Library
44 messages
1h 16mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 18mZac Poonen · Apr 22
1h 36mZac Poonen · Apr 9
44mZac Poonen · Apr 5
1h 13mZac Poonen · Feb 5
1h 4mZac Poonen · Aug 20
1h 9mZac Poonen · Sep 16
1h 10mZac Poonen · Apr 9
1h 16mZac Poonen · Jan 8
1h 23mZac Poonen · Jan 8
58mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 9mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 8mZac Poonen · Aug 16
57mZac Poonen · Aug 1
54mZac Poonen · Jan 6
1h 29mZac Poonen · Sep 13
1h 4mZac Poonen · Sep 12
34mZac Poonen · Aug 26
31mZac Poonen · Aug 16
1h 51mZac Poonen · Aug 9
1h 35mZac Poonen · May 13
53mZac Poonen · Dec 5
1h 2mZac Poonen · Sep 7
53mZac Poonen · Mar 27
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.
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 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 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.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 20, 2025 · 1h 4m
The sermon explores the 'paradoxes of the Christian life,' arguing that Christian living requires adopting God's way of thinking, which is contrary to worldly understanding. Key paradoxes discussed include that one must acknowledge sin to become righteous, and that seeking the heavenly kingdom first will result in the provision of earthly needs. The speaker emphasizes that true understanding comes from deep Bible study and sincere repentance, citing examples like the dying thief.
1h 9mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 16, 2024 · 1h 9m
The speaker discusses the importance of fellowship and the nature of Christian character, using the example of Paul and Barnabas. He emphasizes that discouragement is a common sin among believers that hinders ministry and urges listeners to seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit to overcome it. Furthermore, he challenges the audience's limited view of Christlikeness, arguing that it encompasses both gentle encouragement (like Barnabas) and fiery, truth-exposing confrontation (like Paul).
1h 10mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 9, 2024 · 1h 10m
The speaker advises that to hear God's voice, one must maintain a clear conscience by confessing sins and making amends. Furthermore, regular meditation on Scripture is crucial, as God has provided His voice through written word. Assurance in Christ comes from believing God's promises, such as John 6:37, rather than relying on feelings. Finally, the speaker distinguishes between judging (condemning) and discerning, emphasizing that while we must avoid bad company for purity, only God has the authority to judge.
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.
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 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.
1h 8mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 16, 2022 · 1h 8m
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.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 1, 2022 · 57m
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.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jan 6, 2022 · 54m
The speaker warns that the greatest danger to the church is spiritual decline, citing the example of Ephesus where the elders failed to maintain the fervor Paul preached. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires a radical, wholehearted commitment to Christ's kingdom above all personal desires, as this is what truly frightens the devil. Believers must live in a way that demonstrates this unwavering focus on God's will.
1h 29mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 13, 2021 · 1h 29m
The speaker advises developing a lifelong thirst for God by consistently reading the Bible with an open heart, seeking a challenge from God's word daily. To maintain this hunger, one must confess sins and forgive others, as these simple acts keep the 'fire burning' in the heart. He also addresses questions on baptism and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that belief is paramount and that the Spirit's work is sovereign, like the wind, and not dictated by ritual.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 12, 2021 · 1h 4m
The speaker emphasizes that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a transformative experience that goes beyond mere behavioral improvement, requiring a deep, internal change of heart devoted to God. He stresses that this experience is not for everyone but is specifically for those who are desperately thirsty for more than their current comfortable Christian life. True desire for the Spirit is what draws one to Christ, just as one seeks forgiveness for sin.
34mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 26, 2021 · 34m
The central message is that Christian witness should be primarily demonstrated through one's life, rather than just what is spoken. The speaker emphasizes that believers must strive to keep their conscience clean daily, acknowledging both their conscious and unconscious areas of unchrist-likeness. This self-examination is necessary because God will manifest the fragrance of Christ through those who diligently work on their inner selves.
31mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 16, 2021 · 31m
The sermon emphasizes that participating in the Lord's Table requires two things: first, having the Holy Spirit open our eyes to recognize Jesus's presence in our midst, and second, possessing an earnest desire for fellowship with the Lord. The speaker stresses that the bread and cup symbolize Christ's broken body and shed blood, and participation requires self-examination regarding our attitude toward sin, ensuring we are ready to proclaim His death until He returns.
1h 51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 9, 2021 · 1h 51m
The speaker addresses feelings of discouragement and guilt, emphasizing that while acknowledging sin is necessary, condemnation is wrong because of Christ's sacrifice. He advises believers to focus on God's forgiveness (Hebrews 8:12) and actively seek the Holy Spirit's power to fight sin. Furthermore, he clarifies that true repentance is a change of attitude toward sin, not just a temporary stop to falling, and encourages believers to trust that God has their best interests at heart.
1h 35mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 13, 2021 · 1h 35m
The speaker addresses questions regarding spiritual readiness for Christ's return, emphasizing that honesty—both in one's outer and inner life—is key, regardless of past sins. He explains that 'living in one's will' means actively choosing to obey God's commands, such as forgiving others and trusting Him with anxieties, rather than succumbing to natural worry or bitterness.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Dec 5, 2020 · 53m
The core message is that the Christian life must be founded on genuine repentance—a complete 180-degree turn away from self-worship toward God. While faith in Jesus is crucial, the emphasis on faith alone has caused many to neglect repentance. True repentance means identifying and being willing to give up every sin and self-will that displeases God, not just believing in Jesus for salvation from sin.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 7, 2020 · 1h 2m
The speaker addresses questions regarding church discipline, stating that if a member rejects the church's discipline, they should be treated like an unbeliever, though fellowship can resume if repentance is evident. He clarifies that while sin is forgiven by Christ, believers still face the consequences of their actions. The core message emphasizes that true faith is dependence upon God, which is evidenced by prayer and yielding to the conscience, and warns against deception.
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 27, 2020 · 53m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christians must anchor themselves in the sovereignty of God, acknowledging that His ways and thoughts surpass human understanding. He stresses that the core message is that God desires all people to repent, and believers must maintain a strong faith while also exercising common sense and taking necessary precautions. Furthermore, he advises that parents should be honest about their knowledge gaps and encourage children to read foundational Christian texts to learn the basic truths of the faith.