Library
479 messages
57mZac Poonen · Jul 2
43mZac Poonen · May 25
1h 6mZac Poonen · May 8
1h 2mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 16mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 18mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 15mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 3mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 18mZac Poonen · Apr 22
35mZac Poonen · Apr 22
51mZac Poonen · Apr 22
47mZac Poonen · Apr 22
49mZac Poonen · Apr 22
44mZac Poonen · Apr 13
1h 36mZac Poonen · Apr 9
44mZac Poonen · Apr 5
1h 0mZac Poonen · Apr 2
57mZac Poonen · Mar 29
30mZac Poonen · Mar 26
53mZac Poonen · Mar 22
1h 7mZac Poonen · Mar 5
1h 13mZac Poonen · Feb 5
52mZac Poonen · Jan 8
56mZac Poonen · Dec 4
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.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 2, 2026 · 57m
The central message distinguishes between merely preaching the gospel (Mark 16) and making disciples (Matthew 28:19). The speaker emphasizes that true commitment means desiring to be with Christ wherever he is—on earth or in eternity—rather than focusing solely on a heavenly destination. This deep relationship, likened to a bridegroom and bride, requires being filled daily with the Holy Spirit to truly follow Jesus.
43mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 25, 2026 · 43m
The sermon emphasizes that becoming Christ-like requires more than just ceasing negative behaviors like anger and slander; it demands eliminating all distinctions between people within the church. The speaker uses examples from Jewish/Gentile divisions, racial tensions in America, and caste systems in India to illustrate that true Christian unity means loving and accepting everyone regardless of background, culture, or perceived status.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 8, 2026 · 1h 6m
The speaker urges believers to encourage one another daily because sin is deceitful and can fool us into thinking we are spiritually free. He emphasizes that true spiritual progress requires continually asking God for light to see sin's deceptions, using the example of expecting gratitude. Ultimately, he stresses that building a life on Christ's teachings requires actively obeying the difficult standards laid out in the Sermon on the Mount, not just acknowledging them.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 2m
The central message is that true Christian hope involves not only seeing Christ at His return but also being transformed to be like Him. This transformation requires a daily, deliberate process of crucifying the self and embracing the life of Christ, which is superior to any earthly miracle. The speaker emphasizes that this purification is the proof of genuine hope and that believers are called to run the race by looking unto Jesus.
1h 16mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 16m
The speaker emphasizes that Christians must cultivate genuine joy, which stems not from outward appearance but from an inner conviction of forgiveness. He stresses that true happiness comes from having nothing held against any person, urging the audience to practice radical forgiveness, mirroring Jesus' prayer on the cross. This process of forgiving others is presented as essential for one's own spiritual growth and reconciliation with God.
1h 18mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 18m
The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate goal of any teaching is to point people to Jesus, citing John 1:37 as an example of disciples following Jesus after hearing him speak. He advises that while the Christian life involves falling and stumbling, continuous repentance—not just saying sorry, but asking 'why'—is necessary for growth. He also discusses managing modern distractions, suggesting that while relaxation is fine, one must be careful about media consumption and remain aware of world events.
1h 15mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 15m
The speaker contrasts the true church, described as the holy city Jerusalem, with false religious movements, symbolized by Babylon the Great. He warns that merely claiming to be a Christian is insufficient; true salvation requires a deep understanding of what it means to be devoted to Christ. He urges listeners to study the New Testament thoroughly to avoid deception and follow the narrow way of discipleship.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 3m
The speaker addresses single individuals, noting that marriage is not essential for fulfilling God's will, and advises young women to guard themselves against sin by being discerning rather than overly friendly. For married couples, he encourages seeking a life together that reflects 'the days of heaven upon earth,' emphasizing that humility is key. Ultimately, the message stresses that true victory over sin comes from being under God's grace, which is lost when pride takes root.
1h 18mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 1h 18m
The central message is that true Christian witness comes not merely from preaching words, but from living a life that exemplifies Christ's example. The speaker emphasizes that believers must move beyond simply 'bearing witness' to actively 'being witnesses' by following Christ's example in all areas of life, starting with humble consistency. He urges the audience to imitate Jesus's life, particularly focusing on the foundational, humble aspects of discipleship, comparing this to starting in 'kindergarten' rather than jumping to advanced stages.
35mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 35m
The speaker emphasizes that a person cannot serve two masters, clarifying that Jesus referred to God and money, not God and Satan. He argues that while accumulating wealth is not wrong, one must not live for money. The message encourages deep meditation on scripture, using Jesus' life and the Holy Spirit's role in revealing deeper truths beyond the four Gospels.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that the true measure of a church is not its size, but whether it is gathered by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. He recounts his own experience leaving a Baptist church and starting a new work with his wife, stressing that the focus must be on holiness and a right relationship with God rather than institutional affiliation or money. The message calls for a crucial decision regarding adherence to the Spirit's guidance over established doctrine.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 47m
The speaker emphasizes that diligent Bible study is crucial because it reveals how God wants us to live, not just how to solve our problems. He teaches that the 'great mystery of godliness' is found in Christ coming in the flesh, which signifies that true holiness is not merely avoiding sin, but completely yielding one's self-will to God's will, as exemplified by Jesus in Gethsemane. This surrender of self-will is the essence of a holy life.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 22, 2026 · 49m
The speaker draws from Ezekiel 22 to emphasize the need for a man willing to build a 'wall of separation' between the church and the world. He argues that the defining characteristic that separates humanity from animals is the conscience, which is given by the Spirit. Therefore, to be a man God desires, one must prioritize guarding their conscience above their mind or body, warning against treating the cleansing power of Christ's blood casually.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 13, 2026 · 44m
The central message is that to enter God's kingdom, one must be like a child, emphasizing that worldly knowledge or cleverness is irrelevant. Jesus taught that true entry requires conversion—a complete change of attitude—rather than just intellectual understanding of doctrine. The speaker stresses that this childlike humility and radical change are what qualify one for the kingdom.
1h 36mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 9, 2026 · 1h 36m
The speaker addresses questions regarding forgiveness, emphasizing that true forgiveness stems from recognizing the immense forgiveness received from God, citing the parable of the unforgiving servant. He also advises that when facing anxiety about job security due to AI, one should focus on seeking God's kingdom first, trusting that God will provide for needs, much like He cares for birds and lilies. Finally, regarding a child feeling unwelcome at church, he advises patience and focusing on the spiritual health of the church rather than the immediate social acceptance of the child.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 5, 2026 · 44m
The sermon explores Luke 15's parables (lost sheep, lost coin, prodigal son) to emphasize Jesus' focus on reaching sinners to repentance. The speaker advises believers to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading when ministering to specific lost individuals. Furthermore, he argues that a true New Testament church should be characterized by its members needing no repentance, achieved through daily confession and genuine repentance, which involves turning away from sin and adopting Christ's attitude.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 2, 2026 · 1h 0m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires a balance between understanding what God has already done for us in Christ and responding to that truth. He uses Ephesians to illustrate this, noting that the first three chapters describe God's blessings, while the latter chapters describe our response. He stresses that believers must be firmly established in the foundation of what God has done, understanding that being a 'saint' means being separated unto God, not merely being holy.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 29, 2026 · 57m
Jesus invites all who are deeply thirsty to come to him and drink, emphasizing that this invitation requires a deep, life-altering commitment, not just intellectual agreement. This commitment transforms the believer's life from merely being satisfied (a cup) to becoming a source of continuous blessing for others (a well). The process involves being born again and continually allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through one's life to benefit the community.
30mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 26, 2026 · 30m
The central message is that spiritual growth and receiving God's answers require persistence and patience in prayer, not just immediate action. The speaker uses examples from Elijah—both in stopping the drought and calling for rain—to illustrate that God often requires prolonged, earnest prayer before a breakthrough occurs. He urges listeners to study scripture diligently by comparing passages to understand God's pattern of requiring perseverance.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 22, 2026 · 53m
The speaker shares his personal testimony of conversion, emphasizing that his draw to Christ was not based on self-interest but on the wonder of His love displayed on the cross. He urges listeners to read the Bible not as a storybook, but as a living word that draws them into a deep, personal relationship with Jesus. Ultimately, he stresses the importance of the fellowship of believers, as the Lord desires to build His body through His people.
1h 7mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 5, 2026 · 1h 7m
The central message emphasizes that true Christian life requires constantly listening to God's word, which is described as proceeding continually from God's mouth. Drawing from Isaiah 50:4, the speaker stresses that a disciple must wake up daily with the intention of hearing and obeying the Father's guidance, rather than just seeking information. He advises listeners to treat their spiritual mentors with deep respect and to make daily listening to God a non-negotiable habit.
1h 13mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Feb 5, 2026 · 1h 13m
The speaker emphasizes that true fellowship with God requires absolute honesty, urging listeners to confess sins fully rather than using self-justifications. He contrasts the Old Covenant, where sin was merely covered, with the New Covenant, where the blood of Jesus cleanses sin completely, leading to God forgetting sins (Hebrews 8:12). Ultimately, the speaker stresses that honesty is a prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness and fellowship.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jan 8, 2026 · 52m
The speaker emphasizes that God's ways of thinking and doing are fundamentally different from human ways, citing Isaiah 55:8. He cautions against attributing divine words to personal imagination and stresses that true spiritual transformation comes from aligning one's thinking with Christ's way, particularly concerning areas like money. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to live simply, trust God's provision, and strive to honor Him in every aspect of life.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Dec 4, 2025 · 56m
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.