Library
733 messages
52mSantosh Poonen · Oct 7
1h 6mSantosh Poonen · Sep 30
13mSantosh Poonen · Sep 28
19mSantosh Poonen · Sep 10
22mSantosh Poonen · Aug 14
57mSantosh Poonen · Jul 19
44mSantosh Poonen · Jul 5
57mSantosh Poonen · Jun 15
1h 11mSantosh Poonen · May 24
58mSantosh Poonen · May 17
40mSantosh Poonen · May 3
49mSantosh Poonen · Apr 19
52mSantosh Poonen · Mar 29
39mSantosh Poonen · Mar 15
55mSantosh Poonen · Mar 1
57mSantosh Poonen · Feb 22
52mSantosh Poonen · Feb 1
57mSantosh Poonen · Jan 18
24mSantosh Poonen · Jan 5
6mSantosh Poonen · Dec 25
58mSantosh Poonen · Dec 14
10mSantosh Poonen · Dec 10
11mSantosh Poonen · Dec 10
12mSantosh Poonen · Dec 10
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.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Oct 7, 2021 · 52m
The sermon uses the story of Jesus finding a fig tree with only leaves, no fruit, to challenge the congregation about their spiritual readiness. The central message is that when Jesus returns, he will look for tangible fruit in our lives, not just outward religious appearances. Believers must live in constant readiness, anticipating His unexpected return.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 30, 2021 · 1h 6m
The speaker argues that the greatest danger to the church is not overt wickedness, but rather 'foolishness,' which he identifies as 'soulishness.' This foolishness manifests as misplaced priorities, such as caring more for earthly planning and possessions than for eternity. He emphasizes that true wisdom involves prioritizing the soul and eternal matters over worldly concerns.
13mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 28, 2021 · 13m
The message emphasizes that God desires people to come to heaven through repentance, not just to reach a destination. Drawing parallels from David's low points and Lazarus's burial, the speaker encourages listeners not to give up when spiritual processes feel slow or difficult. True faith requires persistent asking, and believers must trust God through the entire process of sanctification, recognizing that the final identification of who we are comes only from Christ.
19mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 10, 2021 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that the appropriate response to hearing the Word is not financial giving, but giving one's life and taking up the cross. He warns against the love of money, identifying it as the world's ruler and a distraction from true discipleship. The message urges believers to maintain allegiance only to Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven, regardless of worldly pressures or political affiliations.
22mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 14, 2021 · 22m
The speaker emphasizes that the most important message is pointing people to Jesus, exemplified by John the Baptist's declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God." He draws a parallel between John's ability to focus on this core message and the need for believers today to resist distractions. A key theme is the necessity of a "decreasing mentality"—the willingness to diminish oneself so that Christ can increase, as seen in John 3:30.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jul 19, 2021 · 57m
The speaker warns that in the last days, people will accumulate knowledge and hear much teaching but fail to truly know the truth because they love themselves. He emphasizes that the power and authority in a believer's life must correspond to the amount of teaching they receive. The greatest danger is possessing much doctrine without the corresponding spiritual power to resist sin and the devil's influence.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jul 5, 2021 · 44m
The speaker emphasizes that the true understanding of the Gospel is that Jesus died so that believers should no longer live for themselves, but for Him. He draws a parallel between discerning God's voice and discerning the truth of the cross, warning that worldly wisdom or personal morality is insufficient for spiritual discernment. Ultimately, consistent daily walk with Christ is what allows one to distinguish the voice of Jesus from all other influences.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jun 15, 2021 · 57m
The central message emphasizes that true love for God is demonstrated by keeping His commandments, as stated in John 14:23. The speaker warns that merely claiming love for God is insufficient; one must actively obey His word. Furthermore, the sermon suggests that the presence of God, or 'heaven,' can dwell on earth through the Holy Spirit, making the believer's life and community a dwelling place for God.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 24, 2021 · 1h 11m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the context of scripture, using the parable of the unforgiving servant to stress the necessity of forgiving others lavishly, as God has forgiven him. He warns against the sin of pride, cautioning that forgiveness should not become a source of self-satisfaction. Additionally, he addresses end-times deception, advising believers to remain vigilant against false Christs and prophets who will arise to mislead even the elect.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 17, 2021 · 58m
The speaker encourages the congregation to keep their Christian life vibrant by constantly remembering the newness of the Gospel—that Jesus died for them. He warns against spiritual apathy, urging believers to focus on the Kingdom of Heaven rather than the passing concerns of the world. Furthermore, he emphasizes that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a continuous experience, suggesting that even children can exercise prophecy by asking God to anoint their tongues for edification.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 3, 2021 · 40m
The speaker shares his testimony of God's grace overcoming past failures and his deep desire to live a life pleasing to Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of being deeply rooted and grounded in Christ through faith, drawing from Ephesians 3:17. Furthermore, he stresses the biblical principle of submitting to godly spiritual authority, asserting that Jesus alone deserves the sole leadership in the church.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Apr 19, 2021 · 49m
The sermon emphasizes that Christian promises are conditional, requiring believers to examine their hearts. Drawing from the hymn "Hangs My Helpless Soul on Thee," the speaker urges the congregation to recognize that their ultimate refuge and support must be solely in God, not in worldly comforts, relationships, or self-defense mechanisms. True reliance means accepting a defenseless state before God, trusting in His unwavering presence.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 29, 2021 · 52m
The central message is that true discipleship requires seeking God's approval rather than the applause or acceptance of people. The speaker draws parallels between Jesus's life and the Old Testament prophets, emphasizing that believers in the New Covenant must live at a higher standard, devoted solely to the Kingdom of Heaven. This devotion means prioritizing Christ above all earthly relationships, even family, and being willing to walk alone in faith.
39mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 15, 2021 · 39m
The sermon warns against spiritual lukewarmness, drawing heavily from Revelation 3's message to the church in Laodicea. Jesus condemns this state because it signifies that the believers feel rich and have 'need of nothing,' meaning they no longer rely on God's filling or the Holy Spirit. True spiritual life requires acknowledging our need for God, rather than becoming self-sufficient.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 1, 2021 · 55m
The message emphasizes the necessity of actively keeping oneself in God's love, as failure to do so can lead to chaos in all areas of life. Drawing from Peter's experience, the speaker explains that trials are designed by God to act as a 'sifting' process, separating the eternal 'gold' from the worthless 'dross.' This process is ultimately purifying, and even the devil must seek God's permission to test us.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 22, 2021 · 57m
The central message emphasizes that being in Christ makes one a new creation, requiring a shift from living by sight to walking by faith. The speaker urges listeners to adopt a 'filter' when viewing circumstances, news, or people, refusing to judge based on outward appearances. This transformation means recognizing that one's identity and perspective are rooted in Christ, not in current visible realities.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 1, 2021 · 52m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining a 'forever mindset' in trusting God, especially during adversity, rather than relying on backup plans. He then discusses Matthew 7, explaining that entering the 'narrow gate' signifies a one-time transition from the darkness of the world into the Kingdom of Light. This gate represents truly becoming a child of God.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 18, 2021 · 57m
The central message is that the mission of the church is to follow the specific commission given by the Father, just as Jesus was sent. True discipleship is defined by keeping God's commandments and obeying the Father's will, rather than pursuing personal initiatives or good deeds that fall outside that divine mandate. Jesus' example, particularly in resisting temptation and performing miracles only when commanded, shows that obedience to the Father's word is paramount.
24mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 5, 2021 · 24m
The central message is that true blessing comes not from the teaching received, but from the obedience demonstrated in daily life. The speaker emphasizes that living by God's word today, through small acts of faithfulness, is more important than making grand, year-long resolutions. He draws from Jeremiah 12 to critique hypocrisy, noting that merely going through the motions of faith is insufficient; genuine devotion must come from the innermost being, not just from lips.
6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 25, 2020 · 6m
The message encourages listeners to find hope amidst life's chaos, drawing parallels between the confusing circumstances of Jesus's birth and modern times. The central point is that God allows chaos to demonstrate His supreme power, and believers can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them through their own difficult circumstances, just as God guided Jesus. Ultimately, trusting God means believing He can turn the worst possible situations into the best.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 14, 2020 · 58m
The speaker emphasizes that the Lord rejoices over His people with shouts of joy, drawing heavily on Zephaniah 3:17. He stresses that when God is silent, He is actively planning and writing a good plan for us, which is already finished. Furthermore, he teaches that the anointing received from the Holy Spirit abides within believers, meaning they do not need constant external teaching, but rather must abide in Christ to bear fruit in all areas of life.
10mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 10, 2020 · 10m
The message emphasizes that integrity is more than just telling the truth; it means possessing honesty in one's heart. Lying is compared to a bad mango tree that requires constant covering up, but true integrity is being honest even when no one is watching. The speaker concludes by assuring the audience that Jesus is the expert gardener who can help cut out the root of dishonesty and plant a genuine, truthful heart.
11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 10, 2020 · 11m
This message emphasizes that obedience is a vital choice for believers, contrasting human free will with the programmed obedience of nature. The speaker uses the analogy of a blind person flying a plane guided by an expert to illustrate that we need to follow God's instructions to navigate life safely. He stresses that obedience is demonstrated through following God's voice, paying attention to one's conscience, and consistently reading the Bible.
12mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 10, 2020 · 12m
The speaker emphasizes that humility is a crucial choice, second only to choosing Christ, and it is what unlocks God's blessings and the Kingdom of Heaven. Humility is defined not by actions or words, but by the mindset of recognizing that all possessions, talents, and achievements are gifts from God. By humbly placing Jesus first and recognizing the ultimate worthlessness of worldly accolades, one gains true eternal value and grace.