Library
138 messages
37mJeremy Utley · Jul 24
8mJeremy Utley · Apr 15
25mJeremy Utley · Feb 6
36mJeremy Utley · Nov 27
33mJeremy Utley · Sep 26
36mJeremy Utley · Jul 29
22mJeremy Utley · Jul 15
29mJeremy Utley · Dec 18
17mJeremy Utley · Sep 11
59mJeremy Utley · Aug 6
51mJeremy Utley · Aug 6
15mJeremy Utley · Apr 23
16mJeremy Utley · Mar 12
20mJeremy Utley · Feb 26
27mJeremy Utley · Feb 12
21mJeremy Utley · Feb 11
15mJeremy Utley · Jan 30
19mJeremy Utley · Jan 15
15mJeremy Utley · Jan 9
26mJeremy Utley · Dec 21
16mJeremy Utley · Nov 28
19mJeremy Utley · Nov 10
18mJeremy Utley · Oct 17
11mJeremy Utley · Oct 2
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.
37mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 24, 2020 · 37m
True worship is not merely singing or being moved by music, but rather presenting one's entire body as a living and holy sacrifice to God. Drawing from John 4 and Romans 12, the message emphasizes that true worship is demonstrated by living in spirit and truth, especially during times of temptation or undesirable circumstances. The speaker urges the audience to continually renew their minds and offer their lives to God without hesitation, like providing a lamb morning by morning.
8mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 15, 2020 · 8m
The central message is that to effectively share the 'cup of salvation' with others, one must first be willing to accept whatever the Lord sends, even if it is painful. The speaker draws a parallel between Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and Peter drawing a sword; just as Jesus was called to drink the cup, the believer must put away the 'sword' of self-defense, justification, and resistance. Only by accepting the Father's will can one minister the salvation to others.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 6, 2020 · 25m
The speaker uses the obscure biblical figure Jonadab to challenge the audience about their legacy and ambition as disciples of Christ. Jonadab is highlighted for his faithfulness, specifically for raising godly children who obeyed his commands, which earned him the promise from the Lord that he would never lack a man to stand before Him. This challenges the listener to prioritize raising disciples with the same level of obedience and devotion.
36mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 27, 2019 · 36m
The central message is that true devotion to Christ is not merely an academic pursuit of knowledge, but rather a deep, personal enjoyment and intimacy with Jesus. The speaker challenges the tendency to treat knowing Christ as a subject to be studied, urging instead a focus on the sweet, desirable experience of His presence. He suggests that the Song of Solomon offers a better model for this heart-level devotion than intellectual study.
33mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 26, 2019 · 33m
The sermon uses the parable of a little boy planting a carrot seed to illustrate spiritual principles drawn from Galatians 6:8. It emphasizes that those who sow to their own flesh will reap corruption, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life. The key takeaway is that consistent effort—watering and weeding—is necessary to endure discouragement and ultimately reap the life of Christ.
36mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jeremy Utley · Jul 29, 2019 · 36m
The central message is that true discipleship is defined by the inward reality of living with Jesus, rather than focusing on outward works like preaching or casting out demons. The speaker emphasizes that the primary focus should be on enjoying and dwelling in Jesus's love, which is the defining characteristic of a disciple. He contrasts this with the disciples' initial misunderstanding of their calling, urging the audience to prioritize their relationship with Christ.
22mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 15, 2019 · 22m
The speaker argues that the greatest danger to believers is not material need, but the subtle danger of unbelief, which he compares to a lurking lion. He emphasizes that the primary ministry appointed by God to combat this danger is mutual encouragement, urging believers to encourage one another daily. He warns that 'discouragement' is often a euphemism for unbelief, and that everyone must take this ministry seriously, especially within their own families.
29mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 18, 2018 · 29m
The central message is a warning against 'selfish Christianity,' where spiritual pursuits are focused solely on personal enjoyment and attainment rather than sharing God's blessings with others. The speaker draws from Isaiah 58 to argue that true devotion involves a longing to share what God has already enjoyed, contrasting this with the danger of self-satisfaction, as seen in Jonah and the parable of the lost son. The ultimate calling is to prioritize others' needs, even at personal cost, as exemplified by Christ's sacrifice.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 11, 2018 · 17m
The speaker emphasizes that Christian growth requires being a doer of the word, mirroring Jesus' example of listening as a disciple rather than merely gathering information like a scribe. He focuses on the command not to despise the little ones, drawing from Matthew 18 and 19. This teaching extends to recognizing that every person, including children, is made in God's image and is stewarding God's nature, requiring us to see past superficial quirks to the divine nature within.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6, 2018 · 59m
The speaker discusses the concept of living a life that pleases God the Father in secret, drawing a parallel between Jesus's hidden life and our own spiritual walk. He argues that just as Jesus's early life was less documented, our focus should be on pleasing God privately rather than seeking public recognition. Spiritual preparation, like physical training for a soldier, requires a disciplined diet and exercise, which spiritually means maintaining a good spiritual diet and practicing obedience.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Jeremy Utley · Aug 6, 2018 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that what truly pleases God is repentance, which is more than just a foundational truth—it's a daily necessity. He warns against becoming mere collectors of truth who enjoy hearing sermons without applying the word, stressing that God expects believers to live according to what they hear. Ultimately, one honors God not by dwelling in shame, but by running back to Him with hope, remembering that God takes no pleasure in our death but desires our return to Him.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Apr 23, 2018 · 15m
The central message encourages believers to be diligent in gathering up every fragment of time, treating these small increments like seeds for the Kingdom. Drawing from John 6:12, the speaker argues that spiritual growth and reaping a harvest are dependent on how we use these small, overlooked moments, rather than just dedicating large blocks of time. He urges listeners to sow these fragments into God's promises rather than merely passing time permissibly.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 12, 2018 · 16m
The central message is that a Christian life, like the Kingdom of Heaven, should be completely permeated by God's authority, much like leaven permeates all the flour. The speaker urges listeners to examine every area of their lives—finances, speech, relationships, free time—to ensure nothing remains untouched by God's rule. This permeation is rooted in living with the hope of God fulfilling His promises, as exemplified by Abraham.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 26, 2018 · 20m
The central message is that true spiritual maturity requires discerning God's will, rather than merely reacting to visible opportunities or circumstances. The speaker contrasts seeking 'open doors' with knowing God's will, emphasizing that one must wait for the Lord's leading rather than acting on every apparent opportunity. He urges listeners to pray for discernment, asking God's will rather than just for open doors, and to be willing to knock on closed doors.
27mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 12, 2018 · 27m
The central message is to never despise the current, seemingly small responsibilities or 'pasture' God has placed before us. Using David's life as an example, the speaker argues that these overlooked assignments are actually God's appointed training grounds. By faithfully serving in our current roles, we acquire necessary skills—like a shepherd's heart, fighting ability, and contentment—that prepare us for greater ministry.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 11, 2018 · 21m
The central message is that Christian life requires continuous effort and a warrior's attitude to overcome spiritual giants, rather than settling for a comfortable 'happy medium.' Drawing parallels to Israel's journey, the speaker emphasizes that true abundance is found only through active struggle, using the example of Joshua to warn against complacency despite past victories. The core call is to remain willing to fight and serve actively in the Lord's army.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 30, 2018 · 15m
The speaker outlines three areas—the pigsty, the church, and the bridal chamber—that can prevent a person from experiencing God's love. He argues that true fatherhood is experienced only when one willfully separates from sin (the pigsty), that religious activity cannot replace constant righteousness (the church), and that even when seemingly close to God, one must be ready to move out of complacency (the bridal chamber).
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 15, 2018 · 19m
The central message is that manifesting the life of Christ requires a constant, willful commitment to taking up one's cross daily, which means being continually delivered over to death for Jesus' sake. The speaker draws a parallel between the Israelites conquering the Promised Land and believers overcoming sin and worldly desires. He advises that one's attitude toward the very next 'giant' in life is the best indicator of one's overall readiness to conquer all remaining struggles.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 9, 2018 · 15m
The central message is that Christian progress requires being both completely obedient and completely unsatisfied with current blessings. Drawing from Acts 13, the speaker emphasizes that spiritual advancement happens when believers are diligently ministering to the Lord and fasting. This means remaining obedient to what has been taught while maintaining a deep, eager longing for God's further leading, exemplified by the servant leading by the Spirit.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 21, 2017 · 26m
The central message is that true discipleship is not defined by correct profession or belief, but by one's willingness to remain devoted to Jesus even when his teachings or actions are difficult or offensive. The speaker uses the example of the disciples in John 6 and John the Baptist's interaction with Jesus to illustrate that knowing Jesus means following Him through challenging circumstances, rather than just making a verbal declaration of faith.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 28, 2017 · 16m
The speaker uses the analogy of parenting and sports training to illustrate that true growth requires focusing intensely on one or two core lessons at a time, rather than trying to learn everything at once. He applies this principle to his relationship with God, warning against the modern obsession with novelty and new stimuli. Instead, he urges listeners to deeply internalize and establish themselves in the truths and teachings they have already received, as advised in Proverbs 4:20.
19mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 10, 2017 · 19m
The speaker emphasizes that true Christian living requires having the fullness of Jesus' heart, which is characterized by profound love for sinners. He uses 1 Peter 2:21-23 to illustrate that Christ's example was not just in enduring reviling without retaliation, but in his ultimate mission to save and forgive, even those who crucified him. The central message is that our goal must be to emulate Christ's boundless compassion for the lost, rather than merely achieving personal peace or non-retaliation.
18mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 17, 2017 · 18m
The central message is that God prepares us to serve Him by leading us through a period of hidden preparation, mirroring Jesus' own life. Drawing from Psalm 40, the speaker emphasizes that true service comes not from immediate action, but from patiently waiting on the Lord, being brought out of difficult circumstances, and ultimately developing a deep delight in doing God's will. This process requires a commitment to a hidden life of devotion.
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.