Library
41 messages
11mJeremy Utley · Oct 2
22mJeremy Utley · Sep 12
25mJeremy Utley · Jul 11
17mJeremy Utley · Apr 19
19mJeremy Utley · Mar 13
14mJeremy Utley · Mar 7
16mJeremy Utley · Aug 8
21mJeremy Utley · Jul 11
16mJeremy Utley · Jul 5
19mJeremy Utley · Jun 24
17mJeremy Utley · Mar 21
11mJeremy Utley · Dec 21
18mJeremy Utley · Sep 14
12mJeremy Utley · Aug 31
4m 3sJeremy Utley · May 3
7mJeremy Utley · Feb 1
15mJeremy Utley · Dec 15
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.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 2, 2017 · 11m
The central message is that Christians are called to reflect Jesus, which requires a standard higher than mere honesty or 'being real.' The speaker argues that simply stating what one feels, even if true, can be unhelpful or unedifying to others. Instead, speech must be seasoned with grace, building up the listener, and even our thoughts must be guarded, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
22mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 12, 2017 · 22m
The speaker emphasizes that the goal of Christians is to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning within the local church. He draws from Psalm 126, teaching that reaping a joyful harvest requires sowing God's Word into one's heart with tears and desperation, not indifference. He also shares personal lessons learned, warning against spiritual pride and stressing the need to give all glory to God for every victory.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 11, 2017 · 25m
The central message is that Christian obedience, while sometimes burdensome, should be fueled by the desire to see God's smile and pleasure. The speaker emphasizes that keeping oneself in God's love is key, and this connection—seeing God pleased with one's obedience—will make following commandments feel refreshing rather than a heavy cross. He encourages the congregation to proactively seek this light of favor.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 19, 2017 · 17m
The speaker argues that the pursuit of holiness is not merely about eliminating sin or strife, but must culminate in the fullness of love, which is described as the perfect bond of unity. True spiritual growth requires believers to actively increase and abound in love for one another, moving beyond just an 'elimination plan' to embody Christ's love. He concludes by contrasting judgment with mercy, emphasizing that compassion is the true mark of a godly life.
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 13, 2017 · 19m
The sermon warns against the danger of becoming overly familiar with the things of God, citing examples from Leviticus, 1 Samuel, and Samuel 8 where religious leaders failed due to familiarity. The speaker cautions that routine and ritualistic observance, if not accompanied by genuine devotion, can lead to contempt and dull the spiritual fire. True devotion requires guarding against mere familiarity to maintain reverence for God's presence.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 7, 2017 · 14m
The central message is that Christians are called to become an exact reflection of Jesus Christ, a process involving personal purity and corporate church life. This transformation requires more than just abstract hope; it demands actively praying and desiring to be like Christ. Practically, this means proactively guarding one's focus by choosing to dwell upon things that reflect righteousness and integrity, rather than being absorbed by worthless things.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 8, 2016 · 16m
The central message is that while God has the power to write His law on our hearts, Christians must take personal responsibility for cultivating a heart that desires what pleases God. This involves actively guarding what fills our minds—our thoughts, entertainment, and conversations—rather than passively waiting for transformation. True spiritual health requires cooperation with God's work, much like needing to change diet alongside working out at a gym.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 11, 2016 · 21m
The central message is that growing in the fear of the Lord requires our affections to reflect God's, meaning we must hate evil, pride, and perverted speech. The speaker specifically warns against the 'two G's'—gossip and grumbling—as these are forms of perverted speech that distract from disciplined living. He urges listeners to guard their mouths by keeping their thoughts in their minds, contrasting this with the tendency to talk about others when there is nothing productive to do.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 5, 2016 · 16m
The central message is that true holiness cannot be achieved through individual sinlessness alone; it requires active fellowship within the local church. The speaker argues that focusing only on personal purity is a deception, drawing parallels to the biblical statement, 'It is not good for man to be alone,' which applies equally to the church. Together, believers are meant to be knitted together as a body, reflecting the manifold grace of God and becoming a worthy bride for Christ.
19mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jeremy Utley · Jun 24, 2016 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that knowing God should compel us to change, warning against the danger of maintaining old habits or attitudes after God has revealed Himself. Using Abraham's repeated lies and Elijah's flight from Jezebel as examples, the message stresses that a refusal to change in light of new revelation is dangerous, and we must always be willing to be purged of impurity.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 21, 2016 · 17m
The central message is that Christians must intentionally choose to be weapons of righteousness in God's hand rather than allowing sin to make them weapons of unrighteousness. This requires a deep personal confrontation with one's own sin, prioritizing God's glory over anything else, and being willing to surrender even what is precious to oneself. The speaker uses biblical examples, like Job and King Saul, to illustrate this principle of total consecration to God.
11mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 21, 2015 · 11m
The sermon uses the example of Israel's tendency to reclaim what God has given, contrasting it with Joseph's initial success, to warn believers about complacency. The central message is the need for constant vigilance against the flesh's tendency to rebuild or reclaim areas surrendered to God, even after spiritual progress. The speaker emphasizes that sanctification is an ongoing process requiring diligence to guard against old habits regaining power.
18mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 14, 2015 · 18m
The central message is the call to total consecration, urging believers to present their bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God, as taught in Romans 12:1. The speaker emphasizes that true surrender means recognizing that one's time, money, and thoughts belong to God, not to personal default habits. He concludes that genuine surrender is actively choosing *not* to do one's own thing, but instead waiting expectantly for God's direction.
12mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 31, 2015 · 12m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart, referencing Proverbs 4:23. Key lessons learned include being careful about who influences us, as worldly wisdom can subtly rationalize sin, and ensuring spiritual discussions happen with spiritually mature believers. Furthermore, one must guard their affections by prioritizing God's opinion over the opinions of others to avoid being spiritually eroded.
4m 3sNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · May 3, 2015 · 4m 3s
God desires that believers become holy, blameless, and beyond reproach, and the path to this involves continuing in faith and not being moved from hope. The speaker emphasizes that these concepts are not abstract but require active, persistent effort, comparing this necessary persistence to a child unrelentingly asking for what they want. True dependence on God means being helplessly persistent until He acts, trusting in His good will.
7mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 1, 2015 · 7m
The speaker reflects on Colossians 1:13, focusing on the reality that while believers are rescued from darkness, they must not become complacent in their fight against sin. He emphasizes that true freedom is not a license for sin, but rather a motivation to proactively seek God's light to illuminate the darkness remaining within us. This requires a continuous, hungry attitude of self-examination, similar to David's pattern of seeking ways to serve God even during times of rest.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 15, 2014 · 15m
The sermon emphasizes responding to God's undeserved love by becoming a suitable Bride for Christ, which requires both purity and active love. The speaker uses the analogy of a rubber band to illustrate that true devotion means anchoring oneself in God's goodness, rather than fluctuating between worldly concerns and spiritual disciplines. Ultimately, the message calls for a consistent, heartfelt focus on God's love and faithfulness.