Library
479 messages
1h 1mZac Poonen · Sep 6
1h 1mZac Poonen · Sep 6
49mZac Poonen · Sep 3
1h 7mZac Poonen · Aug 6
52mZac Poonen · Jul 30
1h 1mZac Poonen · Jul 2
1h 3mZac Poonen · Jun 6
19mZac Poonen · May 28
22mZac Poonen · May 28
46mZac Poonen · May 7
1h 6mZac Poonen · May 5
55mZac Poonen · May 4
47mZac Poonen · Apr 27
59mZac Poonen · Apr 27
59mZac Poonen · Apr 27
56mZac Poonen · Apr 27
52mZac Poonen · Apr 27
27mZac Poonen · Apr 4
58mZac Poonen · Apr 2
53mZac Poonen · Mar 27
31mZac Poonen · Mar 26
40mZac Poonen · Mar 21
14mZac Poonen · Feb 19
1h 18mZac Poonen · Dec 17
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.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2020 · 1h 1m
The speaker emphasizes that all scripture is profitable, and believers are called to be witnesses not only with words but through their entire lives, even when alone. He argues that the ultimate witness is to God, not just to people, citing Job as an example. The message concludes by drawing parallels between Abraham's life, Jesus's testing, and the longing to be called by God as both His servant and His friend.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2020 · 1h 1m
The speaker argues that while the Old Testament is foundational scripture, the New Covenant established at Pentecost provides believers with far greater spiritual privileges than those available to Old Testament saints. He cautions against viewing Old Testament figures as having the same level of grace and reality available to Christians today, emphasizing that true reality and grace are only possible through Christ. The message encourages believers to compare their current understanding to the Old Testament examples to recognize their blessings.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 3, 2020 · 49m
The central message is that true Christian life requires a deep, settled assurance of God's intense, loving fatherhood, which is the foundation of faith. The speaker emphasizes that mere knowledge or explanation of God's love is insufficient; one must experience it as a revelation through the Holy Spirit to overcome the 'orphan spirit' of doubt. This rootedness in God's love is necessary for all other aspects of Christian living, including discipline and ability to love others.
1h 7mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 6, 2020 · 1h 7m
The speaker emphasizes that the core promises of the New Testament are Jesus' ability to save people from sin and the promise of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. He warns that many Christians focus on old covenant promises of earthly blessings, neglecting the internal transformation offered by Christ. To receive this saving power and filling, one must seek God earnestly and wholeheartedly, mirroring the diligence shown when seeking earthly needs.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 30, 2020 · 52m
The central message is that seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first is the key to receiving all other earthly needs from God. The speaker clarifies that the Kingdom of God is defined not by external actions like missionary work, but by 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). True righteousness comes from the Holy Spirit, not from personal effort or adherence to the law.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 2, 2020 · 1h 1m
The speaker warns that merely wanting to avoid hell is insufficient for true salvation; one must not neglect the greatness of the salvation offered in Christ. He emphasizes that true understanding requires experiencing God's promises, not just knowing the verses. The central theme is entering into God's original, first-day Sabbath rest—a time of fellowship with God—before engaging in service, which prevents spiritual exhaustion and complaint.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 6, 2020 · 1h 3m
The sermon emphasizes that the cure for worry and anxiety is to seek God's kingdom and righteousness first, which is defined as having righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, when praying, believers must take all concerns to the Lord, making specific requests (supplication) and crucially ending the prayer with thanksgiving. This practice brings the peace of God, which acts as a protective garrison around the heart.
19mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 28, 2020 · 19m
The central message is that believers must live by the Word of God, not just intellectually, but by applying it to their daily lives. The speaker uses the example of Jesus' interaction with John the Baptist to teach that when we receive a rebuke or challenge from scripture or teaching, it is not a sign of disapproval. Instead, it is a gentle challenge from God to help us grow and deepen our trust in Him, knowing that God appreciates our faithfulness even when we don't feel it.
22mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 28, 2020 · 22m
The central message is to live without fear by trusting God's providence, drawing parallels from the early Christians facing persecution to modern anxieties. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires a willingness to take a stand, even against one's own family, as Jesus taught that his coming would bring a dividing sword. Ultimately, faith must be demonstrated by prioritizing God's will above all earthly relationships or comforts.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 7, 2020 · 46m
The speaker discusses Jesus' use of parables, noting that understanding the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven is a gift granted by God, not something achievable through mere intelligence. He argues that true understanding comes not from cleverness or deep study, but from humility, comparing the necessary mindset to that of a little child. Pride and self-sufficiency obscure the recognition of Christ, which is the core mystery revealed.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 5, 2020 · 1h 6m
The central message emphasizes that Christians must strive for perfection, specifically by loving enemies, doing good to those who hate them, and praying for persecutors, as commanded by Jesus. This requires a clear conscience, as unforgiveness prevents one from being forgiven and hearing God's word. The speaker stresses that forgiveness is a deliberate exercise of the will, not merely a feeling, drawing parallels to Jesus' forgiveness on the cross.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 4, 2020 · 55m
The speaker emphasizes the critical need for consistency and honesty when studying scripture, warning against picking and choosing doctrines from different parts of the Bible. He distinguishes clearly between historical accounts and actual teachings, using examples from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels. To avoid deception, the speaker advises believers to actively love the truth about themselves and the Word of God, acknowledging every conviction from the Lord.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 47m
The sermon emphasizes that the entire Bible, including the Old Testament, is inspired by God and should not be ignored. Zac Poonen draws parallels between the persistent faith of the widow in Luke 18 and the necessity of persistent prayer, comparing it to the selfless love shown in Luke 11. He urges the congregation to first recognize a burden for others and then acknowledge their own inability to meet those needs, knowing they must turn to God through persistent prayer.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 59m
The sermon emphasizes that true manhood requires being rooted in God's love, starting at home. The speaker warns against false teachings that permit sin and stresses that men must stand up for the truth, even when it causes suffering. Key actions include being filled with the Holy Spirit, loving one's wife as Christ loved the church, and enduring in love, which is necessary to combat the growing coldness of love for Christ and others.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 59m
The speaker addresses questions regarding living under grace, emphasizing that sin cannot rule over a believer who remains under grace, which is maintained by humility. He stresses that the standard for Christian living must be Jesus Christ, and anything contrary to His life is sin. Furthermore, he encourages diligent seeking of God with the whole heart to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit and maintain patience in all life circumstances.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 56m
The central message is that true manhood and discipleship are modeled after Jesus Christ, not worldly standards. The speaker emphasizes that believers must look to Jesus, who lived a life of daily sacrifice, to run the Christian race. This requires embracing the reproach and shame associated with following Christ, rather than seeking popularity or worldly approval.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 52m
The sermon emphasizes that true manhood, as exemplified by Christ, is not shown through physical strength but by overcoming sin and Satan. Key themes include remaining spiritually alert at all times, understanding that faith is not mere intellectual belief but a living dependence on Christ, and recognizing that all eternal life and ability to live righteously flow only from abiding in Him.
27mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 4, 2020 · 27m
The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires more than just hearing God's word; one must actively obey it, or they build on sand. Specifically regarding prayer, the speaker warns against praying for public recognition (hypocrisy) and stresses the importance of praying in private, in one's 'inner room' with God. Sincerity and genuine connection with the Father are more valuable than elaborate or ritualistic prayers.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 2, 2020 · 58m
The sermon applies the three temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4 to modern life, emphasizing that trials are guided by the Holy Spirit when one walks in God's will. The central message is that true survival and triumph in times of scarcity or crisis come not from physical provision (like bread), but from living by God's Word and remaining obedient to the Father's leading. Disciples must listen to God daily with the intent to obey, not merely to accumulate knowledge for preaching.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 27, 2020 · 53m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christians must anchor themselves in the sovereignty of God, acknowledging that His ways and thoughts surpass human understanding. He stresses that the core message is that God desires all people to repent, and believers must maintain a strong faith while also exercising common sense and taking necessary precautions. Furthermore, he advises that parents should be honest about their knowledge gaps and encourage children to read foundational Christian texts to learn the basic truths of the faith.
31mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 26, 2020 · 31m
The message encourages a yearly spiritual checkup, urging believers to progress in their Christian walk by examining past failures. Drawing parallels to the temptation in Genesis, the speaker warns against the devil's lies—specifically that sin won't be punished or that one can be like God. True spiritual growth requires recognizing that Christ is the sole mediator between God and man, and our ultimate calling is to be conformed to Christ's character of humility and love, not to rule over others.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 21, 2020 · 40m
The central message is that God's jealousy, as referenced in scripture, demands exclusive devotion—that the spirit must belong entirely to Him. True discipleship is not measured by activities, service, or good works, but by having no place in the heart for anything or anyone other than Christ. This requires a fervent, all-consuming love that makes Christ the absolute center of one's life.
14mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Feb 19, 2020 · 14m
The central message is that building the church requires embracing the 'reproach of Christ,' which the speaker compares to considering Christ's reproach greater riches than the treasures of Egypt (worldliness). True discipleship involves following Jesus even when it leads to opposition, and the church must be understood not merely as a gathering, but as the living Body of Christ, which requires daily self-denial and being filled with the Holy Spirit.
1h 18mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Dec 17, 2019 · 1h 18m
The speaker emphasizes that Christian life requires moving beyond mere outward religious practices, such as speaking in tongues, to achieve a 'higher life' characterized by victory over sin. He uses the journey from Egypt to Canaan as an analogy, arguing that true salvation means conquering the 'giants' of sin—like lust and anger—in one's daily life, rather than just receiving initial spiritual gifts. The ultimate goal is a life where one is victorious over internal struggles, not just outwardly blessed.