Library
276 messages
27mSantosh Poonen · Jan 30
50mSantosh Poonen · Oct 24
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship · Aug 29
42mSantosh Poonen · Jun 23
18mSantosh Poonen · May 31
11mAjay Chakravarthy · Feb 18
49mSantosh Poonen · Nov 29
47mZac Poonen · Sep 6
24mAjay Chakravarthy · Jul 29
1h 6mZac Poonen · May 26
32mAjay Chakravarthy · May 10
53mSantosh Poonen · Jan 18
54mSantosh Poonen · Jan 5
51mZac Poonen · Sep 13
52mSantosh Poonen · Jul 7
59mZac Poonen · May 24
56mZac Poonen · May 24
59mSantosh Poonen · Jan 7
55mSantosh Poonen · Aug 14
1h 0mSantosh Poonen · Aug 10
51mSantosh Poonen · Mar 13
45mSantosh Poonen · Feb 25
40mSantosh Poonen · Jan 7
53mSantosh Poonen · Nov 19
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.
27mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 30, 2017 · 27m
The central message is that true oneness in the Spirit, necessary for spiritual authority, can only be achieved through consistent, dedicated prayer. The speaker emphasizes that while fellowship is important, the most effective way to battle spiritual forces is through corporate prayer, which allows members to discern and bear one another's hidden burdens. This spiritual unity moves beyond mere social gathering into deep, vulnerable intercession.
50mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Oct 24, 2016 · 50m
The central message is that the greatest calling is to follow Jesus, not to build or preach, and that every believer has a responsibility to lead others into that following in their daily lives. The speaker argues that God intentionally designs different local expressions (churches) to fulfill specific functions, viewing this necessary separation not as negative division, but as part of God's divine order, similar to how the body's organs have distinct roles.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
CFC Messages · Aug 29, 2016 · 46m
The speaker encourages the congregation to view themselves not as mere recipients of blessings, but as active, contributing members of the Body of Christ. He emphasizes that every member has a responsibility to fulfill God's calling, contrasting this with the mentality of simply attending church to receive entertainment or sermons. True participation means actively contributing to the work of the kingdom.
42mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jun 23, 2016 · 42m
The speaker cautions against assessing one's spiritual life solely by personal feelings, warning that this self-centered focus can lead to complacency. Drawing from Jude, he emphasizes that believers must actively 'contend earnestly for the faith,' which requires more than just maintaining a private relationship with Jesus. True discipleship involves caring for the community and the needs of others, not just oneself.
18mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 31, 2016 · 18m
The speaker warns that the devil's greatest weapon is not his overt power, but his deception, which can lead people to believe they are living holy lives individually rather than communally. He emphasizes that the church's primary calling is to maintain a simple and pure devotion to the true Jesus, warning against 'another Jesus' or spiritual counterfeits that mimic Christ's name but lack true spirit. This purity of devotion must be maintained within the local church setting.
11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Ajay Chakravarthy · Feb 18, 2016 · 11m
The central message is that the Lord is eternally building the church, and this work is evident not in perfection, but in the sincerity of the believers. The speaker emphasizes that two key elements sustain this eternal work: a sincere faith in Christ and a genuine love for the saints. These qualities are what God looks for, regardless of human flaws or ordinariness.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 29, 2015 · 49m
The central message is that true spiritual authority comes from being united with Christ, who demonstrated complete authority over darkness even after emptying himself. Believers, through salvation and daily surrender, gain the authority to stand against the devil and worldly pressures, just as Jesus did before Pilate. This authority is rooted in Christ's finished work and maintained by actively denying personal will to the enemy.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2015 · 47m
The speaker compares the ideal church to a family rather than a club or a large performance venue, emphasizing the need for genuine belonging and structure. He stresses that a healthy church requires plurality of elders for leadership and discipline, contrasting this with mega-churches. Furthermore, he warns of a coming famine for the 'word of the Lord' (prophetic word), advocating for teaching that speaks directly to the heart and causes personal transformation.
24mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Ajay Chakravarthy · Jul 29, 2015 · 24m
The speaker emphasizes that the true body of Christ is not merely a Sunday service but a living, God-built community, contrasting it with self-made endeavors like the Tower of Babel. He stresses that every member is a precious, living stone, and true fellowship requires denying self, overcoming jealousy, and actively seeking to live out the preached word in daily life. Ultimately, the message calls for genuine transformation that permeates one's entire existence.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 26, 2015 · 1h 6m
The speaker emphasizes that spiritual growth requires commitment to a local church family, comparing it to the responsibility of a home rather than the convenience of a restaurant. He warns against spiritual stagnation from only consuming knowledge online or from visiting preachers. Furthermore, he advises believers to use Jesus Christ as a 'spiritual dictionary' when discerning genuine manifestations of the Holy Spirit from deception.
32mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Ajay Chakravarthy · May 10, 2015 · 32m
Jesus is established as the sole Builder and Head of the Church, making any structure built apart from Him illegitimate. The sermon contrasts this with self-serving efforts, like those in Genesis 11, and examines the nature of true repentance using Jeremiah 3. The speaker emphasizes that God desires genuine, heartfelt acknowledgment of sin, warning against superficial or deceptive repentance.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 18, 2015 · 53m
The speaker emphasizes that deep intimacy within a local church community inevitably exposes our faults, which should not cause fear but rather be embraced for transformation. He draws parallels to Paul's experience with the law, noting that vulnerability in fellowship reveals unChristlike aspects that the Holy Spirit can then address. The discussion transitions to Matthew 7:1, cautioning against judging others, suggesting that while the immediate penalty may not be physical, we will ultimately have to give account before God.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 5, 2015 · 54m
The speaker challenges the congregation to consider what truly defines their church, arguing that mere gathering or building is insufficient. Drawing from a quote by A.W. Tozer, he asserts that for Christianity to be rejuvenated, it must move beyond established religious routines and instead be led by a prophetic voice—a call to every member to be a leader. Ultimately, he emphasizes that the entire body of Christ is called to be the prophet, speaking one voice in the world.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2014 · 51m
The speaker discusses finding balance in Christian life, using analogies like the body of Christ and the balance between spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit. Key areas needing balance include dependence on God versus dependence on other believers, and the relationship between loving God and loving neighbor. He emphasizes that while one must heed the Spirit's guidance (1 John 2:27), one must also value the teaching authority set by Christ (Ephesians 4:11).
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jul 7, 2014 · 52m
The sermon emphasizes that the condition of a church can be accurately gauged by the fervor of its prayer meetings, quoting Charles Spurgeon to stress that God's presence requires diligent prayer. The speaker encourages the congregation to commit to attending the scheduled prayer meetings, warning that spiritual neglect in prayer is a primary sign of God's absence. Finally, he directs the listeners to pray privately, as Jesus taught, rather than praying publicly for recognition.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 24, 2014 · 59m
Building the Church as the Body of Christ requires more than mere intellectual knowledge of scripture; it demands the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The speaker contrasts a mere 'congregation' (like a pile of bricks) with the true 'Body' (a connected structure), emphasizing that true unity involves mutual connection and submission to local leadership. The identifying mark of this body is a sacrificial love, exemplified by the parts of the body caring for one another.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingZac Poonen · May 24, 2014 · 56m
This session appears to be part of a men's conference focusing on building the body of Christ. While the specific content isn't detailed, the context suggests a teaching aimed at spiritual growth and service within the church community.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 7, 2014 · 59m
The speaker urges the congregation to live life to the fullest, not according to worldly standards of achievement, but in the fullness of God's will, referencing Ephesians. He emphasizes that true spiritual growth involves examining one's life to ensure increasing oneness and unity with fellow believers, which is a process that requires effort and working through conflict. Ultimately, the goal is to experience the 'glory' of unity and submission to one another in love.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 14, 2013 · 55m
The central message is that believers must be actively integrated into the local body of Christ, rather than merely attending services. The speaker emphasizes that building the church is not solely the responsibility of gifted leaders, but rather the calling of every 'saint' or chosen one. Jesus' primary motivation for coming to earth, according to the speaker, was not just compassion, but to demonstrate His love for the Father and the world.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 10, 2013 · 1h 0m
The core message emphasizes that Christian life involves passing on truth to others, not just receiving it personally. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2, the speaker stresses that believers must be strong with Christ's strength to teach others and pass on these truths to trustworthy disciples. Furthermore, he aims to dismantle the false notion that only paid ministers build the church, asserting that every member is equally responsible for the body of Christ.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 13, 2013 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that the true purpose of gathering in fellowship is to experience the unique connection and passion for Christ found within the local body of Christ, which he sees as the source of resurrection power. He shares his personal testimony of being restored by God and realizing that true spiritual authority and leadership are found not in large, impersonal settings, but in the intimate, functional connection within the local church. This authority is demonstrated through humble faith, as exemplified by the Centurion in Matthew 8.
45mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 25, 2013 · 45m
The sermon emphasizes the solemn charge given by Paul to Timothy to preach the word, drawing parallels to the accountability we face before Christ's return. The speaker urges listeners to live with a constant awareness of Christ's judgment and kingdom, which should eliminate grudges, promote reconciliation, and focus life's rest on God's kingdom rather than earthly achievements or political stability.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 7, 2013 · 40m
The sermon emphasizes that while building a life and ministry is necessary, the foundation must be Jesus Christ, as taught in 1 Corinthians 3. Believers must focus their efforts and resources on eternal works—like discipleship and obedience—which are represented by gold, silver, and precious stones, rather than temporary achievements (wood, hay, and straw). This focus is critical because the return of Christ will swiftly end earthly structures, making the eternal work the only thing that will endure the 'fire.'
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 19, 2012 · 53m
The speaker emphasizes that the church's primary commitment and focus must remain on the local body, as this is where he believes God's calling and fruit will be. He stresses that true membership involves every member actively contributing to the growth and edification of the body, not just paying dues. The message also warns against deception, noting that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, which is necessary for the church to be purified as the bride of Christ.