Library
488 messages
1h 0mZac Poonen · Mar 11
57mZac Poonen · Sep 23
55mZac Poonen · Aug 5
1h 1mZac Poonen · Aug 2
1h 10mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 1mZac Poonen · Apr 20
57mZac Poonen · Apr 20
48mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 3mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 4mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 3mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 10mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 4mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 2mZac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 0mZac Poonen · Apr 19
1h 11mZac Poonen · Apr 19
57mZac Poonen · Apr 19
1h 1mZac Poonen · Apr 19
1h 2mZac Poonen · Apr 19
40mZac Poonen · Apr 18
1h 3mZac Poonen · Apr 16
1h 4mZac Poonen · Apr 16
53mZac Poonen · Apr 16
32mZac Poonen · Apr 16
Zac Poonen · 10m · CFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen teaches that idolatry constitutes spiritual adultery against God, drawing a parallel between unfaithfulness in marriage and unfaithfulness in our devotion to God. The message calls believers to recognize idolatry in their lives and turn from it in repentance to restore their relationship with God.
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.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 23, 2012 · 57m
The speaker advises believers to shift their focus from fighting with people—whether in family, politics, or community disputes—to confronting the devil, as is appropriate in the New Covenant. He emphasizes that the church's conflict is spiritual, not national or political, urging listeners to focus their energy on building the church and praying for God's will rather than engaging in worldly arguments. The central message is to remain at rest and focus on the eternal rather than temporary earthly disputes.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 5, 2012 · 55m
The central message is that the greatest danger to believers is self-deception, which can lead one to believe falsehoods about their spiritual state, even when God allows it. To escape this deception, one must actively love the truth by honestly acknowledging sin—calling it by its worst name—and by humbly submitting to any truth revealed in Scripture that contradicts one's previous understanding.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 2, 2012 · 1h 1m
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, which include the wrong concepts and ideas about God and Christianity that we absorb from the world. The speaker repeatedly challenges common interpretations of scripture, such as those concerning anger or speech, by asking, "Has God really said...?" He argues that doubting God's word, like Eve did, is the root of sin, and that true understanding requires recognizing the devil's subtle lies.
1h 10mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 10m
The central message emphasizes that true wisdom begins with reverence for God, which is the prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit's guidance. The speaker contrasts mere knowledge (which is like filling a room with furniture) with wisdom (which builds the house), arguing that reverence for God allows the Spirit to bring necessary truths to mind at the right time. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of fellowship, noting that Christianity is defined by deep community rather than the size of a building.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 1m
The central message is that the Kingdom of God means seeking God's government to rule one's life, not just engaging in missionary work. True participation in God's body requires a willingness to be broken down, much like mud being molded, to become part of the unified body of Christ. This process of being broken is necessary for spiritual growth, mirroring Christ's own life of yielding to the Father's will.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 57m
The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires a profound understanding of grace, which does not mean lowering God's standards. He draws heavily from Matthew 11 to teach that possessing the Kingdom of Heaven (the Church) requires an internal 'violence' against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Believers must be outwardly peaceful while inwardly fighting for spiritual things, remembering that Jesus stated His kingdom is not of this world.
48mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 48m
True Christian unity is not achieved through spiritual gifts or mere adherence to doctrine, but by crucifying our own self-will, which is the root of all enmity. Jesus demonstrated this perfect unity with the Father by consistently submitting to the Father's will, even in Gethsemane. Following this model, believers find unity with God and with one another by saying 'no' to our own desires and embracing the Father's will.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 3m
The speaker discusses various ministries within the church, distinguishing between prophetic ministry, evangelism, and teaching. He emphasizes that these ministries are for equipping the saints, who are ultimately responsible for building the church. The talk also touches on salvation being by grace through faith, and concludes by encouraging listeners not to dwell on past failures because God deals with people based on who they are in the present moment, reflecting His nature as 'I Am.'
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 4m
The sermon uses Daniel's life, particularly the movement from Babylon to Jerusalem, to illustrate the difference between merely wanting to go to heaven and actively following Christ daily. The central message is that true discipleship requires being willing to stand as a witness for Christ in the present world, resisting the allure of worldly comforts and compromises. Believers must be careful to plug the 'leaks' that allow the world to infiltrate their lives, prioritizing eternal life over worldly preservation.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 3m
The speaker cautions against seeking knowledge merely for information, comparing it to the Tree of Knowledge, and instead emphasizes seeking life and godliness through scripture. He strongly critiques the modern tendency for churches to function democratically by voting on spiritual matters, arguing that important decisions, like in a family, should be guided by spiritual authority, not popular vote, to avoid chaos and carnal decisions.
1h 10mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 10m
The sermon examines Satan's tactics using examples from Eve, Job, and Jesus, emphasizing that God's ultimate purpose in all trials is for our good. The speaker stresses that true spiritual growth comes not from intellectual understanding or preaching, but from being humbled by recognizing one's own insignificance before God, leading to repentance. The greatest mark of a holy person is humility, which is often gained through trials, as seen with Paul's thorn in the flesh.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 4m
The sermon uses the Book of Job to illustrate that God's ultimate purpose is to make believers overcomers over Satan, even when Satan attacks through various means. The speaker emphasizes that spiritual depth is unrelated to wealth, using Job's life as an example of a rich, respected, yet deeply God-fearing man. Furthermore, the sermon highlights the importance of a godly family life, noting that Job's children respected him and that a father's concern for his children's inner spiritual life is paramount.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 2m
The speaker warns that the devil is enraged against committed disciples who keep God's commandments, contrasting them with compromisers. He emphasizes that true believers must have a 'Christ-like' heart, not a 'grasshopper-like' one, when facing spiritual giants. The core message is to actively confront the devil by speaking the testimony of Christ's victory—that He died for sins and defeated Satan on the cross—and to be aware of Satan's schemes through spiritual intelligence.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 19, 2012 · 1h 0m
The central message is that true Christian living requires self-examination, as judgment must begin with oneself within the 'household of God' (the church). The speaker contrasts the natural human tendency to judge others with the call to first judge and correct our own faults. He also emphasizes respecting the unique roles and sensitivities of women, particularly wives, as a key area for practicing self-judgment and understanding.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 19, 2012 · 1h 11m
The speaker emphasizes the need for Christians to move beyond mere knowledge and attain true revelation from Scripture, which changes one's life and behavior. He distinguishes between 'bright ideas' seeking honor and genuine revelation, which is characterized by a life transformation. The message stresses that the New Testament focuses heavily on spiritual blessings—such as rejoicing always and the divine nature—rather than solely on physical healing or material prosperity.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 19, 2012 · 57m
The central message is that true eternal life is not merely an endless existence but rather possessing the very life of God within, which is received through the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that understanding this life requires deep study of scripture, focusing on knowing God in Jesus Christ, and cultivating humility. He warns against intellectualism or pride, asserting that the mark of a true follower of Christ is humility and gentleness.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 19, 2012 · 1h 1m
The central message is that true spiritual life requires complete submission to a higher authority, mirroring Christ's obedience to the Father. The speaker emphasizes that obedience must come by faith, not by reason or understanding, citing Jesus' life as the ultimate example. This submission is necessary for spiritual maturity and proper conduct in all areas of life.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 19, 2012 · 1h 2m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian witness involves unwavering faithfulness to all of God's truth, even if it leads to unpopularity or a small congregation. He draws parallels from Noah, who preached righteousness without compromise, and Paul, who stood firm in his message despite suffering. The central message is that one must prioritize truth over numerical growth or worldly acceptance.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 18, 2012 · 40m
The speaker emphasizes that the Holy Spirit is actively moving in the world and the church, much like Jesus was in Nazareth, and that many Christians fail to recognize His presence. He draws parallels between the Genesis account of the Spirit moving in a formless earth and the need for restoration in the church, urging believers to have a deep burden for the testimony of Christ. The core message is to prioritize God's name and glory above personal concerns or earthly needs.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 16, 2012 · 1h 3m
The central message is that being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for overcoming temptation, drawing parallels to Jesus's temptation in the wilderness. The speaker strongly advises believers to seek this filling personally through prayer rather than relying on external ceremonies or the laying on of hands. He emphasizes that this empowerment is necessary for bold witness and fulfilling God's calling.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 16, 2012 · 1h 4m
The central message is that true understanding of God's will comes not from miraculous acts or excessive human effort, but from deep intimacy with Him, which is revealed through the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that instead of trying to do many things for God, believers are called to sit quietly, listen, and focus on the 'one thing needful'—understanding God's thoughts. This understanding brings rest and peace, as exemplified by Paul accepting God's will regarding his illness.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 16, 2012 · 53m
The speaker emphasizes that salvation involves two aspects: Jesus taking away sin and destroying the works of the devil. He warns that many Christians only focus on sin forgiveness, neglecting the truth that Christ destroyed the devil's power. True freedom comes from understanding that the one who lives in the believer is greater than the one in the world, and the church's primary calling is to register the victory of the cross against the forces of darkness, not just to be a supportive club.
32mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 16, 2012 · 32m
The central message is that true Christian life requires constant dependence on God, contrasting with humanity's natural inclination toward self-sufficiency, exemplified by Adam choosing the Tree of Knowledge. Jesus taught that we cannot do anything on our own initiative, drawing parallels to the Vine and the Branches. Therefore, believers must cultivate a life of continuous dependence on Christ to find true rest and purpose.