Library
493 messages
54mZac Poonen · Feb 22
1h 23mZac Poonen · Jan 8
22mZac Poonen · Jan 2
16mZac Poonen · Dec 5
40mZac Poonen · Nov 28
1h 1mZac Poonen · Oct 27
59mZac Poonen · Oct 25
31mZac Poonen · Sep 26
1h 8mZac Poonen · Sep 25
47mZac Poonen · Sep 19
47mZac Poonen · Sep 8
1h 8mZac Poonen · Jul 26
1h 13mZac Poonen · Jul 26
1h 11mZac Poonen · Jul 25
59mZac Poonen · Jul 25
30mZac Poonen · Jul 11
53mZac Poonen · Jun 13
1h 11mZac Poonen · May 22
56mZac Poonen · Apr 19
25mZac Poonen · Apr 11
40mZac Poonen · Apr 7
1h 3mZac Poonen · Mar 17
1h 2mZac Poonen · Feb 22
47mZac Poonen · Feb 14
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.
54mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 22, 2023 · 54m
The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant relationship with God, which was marked by fear (like at Mount Sinai), with the New Covenant relationship through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that true reverence for God requires more than superficial religious acts, using the offerings of Cain and Abel to illustrate that God favors the best and most heartfelt giving, not just any offering. The central message is to approach God with genuine humility and sincerity, rather than merely fulfilling obligations.
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.
22mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jan 2, 2023 · 22m
The central message is that spiritual growth requires consistent repetition and deepening knowledge of established truths, rather than constantly seeking novelty. Drawing from Paul's preaching and Peter's writings, the speaker emphasizes that true spiritual maturity—achieving an 'abundant entrance' into God's Kingdom—comes from continually revisiting and internalizing what is already known. This process of repetition is necessary for believers to grow in love, faith, and humility, making them more like Christ.
16mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Dec 5, 2022 · 16m
True spiritual growth is not measured by increased knowledge but by learning gentleness and humility from Jesus, as taught in Matthew 11:29. The speaker emphasizes that genuine humility, exemplified by Christ's self-emptying, involves a downward path rather than the world's upward trajectory. Paul's progression from being the
40mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Nov 28, 2022 · 40m
The central message emphasizes that living a godly life requires pursuing humility and the fear of the Lord, which are presented as inseparable. The speaker argues that the enemy is not the devil, but rather the flesh within us, and that perfecting holiness—becoming more Christ-like—is achieved through the fear of God. This sensitivity to sin is crucial, especially in relationships like marriage, where quick repentance and forgiveness are vital.
1h 1mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Oct 27, 2022 · 1h 1m
The central message is that true security and freedom come from recognizing one's identity and acceptance in God, rather than from comparing oneself to others or trying to prove worthiness. The speaker uses analogies, such as the body of Christ and the parable of the talents, to illustrate that every member has a unique, God-given function, and one must follow Christ's life rather than trying to replicate a ministry. Ultimately, believers must surrender all ambition and desire for earthly honor to trust in God's unconditional love, just as He loved Jesus.
59mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Oct 25, 2022 · 59m
The central message is that preserving reverence for God in the church, especially among preachers, requires maintaining a constant fear of God. The speaker emphasizes that all Christians must be witnesses, and this calling demands speaking as if God Himself is speaking, not from personal wisdom or experience. He uses the Apostle Paul as an example of humble service, concluding that true spiritual endurance is found in recognizing one's weakness and remaining dependent on God's grace.
31mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Sep 26, 2022 · 31m
The central message is that manifesting the life of Jesus requires the believer to die to their self-life, comparing this to a grain of wheat that must fall into the ground to bring forth much fruit. The speaker argues that earthly achievements, reputation, or even consistent church attendance are insufficient; true life for God is only revealed when the outer shell of self-will is broken open through affliction, perplexity, and submission. This process is necessary for the treasure—the life of Christ—to become manifest.
1h 8mAustin Christian Fellowship Church (ACFC)
Zac Poonen · Sep 25, 2022 · 1h 8m
The speaker uses the story of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 to illustrate humanity's tendency to act according to its own will, power, and glory. He argues that true Christian life, like Heaven, requires submitting entirely to God's will, citing Jesus' life as the ultimate example of this surrender. The message concludes by warning against superficial worship, such as singing familiar hymns without genuine thought or reverence.
47mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Sep 19, 2022 · 47m
Jesus taught that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must become like a little child, emphasizing humility and complete dependence. The speaker contrasts this with the worldly desire to be the greatest or to act like God, noting that the first sin was pride. True faith, therefore, requires the humility of a baby who is utterly dependent on others, mirroring the dependence on Christ.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 8, 2022 · 47m
Jesus taught that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must become like a little child, emphasizing humility and complete dependence. The speaker contrasts this with the human tendency toward pride, which stems from the desire to be like God, a sin originating with Lucifer. True faith, therefore, requires adopting the helpless, dependent posture of a baby, recognizing that apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
1h 8mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 26, 2022 · 1h 8m
The central message is that all human achievements, statuses, and glories are nothing before God, as illustrated by the story of Nebuchadnezzar. True value is found only in Jesus Christ, and the church must reflect this understanding by embracing humility and recognizing that every member is a 'zero' before God. The speaker warns that the desire to be recognized or to lead a church for personal glory will result in building only a useless congregation, not the true Body of Christ.
1h 13mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 26, 2022 · 1h 13m
The speaker discusses the nature of sin, arguing that the origin of sin in the universe was not in Adam's actions but in the thought of a high archangel, described in Isaiah 14 as the 'star of the morning.' He emphasizes that sin originates in the mind, not through action or word, and warns that neglecting one's thoughts will lead to a life that becomes formless and empty, mirroring the initial state of the earth.
1h 11mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 25, 2022 · 1h 11m
The speaker emphasizes that understanding the Old Testament is crucial because it provides lessons from the mistakes of others, preventing us from repeating those errors. He stresses that God is almighty but does not despise anyone, contrasting this with the devil who despises all. True spiritual growth is marked by decreasing judgment of others and increasing humility, which is evidenced by bearing fruit in one's life. Finally, he warns against self-condemnation, reminding listeners that they are bought with Christ's blood and have inherent value before God.
59mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 25, 2022 · 59m
The speaker advises that believers should trust God's sovereignty through all life's mistakes and difficulties, rather than complaining. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires focusing on the early, foundational years of Jesus's life, not just his famous later ministry. Ultimately, one must be willing to serve humbly, like washing feet, and embrace difficult circumstances, as God's greatest blessings are often found in the lowest places.
30mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 11, 2022 · 30m
The central message is that true Christian life requires manifesting the life of Jesus by dying to one's self-will, which is likened to a grain of wheat that must fall and die to bring forth much fruit. The speaker emphasizes that mere knowledge or good reputation is insufficient; instead, one must undergo affliction, perplexity, and submission to allow Christ's life to become visible. This process requires actively submitting to God's will, even when it challenges one's comfort or reputation.
53mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 13, 2022 · 53m
The central message is that true Christian glory and wisdom are found not in human achievements or worldly accolades, but in the seemingly foolish message of the crucified Christ. The speaker urges listeners to abandon boasting in personal accomplishments and instead focus entirely on the cross, which represents a total surrender to God's will. This surrender requires submitting to a 'death and burial' of one's own plans and opinions, trusting God to raise us up at the right time.
1h 11mCFC Bangalore Live
Zac Poonen · May 22, 2022 · 1h 11m
True repentance is essential for spiritual growth, as God grants grace to the humble. The speaker emphasizes that humility is the root cause of receiving God's grace, which in turn provides victory over sin. He argues that many common struggles—such as losing temper, lust, or materialism—stem from a lack of humility and subsequent lack of grace.
56mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Apr 19, 2022 · 56m
The central message emphasizes that the church is a place of mutual dependence, where every member, no matter how gifted, must recognize their need for others. The speaker warns against self-exaltation, reminding the congregation that no individual is indispensable to God's work. True service involves humbly doing the work God has given, knowing that only works done for eternity will remain.
25mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Apr 11, 2022 · 25m
Jesus primarily condemned hypocrisy, which the speaker notes is a sin rarely mentioned in the Old Testament. The sermon analyzes three types of sinners using the Prodigal Son parable: the accidentally lost sheep, the self-serving prodigal son, and the self-righteous elder brother. Ultimately, the central message is the necessity of humility, urging believers to treat everyone with respect, recognizing that true spirituality involves considering others as more important than oneself.
40mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 7, 2022 · 40m
The sermon emphasizes that wisdom, which is superior to mere knowledge, is the greatest requirement for all areas of life, including personal, family, and church life. Wisdom is acquired through enduring trials, which test and build faith to produce endurance and completeness. Believers are encouraged to recognize their lack of wisdom and ask God for it in faith, knowing that He gives it generously and without reproach.
1h 3mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Mar 17, 2022 · 1h 3m
Following Jesus requires profound humility, exemplified by Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The central message emphasizes that true discipleship means considering others as more important than oneself, rather than seeking to prove one's own spiritual superiority. The speaker warns against pride, noting that the greatest sin is the desire to be better than others, which leads to spiritual downfall.
1h 2mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 22, 2022 · 1h 2m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires constant self-examination, acknowledging that one's life will be reviewed by God. He draws parallels from scripture, noting that Jesus prioritized the Father's glory over the attention of important people. The central message stresses that discipleship requires loving Christ above all earthly relationships and daily taking up one's cross by dying to self and submitting to God's will.
47mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 14, 2022 · 47m
The speaker encourages listeners to assess their spiritual progress over the last two years, comparing it to academic advancement. Key areas for improvement include purifying thoughts, increasing humility, and deepening love within one's family. He emphasizes that true Christian life requires the power of the Holy Spirit and stresses the importance of being quick to forgive and apologize, comparing this to improving one's time in a race.