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40mTesting Your Godliness - 1: Love Your Enemy - Santosh Poonen - May 4, 2014
Santosh Poonen · May 5
54mAnything More Than Yes or No is of the Evil One - Santosh Poonen - April 20, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Apr 20
56mTo Present to Thee a Heart of Wisdom - Santosh Poonen - April 6, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Apr 7
54mPower to Overcome - Santosh Poonen - March 16, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Mar 17
1h 1mAfraid? Of What? - Santosh Poonen - February 23, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Feb 24
54mPeace-Pursuers - Santosh Poonen - February 16, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Feb 17
49mHave You Truly Seen God? - Santosh Poonen - February 2, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Feb 3
53mIs There a Camel in Your Teacup? - Santosh Poonen - January 19, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Jan 20
59mTo Live Full Lives... Full in the Fullness of God - Santosh Poonen - January 5, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Jan 7
54mHungering and Thirsting for the Face of God - Santosh Poonen - December 29, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 30
1h 11mManifesting Jesus in Our Life - Zac Poonen - December 15, 2013
Zac Poonen · Dec 16
1h 3mA People Who Judge Themselves - Zac Poonen - December 11, 2013
Zac Poonen · Dec 12
57mTwo Parts of the Word of the Cross - Zac Poonen - December 8, 2013
Zac Poonen · Dec 8
57mBlessed Are the Tamed - Santosh Poonen - December 1, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 2
1h 1mThe God of All Encouragement: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - November 17, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Nov 18
51mThe God of All Encouragement: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - November 3, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Nov 4
49mThe Kingdom of Heaven is for the Poor in Spirit - Santosh Poonen - October 20, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Oct 21
50mThe Followers of Jesus Who Crucified Him - Santosh Poonen - October 6, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Oct 9
51mThe Lower Lights - Santosh Poonen - September 22, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22
59mThe Serpent of Old: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - September 1, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Sep 2
54mThe Serpent of Old: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - August 25, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Aug 26
51mLive With Abandon - Santosh Poonen - August 6, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Aug 15
55mIntegrated Into a Local Church - Santosh Poonen - August 11, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Aug 14
1h 0mApproval Before Service - Santosh Poonen - August 9, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Aug 10
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Testing Your Godliness - 1: Love Your Enemy - Santosh Poonen - May 4, 2014
Santosh Poonen · May 5, 2014 · 40m
The speaker emphasizes that true godliness is measured not by programs or activities, but by a deep, increasing love for God and for fellow believers. He argues that a genuine love for God is demonstrated through loving one's spouse, children, and church community self-sacrificially. The message warns against treating Christ or the church as a 'project' or a cause to be promoted, stressing instead that obedience must originate from the Lord's sovereign will.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Anything More Than Yes or No is of the Evil One - Santosh Poonen - April 20, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Apr 20, 2014 · 54m
Jesus teaches that oaths are unnecessary because one's statement should simply be 'yes' or 'no,' as anything beyond these two words belongs to the evil one. This principle restores the original standard of God's law, emphasizing that the command to love and not lust or get angry is not a new standard but a return to what God always intended for humanity. Jesus' words correct loopholes that people had used in the law to excuse sin.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
To Present to Thee a Heart of Wisdom - Santosh Poonen - April 6, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Apr 7, 2014 · 56m
The speaker encourages the audience to live mindful of the shortness of life, drawing from Psalm 90, and to seek a heart of wisdom from God. He emphasizes that our legacy should not be based on our skills or achievements, but rather on our relationship with Jesus, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and used that power to do good. The core message is to live intentionally to present a life pleasing to God.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Power to Overcome - Santosh Poonen - March 16, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Mar 17, 2014 · 54m
The central message is the necessity of being an 'overcomer,' a theme repeated throughout Revelation to the seven churches. The speaker emphasizes that overcoming is not a one-time event but a continuous process of perseverance in faith. This overcoming leads to eternal rewards, such as eating from the Tree of Life and receiving eternal life with Christ.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Afraid? Of What? - Santosh Poonen - February 23, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Feb 24, 2014 · 1h 1m
Jesus contrasts the blessings of the Old Covenant with the blessings of the New Covenant, emphasizing that true fortune comes from being poor in spirit, mourning, meekness, and hunger for righteousness. Specifically, the speaker highlights that being persecuted for the sake of righteousness is a sign of great fortune, a concept that reverses the old understanding of earthly prosperity as God's favor.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Peace-Pursuers - Santosh Poonen - February 16, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Feb 17, 2014 · 54m
The central mark of true Christianity is demonstrated by loving one's enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This goes beyond merely loving friends or those within one's own group, distinguishing true followers of God from others. The speaker emphasizes that this radical love is the defining characteristic that proves one is a son of the Father in heaven.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Have You Truly Seen God? - Santosh Poonen - February 2, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Feb 3, 2014 · 49m
The central message is that true understanding and seeing God come from a pure heart, defined as having an unadulterated devotion to Jesus, rather than mere religious performance. The speaker contrasts this with the superficial piety of the Pharisees and uses Psalm 73 to illustrate that envy of others' prosperity and comparing oneself to others are signs that one has not yet truly seen God. Ultimately, seeing God requires a divine revelation that surpasses human effort or knowledge.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Is There a Camel in Your Teacup? - Santosh Poonen - January 19, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Jan 20, 2014 · 53m
The speaker advises that true prayer life should be private, occurring in one's inner room, rather than being performed publicly for show. While planned prayer meetings are beneficial, the core of our spiritual life must be a secret devotion to God. He warns against being deceived by false teachings or 'another Jesus' that might offer a false sense of righteousness, emphasizing that true righteousness comes only through faith in the true Jesus Christ.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
To Live Full Lives... Full in the Fullness of God - Santosh Poonen - January 5, 2014
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.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Hungering and Thirsting for the Face of God - Santosh Poonen - December 29, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 30, 2013 · 54m
The speaker encourages a deep, active desire for God's word and presence, moving beyond merely hearing sermons to cultivating a daily, intimate walk with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that achieving spiritual goals, such as obeying every New Covenant command and experiencing every promise, requires taking consistent, daily steps of obedience rather than waiting for a distant future. These daily choices are crucial because neglecting them allows sin and distraction to derail spiritual progress.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Manifesting Jesus in Our Life - Zac Poonen - December 15, 2013
Zac Poonen · Dec 16, 2013 · 1h 11m
The central message is that the primary calling for Christians is not merely to preach about Jesus, but to live lives that visibly demonstrate who Jesus was. Drawing from Jesus' commission, the speaker emphasizes that by living according to Christ's example—in private life, speech, and handling of resources—one shows the world what God is like, proving that 'who has seen me has seen the Father.'
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
A People Who Judge Themselves - Zac Poonen - December 11, 2013
Zac Poonen · Dec 12, 2013 · 1h 3m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian belonging requires self-examination and a deep commitment to hating sin and loving righteousness, rather than merely repeating religious formulas. He draws from 1 Peter 4, stating that judgment begins within the household of God, and points to 1 Corinthians 11:31, advising that self-judgment leads to not being judged. The core message is that genuine spiritual progress involves developing a profound revulsion toward sin, much like one would feel for something repulsive.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Two Parts of the Word of the Cross - Zac Poonen - December 8, 2013
Zac Poonen · Dec 8, 2013 · 57m
The word of the cross has two parts: one for unbelievers and one for believers. For unbelievers, it is the message that salvation is free through Christ's death and resurrection, which is foolishness to them because they prefer to earn forgiveness through works. For believers, the second part is the call to a god-centered life, recognizing that true discipleship means submitting one's will entirely to God's will, rather than merely living a morally upright, man-centered life.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Blessed Are the Tamed - Santosh Poonen - December 1, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 2, 2013 · 57m
The central message is that true meekness is not weakness or passivity, but rather the process of taming the wild, uncontrolled spirit within us. Drawing parallels to taming a powerful wild animal, the speaker argues that meekness, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, does not diminish our strength but channels our power for God's kingdom. This understanding shifts our perspective away from worldly definitions of meekness.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The God of All Encouragement: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - November 17, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Nov 18, 2013 · 1h 1m
The message emphasizes that true spiritual understanding requires deep study of scripture, comparing the need to understand spiritual meaning to looking up words in a dictionary. The core focus is on Jesus' profound value for fellowship with the Father, which he feared losing even more than physical death. The speaker urges listeners to value this relationship above all else, recognizing that sin breaks this fellowship.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The God of All Encouragement: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - November 3, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Nov 4, 2013 · 51m
The speaker argues that while the preaching of the cross is vital, many Christians mistake worldly or emotional happiness for true joy. He distinguishes between this fleeting, imitative joy and the deep, sustaining joy of the Lord, which he asserts is the source of true strength. Drawing from Nehemiah 8:10, he emphasizes that this divine joy empowers believers to remain strong even amidst trials and difficulties.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Kingdom of Heaven is for the Poor in Spirit - Santosh Poonen - October 20, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Oct 21, 2013 · 49m
Jesus taught that entering the Kingdom of Heaven requires passing through the narrow gate, which is not merely about hearing His teachings but about actively doing the will of the Father. The speaker emphasizes that mere knowledge or performance (like miracles or prophecy) is insufficient; true discipleship is proven by one's daily obedience in private life. Ultimately, the wise person is the one who hears Jesus' words and acts upon them, while the foolish person fails to do so.
50mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Followers of Jesus Who Crucified Him - Santosh Poonen - October 6, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Oct 9, 2013 · 50m
The message contrasts the true disciples who immediately left everything to follow Jesus with the great multitude who followed outwardly. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires a complete abandonment of one's current life, possessions, and agendas, unlike those who merely bring their 'baggage' and ideas to church. This distinction is crucial for understanding genuine commitment to Christ.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Lower Lights - Santosh Poonen - September 22, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22, 2013 · 51m
The speaker discusses discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit from natural instincts, warning that the greatest deception is often the knowledge of good and evil, which can lead to sin. He emphasizes that knowing God's Word is the only sure way to discern divine guidance. The message concludes by applying the concept of the 'great light' to the modern believer, calling everyone to be the light of the world by focusing on Christ's life and ministry, which was intentionally limited geographically.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Serpent of Old: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - September 1, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Sep 2, 2013 · 59m
The message discusses the ongoing spiritual battle between God and the devil, referencing Revelation 12:9 where the devil is cast down as the 'serpent of old.' The speaker emphasizes that following Christ makes one the enemy of the devil, and God uses wilderness experiences to prove His power in believers. Understanding the devil's tactics, as revealed in scripture, is crucial for believers to avoid spiritual pitfalls.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Serpent of Old: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - August 25, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Aug 26, 2013 · 54m
The speaker discusses the nature of family, asserting that its strength is determined by love, not by numbers. He then transitions to studying the temptation of Jesus in Matthew 3-4, using this as a model to show how the devil operates. The core message is that understanding the devil's tactics, as revealed in scripture, allows believers to be aware of the traps they must avoid in their spiritual lives.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Live With Abandon - Santosh Poonen - August 6, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Aug 15, 2013 · 51m
The speaker encourages the audience to live with complete abandon to God, drawing parallels between military service and spiritual surrender. He emphasizes that true Christian life means giving oneself entirely to God, surpassing the concern for reputation, looks, or what others think. The message is reinforced by quoting 2 Timothy 2:11-13, urging the listeners to commit fully to Christ.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Integrated Into a Local Church - Santosh Poonen - August 11, 2013
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
Approval Before Service - Santosh Poonen - August 9, 2013
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.