Library
170 messages
25mZac Poonen · Nov 11
48mZac Poonen · Nov 4
44mZac Poonen · Jun 5
46mZac Poonen · May 29
57mZac Poonen · Apr 8
44mZac Poonen · Apr 1
19mZac Poonen · Mar 18
1h 34mZac Poonen · Jan 9
1h 4mZac Poonen · Dec 21
52mZac Poonen · Aug 14
44mZac Poonen · May 29
20mZac Poonen · Mar 2
1h 7mZac Poonen · Feb 19
25mZac Poonen · Aug 18
24mZac Poonen · Aug 18
25mZac Poonen · Aug 17
25mZac Poonen · Aug 3
47mZac Poonen · Jun 9
55mZac Poonen · Jan 24
1h 1mZac Poonen · Sep 17
59mZac Poonen · May 8
54mZac Poonen · Jan 30
1h 2mZac Poonen · Jan 30
1h 2mZac Poonen · Jan 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.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Nov 11, 2019 · 25m
The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires enduring persecution and being willing to be unpopular for Christ. It warns that the world will reject believers, and those who preach that sin can be overcome are often promoting false teaching. Ultimately, the message urges the congregation not to fear anything because God is sovereign, promising that nothing hidden will remain unknown, and believers should proclaim what they hear from the Spirit publicly.
48mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Nov 4, 2019 · 48m
The central message is that true spiritual growth requires a genuine 'new birth' from the Spirit, which is distinct from merely being a good person or knowledgeable about scripture. The speaker emphasizes that one must be discerning enough to know if they are truly born again, warning against relying on religious language or the opinions of others. Spiritual growth involves an increasing awareness of sin, much like a student learning new subjects.
44mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jun 5, 2019 · 44m
The message emphasizes that true Christian living requires setting one's mind on heavenly things rather than earthly concerns, drawing parallels between Adam's earthly nature and Christ's heavenly spirit. The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant focus on physical blessings (wealth, health) with the New Covenant reality, where spiritual blessings like love, joy, and peace are the true inheritance. Ultimately, the Christian life is a spiritual battle to conquer internal 'giants' like anger, lust, and money, which rule the 'land' of the body.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2019 · 46m
The central message is that discouragement and self-condemnation are the devil's primary weapons, and believers must actively resist them by encouraging themselves in the Lord. The speaker uses the example of David recovering from utter loss by focusing on God's power, emphasizing that God is a God of hope who promises to fix messes regardless of who caused them. He advises against internalizing negative self-talk, which he identifies as the voice of unbelief rather than true humility.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 8, 2019 · 57m
The speaker emphasizes that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, purchased by the blood of Jesus, and therefore must be glorified in every aspect of life. He stresses the importance of controlling one's tongue, noting that a person who cannot control their speech has worthless Christianity. Furthermore, he draws a distinction between humans, who are given a conscience, and animals, warning that ignoring one's conscience causes a person to regress to a mere state of 'mud and water,' losing their unique human spiritual connection.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Apr 1, 2019 · 44m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of repeatedly hearing and studying the truth of the Gospel, citing Peter's example of persistently reminding people of what they already know. He warns that Satan's schemes often involve causing us to withhold forgiveness or become proud, which allows him to take advantage of us. Awareness of these tactics is gained by diligently reading the Bible, which reveals the spiritual warfare we are engaged in.
19mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Mar 18, 2019 · 19m
The speaker reviews key differences between the Old and New Covenants, emphasizing that in the New Covenant, believers are transformed from glory to glory and are justified by Christ's blood. Crucially, he distinguishes between earthly enemies and spiritual ones, teaching that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. Therefore, believers must resolve to never fight with any human being, no matter the disagreement.
1h 34mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jan 9, 2019 · 1h 34m
The sermon emphasizes that believers should overcome doubts regarding God's constant happiness and presence, remembering that God is always in their midst as a victorious warrior. It teaches that while Christians are not instantly free from sin or sickness, Jesus's death on the cross defeated Satan completely, and our growth in strength comes progressively through ongoing trials, much like exercising in a gym.
1h 4mCFC India
transcribingZac Poonen · Dec 21, 2018 · 1h 4m
The message focuses on overcoming the deceptions and accusations thrown by Satan. It encourages believers to remember that their identity is secure in Christ and that they should not dwell on past failures or accusations. The core message is to press forward toward perfection by focusing on God's truth rather than the enemy's lies.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 14, 2018 · 52m
Effective prayer involves not only speaking to God but also developing the habit of deep listening, as God's line is always open unless sin is present. The speaker emphasizes praying without ceasing, which includes listening for God's guidance throughout the day, not just on one's knees. Furthermore, one must pray authentically, avoiding the trap of praying to impress others, and instead focus on being conscious of Jesus' presence.
44mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2018 · 44m
The speaker contrasts the limited access to God in the Old Covenant with the direct access available in the New Covenant. He warns that believers are often cheated by the devil, allowing worldly things like money to become more important than their spiritual relationship with God. True understanding of the New Covenant means living out the reality of God's work in one's life, rather than just knowing the verses intellectually.
20mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Mar 2, 2018 · 20m
True prayer is not a ritual or a timed activity, but rather a constant attitude of heart that permeates all aspects of life, like breathing. The speaker emphasizes that believers should strive to pray without ceasing by focusing on the reality of Christ in every moment. Furthermore, prayer should focus on protecting what God has purchased for us spiritually—such as freedom from anxiety and the ability to love—from the enemy's theft.
1h 7mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Feb 19, 2018 · 1h 7m
The speaker urges young, born-again Christians to show the same zeal for spiritual education that parents show for worldly education. He warns that neglecting spiritual growth in favor of earthly pursuits can lead to spiritual decline and deception. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that spiritual education must be prioritized, as the Lord often rebukes those He loves, which is a sign of His care.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 18, 2017 · 25m
The speaker discusses the theological question of why God did not destroy Satan immediately after his fall. He argues that God allows Satan to exist because God can use even an enemy or rebel to fulfill His greater purposes. He cites the example of Pharaoh, whom God used to demonstrate His power, and the example of Paul's 'thorn in the flesh,' which kept him humble and dependent on God.
24mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 18, 2017 · 24m
The speaker explains the origin of evil by tracing the fall of a high-ranking angel, often associated with Lucifer. This angel, gifted with immense wisdom and beauty, became proud of his own status and abilities, leading him to believe he was equal to God. This overreaching pride caused him to disobey God's boundaries, resulting in his fall and transformation into the devil.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 17, 2017 · 25m
The speaker explains that Christ accomplished two major things on the cross: first, He paid the full penalty for humanity's sin, canceling the debt owed to God. Second, He defeated Satan's power by disarming the rulers and principalities that had held man captive. The speaker emphasizes that while Satan is not destroyed, his power is broken for anyone who accepts Christ as Lord.
25mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 3, 2017 · 25m
The speaker analyzes Satan's tactics by examining the temptation in Genesis 3, warning that the devil's primary strategy is to make people question God's Word. He warns that just as the devil told Eve that disobedience wouldn't result in death, he today tells believers that living according to the flesh is not fatal after accepting Christ. Furthermore, the devil lies by suggesting God withholds good things or doesn't care for us, contrary to God's true purpose of blessing humanity.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 9, 2017 · 47m
The speaker argues that deception, particularly regarding the fullness of the Holy Spirit, is common because people naturally counterfeit valuable things. He draws from scripture to argue that God allows exposure to temptation and deception because spiritual maturity is achieved through overcoming these trials, not by being protected from them. True growth requires constant testing, which leads believers to higher levels of spiritual understanding.
55mCFC India
transcribingZac Poonen · Jan 24, 2017 · 55m
This message focuses on the believer's spiritual preparedness, emphasizing that Satan should find nothing in the lives of those who belong to God. The core message encourages believers to live lives that are pleasing to God, suggesting a deep commitment to spiritual purity and walk with Christ.
1h 1mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Sep 17, 2015 · 1h 1m
The sermon explains that the Old Testament serves as a shadow pointing toward fulfillment in the New Testament, using examples like the Sabbath and tithes to teach obedience to God. It emphasizes two key spiritual journeys: the Exodus from Egypt (representing freedom from sin/the world) and the subsequent departure from Babylon (representing freedom from legalism and empty traditions). True Christian life requires a complete separation from the world's systems, making the spiritual battle against Satan the primary focus.
59mCFC Bangalore Live
Zac Poonen · May 8, 2015 · 59m
The speaker contrasts the Old Testament understanding of God's law as a guiding light with the New Covenant reality, which he asserts is the life of Jesus Christ. He warns against becoming legalistic like the Pharisees or misunderstanding grace as a license to sin. True illumination comes not from scripture alone, but from making the life of Jesus the guiding light, which empowers believers to overcome the darkness of sin.
54mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jan 30, 2015 · 54m
The sermon explores the concept that God can use even Satan's actions to ultimately glorify Himself, citing the Book of Job as a prime example. Job's initial righteousness was undermined by his pride in his own goodness, which God allowed Satan to expose. The speaker argues that God's ultimate plan works for good, even through apparent evil, drawing parallels to the crucifixion of Christ and the ministry of Paul, who remained silent about his heavenly visit as proof of divine restraint.
1h 2mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Jan 30, 2015 · 1h 2m
The speaker discusses the spiritual reality that while the world system is under the power of the evil one, a believer born of God is protected. He emphasizes that keeping oneself in purity means immediately getting up after falling, rather than continuing to live in sin. The central message is that a child of God maintains a life of purity, making them untouchable by the evil one, much like astronauts needing an airtight suit to survive in a hostile environment.
1h 2mCFC India
transcribingZac Poonen · Jan 30, 2015 · 1h 2m
The sermon addresses the tension between the heavenly calling and the earthly desires, urging believers to focus on heavenly priorities. It emphasizes that Christians must actively resist the influence of the world's ruler to live lives pleasing to God. The core message is about spiritual focus and overcoming worldly distractions.