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58mBuilding on the Rock Foundation - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 11
52mWhat Grace Can Do For You - Zac Poonen - September 9, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 10
57mPutting Christ Above Family Ties - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 9
11mDiscerning Between Worldly, Soulish, and Divine Love - Ajay Chakravarthy - September 2, 2018
Ajay Chakravarthy · Sep 3
1h 2mListening to God and Not Listening to Satan - Zac Poonen - September 2, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 3
38mWords of Encouragement - David Lane, Santosh Poonen - August 26, 2018
David Lane · Aug 27
53mHow God Evaluates a Church - Zac Poonen - August 26, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 26
22mWhy Am I Still Tempted? - Ajay Chakvarathy - August 19, 2018
Ajay Chakravarthy · Aug 21
27mWords of Encouragement - Olu Talabi, Ajay Chakravarthy - August 12, 2018
River of Life Christian Fellowship · Aug 14
39mStraighten Up! Lift Up Your Head! - Santosh Poonen - August 12, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 14
52mEssentials of Effective Prayer - Zac Poonen - August 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 14
1h 8mLiving Constantly at Rest in God - Zac Poonen - August 5, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 7
30mNew Covenant Eldership - Zac Poonen - August 5, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 7
1h 19mThe Father is Well-Pleased When We are Secure in His Love - Santosh Poonen - August 3, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 7
40mQuestions & Answers for Young Adults - Santosh Poonen - August 3, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 7
34mQuestions & Answers for Young Adults - Jeremy Utley - August 2, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6
59mHow God Prepared Jesus in Secret - Jeremy Utley - August 2, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6
51mGod Loves Repentance - Jeremy Utley - July 31, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6
47mJesus: Our Model of a Life Well-Pleasing to God - Olu Talabi - July 31, 2018
Olu Talabi · Aug 6
50mA Life With No 'However...' - Jeremy Utley - July 30, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6
46mWithout Faith it is Impossible to Please God - Ajay Chakravarthy - July 30, 2018
Ajay Chakravarthy · Aug 3
31mQuestions & Answers for Young Adults - Santosh Poonen - July 30, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 2
1h 4mA Full Salvation: Part 2: From the Power of Sin - Zac Poonen - July 29, 2018
Zac Poonen · Jul 31
47mA Full Salvation: Part 1: From the Penalty of Sin - Zac Poonen - July 29, 2018
Zac Poonen · Jul 31
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Building on the Rock Foundation - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 11, 2018 · 58m
The sermon distinguishes between the devil's condemnation and the Holy Spirit's conviction, noting that condemnation is accusatory and destructive, while conviction is gentle guidance showing what was wrong and offering a way forward. The central message emphasizes that building a life on Christ requires more than just hearing His words; one must actively 'do' what is heard, yielding one's will to Christ's teachings, as illustrated by the parable of the wise and foolish builders.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
What Grace Can Do For You - Zac Poonen - September 9, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 10, 2018 · 52m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian living requires following Jesus' example, which means relying on the Holy Spirit's power rather than emotions. He stresses that obedience to God's commands requires first asking for grace, comparing this to needing money to buy bread. Furthermore, he advises filling one's mind primarily with God's Word to be equipped to handle life's trials, contrasting this with filling the mind with unnecessary worldly information.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Putting Christ Above Family Ties - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 9, 2018 · 57m
The speaker emphasizes that understanding scripture requires taking all of God's Word seriously and viewing it in its totality, rather than focusing on favorite verses. He contrasts the two parts of the Great Commission—preaching the gospel (evangelism) and making disciples—arguing that a church cannot be complete if it emphasizes only one aspect. True church life requires both evangelism and discipleship, where believers are constantly repenting and living in a state of continuous self-correction.
11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Discerning Between Worldly, Soulish, and Divine Love - Ajay Chakravarthy - September 2, 2018
Ajay Chakravarthy · Sep 3, 2018 · 11m
The speaker urges listeners to develop the ability to discern true, divine love from worldly or superficial affection. Drawing from Philippians 1:9, he contrasts conditional love (like loving someone only when they love you back) with the selfless, sacrificial love exemplified by Jesus Christ. This genuine love requires a willingness to deny oneself and endure brokenness, unlike the outward displays of affection that can mask betrayal.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Listening to God and Not Listening to Satan - Zac Poonen - September 2, 2018
Zac Poonen · Sep 3, 2018 · 1h 2m
The sermon emphasizes that the Church's purpose is to prepare believers for heaven, which will be filled with people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This preparation requires believers to pursue holiness, learn to worship Jesus, and, most critically, die to self to mingle with people different from themselves. The speaker argues that resistance to this mingling is often rooted in the pride of one's own community, contrasting this with the unity achieved only through being crucified with Christ.
38mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Words of Encouragement - David Lane, Santosh Poonen - August 26, 2018
David Lane · Aug 27, 2018 · 38m
The speaker emphasizes that true security and devotion must rest solely in a personal love relationship with God, rather than in the church community or external religious activities. He draws heavily from Song of Solomon and John 14-15, arguing that this deep, personal love is the foundation from which genuine obedience flows, making commandments joyful rather than burdensome. Cultivating this primary relationship with Christ is presented as the most vital contribution to the church.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
How God Evaluates a Church - Zac Poonen - August 26, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 26, 2018 · 53m
God requires human free will and conscience to achieve holiness, as mere obedience like that of a robot is insufficient. The speaker emphasizes that all choices, leading to either life or destruction, are ultimately the individual's own responsibility, not God's doing. Furthermore, consequences for sin are not immediate; people often continue in sin because they do not believe in the eventual judgment for their actions.
22mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Why Am I Still Tempted? - Ajay Chakvarathy - August 19, 2018
Ajay Chakravarthy · Aug 21, 2018 · 22m
The speaker addresses the common struggle of feeling tempted even after conversion, refuting the idea that baptism or the filling of the Holy Spirit eliminates sin. He uses an analogy of the 'old man' versus the 'new man' to illustrate that while sin's power is broken at the cross, the believer must actively guard their heart and continually rely on God's Word and the Holy Spirit for strength to overcome recurring temptations.
27mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Words of Encouragement - Olu Talabi, Ajay Chakravarthy - August 12, 2018
CFC Messages · Aug 14, 2018 · 27m
The speaker encourages the audience to rest in the assurance that God will perfect everything concerning them, drawing from Psalm 138. He emphasizes aligning oneself with the will of God in Christ, noting that while nothing is new under the sun, those aligned with God will abide forever. A core message is to not be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even when it involves suffering, as following Christ requires a commitment that goes beyond natural ability.
39mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Straighten Up! Lift Up Your Head! - Santosh Poonen - August 12, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 14, 2018 · 39m
The central message urges believers to maintain spiritual alertness and hope, especially when facing difficult circumstances. The speaker warns against falling into self-pity, comparing it to quicksand, and instead encourages focusing on the realities of the world and the certainty of Christ's return. He concludes by emphasizing that when signs of the end times appear, believers must 'straighten up and lift up your heads' because redemption is near.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Essentials of Effective Prayer - Zac Poonen - August 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 14, 2018 · 52m
Effective prayer involves not only speaking to God but also developing the habit of deep listening, as God's line is always open unless sin is present. The speaker emphasizes praying without ceasing, which includes listening for God's guidance throughout the day, not just on one's knees. Furthermore, one must pray authentically, avoiding the trap of praying to impress others, and instead focus on being conscious of Jesus' presence.
1h 8mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Living Constantly at Rest in God - Zac Poonen - August 5, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 7, 2018 · 1h 8m
The speaker contrasts the typical classroom setting with the intimate, family-like atmosphere of sharing God's word. He emphasizes that true spiritual growth comes not from mere religious knowledge or ministry activity, but from increasing in love and humility. Ultimately, he draws parallels between Christ's life—marked by profound humility—and the believer's calling to rest in God's provision and fellowship, mirroring God's rest after creation.
30mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
New Covenant Eldership - Zac Poonen - August 5, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 7, 2018 · 30m
The speaker argues that the Old Covenant was abolished because God's ultimate plan required the Holy Spirit to dwell in man, which was impossible due to sin. He emphasizes that sin requires a definitive price, which Jesus paid on the cross. The New Covenant shifts the relationship from a governmental one to a familial one, where the church functions as the 'body of Christ'—a family where Christ is the head, requiring the cooperation of all members because no single human can perfectly manifest the glory of God.
1h 19mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Father is Well-Pleased When We are Secure in His Love - Santosh Poonen - August 3, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 7, 2018 · 1h 19m
The speaker encourages listeners to base their lives on the foundational truth that God is always good, drawing from Psalm 136. He emphasizes that giving thanks for God's inherent goodness is different from thanking Him for specific blessings or rescues. Ultimately, he urges believers to adopt a 'big picture' perspective, trusting that God orchestrates all circumstances, even the difficult ones, for their ultimate good.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Questions & Answers for Young Adults - Santosh Poonen - August 3, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 7, 2018 · 40m
The speaker advises that one must first pray about their current location, recognizing that God placed them where they are for a reason, rather than moving based solely on personal preference or perceived lack of fellowship. He emphasizes seeking spiritual growth through fellowship and under spiritual authority, and advises seeking counsel from godly elders or parents before making major life decisions like moving or marriage. Regarding marriage, he stresses that a potential husband should be spiritually mature enough to lead, suggesting that a significant gap in spiritual hunger between the couple should be a red flag.
34mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Questions & Answers for Young Adults - Jeremy Utley - August 2, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6, 2018 · 34m
The speaker uses the miracle account from John 9, where Jesus uses mud and his own saliva to restore sight, to illustrate that life's ordinary, even unpleasant, circumstances can be God's anointing. He encourages the audience to embrace the
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
How God Prepared Jesus in Secret - Jeremy Utley - August 2, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6, 2018 · 59m
The speaker discusses the concept of living a life that pleases God the Father in secret, drawing a parallel between Jesus's hidden life and our own spiritual walk. He argues that just as Jesus's early life was less documented, our focus should be on pleasing God privately rather than seeking public recognition. Spiritual preparation, like physical training for a soldier, requires a disciplined diet and exercise, which spiritually means maintaining a good spiritual diet and practicing obedience.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
God Loves Repentance - Jeremy Utley - July 31, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6, 2018 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that what truly pleases God is repentance, which is more than just a foundational truth—it's a daily necessity. He warns against becoming mere collectors of truth who enjoy hearing sermons without applying the word, stressing that God expects believers to live according to what they hear. Ultimately, one honors God not by dwelling in shame, but by running back to Him with hope, remembering that God takes no pleasure in our death but desires our return to Him.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jesus: Our Model of a Life Well-Pleasing to God - Olu Talabi - July 31, 2018
Olu Talabi · Aug 6, 2018 · 47m
The central message is that the goal of Christian life must be to live in a way that pleases God the Father, using Jesus Christ as the perfect model. The speaker emphasizes that our ultimate ambition should not be to please people, but to be found pleasing to God when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. He draws parallels between Daniel's life and Jesus's life to illustrate this principle.
50mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
A Life With No 'However...' - Jeremy Utley - July 30, 2018
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6, 2018 · 50m
The speaker shares his personal journey of spiritual awakening, emphasizing that the greatest joy is knowing Jesus Christ over any worldly achievement. He encourages the audience to take seriously the opportunity to learn from God's Word and the testimonies of others. He draws parallels between the Old and New Covenants, urging believers to be ruthless against the 'giants'—the lusts and sins—that rule in their lives.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Without Faith it is Impossible to Please God - Ajay Chakravarthy - July 30, 2018
Ajay Chakravarthy · Aug 3, 2018 · 46m
The central message is that pleasing God does not require spectacular or extraordinary acts of service; rather, it is found in living an ordinary life that is pleasing to Him. The speaker draws parallels from Jesus's life, noting that God commended Him after thirty years of ordinary living, not just during His ministry years. True discipleship involves letting people see the ordinary, faithful life being lived out, not just hearing about it.
31mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Questions & Answers for Young Adults - Santosh Poonen - July 30, 2018
Santosh Poonen · Aug 2, 2018 · 31m
The central message is that true love for God and obedience to His commandments flow not from manufactured effort, but as a natural reaction to the immense forgiveness and love God has shown us. The speaker uses the analogy of a rubber ball to illustrate that the greater one realizes God's undeserved grace, the more their service and giving to God will rebound. He encourages young people to recognize this profound forgiveness now, as it is the source of a life lived in Christian love.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
A Full Salvation: Part 2: From the Power of Sin - Zac Poonen - July 29, 2018
Zac Poonen · Jul 31, 2018 · 1h 4m
The speaker emphasizes that while knowing salvation from the penalty of sin is the foundation of the Christian life, true maturity requires building the superstructure by growing in the power of sin. He stresses that the Bible is God's Word, containing answers to every spiritual problem, and that obedience to God's commands is for our spiritual good, much like parental discipline. Spiritual growth requires a passion for learning, similar to progressing through school grades.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
A Full Salvation: Part 1: From the Penalty of Sin - Zac Poonen - July 29, 2018
Zac Poonen · Jul 31, 2018 · 47m
The speaker shares his personal journey of faith, emphasizing that true conversion is not marked by dramatic external changes, but rather by an internal commitment that requires consistent spiritual discipline like daily Bible reading and prayer. He recounts how reading John chapter 6 led him to a profound sense of assurance that God had accepted him, contrasting this with the gradual, evidence-based faith of Thomas in John chapter 20. The central message is that belief, even without physical signs, is a profound blessing.