Discipleship, and Love for God and for One Another - Zac Poonen - June 9, 2019

Zac Poonen · Jun 10, 2019 · 54m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires complete commitment, exemplified by the commitment to God above all earthly relationships. Drawing from John 17:23, the speaker highlights that Jesus prayed for his disciples so that they might be perfect in unity, allowing the world to know God's love for them. Following this, the speaker details the cost of discipleship using Luke 14, explaining that 'hating' family members in this context means prioritizing Christ above all other loves.

Discipleship and Obeying Jesus' Commands — Zac Poonen — April 6, 2024

Zac Poonen · Apr 9, 2024 · 1h 5m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

Be a Disciple and Not a Scholar -- Zac Poonen -- October 11, 2020

Zac Poonen · Oct 12, 2020 · 46m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

Three Pictures of Discipleship - Zac Poonen - September 2, 2015

Zac Poonen · Sep 3, 2015 · 1h 16m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

7. RLCF Discipleship Conference 2022 Q&A -- Zac Poonen -- July 24, 2022

Zac Poonen · Jul 26, 2022 · 1h 26m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker discusses various aspects of Christian living, including the necessity of humble service, using the example of foot washing as a non-ritualistic act of service. He advises that for fellowship, starting small in a home is ideal, with online participation being a good second option. Regarding fasting and prayer, announcing these times is acceptable as long as the motive is pleasing to God, not seeking human honor. Finally, he clarifies that New Testament prophecy is not about predicting the future but about building up, challenging, and comforting the hearers.

Obedience and the Way of the Cross - Zac Poonen - May 28, 2016

Zac Poonen · Jun 1, 2016 · 1h 9m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The message emphasizes that true discipleship requires embracing the way of the cross, which involves daily obedience to Christ. Following Christ means being willing to deny self and take up one's cross, accepting the necessary sacrifices and difficulties that accompany a life dedicated to Him. This obedience is central to the Christian walk.

Who Can Build the Body of Christ: 5: One Who Values Fellowship with God - Zac Poonen - May 24, 2014

Zac Poonen · Mar 9, 2019 · 1h 5m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

We Must Decrease for Christ to Increase — Zac Poonen — August 2, 2025

Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 1h 3m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that true discipleship requires believers to actively decrease in prominence so that Christ may increase. Drawing from Paul's experience and John 10, the speaker argues that any desire for personal recognition or being seen is a hindrance to Christ's glory. He emphasizes that a genuine man of God longs to be inconspicuous, allowing Christ to be the focus.

The Grace in Which We Stand and Overcome -- Zac Poonen -- July 31, 2022

Zac Poonen · Aug 1, 2022 · 57m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that maintaining unbroken fellowship with God requires absolute honesty, which is presented as more crucial than perfect holiness. The speaker warns against pretense and hypocrisy, urging listeners to confess faults directly to God rather than blaming others, citing the example of Adam. True discipleship involves living openly in the light of God's truth.

4. Following Jesus On the Narrow Way — Zac Poonen — August 24, 2024

Zac Poonen · Aug 27, 2024 · 1h 7m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The sermon emphasizes that the Christian life requires following Jesus on the narrow way, drawing parallels between the journey to find a bride and the spiritual journey toward Christ. The speaker urges listeners to fix their eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith, recognizing that enduring the cross and daily self-denial is superior to any earthly miracle. True discipleship means having an unwavering focus on Christ's glory rather than the difficulties of the journey.

Dare to be a Daniel - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011

Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 4m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

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.

Brokenness and Compassion - Zac Poonen - May 24, 2015

Zac Poonen · May 26, 2015 · 1h 30m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that the Christian life must accurately reflect the true nature of Jesus, focusing on internal transformation rather than merely external works or social programs. The speaker warns against equating Christian activity with worldly compassion or visible charity, arguing that the true focus must be on building the 'True Church'—a quality-based community—as opposed to the 'great Babylon' of mere quantity. True discipleship requires internal holiness, as exemplified by Jesus' teachings on anger, which addressed the root of sin.

Living Only to Please God - Zac Poonen - April 3, 2013

Zac Poonen · Apr 15, 2013 · 1h 6m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

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.

Reverence for God is the A-B-C of Wisdom - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011

Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 57m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

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.

7. A Helpmeet for Christ -- Zac Poonen -- March 1, 2009

Zac Poonen · Mar 9, 2023 · 1h 2m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

Elders: Endure to the End as Godly Examples -- Zac Poonen -- December 12, 2020

Zac Poonen · Dec 14, 2020 · 55m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is the necessity of continuous, daily surrender to Christ, which is the antidote to spiritual backsliding. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires loving Jesus above all else and constantly taking up the cross by dying to one's own preferences and self. This daily process allows the life of Jesus to be manifested in our actions, relationships, and attitudes.

Important Principles in the Body of Christ — Zac Poonen — August 1, 2025

Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 57m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message emphasizes that true discipleship requires living consistently with one's professed faith, mirroring the manner of Christ. This requires constant self-examination regarding attitudes toward women, money, and circumstances. Furthermore, believers must pursue total cleansing from sin—addressing both external actions (flesh) and internal thoughts/motives (spirit)—with the same urgency as treating a deadly illness.

How The Lord Planted His Churches Through CFC -- Zac Poonen -- August 14, 2022

Zac Poonen · Aug 16, 2022 · 1h 8m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The speaker recounts the history of the CFC church, emphasizing that God builds His church not through human cleverness, education, or wealth, but through the power of the Holy Spirit. True discipleship requires radical repentance—a 180-degree turn away from self-will toward God's way. He warns against merely having the 'form' of godliness without genuine inner transformation.

Session 2: Fulfilling God's Specific Plan - Zac Poonen - September 13, 2014

Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2014 · 1h 8m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that believers must imitate Jesus Christ's example rather than merely offering exhortations. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship involves following Christ's pattern, which is exemplified by His life of helplessness and dependence on the Father. Furthermore, salvation is established by grace through faith, which forms the foundation upon which a life of good works is built.

Recognizing God as the Owner of All That We Have - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018

Zac Poonen · Sep 11, 2018 · 49m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

Session 7: One Who Values Fellowship with God - Zac Poonen - May 24, 2014

Zac Poonen · May 25, 2014 · 1h 4m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The Foundation Needed for Prayer - Zac Poonen - April 3, 2020

Zac Poonen · Apr 4, 2020 · 27m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires more than just hearing God's word; one must actively obey it, or they build on sand. Specifically regarding prayer, the speaker warns against praying for public recognition (hypocrisy) and stresses the importance of praying in private, in one's 'inner room' with God. Sincerity and genuine connection with the Father are more valuable than elaborate or ritualistic prayers.

Putting Christ Above Family Ties - Zac Poonen - September 8, 2018

Zac Poonen · Sep 9, 2018 · 57m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The Covering of Reproach on the Church - Zac Poonen & Santosh Poonen - February 16, 2020

Zac Poonen · Feb 19, 2020 · 14m · River of Life Christian Fellowship

The central message is that building the church requires embracing the 'reproach of Christ,' which the speaker compares to considering Christ's reproach greater riches than the treasures of Egypt (worldliness). True discipleship involves following Jesus even when it leads to opposition, and the church must be understood not merely as a gathering, but as the living Body of Christ, which requires daily self-denial and being filled with the Holy Spirit.