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29 messages
54m8: Dividing Between Soul and Spirit — Zac Poonen — April 20, 2025
Zac Poonen · Apr 25
59mSoulishness and Spirituality — Zac Poonen — April 6, 2024
Zac Poonen · Apr 9
54mGrowing in Spiritual Maturity -- Zac Poonen -- October 11, 2023
Zac Poonen · Oct 12
56mGive No Room To The Devil — Zac Poonen — September 6, 2023
Zac Poonen · Sep 7
1h 7mDiscerning the Excellent -- Zac Poonen -- February 25, 2009
Zac Poonen · Mar 9
47mHow to be Greater Than John the Baptist — Zac Poonen — January 4, 2023
Zac Poonen · Jan 6
1h 27mPreserving Our Families from Satan's Attacks -- Zac Poonen -- January 22, 2022
Zac Poonen · Jan 23
1h 6mGod's Wonderful Message in 'Ephesians' -- Zac Poonen -- May 5, 2021
Zac Poonen · May 6
1h 17mDiscerning Satan's Tactics -- Zac Poonen -- April 10, 2021
Zac Poonen · Apr 11
1h 0mHow to Avoid Being Deceived -- Zac Poonen -- March 31, 2021
Zac Poonen · Apr 2
1h 6mDiscerning the Spirit of Babylon -- Zac Poonen -- March 13, 2021
Zac Poonen · Mar 14
58mDon't Be Afraid - Satan Has Been Defeated -- Zac Poonen -- September 30, 2020
Zac Poonen · Oct 1
46mThe God of Encouragement - Zac Poonen - May 26, 2019
Zac Poonen · May 29
57mDiscipline Your Body - Zac Poonen - April 6, 2019
Zac Poonen · Apr 8
44mBeing Aware of Satan's Tactics - Zac Poonen - March 31, 2019
Zac Poonen · Apr 1
52mEssentials of Effective Prayer - Zac Poonen - August 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 14
44mGod Has Provided Something Better for Us - Zac Poonen - May 26, 2018
Zac Poonen · May 29
47mCounterfeits and Deceptions - Zac Poonen - June 4, 2017
Zac Poonen · Jun 9
1h 2mSession 6: Jesus Disarmed Satan - Zac Poonen - September 13, 2014
Zac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 3mSatan Was Defeated on the Cross - Zac Poonen - March 2, 2013
Zac Poonen · Mar 13
57mDon't Let Satan Take Advantage of You - Zac Poonen - September 23, 2012
Zac Poonen · Sep 23
1h 1mJesus Destroyed the Works of Satan - Zac Poonen - August 1, 2012
Zac Poonen · Aug 2
57mReverence for God is the A-B-C of Wisdom - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20
1h 4mDare to be a Daniel - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20
August 3 | Daily Devotion | Repentance Is The Mark Of Being Truly Born Again | Zac Poonen
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.
29 messages
River of Life Christian Fellowship · Zac Poonen · spiritual warfare
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
8: Dividing Between Soul and Spirit — Zac Poonen — April 20, 2025
Zac Poonen · Apr 25, 2025 · 54m
The speaker advises listeners to emulate the simplicity of a child and the selfless service of a servant to draw closer to God's kingdom. He then delves into the tripartite nature of humanity—spirit, soul, and body—emphasizing that while the mind (soul) and emotions can be stirred, true spirituality requires yielding the will, which acts as the door into the spirit. This yielding is presented as the crucial, practical step for spiritual growth.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Soulishness and Spirituality — Zac Poonen — April 6, 2024
Zac Poonen · Apr 9, 2024 · 59m
The speaker distinguishes between three states of being: natural (unbeliever), carnal (believer living by the flesh/soul), and spiritual (believer living by the Spirit). He emphasizes that true spiritual maturity requires understanding the distinction between the soul and the spirit, which the Word of God reveals. The ultimate goal is to move beyond merely 'drinking milk' of basic doctrine to 'eating meat' of deeper spiritual truth, exemplified by Jesus tabernacling among us.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Growing in Spiritual Maturity -- Zac Poonen -- October 11, 2023
Zac Poonen · Oct 12, 2023 · 54m
Spiritual maturity requires believers to move beyond simply hearing the Word to actively participating in the ministry of building up others. The speaker emphasizes that while physical help is appreciated, the main focus must be on spiritual responsibility, encouraging believers to pray for and take on the burden of discipling others. He grounds this in 1 John, noting that true growth involves being rooted in the forgiveness of sins and understanding the ongoing spiritual warfare between the flesh and the mind.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Give No Room To The Devil — Zac Poonen — September 6, 2023
Zac Poonen · Sep 7, 2023 · 56m
The sermon emphasizes that believers must actively prevent the devil from gaining any foothold in their lives, citing Ephesians 4:27. Key areas where people give room to the devil include unresolved anger, covetousness (especially regarding money and material desires), and unconfessed bitterness in the heart. The speaker urges listeners to live lives that reflect Christ's example, trusting God completely rather than relying on worldly habits or material expectations.
1h 7mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Discerning the Excellent -- Zac Poonen -- February 25, 2009
Zac Poonen · Mar 9, 2023 · 1h 7m
The sermon emphasizes the need for spiritual maturity, which involves discerning the difference between what is merely 'good' and what is truly 'excellent.' Drawing from Philippians 1:9-11, the speaker argues that true love, which is the foundation for this discernment, grows in knowledge and judgment. Spiritual growth requires moving beyond simply avoiding evil to actively pursuing the best and most excellent way in all aspects of life.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
How to be Greater Than John the Baptist — Zac Poonen — January 4, 2023
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.
1h 27mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Preserving Our Families from Satan's Attacks -- Zac Poonen -- January 22, 2022
Zac Poonen · Jan 23, 2022 · 1h 27m
The central message is that Jesus Christ defeated Satan on the cross, rendering him powerless over believers who live under Christ's headship. The speaker emphasizes that while we are freed from the debt and power of sin, we must not live in the fear of death, as this fear is a form of slavery Satan exploits. Satan cannot attack a Christian or their family if they walk in the light and keep the door to darkness shut.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
God's Wonderful Message in 'Ephesians' -- Zac Poonen -- May 5, 2021
Zac Poonen · May 6, 2021 · 1h 6m
The speaker argues that Ephesians is one of Paul's most spiritually profound letters, contrasting the spiritual maturity required to understand its truths with the spiritual immaturity seen in the Corinthian church. He emphasizes that true spiritual growth involves discovering new areas of unchrist-likeness and that understanding God's mysteries—which are divine secrets revealed by the Spirit—requires humility and the fear of the Lord, as highlighted in Psalm 25. Ultimately, living a godly life is a secret revealed to the humble, not merely a matter of intellectual knowledge.
1h 17mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Discerning Satan's Tactics -- Zac Poonen -- April 10, 2021
Zac Poonen · Apr 11, 2021 · 1h 17m
The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual life comes from diligently studying and living by God's Word, warning that Satan's tactic is to keep people from the Bible. He further teaches that victory over sin comes not just from knowing Christ died for sins, but from understanding that our 'old man' (sinful nature) was crucified with Christ, and that Christ's death rendered Satan powerless. Ultimately, believers must understand this victory to resist Satan's ongoing attempts to deceive and intimidate.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
How to Avoid Being Deceived -- Zac Poonen -- March 31, 2021
Zac Poonen · Apr 2, 2021 · 1h 0m
The central message is the necessity of guarding against spiritual deception, drawing from Jesus' warning to the disciples. The speaker emphasizes that understanding God's ways requires diligent Bible study, as human wisdom is insufficient. He uses the contrast between God and money (Mammon) to illustrate that one cannot serve both, suggesting that the ultimate test of one's allegiance is whether the call of money or the call of God proves more attractive in daily life.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Discerning the Spirit of Babylon -- Zac Poonen -- March 13, 2021
Zac Poonen · Mar 14, 2021 · 1h 6m
The message contrasts the 'harlot' Babylon with the 'bride' who represents the faithful disciples of Jesus. Spiritual adultery is defined as claiming to be Christian while being unfaithful to Christ, often through friendship with the world system. The speaker emphasizes that loving the world—defined as the lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life—is enmity toward God, and true devotion is found in doing the will of God, leading to eternal life.
58mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Don't Be Afraid - Satan Has Been Defeated -- Zac Poonen -- September 30, 2020
Zac Poonen · Oct 1, 2020 · 58m
The speaker discusses spiritual warfare, noting that direct confrontation with Satan was absent in the Old Testament but became evident in the New Testament following Christ's victory. He emphasizes that believers today live in a post-Calvary time, empowered by the Holy Spirit, making them capable of spiritual battle. The core message is that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and believers should not fear Satan because Christ has already defeated him.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The God of Encouragement - Zac Poonen - May 26, 2019
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2019 · 46m
The central message is that discouragement and self-condemnation are the devil's primary weapons, and believers must actively resist them by encouraging themselves in the Lord. The speaker uses the example of David recovering from utter loss by focusing on God's power, emphasizing that God is a God of hope who promises to fix messes regardless of who caused them. He advises against internalizing negative self-talk, which he identifies as the voice of unbelief rather than true humility.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Discipline Your Body - Zac Poonen - April 6, 2019
Zac Poonen · Apr 8, 2019 · 57m
The speaker emphasizes that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, purchased by the blood of Jesus, and therefore must be glorified in every aspect of life. He stresses the importance of controlling one's tongue, noting that a person who cannot control their speech has worthless Christianity. Furthermore, he draws a distinction between humans, who are given a conscience, and animals, warning that ignoring one's conscience causes a person to regress to a mere state of 'mud and water,' losing their unique human spiritual connection.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Being Aware of Satan's Tactics - Zac Poonen - March 31, 2019
Zac Poonen · Apr 1, 2019 · 44m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of repeatedly hearing and studying the truth of the Gospel, citing Peter's example of persistently reminding people of what they already know. He warns that Satan's schemes often involve causing us to withhold forgiveness or become proud, which allows him to take advantage of us. Awareness of these tactics is gained by diligently reading the Bible, which reveals the spiritual warfare we are engaged in.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Essentials of Effective Prayer - Zac Poonen - August 8, 2018
Zac Poonen · Aug 14, 2018 · 52m
Effective prayer involves not only speaking to God but also developing the habit of deep listening, as God's line is always open unless sin is present. The speaker emphasizes praying without ceasing, which includes listening for God's guidance throughout the day, not just on one's knees. Furthermore, one must pray authentically, avoiding the trap of praying to impress others, and instead focus on being conscious of Jesus' presence.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
God Has Provided Something Better for Us - Zac Poonen - May 26, 2018
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2018 · 44m
The speaker contrasts the limited access to God in the Old Covenant with the direct access available in the New Covenant. He warns that believers are often cheated by the devil, allowing worldly things like money to become more important than their spiritual relationship with God. True understanding of the New Covenant means living out the reality of God's work in one's life, rather than just knowing the verses intellectually.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Counterfeits and Deceptions - Zac Poonen - June 4, 2017
Zac Poonen · Jun 9, 2017 · 47m
The speaker argues that deception, particularly regarding the fullness of the Holy Spirit, is common because people naturally counterfeit valuable things. He draws from scripture to argue that God allows exposure to temptation and deception because spiritual maturity is achieved through overcoming these trials, not by being protected from them. True growth requires constant testing, which leads believers to higher levels of spiritual understanding.
1h 2mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Session 6: Jesus Disarmed Satan - Zac Poonen - September 13, 2014
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2014 · 1h 2m
The sermon emphasizes that Jesus's victory over Satan was twofold: blotting out sin and disarming Satan's power on the cross. The speaker stresses that Christians must understand their authority over Satan and that Jesus had to become fully human, like us, to overcome temptation and defeat the devil. This full humanity was necessary because God could not be tempted, making Christ's incarnation the key to our victory.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Satan Was Defeated on the Cross - Zac Poonen - March 2, 2013
Zac Poonen · Mar 13, 2013 · 1h 3m
The sermon emphasizes that overcoming Satan requires knowing and speaking the Word of God accurately, as Jesus did when quoting scripture to resist temptation. The speaker warns that Satan and false teachers often attempt to mislead people by quoting scripture out of context, adding to, or subtracting from what the Bible actually says. True spiritual strength comes from allowing the Word of God to abide within us, which is the ultimate defense against deception.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Don't Let Satan Take Advantage of You - Zac Poonen - September 23, 2012
Zac Poonen · Sep 23, 2012 · 57m
The speaker advises believers to shift their focus from fighting with people—whether in family, politics, or community disputes—to confronting the devil, as is appropriate in the New Covenant. He emphasizes that the church's conflict is spiritual, not national or political, urging listeners to focus their energy on building the church and praying for God's will rather than engaging in worldly arguments. The central message is to remain at rest and focus on the eternal rather than temporary earthly disputes.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jesus Destroyed the Works of Satan - Zac Poonen - August 1, 2012
Zac Poonen · Aug 2, 2012 · 1h 1m
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, which include the wrong concepts and ideas about God and Christianity that we absorb from the world. The speaker repeatedly challenges common interpretations of scripture, such as those concerning anger or speech, by asking, "Has God really said...?" He argues that doubting God's word, like Eve did, is the root of sin, and that true understanding requires recognizing the devil's subtle lies.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Reverence for God is the A-B-C of Wisdom - Zac Poonen - September 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 57m
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.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Dare to be a Daniel - Zac Poonen - March 18, 2011
Zac Poonen · Apr 20, 2012 · 1h 4m
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.