The central message is that raising children for God requires parents to see their children as beautiful gifts from God, regardless of external appearances or societal standards. Furthermore, parents must raise them with unwavering faith, not fearing the corrupt world, and must combine discipline with compassion while teaching them the fear of God so they reject the world's allure of honor, sin, and money.
19mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that Christian life requires manifesting God's truth through one's actions, which is a higher standard than in the Old Covenant. He stresses that a person's life testimony—demonstrating that they sought God's kingdom first—is what truly matters, more than human opinion. Regarding parenting, he cites Proverbs 22:6, urging parents to diligently train their children in the way they should go, and points to Genesis 18:19, noting that God chose Abraham specifically so he could *command* his descendants to keep the Lord's way.
37mCFC India
transcribingZac Poonen · May 21, 2014 · 37m
This message emphasizes that the cross of Christ must be the central focus of a Christian marriage. True marital strength and unity are found not in worldly compromises, but in the shared commitment to Christ's sacrifice. The couple must continually crucify their own selfish desires to live together in Christ.
21mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 20, 2014 · 21m
The sermon discusses two ways to receive Christ into one's life: by receiving an apostle, or by becoming like a little child. The speaker emphasizes that true conversion requires adopting the childlike qualities of helplessness, humility, and dependence on God, rather than self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the message extends to parents, urging them to receive their children in Jesus' name, accepting them unconditionally, and warning against causing their children to stumble through ungodly behavior.
1h 4mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 4m
This message continues a series on foundational Christian truths, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount. The speaker emphasizes that following Jesus requires walking a narrow way, which demands self-denial, contrasting it with an easy Christian life. He stresses that true discipleship involves embodying the virtues listed in the Beatitudes, and that believers should rejoice when persecuted for righteousness rather than seeking sympathy. Ultimately, the message calls for genuine conversion and consistent commitment to the narrow path.
1h 8mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 8m
The speaker emphasizes that Christian service must be founded not on perceived need, but on the authority of Christ, as stated in Matthew 28:18. He contrasts acting out of need with acting on Christ's command, warning that the former leads to frustration and murmuring. True ministry success comes from submitting to Christ's authority, which protects the believer from opposition. The core message is to balance seeing the need (looking on the fields) with doing the will of God (praying for workers), rather than rushing out based on human reasoning.
1h 2mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 2m
The speaker emphasizes that foundational Christian truths—such as repentance, faith, and the meaning of baptism—must be continually taught to new and unreached people. He stresses the importance of understanding justification by faith as the foundation, while also warning against spiritual complacency regarding God's holiness. The core message for discipleship is that it requires mastering the basics, as neglecting these foundational conditions will undermine the ability to live out the commands of Christ.
1h 0mCFC India
transcribingZac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 0m
This session focuses on the ongoing journey of discipleship, which is presented as a continuous process. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian living involves a commitment to following Christ's teachings and lifestyle. It serves as a guide for those who are actively working to grow in their faith.
1h 4mCFC India
transcribingZac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 4m
This session focuses on the crucial step of knowing both God the Father and Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life involves a deep, personal relationship with both divine persons. Understanding who God is and who Jesus is is foundational to spiritual growth.
1h 1mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 1m
The sermon distinguishes between imputed righteousness (being declared righteous by Christ's work) and imparted righteousness (the ongoing process of living righteously by the Holy Spirit). While forgiveness is necessary, it is insufficient; believers must actively pursue holiness and mercy to avoid spiritual pride. True Christian life requires balancing the truth of imputed righteousness with the daily choice to live according to God's will, which manifests in one's relationships and actions.
58mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 58m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of constantly teaching foundational biblical truths, as churches need repetition for new members. He draws from John 8:32, teaching that knowing the truth sets one free, specifically from the slavery of conscious sin, not just physical bondage. He stresses that Jesus's name means 'Savior' from sin, not merely 'forgiver,' and warns against being deceived by teachings that focus on worldly matters or financial gain over true spiritual freedom.
1h 6mCFC India
Zac Poonen · May 19, 2014 · 1h 6m
The speaker outlines four foundational truths for new Christians: repentance, faith, water baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that true repentance means turning away from earthly concerns and focusing on the Kingdom of Heaven, citing John the Baptist's message. He warns that many people mistake mere religious activity or belief in 'faith' for genuine repentance, which requires a fundamental shift in priorities.