RLCF Praise Live (with Children's Songs) - March 1, 2020

CFC Messages · Mar 5, 2020 · 42m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The sermon emphasizes that children are a reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven, reminding the congregation to emulate their childlike faith. The speaker stresses that true love is found only in Jesus Christ's sacrifice and encourages the audience to resist complaining by remembering God's goodness. Ultimately, the message calls everyone to discipleship, focusing on making the Kingdom of Heaven with Jesus the ultimate life goal.

The Importance of Dying to Our Own Will - Zac Poonen - March 10, 2013

Zac Poonen · Mar 14, 2013 · 58m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

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.

Living Without Fear when Facing Trials - Zac Poonen - May 13, 2020

Zac Poonen · May 28, 2020 · 22m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

Words of Encouragement - Olu Talabi & Dave Bertsch - March 23, 2020

Olu Talabi · Feb 25, 2020 · 15m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is the necessity of maintaining boldness and standing firm for Jesus Christ, regardless of the audience or pressure. The speaker draws parallels from Abraham's boldness, Peter and John's courage after receiving the Holy Spirit, and the danger of falling away, emphasizing that this boldness is sustained by constantly walking with the Lord. True discipleship requires unwavering commitment even when tested.

You Must Be Filled With the Holy Spirit — Jeremy Utley — June 18, 2026

Jeremy Utley · Jul 2, 2026 · 49m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker encourages the audience not to be offended by the ordinariness of daily life, drawing parallels from Jesus' own seemingly unremarkable life. The central message emphasizes that the Christian life is an adventure found in discipleship and points to the necessity of waiting for and being filled with the Holy Spirit before undertaking ministry, citing the command given to the apostles in Luke 24 and Acts 1.

Being Poor in Spirit and Valuing Others — Zac Poonen — December 3, 2025

Zac Poonen · Dec 4, 2025 · 56m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker emphasizes that merely hearing Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount is insufficient; true discipleship requires actively obeying everything taught. He warns that building life on understanding without obedience results in collapse during life's trials, comparing it to building on sand. The core message stresses that the prerequisite for building on the rock is being 'poor in spirit,' which means recognizing oneself as having no inherent worth before God.

God’s Standard for Us Today is Far Higher Than Under the Old Covenant — Zac Poonen — May 4, 2022

Zac Poonen · May 5, 2022 · 1h 1m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker contrasts the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that the New Covenant requires lived experience rather than mere understanding or proclamation. He argues that if a truth is only known intellectually and not lived out in daily reality, one is still operating under the limitations of the Old Covenant. True discipleship requires ruthless honesty, acknowledging areas where one is not yet at the standard of the Word made flesh, and demonstrating continuous progress in one's walk with God.

God is Not a Disappointment (Parting Exhortation) -- Taylor Seaton -- June 22, 2026

Taylor Seaton · Jul 2, 2026 · 8m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that God is never a disappointment, often providing something far better than what we can imagine or ask for. The speaker uses scripture and examples from John the Baptist to illustrate that our earthly desires can cause us to miss God's greater spiritual plan. True discipleship requires overcoming the tendency to be offended when God does not answer our prayers exactly as we want.

All Human Love is the Enemy of God's Love - Santosh Poonen - June 14, 2020

Santosh Poonen · Jun 15, 2020 · 1h 5m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker argues that all human conceptions of love are counterfeit compared to the divine love of God. He emphasizes that true love must originate in God and require Jesus's presence, otherwise, it is merely a false imitation. The ultimate standard for love is the commandment Jesus gave: to love one another as he has loved us, which will prove one's discipleship.

The Three Promises of the New Covenant -- Zac Poonen -- May 11, 2025

Zac Poonen · May 13, 2025 · 1h 7m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker emphasizes that merely confessing sins and expecting salvation is insufficient; believers must embrace the full blessing of the New Covenant, which includes the ability to hear God's voice daily. He warns against complacency, arguing that true discipleship requires a passionate, wholehearted life for Christ, not just a desire to avoid regret in eternity. This commitment must be fueled by a continuous desire—a deep 'thirst'—for the Holy Spirit, which is a continuous experience, not a one-time event.

Understanding the New Covenant — Zac Poonen — May 3, 2023

Zac Poonen · May 7, 2023 · 1h 4m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker urges Christians to read the Word of God carefully and take sin and reverence for Christ seriously, warning against becoming too familiar with Jesus. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires a foundation of the 'fear of God' before fully embracing grace, comparing this to a child who appreciates a king's favor after years of poverty. The central message is to live with deep reverence, humility, and a serious commitment to one's calling, understanding the profound gifts of the New Covenant.

RLCF Praise Live & Weekly Memory Verses - September 22, 2019

CFC Messages · Sep 23, 2019 · 34m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

This service is a worship session focusing on the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who willingly took the highest honor and died for humanity. The message emphasizes that true discipleship requires a complete surrender of all ambitions, plans, and desires to Christ. Attendees are encouraged to pray for spiritual needs, reconciliation in relationships, and to live daily in the reality of being crucified with Christ.

The Pathway to the Promise: Part 1 - Santosh Poonen - May 5, 2013

Santosh Poonen · May 6, 2013 · 41m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The Narrow-Minded Church - Santosh Poonen - August 21, 2011

Santosh Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 47m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

Do You Want to Be a Disciple of Jesus? -- Ajay Chakravarthy -- June 7, 2026

Ajay Chakravarthy · Jun 8, 2026 · 55m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The message emphasizes that true discipleship requires humility, demonstrated by a willingness to reconcile and set right any unsettled matters, mirroring Jesus's own forgiveness. The speaker contrasts merely calling oneself a 'Christian' with actively being a disciple, pointing to Jesus's Great Commission to 'make disciples of all nations.' Ultimately, being a disciple means following Jesus's teachings and living in a way that reflects that commitment.

The Spirit of the Harlot and the Spirit of the Bride - Santosh Poonen - September 13, 2020

Santosh Poonen · Sep 14, 2020 · 48m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker emphasizes that a church's purpose extends beyond mere social gathering; it must maintain a clear vision given by God. He draws parallels with Jesus' ministry, noting that true godliness is often offensive to many, and that the church's calling requires divine power to speak into people's deepest needs. Ultimately, the message challenges Christians to move beyond merely seeking forgiveness and instead embrace a life of radical discipleship, mirroring Christ's willingness to sacrifice for the Kingdom.

The Difference Between Being Small and Being Broken - Santosh Poonen - September 30, 2018

Santosh Poonen · Oct 1, 2018 · 39m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker contrasts the temporary popularity of following Jesus with the true nature of discipleship. He argues that when being Christian becomes popular, it often lacks the cost of true commitment, contrasting this with the profound meaning of Jesus' 'glorification.' True glorification, according to the speaker, is not about being lifted up by the world's standards, but rather involves going down and dying to self for God's glory.

Building the Church as the Journey into the Most Holy Place - Santosh Poonen - September 27, 2020

Santosh Poonen · Sep 28, 2020 · 55m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that following Jesus means actively building His church, which involves making disciples and fulfilling the Great Commission. The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate ambition for believers, both in life and in heaven, must be to please the Lord, as all actions will be accounted for at the judgment seat of Christ. Therefore, building the church must be rooted in pleasing God personally, rather than merely belonging to a specific denomination or organization.

RLCF Praise Live & Weekly Memory Verses - September 29, 2019

CFC Messages · Sep 30, 2019 · 35m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The service focused heavily on worship, praise, and deep personal prayer, emphasizing the mercies of the Lord and the joy of God's creation. Key themes included total surrender to God's will, confessing all sins—known and unknown—and embracing the call to discipleship by taking up the cross daily. The message encouraged believers to rely on the resurrection power of Jesus and trust in God's grace to purify their hearts.

Words of Encouragement -- Olu Talabi & Chetan Chadalavada -- October 31, 2021

Olu Talabi · Nov 5, 2021 · 15m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that Jesus is returning for a pure and spotless bride, emphasizing the need for believers to examine their lives for purity. The speaker urges listeners to move beyond mere profession of faith and actively desire to keep their garments pure by setting aside worldly loves, pride, and self-preservation. He stresses that true discipleship requires alignment of mind and will with Christ, echoing passages from Revelation and 2 Peter.

Words of Encouragement -- Olu Talabi & David Lane -- December 27, 2020

CFC Messages · Dec 31, 2020 · 16m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker discusses the theological understanding of Jesus Christ, drawing from Mark 6 and 1 John 4. The central message is that Jesus was fully God and fully man, a truth that the devil attempts to obscure today. The speaker warns against the deception of the antichrist, which tries to make people believe that because Jesus was God, they cannot follow him because he was not fully man. True belief requires acknowledging that Jesus was fully human and fully divine, making him a model for discipleship.

You Shall Worship and Serve God Only — Ajay Chakravarthy — July 5, 2026

Ajay Chakravarthy · Jul 6, 2026 · 51m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that true discipleship requires unwavering commitment to worshiping and serving God alone, as exemplified by Jesus' response to Satan in the wilderness. The speaker uses the story of Hudson Taylor to illustrate that genuine faith must move from mere words to tangible action, emphasizing that one must live out what they preach or teach. Ultimately, believers are called to obey what God commands before attempting to lead others.

Raising a Godly Family — Zac Poonen — August 31, 2025

Zac Poonen · Aug 31, 2025 · 36m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The sermon warns against treating God with casualness, comparing it to offering substandard gifts, and stresses that our reverence for God must exceed our respect for earthly authorities. Furthermore, it emphasizes that God takes note of our family life, specifically the covenant between husband and wife, because the purpose of union is to raise godly offspring. Parents are ultimately responsible for guiding their children into discipleship.

Judging Ourselves Rightly - Zac Poonen - May 27, 2018

Zac Poonen · May 30, 2018 · 1h 1m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker addresses various theological questions, including the necessity of marriage for the new covenant life and the understanding of roles within marriage, emphasizing co-heirship. He cautions against viewing God as a punitive policeman, urging instead that people recognize God as a loving Father. The central message is to approach evangelism and discipleship by first acting as a friend to sinners, rather than immediately presenting judgment.