Library
558 messages
1h 1mZac Poonen · Jun 4
1h 5mZac Poonen · Jun 4
1h 6mZac Poonen · May 28
1h 12mZac Poonen · Apr 9
38mZac Poonen · Apr 1
1h 0mZac Poonen · Mar 10
1h 3mZac Poonen · Mar 10
59mZac Poonen · Mar 9
55mZac Poonen · Mar 9
22mZac Poonen · Mar 4
25mZac Poonen · Feb 18
13mZac Poonen · Feb 11
7mZac Poonen · Jan 11
24mZac Poonen · Sep 24
47mZac Poonen · Sep 11
52mZac Poonen · Sep 10
58mZac Poonen · Aug 8
30mZac Poonen · Aug 7
1h 1mZac Poonen · Jun 12
1h 26mZac Poonen · Jun 6
1h 4mZac Poonen · May 14
1h 4mZac Poonen · May 13
1h 14mZac Poonen · Dec 18
1h 9mZac Poonen · Nov 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.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 4, 2019 · 1h 1m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of learning to listen to God's promptings, comparing it to the dependence of small children on their parents. He warns that worldly distractions, like excessive media consumption, can drown out God's voice, urging listeners to keep world awareness in proper perspective. The sermon concludes by addressing theological questions, asserting that only God Almighty could die for humanity's sins and that baptism must correctly name the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1h 5mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 4, 2019 · 1h 5m
The central message is that effective service and ministry are not about personal initiative but about being guided by the Holy Spirit, mirroring how Jesus was led by the Father. The speaker uses examples from scripture, such as Jesus's ministry and Peter's healing, to illustrate that divine timing and obedience to guidance are more impactful than independent action. Ultimately, all believers are called to serve the Lord in their unique ministry within the body of Christ by listening for the Spirit's direction.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 28, 2019 · 1h 6m
The sermon uses the Garden of Eden's trees to illustrate the choice between self-determination and dependence on God. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge symbolizes deciding what is good and evil based on personal intellect, while the Tree of Life represents a life of constant dependence on God. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life, or the 'New Covenant,' is characterized by this dependence, urging listeners to seek the Holy Spirit's anointing to speak and live as God's utterance rather than relying on personal ability.
1h 12mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 9, 2019 · 1h 12m
Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come to him and drink, emphasizing that receiving this life is a matter of trust rather than works. The speaker stresses that true spiritual desire should be to bless others, not to gain personal reputation or ministry recognition. Ultimately, the message calls for a life of being 'dead to the world,' focused solely on the Savior's eyes.
38mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 1, 2019 · 38m
The speaker explains that human effort, as demonstrated by the Law or building the Tower of Babel, is insufficient to meet God's perfect standard. True acceptance comes only through the Holy Spirit, which imparts a new nature that desires purity, contrasting with the old nature's inclination toward sin. Being born again requires repentance (turning around in sorrow for sin) and faith (receiving God's free gift), and while the initial gift is received, believers must continually seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit to yield every area of their lives to Christ's control.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 10, 2019 · 1h 0m
The speaker discusses the difference between the Holy Spirit's gentle guidance and the controlling nature of demonic influence, emphasizing that the Spirit gives freedom of choice. He advises believers to take Jesus' yoke, which involves learning to walk straight in life, and stresses the importance of having a 'solid grip' on the Christian life. A key point is that sin must be named honestly and filthily to be cleansed by the blood of Christ, rather than using spiritual euphemisms.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 10, 2019 · 1h 3m
The speaker emphasizes that true understanding of scripture comes not from clever study or tradition, but from profound humility and revelation by the Holy Spirit. He warns against misinterpreting scripture by ignoring necessary conditions, using the cleansing of sin through the blood of Jesus as a primary example. Ultimately, one must walk in the light—living openly and truthfully—for the blood of Christ to cleanse them from sin.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 9, 2019 · 59m
Building the Body of Christ requires more than mere intellectual knowledge of Scripture; it demands the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The speaker contrasts a mere 'congregation' (like a pile of bricks) with the true 'body' (like a house), emphasizing that the body requires interconnectedness and submission to local leadership. The ultimate mark of this body is sacrificial love, where members care for and support one another without jealousy.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Mar 9, 2019 · 55m
The speaker argues that the ultimate purpose of the Holy Spirit is not merely forgiveness or salvation, but the building of the Church. He contrasts the immaturity of Christians who only focus on personal sin forgiveness with those who press on to understand God's ultimate purpose. Drawing parallels to biblical figures like Moses, the message emphasizes that God uses dedicated individuals—especially men—who are willing to stand firmly for God's glory, regardless of public opinion.
22mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 4, 2019 · 22m
The central message is that true spiritual understanding and entering the New Covenant require humility, acknowledging that one knows nothing, much like a child. Jesus taught that one must learn from Him—specifically His humility and gentleness—rather than relying on personal cleverness or intelligence. This rest from self-effort means responding immediately to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on one's own works or bright ideas.
25mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Feb 18, 2019 · 25m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life requires a clear conscience before God, aiming for a daily testimony of being conscious of nothing against oneself. He distinguishes between mere 'praise' and true 'worship,' asserting that genuine worship must occur in the Spirit and in Truth. This means worshiping God according to His reality, recognizing that the Spirit is the most vital part of man, and that this understanding transcends mere intellectual knowledge.
13mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Feb 11, 2019 · 13m
The speaker emphasizes that the Old Covenant was incomplete because it could not perfect humanity, a role fulfilled by Jesus Christ. He stresses the profound privilege of the New Covenant, where believers can call God 'Father,' a status unavailable to Old Covenant figures. True understanding of this privilege comes not from mere knowledge, but from being filled with the Holy Spirit, which confirms that the devil has no authority over the believer because Christ defeated him on the cross.
7mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jan 11, 2019 · 7m
The speaker emphasizes that salvation requires both repentance and faith, comparing them to two necessary wires for electricity to flow. He urges listeners to move beyond superficial piety, calling for a desperate passion to be filled with the Holy Spirit and a deep hatred for sin. The message concludes by discussing grace, arguing that it is not unmerited favor but rather something earned through humility, which draws the spirit of grace like water flows to the lowest place.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Sep 24, 2018 · 24m
The sermon explores how Jesus taught through both his words and his actions, emphasizing that true ministry requires supernatural discernment gifted by the Holy Spirit, not just academic knowledge. The speaker contrasts this with modern ministry, warning against the love of money and the tendency to rely on scripture quoting rather than divine guidance. He concludes by highlighting Jesus's humility and commitment to a life of radical surrender.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 11, 2018 · 47m
The speaker draws lessons from the prophets, noting that each delivered a specific, necessary message, which was always to repent. He emphasizes that a true servant of God has a burden for the people, like Jeremiah, and that God's work often requires first 'plucking up, breaking down, destroying, and overthrowing' false ideas and traditions before building. He warns that attempting to build upon a flawed foundation will fail, urging believers to allow the Holy Spirit to dismantle unbiblical practices in their lives.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 10, 2018 · 52m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian living requires following Jesus' example, which means relying on the Holy Spirit's power rather than emotions. He stresses that obedience to God's commands requires first asking for grace, comparing this to needing money to buy bread. Furthermore, he advises filling one's mind primarily with God's Word to be equipped to handle life's trials, contrasting this with filling the mind with unnecessary worldly information.
58mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 8, 2018 · 58m
The speaker warns that in the end times, Christians face dangers from both worldly persecution and internal deception within Christianity. He emphasizes that the greatest danger is deception, which can be overcome only by being filled with the Holy Spirit, not by following counterfeits. True devotion means obeying God's commandments, even the seemingly small ones, and recognizing that living under grace means sin cannot rule over you, unlike those who are under the law.
30mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 7, 2018 · 30m
The speaker argues that the Old Covenant was abolished because God's ultimate plan required the Holy Spirit to dwell in man, which was impossible due to sin. He emphasizes that sin requires a definitive price, which Jesus paid on the cross. The New Covenant shifts the relationship from a governmental one to a familial one, where the church functions as the 'body of Christ'—a family where Christ is the head, requiring the cooperation of all members because no single human can perfectly manifest the glory of God.
1h 1mAustin Christian Fellowship Church (ACFC)
Zac Poonen · Jun 12, 2018 · 1h 1m
The speaker discusses two foundational promises of the New Testament: being saved from sin (Matthew 1:21) and being baptized with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). He stresses the critical difference between merely being forgiven sins and being truly saved, warning that many Christians mistake forgiveness for salvation. Furthermore, he clarifies that 'baptism' in the Greek sense means immersion, applying this concept to the Holy Spirit as a thorough filling or immersion.
1h 26mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jun 6, 2018 · 1h 26m
The central message is that Christians must strive to be an exact reflection of Jesus by continually renewing their minds to think from God's perspective. This requires constant spiritual discipline, as illustrated by Jesus's obedience to the Father's will even when opportunities for ministry were present. Ultimately, this transformation involves presenting one's body and mind as living sacrifices to God, allowing the Holy Spirit to change one's thinking to align with God's good, acceptable, and perfect will.
1h 4mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 14, 2018 · 1h 4m
Divine love, as exemplified by a mother's selfless care for a newborn, is characterized by not seeking its own. The speaker argues that true love, whether in relationships or the exercise of spiritual gifts, must be selfless. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by a deep, unwavering assurance of God's love poured into the heart, leading to contentment and eliminating complaining.
1h 4mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · May 13, 2018 · 1h 4m
True understanding of God's mysteries comes not from mere study or intellect, but through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The speaker emphasizes that humility is crucial, as pride prevents us from grasping God's deeper truths. He illustrates this by comparing Jesus' ultimate humility—washing the disciples' feet—to the nature of God the Father, suggesting that true discipleship mirrors this lowliness.
1h 14mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Dec 18, 2017 · 1h 14m
The central message is that true Christian living requires adopting the inner attitude of Christ, rather than merely imitating his external actions. The speaker emphasizes that this transformation comes from the Holy Spirit revealing Christ's glory, not from human effort or adherence to rules. He stresses that this divine nature is a gift and a choice, contrasting it with our inherent, self-centered nature.
1h 9mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Nov 30, 2017 · 1h 9m
The speaker distinguishes between worldly 'friendship' and divine 'fellowship,' arguing that true fellowship is a gift of the New Covenant, not merely a human connection. He contrasts the Old Covenant's focus on forgiveness of sins with the New Covenant's promise of salvation from sin and the indwelling of God's law through the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, he emphasizes that experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than just intellectual knowledge, is necessary for discipleship.