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52mThe King is Love - Santosh Poonen - July 29, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 29
1h 27mThe Fear of the Lord - Santosh Poonen - July 28, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 29
56mTreating God as Holy - Santosh Poonen - July 26, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 26
51mThe Holy Spirit Requires a Holy Temple - Santosh Poonen - July 12, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 13
1h 9mHe Kept Crying Out All the More - Santosh Poonen - June 28, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jun 29
1h 3mRavenous Wolves - Santosh Poonen - June 7, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jun 8
54mRunning With Purpose - Santosh Poonen - May 24, 2015
Santosh Poonen · May 26
59mLife in the Spirit - Santosh Poonen - May 3, 2015
Santosh Poonen · May 4
56mBearing Leaves Without Fruit: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - April 19, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Apr 20
56mBearing Leaves Without Fruit: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - April 12, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Apr 13
54mThe Holy Spirit: Fire & River - Santosh Poonen - March 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Mar 22
49mThe Narrow Gate and the Narrow Way - Santosh Poonen - March 15, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Mar 15
37mThe Word of Our Testimony - Santosh Poonen - February 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Feb 23
51mThe Supreme Ask - Santosh Poonen - February 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Feb 23
52mA Blank Check of Love - Santosh Poonen - February 8, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Feb 8
1h 0mJudgment and Discernment: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - January 25, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 25
53mJudgment and Discernment: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - January 18, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 18
54mA Church that Chooses Life - Santosh Poonen - January 4, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 5
1h 0mThe Social Gospel of Heaven - Santosh Poonen - December 7, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Dec 8
53mThe Prosperity Gospel of Heaven - Santosh Poonen - November 30, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Dec 1
55mDon't Worry, Be Humble - Santosh Poonen - November 16, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Nov 17
38mEzra: The Work of Building the Temple - Santosh Poonen - October 26, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Nov 5
58mIs Your Eye Evil? - Santosh Poonen - November 2, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Nov 3
51mLaying Hold of That for Which Jesus Laid Hold of Me - Santosh Poonen - October 19, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Oct 20
August 5 | Daily Devotion | Idolatry Is Spiritual Adultery | Zac Poonen
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.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The King is Love - Santosh Poonen - July 29, 2015
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.
1h 27mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Fear of the Lord - Santosh Poonen - July 28, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 29, 2015 · 1h 27m
The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual teaching must come solely from God's Word, comparing the preacher to a waiter serving food from Heaven's kitchen, not from personal ideas. He stresses that the foundation of the Kingdom is the fear of the Lord, citing Proverbs 9:10, and urges young people to deeply know Jesus so that He can guide them away from temptation. Ultimately, the message is a call to prioritize knowing Christ above all earthly pleasures or ambitions.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Treating God as Holy - Santosh Poonen - July 26, 2015
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.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Holy Spirit Requires a Holy Temple - Santosh Poonen - July 12, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 13, 2015 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is necessary to truly build a foundation in Jesus Christ; otherwise, religious efforts are merely human work without divine power. He cautions that seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism should not become merely about gifts like tongues, but must instead make Jesus Christ more glorious in the hearer's sight. Furthermore, he addresses the need for believers to be sober-minded in all areas, using the warning against getting drunk with wine as an analogy for spiritual sobriety.
1h 9mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
He Kept Crying Out All the More - Santosh Poonen - June 28, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jun 29, 2015 · 1h 9m
The speaker warns against the danger of being distracted by external cultural battles, arguing that focusing too much on these issues can distract from the core Christian mandate of love. He emphasizes that the greatest danger is becoming lukewarm, failing to hear the voice of the Spirit amidst the noise of the world's opinions. The message calls for personal conviction and repentance, urging the church to prioritize love and spiritual focus over political or social disagreements.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Ravenous Wolves - Santosh Poonen - June 7, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jun 8, 2015 · 1h 3m
The message emphasizes that true discipleship requires a 'Shepherd mentality,' meaning one must be willing to lay down one's life and risk personal safety for the benefit of others, much like Jesus. The speaker warns against the 'ravenous wolf' mentality—a self-serving, biting disposition—and contrasts it with the selfless care of the Good Shepherd. Following Jesus must result in a visible desire to lead others to be disciples.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Running With Purpose - Santosh Poonen - May 24, 2015
Santosh Poonen · May 26, 2015 · 54m
The central message is that Christian life requires a passion to run hard after God until death, mirroring Paul's testimony. The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual maturity involves opening the 'eyes of the heart' to see beyond mere intellectual understanding. Ultimately, believers are called not just to experience faith, but to be instrumental in opening the eyes of others, serving the body of Christ.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Life in the Spirit - Santosh Poonen - May 3, 2015
Santosh Poonen · May 4, 2015 · 59m
The central message emphasizes the critical importance of honesty and repentance, contrasting it with the danger of hypocrisy, which is likened to Adam and Eve covering their shame with fig leaves. The speaker argues that true spirituality begins with an honest acknowledgment of one's shortcomings, citing the repentant thief on the cross as an example. This honesty is presented as the foundation for God's work and the path to salvation.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Bearing Leaves Without Fruit: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - April 19, 2015
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.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Bearing Leaves Without Fruit: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - April 12, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Apr 13, 2015 · 56m
The sermon warns against being like those who bear leaves without fruit, referencing Matthew 7 where Jesus teaches that people will be known by their actual fruit, not just their claims. The speaker emphasizes that true sustenance comes only from the 'Tree of Life' and the 'River of Life,' cautioning that mere intellectual or emotional understanding of God is insufficient without this deep, secret relationship. The incident of Jesus cursing the fig tree illustrates that outward appearance (leaves) cannot substitute for true, fruitful reality.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Holy Spirit: Fire & River - Santosh Poonen - March 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Mar 22, 2015 · 54m
The speaker contrasts the temporary joys of worldly pursuits with the enduring joy found in dwelling in God's presence. He emphasizes that the Christian life is not just about initial forgiveness but a continuous, progressive journey of drawing closer to Christ. This process involves becoming more like Jesus step-by-step, which is the true, exciting reality of the believer's life.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Narrow Gate and the Narrow Way - Santosh Poonen - March 15, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Mar 15, 2015 · 49m
Jesus taught that there is a narrow gate leading to life, contrasting it with a broad way leading to destruction. The speaker warns against false prophets who will dilute this message by promoting tolerance, which can lead to widening the gate. True salvation requires adhering strictly to the narrow path Jesus established, as deviating from it leads away from abundant life.
37mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Word of Our Testimony - Santosh Poonen - February 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Feb 23, 2015 · 37m
The speaker encourages the congregation to remember the power of their testimony, drawing parallels to the persecution faced by Christians throughout history. He emphasizes that believers overcome the accuser not by physical strength, but through the blood of the Lamb and the powerful confession of their faith. Therefore, the word of our testimony is mightier than the sword, and we should use it to proclaim God's love and our walk with Jesus.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Supreme Ask - Santosh Poonen - February 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Feb 23, 2015 · 51m
The message explores the profound implications of asking God for anything in Jesus' name, drawing heavily from John 14 and John 16. The central theme is that true access to God's provision and favor is rooted not just in asking, but in a deep, reciprocal love for Jesus. This love is presented as the basis for the Father's love, leading to the desire to keep His commandments.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
A Blank Check of Love - Santosh Poonen - February 8, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Feb 8, 2015 · 52m
The sermon emphasizes that genuine Christian love must be outwardly manifest, moving beyond mere belief to tangible actions within the community. Drawing from Matthew 7:11-12, the speaker argues that understanding Scripture is summed up in loving God and neighbor, and that God's goodness far surpasses any earthly standard of goodness. He concludes by asserting that God is intentional in every word of Scripture, even when apparent inconsistencies are pointed out, because He intends to reveal Himself to those who approach Him with childlike faith.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Judgment and Discernment: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - January 25, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 25, 2015 · 1h 0m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of deep meditation on scripture, comparing it to chewing tough meat until it's fully digested rather than swallowing it whole. He warns against the common tendency to skip difficult passages or rely solely on others' interpretations, stressing that true understanding must come directly from the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the goal is to hear and internalize the words of Jesus Christ above all else.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Judgment and Discernment: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - January 18, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 18, 2015 · 53m
The speaker emphasizes that deep intimacy within a local church community inevitably exposes our faults, which should not cause fear but rather be embraced for transformation. He draws parallels to Paul's experience with the law, noting that vulnerability in fellowship reveals unChristlike aspects that the Holy Spirit can then address. The discussion transitions to Matthew 7:1, cautioning against judging others, suggesting that while the immediate penalty may not be physical, we will ultimately have to give account before God.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
A Church that Chooses Life - Santosh Poonen - January 4, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 5, 2015 · 54m
The speaker challenges the congregation to consider what truly defines their church, arguing that mere gathering or building is insufficient. Drawing from a quote by A.W. Tozer, he asserts that for Christianity to be rejuvenated, it must move beyond established religious routines and instead be led by a prophetic voice—a call to every member to be a leader. Ultimately, he emphasizes that the entire body of Christ is called to be the prophet, speaking one voice in the world.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Social Gospel of Heaven - Santosh Poonen - December 7, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Dec 8, 2014 · 1h 0m
The speaker expresses profound gratitude for the experience of knowing Christ, acknowledging the danger of taking spiritual blessings for granted. The message centers on maintaining a sense of wonder regarding God's love, calling for a deep, overflowing experience of the Holy Spirit. It concludes with a plea to focus on the spiritual feast provided by God rather than the temporary attractions of the world.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Prosperity Gospel of Heaven - Santosh Poonen - November 30, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Dec 1, 2014 · 53m
The sermon warns against the 'love of money,' identifying it as the root of much evil and a conflict with serving God. Drawing from the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, the speaker emphasizes that God rejoices immensely over the repentance of a single sinner. He concludes by quoting Matthew 6:24, stating clearly that one cannot serve both God and wealth.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Don't Worry, Be Humble - Santosh Poonen - November 16, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Nov 17, 2014 · 55m
The speaker expresses deep gratitude for his wife's quiet, exemplary service, noting that the burden of ministry often falls to the wives behind the scenes. He reflects on the strength found in unity and the spiritual warfare that targets the church. The sermon concludes with a prayer emphasizing humility, acknowledging dependence on God's care, and committing to live without seeking human praise.
38mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Ezra: The Work of Building the Temple - Santosh Poonen - October 26, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Nov 5, 2014 · 38m
The speaker draws lessons from the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra, emphasizing that God moves supernaturally to fulfill His word, requiring only dependence on Him, not on man's efforts. He also stresses the importance of willing and cheerful giving, noting that God values the heart and sacrifice according to one's ability, rather than the quantity of the gift.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Is Your Eye Evil? - Santosh Poonen - November 2, 2014
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.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Laying Hold of That for Which Jesus Laid Hold of Me - Santosh Poonen - October 19, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Oct 20, 2014 · 51m
The speaker encourages the congregation to move beyond simply being saved from sin to actively