Library
80 messages
1h 13mSantosh Poonen · Jun 15
1h 0mSantosh Poonen · May 11
58sSantosh Poonen · Mar 21
1mSantosh Poonen · Mar 21
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Mar 6
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Mar 6
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Feb 13
57sSantosh Poonen · Feb 13
56mSantosh Poonen · Feb 2
58sSantosh Poonen · Jan 30
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Jan 30
56sSantosh Poonen · Jan 30
1mSantosh Poonen · Jan 26
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Jan 26
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Jan 20
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Dec 1
40sSantosh Poonen · Dec 1
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Nov 28
58sSantosh Poonen · Nov 25
1m 1sSantosh Poonen · Nov 20
57sSantosh Poonen · Nov 18
1h 0mSantosh Poonen · Oct 26
1h 4mSantosh Poonen · Sep 21
51mSantosh Poonen · Sep 8
Zac Poonen · 10m · CFC Daily Devotions
Repentance is the defining mark of a truly born-again Christian. Without genuine repentance—a turning away from sin with changed behavior—one's claim to conversion is hollow and superficial.
River of Life Christian Fellowship · Santosh Poonen · church life
1h 13mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jun 15, 2026 · 1h 13m
The speaker warns that the church risks becoming merely a 'club' if members allow worldly interests or relationships to take precedence over Jesus Christ. He uses the analogy of steering a car on a slope, urging believers to remain firmly focused on Christ as the world drifts away from Him. The message emphasizes constant vigilance against spiritual complacency and the need for revival.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · May 11, 2026 · 1h 0m
The speaker emphasizes that receiving from God must be balanced by giving, drawing parallels between the biblical principle of giving and the spiritual danger of hoarding blessings. He challenges the congregation to be givers, not just takers, suggesting that true membership is demonstrated by investing in others outside of one's immediate family. The message concludes by highlighting mothers as prime examples of selfless giving.
58sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 21, 2026 · 58s
True Christian community goes beyond mere physical togetherness; it requires a genuine oneness rooted in the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that the fellowship with the Holy Spirit is the necessary condition for this unity. He contrasts the outward togetherness of the original disciples with the deep, unified oneness believers are called to achieve.
1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 21, 2026 · 1m
The sermon emphasizes that the Father's love is everlasting, even when the younger son has sinned greatly and feels unloved by the world. The speaker teaches that the place where one is always loved is in the presence of God, and the church must reflect this reality. Knowing God is present is how sinners recognize this everlasting love.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 6, 2026 · 1m 1s
Reverence for the Lord fundamentally changes how we value one another and the body of Christ. Because the body belongs to Jesus, we cannot speak lightly or criticize any part of it, regardless of their flaws. This reverence motivates us to value gathering with the saints as if Jesus himself were present.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Mar 6, 2026 · 1m 1s
The goal of gathering together should be to deepen the desire to know Jesus intimately. The speaker emphasizes that the focus of church meetings should not be on secular activities but on drawing people closer to Christ. The responsibility of church leaders is to nurture this desire for a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 13, 2026 · 1m 1s
True Christian fellowship goes far beyond merely attending a church building on Sunday. The speaker emphasizes that genuine connection with Christ must manifest in a deeper, real-life fellowship with fellow believers. This mutual relationship serves as the true test of one's spiritual depth.
57sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 13, 2026 · 57s
The speaker urges listeners to choose a church that boldly preaches against sin, comparing such a preacher to a comprehensive doctor. He criticizes preachers who hesitate to address all sins due to fear of offending people who are comfortable in their sin. Ultimately, the choice of spiritual guidance should not be based on the preacher's pleasant demeanor.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Feb 2, 2026 · 56m
The speaker emphasizes the profound unity and presence of the Holy Spirit within the church, drawing parallels to Psalm 133's imagery of precious oil. He stresses that true Christian unity transcends outward differences—whether in background, education, or location—and is rooted in the shared body of Christ under Jesus' headship. Furthermore, he uses the color white, frequently depicted in scripture regarding Christ and heaven, to symbolize the essential simplicity of Christ and the true church.
58sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 30, 2026 · 58s
Jesus's greatest joy was found in His oneness with the Father, a joy that surpassed all earthly temptations, including pleasure and wealth. The speaker emphasizes that this divine unity was more valuable to Jesus than anything the devil could offer. This principle of prioritizing oneness with God is presented as the foundation for building the church.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 30, 2026 · 1m 1s
The central message is that true church unity must originate from an individual's firm root in Jesus Christ, rather than being based on relationships with other people or teachings. The speaker urges the congregation to establish this personal foundation in Christ, which will naturally lead to genuine fellowship with others who share the same grounding.
56sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 30, 2026 · 56s
The speaker addresses accusations that the church might be considered a cult, drawing a parallel to Paul's declaration of being part of 'the way.' He emphasizes that the path of following Jesus is inherently narrow, requiring believers to refuse compromise on core truths, even when it is unpopular.
1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 26, 2026 · 1m
The passage from Acts 2:3-4 illustrates that the filling of the Holy Spirit was not a corporate event for the entire group. Instead, the Spirit rested on individuals who possessed a burning desire and passion, suggesting that individual yearning is key to receiving the Spirit's fullness. The speaker implies that a lack of passion in even one person could limit the overall impact of the Spirit's work.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 26, 2026 · 1m 1s
The speaker contrasts the natural unity of a school of fish moving together with the danger of a church forming around commonalities like shared interests, politics, or culture. He warns that when a church groups based on familiarity, its movement is merely influenced by its members rather than a single divine source.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Jan 20, 2026 · 1m 1s
True Christian fellowship goes far beyond merely attending church services on Sunday. The speaker emphasizes that God desires a deep, tangible connection with believers, which is evidenced by the depth of fellowship with one another. This journey requires constant growth in one's relationship with Christ.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 1, 2025 · 1m 1s
The speaker uses the analogy of a parent making allowances for their children to illustrate what true love within the body of Christ looks like. He argues that just as a parent trusts their child despite mistakes because of their relationship, believers should extend grace and understanding to one another. This concept relates to the Lord asking if we are willing to make allowances for the other members of the body.
40sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Dec 1, 2025 · 40s
The speaker discusses how a deep love for God, which is shed abroad in the heart, naturally results in a greater love for all the saints. This increased love for fellow believers serves as a true indicator that God's love has genuinely filled the heart. The growth in love for the saints is a direct consequence of experiencing God's love in greater measure.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 28, 2025 · 1m 1s
The central message is that the church is the only thing that will endure through tribulation. The speaker urges listeners to commit themselves fully to building up this body of Christ, emphasizing that this commitment must be deep and unwavering. He stresses that the church must be the pure body of Christ, not merely a casual gathering of believers.
58sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 25, 2025 · 58s
The sermon encourages believers to adopt an attitude of hiding themselves in Christ, contrasting this with the world's pursuit of self-promotion, popularity, and wealth. The central message is that true security and belonging are found by drawing close to Christ after witnessing His sacrifice. This commitment is essential for building the church of Jesus Christ.
1m 1sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 20, 2025 · 1m 1s
The speaker argues that many modern churches are characterized by pretense and hypocrisy. He suggests that the true presence of God will strip away all outward appearances and hidden aspects of a person, exposing their true selves. The central challenge is whether the congregation is willing to face this genuine exposure.
57sRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Nov 18, 2025 · 57s
The sermon emphasizes that the presence of God's fire and glory within the church is what keeps it alive. To truly belong, one must be willing to go through the fire, suggesting that only those who have paid a cost to be there remain. Believers must continuously examine themselves to ensure they are present because they have walked through this purifying experience.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Oct 26, 2025 · 1h 0m
The speaker urges young people to take 1 Thessalonians 4:3 to heart, emphasizing the need to flee sexual immorality through vigilance and purity. He also warns Christians against participating in the 'glorification of evil' like Halloween, urging boldness to stand for truth. Finally, he distinguishes between mere 'congregations' (people drawn to teaching but lacking integration) and true 'fellowship,' which requires a deep commitment to one another.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 21, 2025 · 1h 4m
The sermon emphasizes the importance of approaching God with deep reverence, drawing from Ecclesiastes 5. True reverence is not somberness but a lifted gaze toward God, which brings a seriousness to life and worship. The speaker illustrates this by stopping during a song, realizing the profound weight of the sacrifice being commemorated, and applying this principle to speaking and singing in God's presence.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Santosh Poonen · Sep 8, 2025 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that while one must stand firm on biblical truth without judging others who hold different views, the approach must be marked by compassion, mirroring God's nature. He stresses the importance of a church that actively preaches against sin, arguing that this is a core element of the Gospel, while also advocating for people to experience the reality of Christ's life within the community, not just hear it preached.