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53mThe Church of "Haters" - Santosh Poonen - October 7, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Oct 8
54mGoing Into Labor With God's Work - Santosh Poonen - September 2, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Sep 2
46mSoldiers Abandoned to Their King - Santosh Poonen - July 1, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Jul 1
49mRetaining the Standard of the Gospel - Santosh Poonen - June 3, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Jun 4
55mToo Grown-Up For God's Kingdom - Santosh Poonen - March 25, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 23
44mWhat Will Your Spiritual Legacy Be? - Santosh Poonen - April 22, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 23
51mFour Challenging Exhortations - Santosh Poonen - October 23, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 22
50mLiving Without a "Plan B" - Santosh Poonen - January 8, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21
11mOur Mission at RLCF - Santosh Poonen - January 1, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21
49mPaper Swords - Santosh Poonen - December 18, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21
51mThe Secret to a Confident Faith - Santosh Poonen - November 6, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21
54mThose Who Submit to God - Santosh Poonen - September 16, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21
47mThe Narrow-Minded Church - Santosh Poonen - August 21, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 20
1h 1mThe Way of Brokenness - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20
57mReverence for God is the A-B-C of Wisdom - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20
48mThe Cross and Unity - Zac Poonen - March 28, 2012
Zac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 4mDare to be a Daniel - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 0mBe a Judge of Yourself (Act Like Men: Part 6) - Zac Poonen - March 19, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 19
1h 11mBe Built on the Rock (Act Like Men: Part 5) - Zac Poonen - March 19, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 19
1h 1mBe Under Authority (Act Like Men: Part 3) - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 19
1h 2mBe a Worshiper (Act Like Men: Part 2) - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 19
32mHow to Partake of the Tree of Life - ZacPoonen - July 27, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 16
42mQuestions & Answers - Zac Poonen - April 7, 2012
Zac Poonen · Apr 15
1h 2mKnowing God as Our Father - Zac Poonen - April 7, 2012
Zac Poonen · Apr 15
August 6 | Daily Devotion | The Tree Of Law And The Tree Of Life | Zac Poonen
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.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Church of "Haters" - Santosh Poonen - October 7, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Oct 8, 2012 · 53m
The sermon emphasizes that the local church is a visible expression of the universal Body of Christ, which is composed of all saints. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2:22, the speaker urges believers to flee youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. He uses the analogy of a telescope to illustrate that focusing on eternal, heavenly goals causes earthly distractions to lose clarity, and he stresses the importance of maintaining focus on God's divine calling for both individual lives and the local fellowship.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Going Into Labor With God's Work - Santosh Poonen - September 2, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Sep 2, 2012 · 54m
The message uses the concept of 'labor'—drawing parallels between childbirth and ministry—to urge the congregation to become dedicated laborers for God's work. Jesus sent out the 70, not as mere employees, but as laborers expected to face challenges like lambs among wolves. True discipleship requires a 'mother mentality,' meaning a willingness to carry the burden and actively participate in the work without waiting for others to take the lead.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Soldiers Abandoned to Their King - Santosh Poonen - July 1, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Jul 1, 2012 · 46m
The speaker discusses Paul's use of various analogies in 2 Timothy, comparing the Christian life to a son, a soldier, an athlete, a farmer, a workman, a vessel, and a bondservant. Focusing on the soldier analogy, he emphasizes that a Christian must dedicate themselves fully to Christ, avoiding entanglement in worldly affairs to please their commander. He illustrates this by referencing the martyrdom of Michael and Margareta Sattler, highlighting radical commitment to faith.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Retaining the Standard of the Gospel - Santosh Poonen - June 3, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Jun 4, 2012 · 49m
The speaker urges the congregation to remain vigilant and discerning as the world bombards them with noise, warning that times of ease are passing. He emphasizes that believers must use the current times of peace wisely to build the body of Christ, lest they regret wasting opportunities when times become difficult. The message draws strength from Paul's example, urging believers to retain the standard of sound doctrine and actively live out their faith.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Too Grown-Up For God's Kingdom - Santosh Poonen - March 25, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 23, 2012 · 55m
The speaker discusses how many people miss God's love and the Kingdom of Heaven because they become too worldly or 'grown up.' He draws a parallel between the natural, overwhelming love felt for one's own children and the divine, boundless love of God, which he sees as a 'drop' from the ocean of God's heart. The message encourages listeners to rediscover this childlike faith and dependence on God's love, referencing Matthew 18 in the context of the Kingdom of Heaven.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
What Will Your Spiritual Legacy Be? - Santosh Poonen - April 22, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 23, 2012 · 44m
The central message is that a true spiritual legacy is built not on personal gain, but on genuinely caring for the welfare of others, mirroring the selfless example of Christ, Paul, and Timothy. The speaker emphasizes that this selfless concern is a sign of being planted in the 'tree of Christ,' contrasting it with the self-centered nature of Adam. He also stresses that God grants authority and responsibility in specific spheres, requiring consistent prayer for those entrusted to our care.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Four Challenging Exhortations - Santosh Poonen - October 23, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 22, 2012 · 51m
The speaker shares reflections on the importance of remaining deeply connected to the local body of Christ, emphasizing that individual spiritual growth is dependent on community. He then presents four challenging exhortations, focusing on the passage from 1 Timothy 4:16, which stresses paying close attention to both one's own life and teaching. The central message is that genuine salvation and spiritual assurance come from maintaining a balance between sound doctrine and lived, practical Christian life.
50mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Living Without a "Plan B" - Santosh Poonen - January 8, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21, 2012 · 50m
The speaker discusses three types of Christians: the 'Santa Claus Christian,' who seeks spiritual benefit without true surrender; the 'Plan B Christian,' who maintains backup plans if God fails in certain areas; and the ideal, the 'abandoned Christian.' True Christianity, according to the speaker, involves completely abandoning oneself to God, trusting Him to do whatever He wills for His glory, rather than relying on personal security blankets or contingency plans.
11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Our Mission at RLCF - Santosh Poonen - January 1, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21, 2012 · 11m
The sermon outlines the vision for the local church, defining it as an expression of the universal Body of Christ. The speaker emphasizes that the church should function like a body, requiring mutual submission and cooperation rather than relying on a single leader. He draws parallels to the formation of the early church in Luke chapter 1 to illustrate how the Holy Spirit works to build up the body through individuals.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Paper Swords - Santosh Poonen - December 18, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21, 2012 · 49m
The speaker encourages the audience to listen attentively for God's voice amidst life's noise, emphasizing the importance of hearing what God is saying. Drawing from 1 Timothy 4, he cautions against falling away from the faith due to deceitful doctrines and highlights that true godliness is not measured by outward displays of piety, like fasting or missionary work. Instead, godliness is defined by the mystery of Christ manifesting in the flesh, which benefits us both in this life and in eternity.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Secret to a Confident Faith - Santosh Poonen - November 6, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21, 2012 · 51m
The speaker argues that a truly confident faith is not merely professed on Sundays but must be lived out daily, even when facing real-life struggles like financial worry or illness. He suggests that the secret to this confidence is found in becoming a servant, referencing 1 Timothy 3:13. Crucially, he emphasizes that God does not evaluate service based on worldly qualifications or experience, but on a deeper commitment.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Those Who Submit to God - Santosh Poonen - September 16, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 21, 2012 · 54m
The central message emphasizes that God's help comes to those who are brokenhearted and contrite, not those who think they have everything figured out. The speaker urges listeners to embrace brokenness, recognizing that this state allows God to work in their lives, much like crushing hard rock into dust to build the body of Christ. He concludes by urging people to move from living by old covenants or rules to entering the new covenant relationship with Christ.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Narrow-Minded Church - Santosh Poonen - August 21, 2011
Santosh Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 47m
The speaker interprets Jesus' teaching on the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14) to distinguish between two types of groups: those who follow the easy, broad way, and those who commit to the difficult, narrow way. He clarifies that 'narrow-minded' here does not mean being rigid in earthly opinions, but rather achieving a 'zero-minded' state—clearing one's own thoughts to focus solely on God's will. Discipleship is presented not as a single event, but as a continuous, narrowing walk that requires constant discernment.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Way of Brokenness - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011
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
Reverence for God is the A-B-C of Wisdom - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011
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
The Cross and Unity - Zac Poonen - March 28, 2012
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 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Dare to be a Daniel - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
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 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Be a Judge of Yourself (Act Like Men: Part 6) - Zac Poonen - March 19, 2011
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
Be Built on the Rock (Act Like Men: Part 5) - Zac Poonen - March 19, 2011
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.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Be Under Authority (Act Like Men: Part 3) - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
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
Be a Worshiper (Act Like Men: Part 2) - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
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.
32mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
How to Partake of the Tree of Life - ZacPoonen - July 27, 2011
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.
42mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Questions & Answers - Zac Poonen - April 7, 2012
Zac Poonen · Apr 15, 2012 · 42m
The speaker distinguishes between merely avoiding sin and actively hating sin, arguing that true joy and gladness come from loving righteousness, not just abstaining from wrongdoing. He also addresses spiritual authority, cautioning against imposed structures and emphasizing that true authority in the New Covenant is accepted voluntarily, like a father guiding his child, rather than being a tool for rule or control.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Knowing God as Our Father - Zac Poonen - April 7, 2012
Zac Poonen · Apr 15, 2012 · 1h 2m
The speaker emphasizes that every believer has a vital function in the Body of Christ, regardless of visibility or platform. He argues that true ministry requires humility, content cooperation, and a focus on God's Word rather than personal honor. Ultimately, he suggests that true ministry flows from deep worship, advising listeners to become worshippers first, as this state brings lasting joy and freedom from negative emotions.