Library
912 messages
1h 11mZac Poonen · Dec 16
57mZac Poonen · Dec 8
49mSantosh Poonen · Oct 21
50mSantosh Poonen · Oct 9
51mSantosh Poonen · Sep 22
51mSantosh Poonen · Aug 15
55mSantosh Poonen · Aug 14
1h 0mSantosh Poonen · Aug 10
1h 6mZac Poonen · Jul 2
1h 16mZac Poonen · Jul 2
1h 3mZac Poonen · Jul 1
54mZac Poonen · Jul 1
41mSantosh Poonen · May 6
44mSantosh Poonen · Apr 22
1h 6mZac Poonen · Apr 15
48mSantosh Poonen · Mar 25
58mZac Poonen · Mar 14
59mZac Poonen · Mar 14
59mZac Poonen · Mar 13
45mSantosh Poonen · Feb 25
43mSantosh Poonen · Jan 28
41mSantosh Poonen · Jan 14
40mSantosh Poonen · Jan 7
47mSantosh Poonen · Dec 3
Zac Poonen · 9m · CFC Daily Devotions
This devotion contrasts the tree of law with the tree of life, exploring how living by legalistic rules differs from living in the Spirit. Zac Poonen teaches that true spiritual life comes not from external commandments but from an intimate relationship with God through the Spirit.
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.'
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.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Oct 21, 2013 · 49m
Jesus taught that entering the Kingdom of Heaven requires passing through the narrow gate, which is not merely about hearing His teachings but about actively doing the will of the Father. The speaker emphasizes that mere knowledge or performance (like miracles or prophecy) is insufficient; true discipleship is proven by one's daily obedience in private life. Ultimately, the wise person is the one who hears Jesus' words and acts upon them, while the foolish person fails to do so.
50mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Oct 9, 2013 · 50m
The message contrasts the true disciples who immediately left everything to follow Jesus with the great multitude who followed outwardly. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires a complete abandonment of one's current life, possessions, and agendas, unlike those who merely bring their 'baggage' and ideas to church. This distinction is crucial for understanding genuine commitment to Christ.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22, 2013 · 51m
The speaker discusses discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit from natural instincts, warning that the greatest deception is often the knowledge of good and evil, which can lead to sin. He emphasizes that knowing God's Word is the only sure way to discern divine guidance. The message concludes by applying the concept of the 'great light' to the modern believer, calling everyone to be the light of the world by focusing on Christ's life and ministry, which was intentionally limited geographically.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 15, 2013 · 51m
The speaker encourages the audience to live with complete abandon to God, drawing parallels between military service and spiritual surrender. He emphasizes that true Christian life means giving oneself entirely to God, surpassing the concern for reputation, looks, or what others think. The message is reinforced by quoting 2 Timothy 2:11-13, urging the listeners to commit fully to Christ.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 14, 2013 · 55m
The central message is that believers must be actively integrated into the local body of Christ, rather than merely attending services. The speaker emphasizes that building the church is not solely the responsibility of gifted leaders, but rather the calling of every 'saint' or chosen one. Jesus' primary motivation for coming to earth, according to the speaker, was not just compassion, but to demonstrate His love for the Father and the world.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Aug 10, 2013 · 1h 0m
The core message emphasizes that Christian life involves passing on truth to others, not just receiving it personally. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2, the speaker stresses that believers must be strong with Christ's strength to teach others and pass on these truths to trustworthy disciples. Furthermore, he aims to dismantle the false notion that only paid ministers build the church, asserting that every member is equally responsible for the body of Christ.
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 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 1, 2013 · 1h 3m
The speaker emphasizes that receiving the Holy Spirit is a free gift that requires the heart to be yielded to God, not just asking. He stresses that true discipleship means accepting Christ's total lordship over every area of life, recognizing that the root problem is sin, not just poverty or sickness. Finally, he warns against misunderstanding scripture, particularly regarding the power to witness, and points out that the devil's primary focus is accusing believers before God.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 1, 2013 · 54m
The speaker emphasizes that while the blood of Christ is necessary for salvation, a genuine fullness of the Holy Spirit is essential for living a life pleasing to God on Earth. He distinguishes between 'life' (living according to Christ's principles) and 'ministry' (the work done by the body of Christ). Furthermore, he warns that salvation alone is insufficient; the quality of one's life's work will be tested by fire at Christ's return, not the quantity.
41mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 6, 2013 · 41m
The speaker advises that true spiritual blessing comes not from impressive oratory skills, but from seeking the narrow way that leads to eternal life. He contrasts the world's desire for stimulating intellectual or emotional experiences with the transformative power found in the 'foolishness of the message of the cross.' Ultimately, the goal of Christian life and preaching should be transformation through discipleship, not mere entertainment.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Apr 22, 2013 · 44m
The central message is that believers must not let the logistics and activities of church life distract them from the ultimate purpose of their faith. Paul reminds Timothy that the goal of all teaching is love, stemming from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that the true nature of Godliness is a mystery, revealed through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, which is a spiritual kingdom rather than a visible political fanfare.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 15, 2013 · 1h 6m
The central message is that true discipleship means living to please God, not to impress people. Jesus demonstrated this by accepting the lowest birth and shameful death, showing that human opinion is irrelevant to God's plan. Furthermore, the speaker warns against prioritizing worldly things like money or tradition over fulfilling core commandments, such as caring for one's family.
48mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 25, 2013 · 48m
The speaker emphasizes that true eagerness for Christ's return stems from having one's citizenship in heaven, not on earth. He contrasts the temporary attachments of this world's kingdom with the eternal focus required for discipleship. To eagerly await the Savior means having no earthly attachments that could hinder one's readiness for immediate departure.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 14, 2013 · 58m
The central message is that true spirituality is not demonstrated by intellectual knowledge, emotional excitement, or public displays of faith, but by the yielding of one's will to God's will. The speaker warns against the deception of equating Bible knowledge or emotional fervor with genuine spiritual life, pointing to Matthew 7:14 which describes the narrow way. True discipleship requires denying one's own will in daily life, not just on Sunday.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 14, 2013 · 59m
Jesus declared himself the light of the world, but Christians are called to realize that they, as disciples, are the light of the world. This means living out a life of love, as John's gospel teaches that God is light, and 1 John 4 states that God is love. The speaker advises against deriving doctrine from historical sections like Acts or the historical parts of the Gospels, emphasizing instead the teaching sections for understanding scripture and the true mark of being filled with the Holy Spirit, which is the outpouring of God's unconditional love.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 13, 2013 · 59m
The speaker contrasts the pursuit of mere knowledge (the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) with the pursuit of true life found in God (the Tree of Life). He emphasizes that true Christian life requires a radical surrender, symbolized by the flaming sword, moving beyond legalistic righteousness. The primary purpose of the local church is to reveal God not as a strict judge, but as a loving Father, mirroring the revelation Jesus provided.
45mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 25, 2013 · 45m
The sermon emphasizes the solemn charge given by Paul to Timothy to preach the word, drawing parallels to the accountability we face before Christ's return. The speaker urges listeners to live with a constant awareness of Christ's judgment and kingdom, which should eliminate grudges, promote reconciliation, and focus life's rest on God's kingdom rather than earthly achievements or political stability.
43mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 28, 2013 · 43m
The speaker emphasizes that all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness, applying this truth to every believer, regardless of their calling. He stresses the solemn duty of taking God's Word seriously, comparing it to taking an oath, and urges listeners to fulfill their ministry diligently without being distracted by worldly interests. The core message is the comprehensive authority and necessity of living out the entirety of Scripture.
41mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 14, 2013 · 41m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's ministry by maintaining focus on the truth, even when facing opposition or temptation. Drawing from 2 Timothy 4, he warns that as Christ's appearing nears, some will reject sound doctrine for teachings that merely tickle their desires. The core message is a solemn charge to remain sober, endure hardship, and diligently work as an evangelist, guarding against the flesh's desires distracting from God's word.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 7, 2013 · 40m
The sermon emphasizes that while building a life and ministry is necessary, the foundation must be Jesus Christ, as taught in 1 Corinthians 3. Believers must focus their efforts and resources on eternal works—like discipleship and obedience—which are represented by gold, silver, and precious stones, rather than temporary achievements (wood, hay, and straw). This focus is critical because the return of Christ will swiftly end earthly structures, making the eternal work the only thing that will endure the 'fire.'
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 3, 2012 · 47m
The speaker continues the study of suffering, using the example of Job, who endured suffering not only from loss but also from being misunderstood by his friends. He then shifts to 2 Timothy 3:10-11, emphasizing that following Christ's path requires enduring persecution and suffering, which Paul lists alongside positive virtues like faith and perseverance. The central message is that believers must embrace the full reality of Christian life, including its inevitable hardships, as part of discipleship.