Library
391 messages
55mZac Poonen · May 27
54mSantosh Poonen · Apr 17
44mSantosh Poonen · Feb 13
19mJeremy Utley · Jun 24
18mSantosh Poonen · May 31
42mSantosh Poonen · Sep 21
1h 18mZac Poonen · Sep 6
55mSantosh Poonen · Aug 23
52mSantosh Poonen · Jul 29
56mSantosh Poonen · Jul 26
1h 9mZac Poonen · May 26
1h 30mZac Poonen · May 26
56mSantosh Poonen · Apr 20
58mSantosh Poonen · Nov 3
45mSantosh Poonen · Aug 25
45mSantosh Poonen · Aug 5
52mSantosh Poonen · Jun 23
50mSantosh Poonen · Jun 10
1h 4mZac Poonen · May 25
53mSantosh Poonen · May 24
40mSantosh Poonen · May 5
57mSantosh Poonen · Dec 2
1h 0mSantosh Poonen · Jul 10
1h 0mZac Poonen · Mar 11
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.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 27, 2017 · 55m
The central message is that the believer's life should reflect the 'beauty of the Lord' shining from within, which is a hallmark of the New Covenant. The speaker warns against a superficial Christianity where outward religious activity masks a fading glory, comparing it to the Old Covenant. True evidence of God's presence is a life lived in the Spirit—characterized by immediate confession of sin and quick reconciliation with others—rather than mere feeling or performance.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingSantosh Poonen · Apr 17, 2017 · 54m
The sermon emphasizes that true Christian life involves dwelling in the Father's love, which is characterized by obedience and relationship. It encourages believers to live in a way that reflects God's character, moving beyond mere knowledge to practical devotion.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingSantosh Poonen · Feb 13, 2017 · 44m
The sermon uses the metaphor of a fruit tree to illustrate that a person's true character and spiritual life are revealed by the 'fruit' they bear. The central message is that genuine Christian life must manifest visible, good works and character traits. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit.
19mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jeremy Utley · Jun 24, 2016 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that knowing God should compel us to change, warning against the danger of maintaining old habits or attitudes after God has revealed Himself. Using Abraham's repeated lies and Elijah's flight from Jezebel as examples, the message stresses that a refusal to change in light of new revelation is dangerous, and we must always be willing to be purged of impurity.
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.
42mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 21, 2015 · 42m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian intimacy with God requires more than mere religious activity; it demands a deep, private relationship akin to a marital bond. He draws parallels between the holiness required in the Old Covenant priesthood and the need for believers to approach God with reverence, moving beyond superficial acts of service. Ultimately, this intimate relationship is presented as the model for the believer's connection to Christ.
1h 18mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2015 · 1h 18m
The speaker advises that spiritual questions should focus on life application rather than mere biblical knowledge, emphasizing that one must become a disciple rather than just a scribe. He shares personal methods for using imagination for sanctification, such as imagining good outcomes for those who harmed you or praying for the suffering of your enemies. The talk concludes with warnings against pride, jealousy, and willfully sinning after knowing the truth, referencing the concept of the red line concerning the Holy Spirit.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 23, 2015 · 55m
The speaker emphasizes that receiving the Holy Spirit requires a desperate hunger and a passionate desire for holiness, as God will not pour the Spirit into a contaminated vessel. He clarifies that being filled with the Spirit is not a formula but a divine outpouring, contrasting the ministry of John the Baptist (preaching repentance) with the fullness of Christ's work. Ultimately, the message stresses that God desires every believer to be genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit for the building up of the body of Christ.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jul 29, 2015 · 52m
The central message is that the fundamental law governing the Kingdom of Heaven is the law of love. The speaker warns that merely being 'set free' from old legalistic structures without entering the New Covenant—governed by love—leads to chaos and a worse condition than being under law. True freedom comes through Jesus, leading into this new law of love, which is superior to both old legalism and outright sin.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jul 26, 2015 · 56m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of a deep, persistent thirst for the Holy Spirit, comparing it to the motivation needed to reach a distant destination. He warns that finding fulfillment in worldly things—like career, status, or possessions—will quench this spiritual thirst. True spiritual depth requires ongoing seeking and prayer, as God hears and answers the heart's longing for Him.
1h 9mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 26, 2015 · 1h 9m
The secret to a godly life is found in Christ, who was revealed in the flesh and was tempted in every way we are, yet never sinned. This example allows believers to find strength when tempted by comparing their struggles to Christ's perfect endurance. God reveals this secret to those who desperately and passionately seek Him, as exemplified by the Indian saint, Sadhu Sundar Singh.
1h 30mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 26, 2015 · 1h 30m
The central message is that the Christian life must accurately reflect the true nature of Jesus, focusing on internal transformation rather than merely external works or social programs. The speaker warns against equating Christian activity with worldly compassion or visible charity, arguing that the true focus must be on building the 'True Church'—a quality-based community—as opposed to the 'great Babylon' of mere quantity. True discipleship requires internal holiness, as exemplified by Jesus' teachings on anger, which addressed the root of sin.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Apr 20, 2015 · 56m
The central message warns against the danger of 'bearing leaves without fruit,' which describes hypocrisy—maintaining a outward appearance of piety while living sinfully in private. The speaker argues that God raises the standard of righteousness to perfection, and pretending to meet this standard is futile. True Christian life requires genuine transformation from the root up, rejecting pretense and transactional relationships with God.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 3, 2014 · 58m
The speaker warns that the devil seeks to defile every aspect of life—marriage, family, and the church—but the primary source of defilement is not external. Citing Mark 7, he emphasizes that what defiles a person are not external things entering them, but rather the things that proceed out of the man. True purity must come from within.
45mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 25, 2014 · 45m
The speaker cautions against focusing solely on external religious actions or manifestations, arguing that true Christian life stems from an inner nature. He emphasizes that while external acts are important, they are merely an overflow of a deeply filled inner life, urging listeners to meditate on the internal nature of Christ rather than just His visible deeds. The core message is the necessity of cultivating this inner life, which is more crucial than any specific external performance.
45mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingSantosh Poonen · Aug 5, 2014 · 45m
This session focuses on the concept of being a true worshiper. The message emphasizes that worship is not merely an activity but a lifestyle that should permeate every aspect of the believer's life. It encourages the audience to live in a constant state of worship before God.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jun 23, 2014 · 52m
The central message is that the true test of godliness is the depth and nature of our love, which must be rooted in the understanding that God Himself is love. The speaker emphasizes that this divine love is an unchangeable nature, not merely a feeling. He concludes by stating that the ultimate test of our love is our ability to love our enemies, which requires a divine love that surpasses human capacity.
50mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jun 10, 2014 · 50m
The sermon explores the depth of knowing God, arguing that true knowledge comes not just from knowing His works or reading His word, but from experiencing Him through Jesus Christ. Jesus' teachings, particularly in Matthew 5, shift the standard from the letter of the law to the heart of God's love, exemplified by loving enemies. The speaker cautions against merely 'working for Christ' based on personal fancies, emphasizing that all Christian service must originate from the Sovereign will and command of the Lord.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 25, 2014 · 1h 4m
The central message is that true obedience and holiness must be rooted in a fervent, all-consuming love for Christ, not merely adherence to commandments. The speaker emphasizes that the greatest commandments are to love God and love neighbor, and this love must be the foundation for discipleship. He argues that the focus should be on finding people who desire to follow Jesus wholeheartedly here on earth, rather than those who are only concerned with going to heaven.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingSantosh Poonen · May 24, 2014 · 53m
This session focuses on the concept of being a pure bride for Christ. The message emphasizes the believer's calling to holiness and preparation for Christ's return. It speaks to the need for a dedicated life focused on Christ's glory.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
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.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
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 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jul 10, 2013 · 1h 0m
The speaker emphasizes that true salvation is far more than just the forgiveness of sins; it is a profound, ongoing transformation. He stresses that salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus, a secret work of the Holy Spirit, and a process perfected through suffering and learning obedience, mirroring Christ's own experience. He concludes by addressing the complex theological debate regarding the loss of salvation, indicating it is a necessary topic to discuss.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 11, 2013 · 1h 0m
The central message is that a person's primary purpose on earth is to be the dwelling place for God's life, rather than focusing solely on visible accomplishments or spiritual gifts. Just as the burning bush was ordinary but contained God's fire, every believer, regardless of their calling or gifting, must manifest the life of God to fulfill their purpose. This requires prioritizing a genuine, internal connection with God over outward ministry success or material gain.