Library
479 messages
58mZac Poonen · Mar 2
1h 16mZac Poonen · Jan 8
1h 23mZac Poonen · Jan 8
47mZac Poonen · Jan 6
53mZac Poonen · Dec 8
1h 5mZac Poonen · Nov 4
53mZac Poonen · Oct 17
14mZac Poonen · Oct 15
1h 49mZac Poonen · Oct 14
1h 9mZac Poonen · Oct 10
53mZac Poonen · Oct 6
1h 49mZac Poonen · Oct 4
1h 2mZac Poonen · Oct 3
1h 7mZac Poonen · Sep 19
1h 21mZac Poonen · Sep 19
1h 11mZac Poonen · Sep 14
58mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 16mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 15mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 12mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 9mZac Poonen · Sep 14
47mZac Poonen · Sep 8
1h 6mZac Poonen · Sep 6
1h 26mZac Poonen · Sep 2
Zac Poonen · 11m · CFC Daily Devotions
True blessing under the New Covenant is not measured by material wealth and health, but by spiritual transformation and union with Christ. The mark of God's blessing is internal holiness and a clear vision of Christ, not external prosperity.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 2, 2023 · 58m
The central message is that the ultimate purpose of gathering in a Christian meeting is not to receive words according to personal need, but rather to experience the manifest presence of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that Christian growth involves constantly taking sides with the Holy Spirit against the self-life (flesh). He warns against seeking personal honor in ministry, urging believers instead to focus on allowing Christ to be manifest through them.
1h 16mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jan 8, 2023 · 1h 16m
The speaker urges listeners to remember their past need for God's grace, warning against spiritual complacency and pride. True change requires addressing the root of sin, not just its outward manifestations, and this is achieved not just by cleansing sin, but by being filled with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that the fullness of the Spirit is vital for a life that is both clean and actively filled with God's presence.
1h 23mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jan 8, 2023 · 1h 23m
The speaker emphasizes that Jesus came to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous, encouraging listeners to confess sins immediately to God and apologize to people promptly. He stresses that true change comes from humility, as God gives grace only to the humble. Furthermore, he advises that forgiveness must be a matter of the will, not merely feeling, and that God's forgiveness is complete, meaning He will not remember our sins.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jan 6, 2023 · 47m
The speaker emphasizes that true greatness is measured by God's opinion, not man's, drawing from the example of Zachariah's prophecy regarding John the Baptist. He contrasts the earthly kingdom of Israel with the heavenly kingdom (the Church/New Covenant), noting that the latter is attacked by Satan. Ultimately, he teaches that even the least among born-again believers in the Church can be greater than John the Baptist, urging the audience to focus on spiritual growth and God's favor.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Dec 8, 2022 · 53m
God's Word functions like a torchlight, illuminating only the immediate next step rather than the entire path ahead. This means that progress in life requires actively obeying the guidance revealed in scripture. The speaker emphasizes that relying on human reason rather than God's Word leads to stagnation, and true guidance comes from trusting God's revealed truth in every step.
1h 5mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Nov 4, 2022 · 1h 5m
The sermon uses the calling of Matthew to illustrate the Christian's inherent burden to share the gospel with sinners. The speaker emphasizes that every believer, not just professional evangelists, must feel this passion to reach the lost, comparing it to a personal cure that must be shared. This burden is fueled by the Holy Spirit, which compels believers to witness beyond their immediate circles.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 17, 2022 · 53m
The speaker encourages the audience to establish a strong, unshakable foundation in their Christian life, drawing parallels to the steadfastness Paul urged believers to maintain. He emphasizes the importance of daily Bible reading and sharing the gospel, sharing personal anecdotes about his own journey and the labor God honored in his writing. Ultimately, the message stresses that one's work in the Lord will never be in vain.
14mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 15, 2022 · 14m
The sermon urges men to act with strength and responsibility, drawing parallels between biblical examples of weakness and failure in leadership. The speaker argues that being 'effeminate' is a sin that undermines roles in the home, church, and community. True manhood involves taking responsibility and leading, whether through formal ministry gifts or simple acts of service.
1h 49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 14, 2022 · 1h 49m
The sermon emphasizes the responsibility of men to act as strong leaders, both in their homes and within the church, drawing parallels to biblical examples. The speaker argues that leadership is not limited to those with the gift of preaching, but rather involves taking responsibility in any capacity. He also touches on the importance of spiritual alertness, referencing passages like 1 Corinthians 16:13.
1h 9mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 10, 2022 · 1h 9m
The speaker strongly encourages the audience to read and systematically study the Bible daily, emphasizing that this practice is crucial for spiritual growth and understanding God's will. He argues that neglecting God's Word is an insult to Jesus Christ, comparing it to ignoring a letter from a loved one. Ultimately, the message stresses appreciating the privilege of having the Bible in one's language and using it for spiritual direction and overcoming temptation.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 6, 2022 · 53m
Jesus' words in John 14 emphasize that true love for Him is demonstrated by keeping His commandments, which requires diligent study of scripture. When believers realize the impossibility of keeping these high standards through sheer willpower, they must turn to the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises as a Helper. This need for help, rather than seeking mere supernatural experiences, is the true sign of a heart desiring to obey Christ.
1h 49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 4, 2022 · 1h 49m
The speaker emphasizes that a solid Christian life, family, and church are built by diligently practicing the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7). He warns that many churches are shaky because they preach an incomplete picture of Christ's full counsel. True righteousness, which qualifies one for the kingdom of heaven, must surpass mere adherence to the letter of the law, exemplified by moving from 'do not kill' to 'do not get angry.'
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Oct 3, 2022 · 1h 2m
The sermon emphasizes that God has granted everything necessary for both physical and godly life, which is summarized as 'everything pertaining to life and godliness.' True eternal life, according to Jesus, is knowing God and Jesus Christ. The speaker uses the analogy of a marriage to illustrate that knowing God is a process that requires consistent, daily effort, much like a deepening marital relationship, rather than just a one-time declaration of faith.
1h 7mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 19, 2022 · 1h 7m
The sermon emphasizes the total sovereignty and power of God, drawing heavily from Daniel 4:35. The speaker argues that true understanding of God's sovereignty—that all inhabitants of the earth are 'zero' in God's presence, and God acts according to His will in heaven and on earth—is crucial for believers. He warns against pride, citing Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, and stresses that believers must accept God's ultimate control, even when suffering, rather than questioning His ways.
1h 21mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 19, 2022 · 1h 21m
The sermon advises that while men are traditionally the providers for the home, the focus should be on seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first, rather than worrying about material needs like food, drink, or clothing. True provision comes from prioritizing God's will, which means striving for righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit in all areas of life, including one's job and home. The speaker emphasizes that this pursuit of the kingdom is the ultimate security, regardless of financial circumstances.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2022 · 1h 11m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of living to worship and serve in the Spirit, contrasting this with merely operating in the mind or emotions. He draws heavily from Romans 8 to illustrate the triumph found in the Spirit, and stresses that true ministry, like the apostles, results in establishing local, functioning churches rather than just converting individuals. Ultimately, he urges the audience to honor God by diligently reading the entire Bible before seeking guidance on matters not explicitly written.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2022 · 58m
The sermon emphasizes the need for balance in the Christian life, drawing parallels to physical balance and the Great Commandment (loving God and neighbor). Key areas needing balance include repentance and faith, as well as worship and service. The speaker warns against legalism, complacency, and yielding to the devil's shortcuts, urging believers to continually examine their lives for progress and to embrace the full commitment required by Christ, even when it means confronting difficult truths.
1h 16mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2022 · 1h 16m
The speaker reviews several personal truths learned over 63 years, emphasizing that holiness comes through looking to Jesus, and that the New Covenant is superior to the Old. He explains that the purpose of the law, including the tenth commandment, was not to lead to holiness but merely to act as a mirror, revealing sin and driving people to the Lord through the Holy Spirit.
1h 15mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2022 · 1h 15m
The speaker discusses that the world's values are fundamentally opposed to God's, comparing worldly esteem to an 'unflushed toilet' in God's sight. He warns against becoming absorbed in worldly things—like money, honor, or pleasure—as they distract from devotion to Christ. The message urges believers to be extremely cautious about cultural influences, especially media, as the world is moving toward destruction.
1h 12mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2022 · 1h 12m
The speaker outlines several truths learned throughout his life, emphasizing that holiness comes not from self-effort but from fixing one's eyes on Jesus. He stresses that the greatest weakness is the tendency to sin easily, and that true discipleship means accepting Jesus's full humanity—being tempted and having a will like ours—while always submitting to the Father's will. The ultimate goal is to run the race by looking to Jesus, which is presented as superior to all miracles.
1h 9mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2022 · 1h 9m
The central message is that true salvation requires both repentance and faith, as God has joined them together. Repentance involves a complete 180-degree turn away from sin, addressing both excessive pride (high thoughts) and deep discouragement (low thoughts), as well as all crooked and rough areas of life. Faith in Jesus Christ is the necessary second element, and neglecting either component results in a shallow foundation for the Christian life.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 8, 2022 · 47m
Jesus taught that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must become like a little child, emphasizing humility and complete dependence. The speaker contrasts this with the human tendency toward pride, which stems from the desire to be like God, a sin originating with Lucifer. True faith, therefore, requires adopting the helpless, dependent posture of a baby, recognizing that apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2022 · 1h 6m
The sermon explores Romans 8, focusing on the future glory of creation and humanity. It emphasizes that creation is currently subjected to futility due to sin, but it anticipates a glorious rebirth when Christ returns. The speaker also teaches that humanity is composed of spirit, soul, and body, and that true sanctification involves making all three parts holy, a process that will culminate in freedom from sickness and death.
1h 26mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 2, 2022 · 1h 26m
The speaker argues that biblical examples of great men like Moses, Samuel, and David serve as warnings regarding fatherly failure. He points to instances where these leaders failed to properly guide or discern the spiritual lives of their sons, leading to corruption and idolatry. The central message is that even spiritually gifted individuals can fail in their role as fathers, emphasizing the need for vigilance in raising the next generation.