Library
558 messages
31mZac Poonen · Sep 14
1h 49mZac Poonen · Sep 12
49mZac Poonen · Sep 3
1h 37mZac Poonen · Aug 23
1h 7mZac Poonen · Aug 6
52mZac Poonen · Jul 30
1h 36mZac Poonen · Jul 22
1h 1mZac Poonen · Jul 20
1h 36mZac Poonen · Jul 18
20mZac Poonen · Jul 13
3m 27sZac Poonen · Jul 13
1h 1mZac Poonen · Jul 9
49mZac Poonen · Jul 8
1h 0mZac Poonen · Jul 6
59mZac Poonen · Jun 18
55mZac Poonen · Jun 17
1h 3mZac Poonen · Jun 6
59mZac Poonen · Apr 27
59mZac Poonen · Apr 27
2h 8mZac Poonen · Apr 16
54mZac Poonen · Apr 12
1m 29sZac Poonen · Apr 1
2m 13sZac Poonen · Mar 31
1m 11sZac Poonen · Mar 31
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.
31mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Sep 14, 2020 · 31m
The central message is that the greatest achievement in the Christian life is not theological accuracy, but rather being overwhelmed by the presence of God. The speaker uses John's experience in Revelation to illustrate that even highly knowledgeable people can make mistakes when confronted with God's presence. True spiritual depth comes from humility, which Jesus taught was a gift revealed to the humble rather than the clever or intelligent.
1h 49mAustin Christian Fellowship Church (ACFC)
Zac Poonen · Sep 12, 2020 · 1h 49m
The central message emphasizes that true discipleship requires more than mere knowledge of scripture; it demands a life lived in reality, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The speaker contrasts the external commandments of the Old Covenant with the higher standard established in the New Covenant, which focuses on internal transformation. This elevated standard—such as loving enemies and not lusting—is only possible through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 3, 2020 · 49m
The central message is that true Christian life requires a deep, settled assurance of God's intense, loving fatherhood, which is the foundation of faith. The speaker emphasizes that mere knowledge or explanation of God's love is insufficient; one must experience it as a revelation through the Holy Spirit to overcome the 'orphan spirit' of doubt. This rootedness in God's love is necessary for all other aspects of Christian living, including discipline and ability to love others.
1h 37mCFC Bangalore Live
Zac Poonen · Aug 23, 2020 · 1h 37m
The message emphasizes that the New Testament contains crucial promises, specifically pointing to Matthew 1:21, which is contrasted with the focus on earthly blessings found in the Old Testament. The core message is that believers should focus on the promises related to heaven and character change, rather than being preoccupied with material or physical needs. The speaker urges the congregation to seek the Holy Spirit to be effective witnesses for God's glory.
1h 7mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 6, 2020 · 1h 7m
The speaker emphasizes that the core promises of the New Testament are Jesus' ability to save people from sin and the promise of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. He warns that many Christians focus on old covenant promises of earthly blessings, neglecting the internal transformation offered by Christ. To receive this saving power and filling, one must seek God earnestly and wholeheartedly, mirroring the diligence shown when seeking earthly needs.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jul 30, 2020 · 52m
The central message is that seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first is the key to receiving all other earthly needs from God. The speaker clarifies that the Kingdom of God is defined not by external actions like missionary work, but by 'righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 14:17). True righteousness comes from the Holy Spirit, not from personal effort or adherence to the law.
1h 36mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 22, 2020 · 1h 36m
The central message is that Christian life, particularly within the family, must reflect the life of Christ, which begins by looking into the heart of God. The speaker emphasizes that the gospel must first work in one's own home before it can be given to others. He points to the New Covenant blessings—being filled with the Holy Spirit and resisting the devil—and notes that the instructions for family life are placed directly between these two commands, indicating that a Spirit-filled life is necessary for healthy family relationships.
1h 1mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 20, 2020 · 1h 1m
The sermon emphasizes the necessity of actively seeking the power of the Holy Spirit. The message encourages the congregation to pursue this divine power, suggesting it is vital for spiritual growth and ministry. The core theme revolves around seeking God's Spirit for empowerment.
1h 36mAustin Christian Fellowship Church (ACFC)
Zac Poonen · Jul 18, 2020 · 1h 36m
The central message is that Christian life, particularly within the family, must reflect the Christ-life, which begins at home. The speaker emphasizes that just as one wouldn't give a broken DVD player as a gift, one cannot effectively share the gospel if it is not functioning properly in their own household. He draws parallels from scripture, noting that God desires to dwell in our homes (Exodus 25:8) and pointing out that being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and resisting the devil are linked by passages concerning family life.
20mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 13, 2020 · 20m
The sermon warns against the subtle danger of pride, which can even disguise itself as humility. Drawing from Matthew 18, the speaker emphasizes that true humility, exemplified by a little child, is a complete lack of pretense or self-consciousness. Genuine humility is internal—a matter of one's thoughts about oneself and others—and requires the help of the Holy Spirit, contrasting sharply with the artificial performance of humility.
3m 27sCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 13, 2020 · 3m 27s
The speaker urges believers to have a desperate passion to be filled with the Holy Spirit, questioning their contentment with a defeated Christian life. He emphasizes that the blood of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cleanse all sin, and believers should not treat it lightly. The core message is a deep desire to hate sin and cleanse oneself immediately upon realizing one has sinned.
1h 1mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 9, 2020 · 1h 1m
The speaker continues the study of growth in Christ's likeness from the Sermon on the Mount, addressing various wrong attitudes like anger, lust, and lying. He emphasizes that interpreting Jesus' words, such as 'turn the other cheek,' requires understanding the spirit, not just the literal text, and that Jesus himself is the ultimate interpreter. The central message is that keeping the Sermon on the Mount's commands, especially loving enemies, is impossible through human strength and requires being filled with the Holy Spirit.
49mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jul 8, 2020 · 49m
The speaker argues that God bypasses the great leaders of the world and religious scholars, choosing instead to work through ordinary people, as exemplified by John the Baptist. He warns against spending life's time on worldly pursuits ('wood, hay, and straw') instead of eternal matters, emphasizing that true spiritual fullness comes not from intellectual study but from a heart-level reception of the Holy Spirit. The core message is that being filled with the Spirit is an immersive experience, not merely an intellectual understanding.
1h 0mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 6, 2020 · 1h 0m
The speaker continues the study of growth in Christ's likeness, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount. He clarifies that understanding Jesus' teachings requires understanding the Spirit's guidance, warning against literal interpretations that lead to becoming a 'New Covenant Pharisee.' The central message is that the ultimate answer to keeping the Sermon on the Mount, especially commands like loving enemies, is to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as illustrated by the promise to ask for the Spirit.
59mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jun 18, 2020 · 59m
The speaker emphasizes that remaining under God's grace prevents sin from having dominion, citing Romans 6:14. He warns that pride is the primary reason for falling out of grace and advises asking oneself where one acted out of pride. For persistent sins, the standard should be what Jesus would do; anything contrary to that is sin. Ultimately, true spiritual fullness and overcoming life require wholehearted seeking of the Holy Spirit.
55mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jun 17, 2020 · 55m
The speaker emphasizes the critical difference between historical accounts and doctrinal teachings in the Bible, warning against deriving doctrine from historical sections. He stresses the need for consistency in scripture study, using examples from Acts and the Gospels to illustrate how picking and choosing verses leads to doctrinal confusion. To avoid deception, the speaker advises believers to actively love the truth about themselves and the Word of God, acknowledging every conviction from the Holy Spirit.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 6, 2020 · 1h 3m
The sermon emphasizes that the cure for worry and anxiety is to seek God's kingdom and righteousness first, which is defined as having righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, when praying, believers must take all concerns to the Lord, making specific requests (supplication) and crucially ending the prayer with thanksgiving. This practice brings the peace of God, which acts as a protective garrison around the heart.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 59m
The sermon emphasizes that true manhood requires being rooted in God's love, starting at home. The speaker warns against false teachings that permit sin and stresses that men must stand up for the truth, even when it causes suffering. Key actions include being filled with the Holy Spirit, loving one's wife as Christ loved the church, and enduring in love, which is necessary to combat the growing coldness of love for Christ and others.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 27, 2020 · 59m
The speaker addresses questions regarding living under grace, emphasizing that sin cannot rule over a believer who remains under grace, which is maintained by humility. He stresses that the standard for Christian living must be Jesus Christ, and anything contrary to His life is sin. Furthermore, he encourages diligent seeking of God with the whole heart to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit and maintain patience in all life circumstances.
2h 8mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Apr 16, 2020 · 2h 8m
The sermon draws parallels between the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness and the unique trials faced in the current time. The central message is that when facing any trial or temptation, believers must remember that the Holy Spirit is leading them if they are walking in God's will. The speaker emphasizes that God will never allow a believer to be tested beyond their ability, and obedience to God remains paramount even when experiencing earthly lack.
54mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Apr 12, 2020 · 54m
The central message is that believers can experience a 'heaven on earth' right now, not just after death. This heavenly atmosphere is achieved by living lives filled with the presence of Jesus, which is facilitated by being filled with the Holy Spirit. Key practices include controlling one's speech (avoiding gossip and complaining) and dedicating one's entire life and resources to God.
1m 29sCFC India
Zac Poonen · Apr 1, 2020 · 1m 29s
The speaker uses the analogy of a weighing machine to illustrate spiritual growth, noting that initially, only major sins weighed heavily on the conscience. True spiritual growth is marked by the conscience becoming sensitive enough to be convicted by small things, such as raising one's voice at home. This increased sensitivity and willingness to apologize are signs of being in tune with the Holy Spirit.
2m 13sCFC India
Zac Poonen · Mar 31, 2020 · 2m 13s
The central message is that the blessing of Abraham, which promises that all families of the earth will be blessed through one, is received when a person is filled with the Holy Spirit. This fullness is not primarily about speaking in tongues or physical healing, but rather equipping the believer to be a blessing to every family and person they encounter. The speaker compares this blessing to a noticeable, heavenly perfume that permeates every place the believer goes.
1m 11sCFC India
Zac Poonen · Mar 31, 2020 · 1m 11s
The speaker uses the analogy of a factory worker who repeatedly messes up machines, culminating in a major mistake. Instead of being fired, the owner appoints him as a general manager with a much higher salary. This illustrates that God's grace, specifically being filled with the Holy Spirit, is given to people at their lowest point, not just to those who deserve it.