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1,747 messages
12mZac Poonen · Aug 17
1h 30mZac Poonen · Aug 14
20mZac Poonen · Aug 11
1h 6mZac Poonen · Aug 11
1h 8mZac Poonen · Aug 11
1h 3mZac Poonen · Aug 11
57mZac Poonen · Aug 11
1h 0mZac Poonen · Aug 11
10mZac Poonen · Aug 10
24mZac Poonen · Aug 6
23mZac Poonen · Aug 6
10mZac Poonen · Jul 23
9mZac Poonen · Jul 22
8mZac Poonen · Jul 19
11mZac Poonen · Jul 19
9mZac Poonen · Jul 17
10mZac Poonen · Jul 14
11mZac Poonen · Jul 11
9mZac Poonen · Jul 10
10mZac Poonen · Jul 9
14mZac Poonen · Jul 7
8mZac Poonen · Jul 6
9mZac Poonen · Jul 3
12mZac Poonen · Jun 30
Zac Poonen · 11m · CFC Daily Devotions
True blessing under the New Covenant is not measured by material wealth and health, but by spiritual transformation and union with Christ. The mark of God's blessing is internal holiness and a clear vision of Christ, not external prosperity.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 17, 2025 · 12m
The message emphasizes that true discipleship requires a public, open commitment to Christ, contrasting it with the subtle compromises of being a 'secret disciple.' The core message revolves around singing the 'song of the lamb'—a heart-attitude of profound unworthiness before God—which signifies a deep, constant reliance on Him. True followers are characterized by their purity, following Jesus everywhere, and maintaining integrity, even in small details like not telling lies.
1h 30mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 14, 2025 · 1h 30m
The speaker advises against seeking validation from others, emphasizing that true spiritual security comes from the knowledge that God accepts us as we are, regardless of our perceived perfection. He stresses that the inner life matters more than external conformity and points to 1 Corinthians 11:31 as a guide for self-judgment aimed at Christ's likeness. Additionally, he advises parents to guide their children's education and careers, considering future needs and ensuring daughters are educated for self-sufficiency.
20mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 20m
The sermon emphasizes that true wisdom, as taught in Ephesians 5, is not intellectual but comes from understanding and walking in the will of the Lord. This wisdom is achieved by being continuously filled with the Holy Spirit, which requires the believer to constantly take up their cross and deny self. This process of spiritual growth is likened to increasing capacity, moving from a cup to a river, demanding persistent thirst for God's life.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 1h 6m
The speaker emphasizes that God's promise to never leave or forsake us is unconditional, encouraging listeners not to be discouraged by failure but to keep getting up. He draws parallels between Christian growth and learning to write, stressing that falling down is not a failure; refusing to get up is. The message highlights that in the New Testament, God's blessing is found in tribulation and trial, using the example of Joseph to show that severe suffering can be God's method of preparation for greater service.
1h 8mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 1h 8m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of maintaining a 'solid grip' on the Christian life, using the analogy of a hand grip that strengthens with more fingers. He draws heavily from scripture, particularly Matthew 12, to discuss Jesus' authority and the concept of 'future forgiveness.' The central message is that believers should emulate Christ by practicing forgiveness, even for sins that have not yet occurred, understanding that forgiveness can be an act of grace independent of the offender's repentance.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 1h 3m
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.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 57m
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.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 11, 2025 · 1h 0m
The speaker emphasizes that the New Covenant requires more than just forgiveness; it demands a progressive transformation into Christlikeness, likened to the sun rising brighter until noon. He contrasts mere forgiveness (the 'gate') with true salvation (the 'way'), arguing that a Christian's life must show continuous, visible growth in overcoming sin, not just repeated instances of being forgiven. The ultimate goal is to become fully Christ-like, which is best observed by one's spouse and family.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 10, 2025 · 10m
The speaker urges listeners to deeply contemplate the immense, life-giving love of Jesus Christ, comparing it to a sacrifice that demands a life of total gratitude. He warns that a superficial response to salvation, such as merely attending church occasionally, will lead to eternal regret. True discipleship requires living a life of complete surrender, echoing Christ's sacrifice even when facing ridicule.
24mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 6, 2025 · 24m
The speaker discusses the 'fear of the Lord' as a profound reverence, citing Isaiah 11:2, which describes Jesus delighting in this reverence. He emphasizes that this reverence is the beginning of wisdom, distinguishing true wisdom from mere knowledge. Furthermore, he advises believers to avoid judging others based solely on what they see or hear, instead promoting investigation and caution, and stresses the importance of recognizing one's limitations and allowing others to balance one's ministry.
23mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 6, 2025 · 23m
The central message emphasizes that ministry requires embodying the 'tongue of a disciple,' meaning one who listens and obeys God rather than merely speaking from knowledge. Preachers must teach and *do*, modeling Jesus' example. True ministry sustains weary people with God's word, which requires daily discipline of listening to the Lord and avoiding the temptation to generate human excitement or 'kindle one's own fire.'
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 23, 2025 · 10m
The sermon emphasizes that true worship, as commanded by Jesus, must occur in spirit and truth, moving beyond mere physical or emotional expression. The speaker draws parallels between the Old Testament tabernacle and humanity, arguing that until Christ, access to God's immediate presence was restricted. Now that the veil is rent, believers have the capacity to worship God in the spirit, which is described as an intimate attitude centered entirely on the person of God, rather than being tied to service or personal blessings.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 22, 2025 · 9m
The speaker emphasizes that believers must prioritize seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, promising that all other needs will follow. Effective prayer involves persistently crying out to the Lord for what Jesus purchased on the cross, focusing specifically on bringing in those who desire to be disciples, rather than praying broadly for entire regions. Furthermore, the speaker stresses the power of praying together in agreement and praying for the church to be purified by God, removing the proud and leaving only the humble.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 19, 2025 · 8m
The central message emphasizes that true Christian living, exemplified by loving one's neighbor as oneself, must begin at home before expanding to the local church and the world. The speaker urges listeners to adopt Christ's non-judgmental attitude—receiving others as Christ received them—and to view the church not as a mere restaurant, but as a family requiring active participation. Ultimately, the goal of Christian conduct should be to lead others to the gospel, even when dealing with difficult people.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 19, 2025 · 11m
The speaker warns against the sin of trying to justify oneself before men, noting that such efforts are an abomination to God. He uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate that true compassion and concern for a brother in need, regardless of social standing or religious knowledge, reveal one's true heart to God. The message emphasizes that judging others or failing to act when someone is in spiritual need is a serious sin.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 17, 2025 · 9m
God constantly examines the heart's true attitude, looking beyond outward appearance or achievements. The speaker emphasizes that true love for God must manifest as love for one's neighbor, as failure in this area reveals a lack of genuine belief. Ultimately, believers should live before God's face, allowing Him to examine their hearts, rather than being swayed by human praise or criticism.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 14, 2025 · 10m
The speaker emphasizes that major life decisions and ministry efforts should not be based solely on personal feelings or isolated verses, but must be confirmed within the body of Christ. He draws parallels from the calling of Paul and Barnabas, stressing the importance of seeking counsel from godly people. Ultimately, he advises believers to humble themselves and align their thinking with God's, recognizing that God's ways are vastly different from human ways.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 11, 2025 · 11m
Discipleship requires three key conditions: first, loving Jesus supremely above all else, even family; second, daily taking up one's cross by refusing to harbor bitterness or offense against others; and third, relinquishing the sense of personal possession over all material things. The speaker emphasizes that these practices ensure Christ remains the supreme authority in one's life.
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 10, 2025 · 9m
The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires understanding the three conditions outlined in Luke 14, which is a higher calling than merely preaching the gospel. Following this, Jesus compares believers to salt, warning that a Christian who has lost their distinct taste or influence in the world is useless. Believers must live lives that are visibly different and noticeable to those around them, reflecting Christ's presence.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 9, 2025 · 10m
The central message is that while the Bible is valuable, the most crucial element for a Christian life is the illumination and revelation of the Holy Spirit, not mere intellectual knowledge. The speaker argues that true spiritual understanding, which changes one's life, comes through divine revelation, as exemplified by Peter's understanding, rather than just academic study. He concludes that all believers, regardless of education, need this revelation to truly follow Christ.
14mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 7, 2025 · 14m
When breaking bread at the Lord's table, Christians must examine themselves with humility and self-judgment rather than judging others, asking 'Lord, is it me?' in light of Jesus' teaching. The breaking of bread should reflect Jesus' example of servant leadership and humility, demonstrated when he washed his disciples' feet—a model of how believers should serve one another in the church community.
8mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 6, 2025 · 8m
The message emphasizes that salvation means Jesus saves people from sin, which is distinct from merely forgiving sins. The speaker encourages listeners to rely on Jesus' saving power for ongoing struggles, such as marital conflict or bitterness. Furthermore, he stresses that ministry efforts should be based on the authority given to Christ (
9mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 3, 2025 · 9m
The central message emphasizes that true fellowship with God is the most vital pursuit, which in turn strengthens one's ability to build a strong family life. The speaker warns against distractions like excessive social media use and neglecting time for genuine connection with family members. He stresses that a solid foundation in personal devotion and nurturing family relationships are prerequisites for effective church ministry.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jun 30, 2025 · 12m
True spirituality is not found in mere Bible knowledge or emotional excitement, but in the daily yielding and denial of one's own will to God's will. The speaker emphasizes that while intellect and emotion are important, the ultimate measure of faith is the willingness to submit one's will in everyday life, even when no one is watching. He concludes that salvation depends on a personal relationship built on sin and holiness, not on outward religious activity.