Library
479 messages
1h 12mZac Poonen · Sep 15
1h 2mZac Poonen · Sep 14
51mZac Poonen · Sep 13
59mZac Poonen · Sep 13
1h 2mZac Poonen · Sep 13
1h 8mZac Poonen · Sep 13
1h 2mZac Poonen · Sep 13
58mZac Poonen · Sep 8
1h 5mZac Poonen · Jun 2
1h 15mZac Poonen · May 29
58mZac Poonen · May 25
1h 4mZac Poonen · May 25
59mZac Poonen · May 25
57mZac Poonen · May 25
59mZac Poonen · May 24
1h 14mZac Poonen · May 24
34mZac Poonen · May 24
56mZac Poonen · May 24
1h 11mZac Poonen · Dec 16
1h 3mZac Poonen · Dec 12
57mZac Poonen · Dec 8
1h 6mZac Poonen · Jul 2
1h 16mZac Poonen · Jul 2
1h 11mZac Poonen · Jul 2
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 12mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 15, 2014 · 1h 12m
The central message is that true Christianity requires more than just church attendance; it demands actively living as a witness for Christ by proclaiming that God reigns. The speaker emphasizes that believers must proclaim God's high standards, press on to perfection, and remember that God is always on their side against the devil, even after failure. The ultimate good news to proclaim, according to Isaiah 52:7, is not just forgiveness, but that 'my God reigns.'
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2014 · 1h 2m
The sermon emphasizes that Jesus's victory over Satan was twofold: blotting out sin and disarming Satan's power on the cross. The speaker stresses that Christians must understand their authority over Satan and that Jesus had to become fully human, like us, to overcome temptation and defeat the devil. This full humanity was necessary because God could not be tempted, making Christ's incarnation the key to our victory.
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).
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2014 · 59m
The central message emphasizes that a secure foundation in God's love is necessary for healthy relationships in marriage, family, and the church. The speaker draws heavily on Philippians 2:5, urging believers to adopt the attitude of Christ in all relationships—with spouses, children, and enemies. He also discusses the biblical model of headship, comparing the husband and wife relationship to the head and body, stressing mutual dependence and the seriousness of commitment, especially regarding divorce.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2014 · 1h 2m
The central message is that Christian life should be lived in alignment with God's specific, pre-planned will, rather than making self-directed plans. This requires a life of inner rest and dependence on the Holy Spirit, mirroring Jesus' focused ministry. True fulfillment comes from completing the work God has specifically assigned, rather than accumulating worldly experience or activity.
1h 8mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2014 · 1h 8m
The central message is that believers must imitate Jesus Christ's example rather than merely offering exhortations. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship involves following Christ's pattern, which is exemplified by His life of helplessness and dependence on the Father. Furthermore, salvation is established by grace through faith, which forms the foundation upon which a life of good works is built.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2014 · 1h 2m
The speaker emphasizes the profound responsibility of speaking God's word, stressing that all communication must be for God's glory, not for personal credit. He also warns listeners to be extremely careful how they listen, noting that spiritual stagnation occurs when believers become complacent with what they already know. Finally, he highlights the initial commission Jesus gave after the resurrection—to bring a peace that surpasses understanding—as a model for believers' calling.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 8, 2014 · 58m
The central message is that true worship involves desiring nothing on earth except Jesus Christ, as exemplified by Psalm 73:25. The speaker warns that many Christians mistake singing praise or accumulating knowledge for genuine worship. True spirituality is found in heart-level devotion, prioritizing Christ above all earthly possessions, relationships, or even ministry success.
1h 5mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 2, 2014 · 1h 5m
The sermon emphasizes that true spiritual richness comes from deeply studying scripture, not just reading it superficially. The speaker urges listeners to apply the same effort they use for education or business to studying God's Word, as this effort is the true test of whether God is valued above money. He then begins a detailed exploration of 'faith,' defining it as believing in God's love, and warns that self-confidence must be shattered for genuine faith to develop.
1h 15mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2014 · 1h 15m
The sermon emphasizes that the primary promise of the New Covenant is salvation from sin through Jesus. It explores the Holy Spirit through three biblical metaphors: baptism (immersion), a well of water providing personal satisfaction, and a river flowing out to bless others. The central message is that receiving the Spirit leads to a life of spiritual satisfaction, enabling believers to overflow and bless others, all based on the principle that we receive according to what we believe.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 25, 2014 · 58m
The speaker emphasizes that true faith must be demonstrated by love, citing Galatians 5:6. He cautions against holding to non-essential doctrines or practices, advocating for freedom within the church, as seen in Romans 14. Ultimately, the core message is that faith must translate into a life that overcomes sin and builds up the church, rather than merely being intellectual assent to doctrines.
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.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingZac Poonen · May 25, 2014 · 59m
This session focuses on the profound love for Christ that should define a believer's life. The message emphasizes that a supreme love for Christ should motivate all aspects of Christian living and service. It encourages the audience to live out this deep devotion in their daily walk.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 25, 2014 · 57m
Building the body of Christ requires participation from all members, not just those in visible ministries; invisible service, especially prayer, is profoundly valuable. True love for Christ is demonstrated not through mere words or emotion, but by a daily willingness to take up the cross, which means living free from conscious sin. The core message emphasizes that the daily cross—laying down one's life for Christ and the church—is the essential, often overlooked, mark of genuine Christian love.
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.
1h 14mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 24, 2014 · 1h 14m
The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual maturity involves a continuous, passionate desire to press forward in knowledge of God, rather than becoming stagnant at a current level of understanding. He draws parallels to academic progress, suggesting that while one can achieve '100%' at the current level of conscience, true growth requires constantly striving for the next level. The core message is to forget past achievements and focus on pressing toward the ultimate goal, which is Christ.
34mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 24, 2014 · 34m
The central message is that true Christian life requires continuous progression toward Christ's likeness, moving from glory to glory, rather than becoming complacent after initial blessings. The speaker emphasizes that the 'full gospel' is not merely forgiveness of sins, but the pursuit of gaining the glory of Jesus Christ. This requires humility, acknowledging that all blessings come from God, and reading scripture slowly to grasp its deeper implications.
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.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
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
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
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.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 2, 2013 · 1h 6m
The speaker warns against misunderstanding God's grace, cautioning that it is not a license for sin or antinomianism. He uses three Old Testament examples—the Israelites failing to enter Canaan after the Red Sea crossing, the warning in Hebrews 3 and 4, and the account in 1 Corinthians 10—to emphasize that true salvation involves not just coming out of sin's slavery, but actively entering into the Promised Land of victory. This requires faith and obedience, as failure to believe results in spiritual stagnation.
1h 16mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 2, 2013 · 1h 16m
The central message is that Christian maturity requires a paradoxical development: becoming childlike in dependence and innocence regarding sin, while simultaneously achieving maturity and discernment in understanding God's Word. The speaker emphasizes that being great in God's kingdom means adopting the heart of a child, which is free from grudges, worry, or the desire for earthly status. This childlike dependence is modeled after Jesus, who always acted in alignment with the Father's will.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 2, 2013 · 1h 11m
The speaker advises that approaching the Bible with humility, like a child, allows it to be a 'Tree of Life,' whereas a critical attitude treats it as a 'Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.' He uses Jesus' submission to his Father and to imperfect people like Joseph and Mary as an example of required submission in life, including to imperfect leaders. Furthermore, he teaches that sympathy must be Christ-like, encouraging believers to trust in God's sovereignty through verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Romans 8:28, showing how even the worst events can work for good.