Library
855 messages
1h 6mZac Poonen · Jun 10
58mZac Poonen · Jun 9
59mZac Poonen · May 30
59mZac Poonen · May 30
58mZac Poonen · May 27
56mSantosh Poonen · May 16
56mSantosh Poonen · Feb 27
48mSantosh Poonen · Jan 17
58mSantosh Poonen · Sep 5
47mSantosh Poonen · Jul 14
48mSantosh Poonen · May 9
52mSantosh Poonen · Apr 26
52mSantosh Poonen · Mar 13
11mAjay Chakravarthy · Feb 18
16mOlu Talabi · Feb 9
47mSantosh Poonen · Nov 16
57mSantosh Poonen · Oct 19
17mSantosh Poonen · Sep 29
56mZac Poonen · Sep 5
57mSantosh Poonen · Aug 1
1h 27mSantosh Poonen · Jul 29
1h 15mZac Poonen · May 26
1h 9mZac Poonen · May 26
56mSantosh Poonen · Apr 13
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 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 10, 2017 · 1h 6m
The speaker addresses how to grow in faith, emphasizing that since faith is a gift, it must be nurtured by hearing and meditating on the Word of Christ, not just reading it. He also discusses submission to elders, noting that true authority in the New Covenant is accepted from beneath, primarily concerning church matters. Finally, he advises that closeness to others should be based on a spiritual link established by God, not on worldly grounds.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 9, 2017 · 58m
The central message is that true deception comes when people reject the truth revealed in Scripture, rather than when false teachings are presented. The speaker emphasizes that the greatest defense against deception is a genuine love for the truth, both biblical truth and the truth about oneself. He uses his personal journey of correcting a misunderstanding about child baptism to illustrate that following Scripture, even when it contradicts cherished traditions, is vital for spiritual growth.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 30, 2017 · 59m
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of a true balance between one's inner life and outer actions, warning that a false balance is an abomination to God. True balance is achieved through thorough repentance—a 180-degree turn away from sin—and faith, which is trusting that God is more eager to grant promised gifts than the individual is to receive them. The speaker stresses that both repentance and faith are acts of turning toward God, not works performed by man.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 30, 2017 · 59m
The sermon warns that mere adherence to church roles or activities does not guarantee God's approval; true spiritual health requires maintaining one's initial, fervent love for Christ. Using the example of the church in Ephesus, the speaker emphasizes that even diligent service can become routine and lose its animating love, rendering it worthless before God. The core message is that all Christian action must spring from a pure devotion to Jesus Christ, which is the greatest commandment.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 27, 2017 · 58m
The sermon uses the Old Testament account of the Israelites passing through the Red Sea as a warning for believers regarding spiritual discipline and perseverance. Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is a race requiring self-control, warning that even those who seem successful can be disqualified. The core message is to guard against an 'unbelieving heart'—a failure to truly believe and heed God's warnings—and to hold fast to the assurance of faith until the end.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 16, 2017 · 56m
The sermon emphasizes that God chooses the poor in the world to be rich in faith, drawing parallels from scripture like James 2:5. The speaker argues that this principle applies not just to material poverty but also to spiritual and circumstantial hardship, using the example of Jesus Christ's suffering and exaltation. Ultimately, the message encourages listeners to look to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which proves that no earthly circumstance can diminish one's ultimate spiritual wealth in God.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingSantosh Poonen · Feb 27, 2017 · 56m
The sermon warns against becoming sign-seekers, cautioning that focusing on signs rather than God Himself leads to spiritual decline. True god-seeking involves a journey characterized by becoming humble and dependent on God, maintaining no compromise in faith, embracing the role of an intercessor, receiving true revelation of God, and finally responding with genuine worship.
48mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 17, 2017 · 48m
Jesus' ministry demonstrated that God's focus is not on adherence to religious law, but on genuine goodness and faith. The speaker emphasizes that faith, even amidst sin, is what draws God's power, contrasting this with self-righteous legalism. True Christian living involves doing good, fulfilling the spirit of the law rather than merely observing its letter.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 5, 2016 · 58m
The speaker discusses two key promises in the New Testament: first, that believers will be saved from sin through Jesus' name, and second, that Jesus will shepherd His people. He warns that focusing only on the first promise without embracing the second—the shepherding care of Christ—can leave believers struggling and lacking in spiritual growth. True transformation requires moving into the shepherding aspect of God's promise.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingSantosh Poonen · Jul 14, 2016 · 47m
The sermon discusses the 'final exam' of life, suggesting that our ultimate accountability is not based on our earthly achievements but on our relationship with Christ. Key themes include the necessity of living a life of genuine repentance and the importance of spiritual readiness for eternity. The message encourages listeners to examine their current spiritual state.
48mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 9, 2016 · 48m
The sermon encourages women, particularly wives and mothers, by drawing from Luke 16 and Matthew 25, emphasizing that faithfulness in small, seemingly insignificant acts is highly valued by God. The speaker argues that the work of God is built on sacrifice, citing Jesus's death and David's life as examples. Ultimately, the message is one of encouragement, assuring listeners that God sees and counts their faithfulness in the little things, regardless of external recognition.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Apr 26, 2016 · 52m
The central message emphasizes that a godly life requires constant dependence on God the Father, mirroring Jesus' own life. The speaker warns against the danger of self-sufficiency, which is rooted in sin, and points to John 5:26 as proof that life and ability to function must be received from God. This principle of dependency is presented as the secret to overcoming sin and living a life of continuous victory.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 13, 2016 · 52m
The speaker uses the analogy of a boxer, Buster Douglas, to illustrate the importance of having a deep, motivating 'why' during life's trials. He emphasizes that while Jesus' sacrifice provides forgiveness, true Christian life requires believers to run the race with perseverance. The ultimate motivation to endure hardship and overcome sin is found in faith and focusing on the ultimate victory in Christ.
11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Ajay Chakravarthy · Feb 18, 2016 · 11m
The central message is that the Lord is eternally building the church, and this work is evident not in perfection, but in the sincerity of the believers. The speaker emphasizes that two key elements sustain this eternal work: a sincere faith in Christ and a genuine love for the saints. These qualities are what God looks for, regardless of human flaws or ordinariness.
16mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Olu Talabi · Feb 9, 2016 · 16m
The speaker shares that even amidst the mundane busyness of life—such as moving or work volatility—the temptation arises to feel that God is absent. He counters this by recalling scripture, specifically Joshua 1, Matthew 28, and Hebrews 13:5, which promise God's constant presence. He concludes by referencing a story from 1 Kings 20, illustrating that even in difficult circumstances, one can honor Jesus through their daily conduct.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 16, 2015 · 47m
The sermon warns that simply leaving legalism is insufficient; believers must actively live full of the Holy Spirit to avoid a worse spiritual condition. The speaker emphasizes that true faith requires taking active steps, not just waiting for God's work. Furthermore, he argues that Christian persecution stems not from preaching the gospel, but from claiming a relationship with God that asserts divine authority, indicating the true battle is spiritual, not merely social.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Oct 19, 2015 · 57m
The speaker emphasizes that the Christian life is not merely a starting point of faith but a continuous process of growth, moving from faith to faith. Drawing parallels between the manna in the wilderness (a temporary provision) and the Promised Land (the reality of the New Covenant), he argues that believers must actively live out their hope of becoming like Christ daily. This process requires taking steps of faith, conquering sin, and allowing God to make spiritual hope a tangible reality.
17mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 29, 2015 · 17m
God has called every believer to be an ambassador for His kingdom, meaning we must live with the dignity and responsibility of representing Him. The message emphasizes running the race of faith with all our energy, striving to win the prize of Jesus Christ, lest we be disqualified. Ultimately, God's grace is so profound that He can factor in our failures and detours to fulfill His perfect plan for our lives.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 5, 2015 · 56m
The speaker emphasizes the desperate need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, moving beyond small expectations to ask for God's full power. He draws a parallel between conquering visible sins (giants) and achieving a 'land of rest' in one's life, urging listeners to conquer known sins like getting offended by submitting to Christ's humility. True faith involves a complete dependence on God, recognizing that apart from Him, nothing amounts to nothing.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 1, 2015 · 57m
The speaker encourages young people to understand that true Christian power and faith are proven not in times of constant spiritual excitement, but in the mundane, lonely circumstances of daily life. Drawing from Jesus' words to the disciples, he asserts that it is actually to the believers' advantage when the 'youth conference' ends, because the genuine power of God is revealed in the darkness and solitude of everyday life. He urges the audience to test the reality of their faith when all the 'lights' of external support are turned off.
1h 27mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
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.
1h 15mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 26, 2015 · 1h 15m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, warning against compromising the gospel message. A key focus is on understanding God not merely as a severe judge, but as a loving Father, a concept Jesus revealed by tearing the veil. Believers must root themselves in this understanding of God as a near, caring Father to live lives that testify to His love.
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.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
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.