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52mThe Church: Preparing the Way for Christ - Santosh Poonen - October 8, 2017
Santosh Poonen · Oct 9
59mRevelation, Authority, Discipleship - Santosh Poonen - August 27, 2017
Santosh Poonen · Aug 29
39mMaking End-Year Resolutions - Santosh Poonen - January 1, 2017
Santosh Poonen · Jan 2
48mIf It Dies, It Bears Much Fruit - Santosh Poonen - November 6, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Nov 7
1h 4mPower to Live an Overcoming Life - Santosh Poonen - August 10, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Aug 19
1h 3mMade to Die, Made to Live - Santosh Poonen - August 9, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Aug 18
51mYes, But it is Not I - Santosh Poonen - August 8, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Aug 10
47mBy Whose Authority? Part 1: The Example of Jesus' Authority - Santosh Poonen - November 15, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Nov 16
55mThe Lord Will be Zealous for His Land - Santosh Poonen - August 23, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Aug 23
51mThe Holy Spirit Requires a Holy Temple - Santosh Poonen - July 12, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 13
1h 9mHe Kept Crying Out All the More - Santosh Poonen - June 28, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jun 29
54mThe Holy Spirit: Fire & River - Santosh Poonen - March 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Mar 22
1h 0mJudgment and Discernment: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - January 25, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 25
1h 0mThe Social Gospel of Heaven - Santosh Poonen - December 7, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Dec 8
46mFaith is What Pleases God - Santosh Poonen - September 21, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22
55mPray, Then, In This Way - 3: The Effective Prayer Of The Righteous - Santosh Poonen - July 27, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Jul 28
56mTo Present to Thee a Heart of Wisdom - Santosh Poonen - April 6, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Apr 7
54mHungering and Thirsting for the Face of God - Santosh Poonen - December 29, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 30
57mBlessed Are the Tamed - Santosh Poonen - December 1, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 2
51mThe Lower Lights - Santosh Poonen - September 22, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22
49mWhat is Salvation?: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - June 9, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Jun 9
1h 13mGod Loves Doing The Impossible - Santosh Poonen & Zac Poonen
Santosh Poonen · Apr 23
57mGod Loves Doing the Impossible - Santosh Poonen - August 7, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Oct 13
57mThe Father Wants a Pure Bride for His Son - Santosh Poonen - August 9, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Aug 9
August 4 | Daily Devotion | The Mark Of New Covenant Blessing Is Not Wealth And Health | Zac Poonen
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.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Church: Preparing the Way for Christ - Santosh Poonen - October 8, 2017
Santosh Poonen · Oct 9, 2017 · 52m
The sermon emphasizes that the Church is the body of Christ, connected to Jesus Christ, and that the focus in the New Covenant is on this unified body rather than individual leaders. The speaker draws parallels between the Old Covenant's physical focus and the New Covenant's spiritual reality, using the Holy Spirit's work—likened to the wind in John 3—to illustrate the necessary 'disorganization' or divine leading that moves beyond human planning. The ultimate goal is to understand the unity of the body in Christ.
59mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Revelation, Authority, Discipleship - Santosh Poonen - August 27, 2017
Santosh Poonen · Aug 29, 2017 · 59m
The speaker emphasizes that true freedom from sin comes not from legalism, but from understanding that under grace, sin cannot be a master. He warns that failing to live in grace can manifest as a root of bitterness, which originates in the heart, often stemming from pride or comparison. The core message is to proactively deal with these internal roots of bitterness, as neglecting them can have deep, dormant consequences, contrasting the limited scope of the Old Covenant with the transformative power of the New Covenant through the Holy Spirit.
39mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Making End-Year Resolutions - Santosh Poonen - January 1, 2017
Santosh Poonen · Jan 2, 2017 · 39m
The speaker encourages the congregation to view life not through the lens of New Year's resolutions, but through the focus of how they will finish their race. True Christian living requires dying to self and putting others first, allowing God's love to flow through us. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes that lasting change comes from seeking the Holy Spirit and focusing on finishing well, rather than just starting strong.
48mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
If It Dies, It Bears Much Fruit - Santosh Poonen - November 6, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Nov 7, 2016 · 48m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of both encouragement and strong exhortation in spiritual growth, noting that true growth requires confronting areas needing improvement. He challenges the younger generation to surpass the current generation in devotion to Jesus, drawing heavily on John 14:12. The core message is that believers are called to do 'Greater Works' than Jesus, which is understood to be facilitated by the sending of the Holy Spirit after Jesus ascends to the Father.
1h 4mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Power to Live an Overcoming Life - Santosh Poonen - August 10, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Aug 19, 2016 · 1h 4m
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit for Christian life, drawing parallels from the disciples' experience in Acts 1. He cautions against focusing on minor scriptural details and instead urges the audience to actively seek this promised power. The core message is that believers must not waste time without earnestly seeking the Holy Spirit's power for ministry and witness.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
transcribingMade to Die, Made to Live - Santosh Poonen - August 9, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Aug 18, 2016 · 1h 3m
This message explores the paradox of Christian life, suggesting that our capacity to truly live for Christ is rooted in our willingness to die to self. The core message emphasizes that following Christ requires a radical surrender of self-will, leading to a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the Christian life is a journey of daily crucifixion to self for the sake of resurrection life in Christ.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Yes, But it is Not I - Santosh Poonen - August 8, 2016
Santosh Poonen · Aug 10, 2016 · 51m
The message emphasizes that true guidance comes from the Holy Spirit, especially for those newly born again. Drawing from Isaiah 30, the speaker warns that self-reliance leads to spiritual damage, as God cannot pour out grace on those who are too self-sufficient. Instead, God waits patiently for individuals to come to Him in humility and brokenness, promising that they will eventually behold and hear the Spirit's direction for their lives.
47mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
By Whose Authority? Part 1: The Example of Jesus' Authority - Santosh Poonen - November 15, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Nov 16, 2015 · 47m
The sermon warns that simply leaving legalism is insufficient; believers must actively live full of the Holy Spirit to avoid a worse spiritual condition. The speaker emphasizes that true faith requires taking active steps, not just waiting for God's work. Furthermore, he argues that Christian persecution stems not from preaching the gospel, but from claiming a relationship with God that asserts divine authority, indicating the true battle is spiritual, not merely social.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Lord Will be Zealous for His Land - Santosh Poonen - August 23, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Aug 23, 2015 · 55m
The speaker emphasizes that receiving the Holy Spirit requires a desperate hunger and a passionate desire for holiness, as God will not pour the Spirit into a contaminated vessel. He clarifies that being filled with the Spirit is not a formula but a divine outpouring, contrasting the ministry of John the Baptist (preaching repentance) with the fullness of Christ's work. Ultimately, the message stresses that God desires every believer to be genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit for the building up of the body of Christ.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Holy Spirit Requires a Holy Temple - Santosh Poonen - July 12, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jul 13, 2015 · 51m
The speaker emphasizes that the fullness of the Holy Spirit is necessary to truly build a foundation in Jesus Christ; otherwise, religious efforts are merely human work without divine power. He cautions that seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism should not become merely about gifts like tongues, but must instead make Jesus Christ more glorious in the hearer's sight. Furthermore, he addresses the need for believers to be sober-minded in all areas, using the warning against getting drunk with wine as an analogy for spiritual sobriety.
1h 9mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
He Kept Crying Out All the More - Santosh Poonen - June 28, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jun 29, 2015 · 1h 9m
The speaker warns against the danger of being distracted by external cultural battles, arguing that focusing too much on these issues can distract from the core Christian mandate of love. He emphasizes that the greatest danger is becoming lukewarm, failing to hear the voice of the Spirit amidst the noise of the world's opinions. The message calls for personal conviction and repentance, urging the church to prioritize love and spiritual focus over political or social disagreements.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Holy Spirit: Fire & River - Santosh Poonen - March 22, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Mar 22, 2015 · 54m
The speaker contrasts the temporary joys of worldly pursuits with the enduring joy found in dwelling in God's presence. He emphasizes that the Christian life is not just about initial forgiveness but a continuous, progressive journey of drawing closer to Christ. This process involves becoming more like Jesus step-by-step, which is the true, exciting reality of the believer's life.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Judgment and Discernment: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - January 25, 2015
Santosh Poonen · Jan 25, 2015 · 1h 0m
The speaker emphasizes the importance of deep meditation on scripture, comparing it to chewing tough meat until it's fully digested rather than swallowing it whole. He warns against the common tendency to skip difficult passages or rely solely on others' interpretations, stressing that true understanding must come directly from the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the goal is to hear and internalize the words of Jesus Christ above all else.
1h 0mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Social Gospel of Heaven - Santosh Poonen - December 7, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Dec 8, 2014 · 1h 0m
The speaker expresses profound gratitude for the experience of knowing Christ, acknowledging the danger of taking spiritual blessings for granted. The message centers on maintaining a sense of wonder regarding God's love, calling for a deep, overflowing experience of the Holy Spirit. It concludes with a plea to focus on the spiritual feast provided by God rather than the temporary attractions of the world.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Faith is What Pleases God - Santosh Poonen - September 21, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22, 2014 · 46m
The central message emphasizes that God sees in secret, contrasting this with the world's tendency to broadcast everything on social media. The speaker argues that true discipleship, like Jesus' life, involves internal, secret obedience rather than only outward, visible acts. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit's primary purpose is not just for gifts, but to guide believers into deeper truths that were not publicly revealed, mirroring Jesus' private life.
55mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Pray, Then, In This Way - 3: The Effective Prayer Of The Righteous - Santosh Poonen - July 27, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Jul 28, 2014 · 55m
The core message is that effective prayer must originate from God's breath, making it a communion with Him rather than merely expressing human need. To ensure prayers are answered, one must seek God's guidance first, rather than being driven solely by desperation or need. True prayer requires forsaking outward displays of piety and instead yielding to the Holy Spirit's prompting.
56mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
To Present to Thee a Heart of Wisdom - Santosh Poonen - April 6, 2014
Santosh Poonen · Apr 7, 2014 · 56m
The speaker encourages the audience to live mindful of the shortness of life, drawing from Psalm 90, and to seek a heart of wisdom from God. He emphasizes that our legacy should not be based on our skills or achievements, but rather on our relationship with Jesus, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and used that power to do good. The core message is to live intentionally to present a life pleasing to God.
54mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Hungering and Thirsting for the Face of God - Santosh Poonen - December 29, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 30, 2013 · 54m
The speaker encourages a deep, active desire for God's word and presence, moving beyond merely hearing sermons to cultivating a daily, intimate walk with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that achieving spiritual goals, such as obeying every New Covenant command and experiencing every promise, requires taking consistent, daily steps of obedience rather than waiting for a distant future. These daily choices are crucial because neglecting them allows sin and distraction to derail spiritual progress.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Blessed Are the Tamed - Santosh Poonen - December 1, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Dec 2, 2013 · 57m
The central message is that true meekness is not weakness or passivity, but rather the process of taming the wild, uncontrolled spirit within us. Drawing parallels to taming a powerful wild animal, the speaker argues that meekness, which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, does not diminish our strength but channels our power for God's kingdom. This understanding shifts our perspective away from worldly definitions of meekness.
51mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Lower Lights - Santosh Poonen - September 22, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Sep 22, 2013 · 51m
The speaker discusses discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit from natural instincts, warning that the greatest deception is often the knowledge of good and evil, which can lead to sin. He emphasizes that knowing God's Word is the only sure way to discern divine guidance. The message concludes by applying the concept of the 'great light' to the modern believer, calling everyone to be the light of the world by focusing on Christ's life and ministry, which was intentionally limited geographically.
49mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
What is Salvation?: Part 2 - Santosh Poonen - June 9, 2013
Santosh Poonen · Jun 9, 2013 · 49m
The speaker expands on the concept of salvation, arguing it is not merely forgiveness or a starting point, but rather a continuous process. He emphasizes that salvation is fundamentally about accepting Jesus Christ as one's husband and that this transformation is a secret work of the Holy Spirit within the believer. The discussion uses the story of Zacchaeus to illustrate that genuine change, marked by a changed heart, is what matters most.
1h 13mCFC India
God Loves Doing The Impossible - Santosh Poonen & Zac Poonen
Santosh Poonen · Apr 23, 2013 · 1h 13m
God loves to display His glory, and He often achieves this by working in impossible or hopeless situations. The speaker emphasizes that whether God answers a prayer with 'yes' or 'no,' the ultimate goal is to manifest His glory, which is best seen through weakness. Therefore, believers should align their ambitions with God's goal of displaying His glory, recognizing the necessity of the Holy Spirit for accomplishing the impossible.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
God Loves Doing the Impossible - Santosh Poonen - August 7, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Oct 13, 2012 · 57m
The central message is that God loves demonstrating His glory by accomplishing what seems impossible to human standards. This power is accessed through the Holy Spirit, which enables the impossible to become possible in our lives. The sermon uses the story of Abraham to illustrate that God makes covenants and promises, but He often works out the details in ways that require complete trust in Him.
57mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
The Father Wants a Pure Bride for His Son - Santosh Poonen - August 9, 2012
Santosh Poonen · Aug 9, 2012 · 57m
The central message is that the Holy Spirit is necessary because the Father desires a pure and spotless bride for His Son, Jesus. The speaker emphasizes that human effort is insufficient to meet Christ's standard of holiness, and only the Spirit can transform us, making us beautiful in the Father's eyes. This spiritual preparation is necessary for the believer to stand confidently with Christ.