Library
865 messages
57mZac Poonen · Oct 18
12mZac Poonen · Oct 16
1h 8mZac Poonen · Oct 4
1h 18mZac Poonen · Oct 4
1h 13mZac Poonen · Sep 24
11mZac Poonen · Sep 19
13mZac Poonen · Sep 17
11mZac Poonen · Sep 16
13mZac Poonen · Sep 15
12mZac Poonen · Sep 6
1h 5mZac Poonen · Sep 5
59mZac Poonen · Sep 4
1h 4mZac Poonen · Aug 30
1h 3mZac Poonen · Aug 30
58mZac Poonen · Aug 29
10mZac Poonen · Aug 27
1h 19mZac Poonen · Aug 27
11mZac Poonen · Aug 15
12mZac Poonen · Aug 8
30mZac Poonen · Aug 6
10mZac Poonen · Jul 29
11mZac Poonen · Jul 22
30mZac Poonen · Jul 16
11mZac Poonen · Jul 15
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.
57mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Oct 18, 2024 · 57m
The speaker explains that salvation involves three tenses—past, present, and future—and that the Word of the Cross is central to this process. He argues that the Word of the Cross is considered foolishness by both unbelievers and many believers who are content with a superficial understanding of faith. True salvation requires accepting that Christ's work is sufficient, which means turning from self-centeredness to being God-centered, as exemplified by Jesus' purpose to do the will of the Father.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Oct 16, 2024 · 12m
True spiritual growth comes not from merely following rules or easing one's conscience, but from diligently meditating on Scripture day and night. The speaker emphasizes that one must actively seek to hear God speak through the Word, as Jesus taught that man lives by every word proceeding from God's mouth. Developing this habit of meditation, even with printed Bibles, is crucial for finding God's guidance in difficult life situations.
1h 8mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Oct 4, 2024 · 1h 8m
The speaker critiques common theological errors found in some Christian teachings, such as misinterpreting 'grace' or attributing titles like 'Rose of Sharon' to Jesus. He emphasizes that true understanding requires careful study of scripture, distinguishing between concepts like grace and mercy. The central message is that reality—living in alignment with what is true in one's inner life—is only possible through Christ, and our greatest need is not material wealth but the ability to obey God.
1h 18mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Oct 4, 2024 · 1h 18m
The speaker contrasts the self-seeking nature of Adam's life with the selfless nature of Jesus Christ's holiness. True holiness, according to Jesus, is not merely adhering to rules but is characterized by a deep concern for the spiritual needs of others. He emphasizes that genuine spiritual understanding comes from diligent study of the scriptures, as a veil over the heart prevents one from seeing the truth, which is removed only by turning to the Lord.
1h 13mAustin Christian Fellowship Church (ACFC)
Zac Poonen · Sep 24, 2024 · 1h 13m
The speaker addresses several questions, emphasizing that while God knows our hearts, trials are necessary to humble us and reveal our true spiritual state. He strongly advises believers to seek out churches that provide deep spiritual examination, comparing it to an MRI scan for the soul. Furthermore, he cautions against intellectual pride regarding personal revelation, stressing that we must remain teachable and accept guidance from others in our walk with Christ.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 19, 2024 · 11m
The message emphasizes that human life is sustained not by material wealth or comfort, but by living by every word of God. Drawing from Deuteronomy 8, the speaker notes that God uses periods of hardship, like the wilderness, to humble us and test our commitment to His commandments. A warning is issued that when prosperity and comfort arrive, believers must guard against becoming proud, forgetting the Lord who brought them out of sin, and continuing to prioritize obedience to God's word.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 17, 2024 · 13m
The speaker emphasizes that a foundational understanding of the 'fear of God' is necessary to truly grasp the grace of God. He contrasts the early apostles, who were grounded in this fear, with modern Christians who, lacking this foundation, often misunderstand grace and live in greater sin. Ultimately, the speaker stresses that the only opinion that matters is God's, urging listeners to desire the affirmation, 'Now I know that you fear God,' from Him.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 16, 2024 · 11m
The central message emphasizes that true understanding of God's truths, especially the New Covenant, comes through 'Revelation' from the Father, not just intellectual study. The speaker warns against spiritual complacency, noting that merely hearing teachings without deep understanding leads to shallow ministry. He stresses that a foundational 'fear of God' is necessary to properly grasp and live out the grace of God.
13mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 15, 2024 · 13m
The sermon contrasts viewing Christian commands as burdensome weights, like those under the Old Covenant, versus understanding them as possibilities offered in the New Covenant. The speaker emphasizes that following Christ means living in a way that is possible, not forced. He concludes by explaining that understanding God's mysteries, as illustrated by the parables, is not based on intellect but on obedience; what is heard and obeyed becomes one's own possession, leading to further revelation.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Sep 6, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that pleasing God requires diligent study of Scripture, exemplified by Jesus at age twelve in the temple. The speaker emphasizes that true study involves meditating on the Word to see God, rather than just accumulating knowledge for teaching. Making time for Scripture requires sacrifice, but the reward is knowing God and seeing Jesus through the text.
1h 5mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Sep 5, 2024 · 1h 5m
The speaker provides an overview of the Book of Romans, emphasizing that it is the best explanation of the Gospel. He clarifies that salvation involves three tenses—from the penalty of sin (past), to the power of sin (present), and finally to the presence of sin (future). Crucially, he stresses that true righteousness requires not just believing in salvation by faith, but actively living daily in constant dependence upon God, like a branch dependent on the vine. Furthermore, he points out that the initial step into sin is a lack of thankfulness, making gratitude a foundational aspect of Christian life.
59mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Sep 4, 2024 · 59m
The speaker argues that human understanding of God's ways is often flawed because we try to balance truth in isolated areas, leading to imbalance in areas like evangelism and discipleship. He emphasizes that God's ways are vastly different from ours, citing Isaiah 55:8-9. A key point is that failure is not a sign of a weak Christian, but rather an essential part of spiritual education, as demonstrated throughout scripture with figures like Noah and Peter.
1h 4mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 30, 2024 · 1h 4m
The speaker emphasizes that true grace is not merely God overlooking sin, but the power enabling believers to overcome deep-seated sins like lust and anger. He distinguishes between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, arguing that Jesus brought 'truth'—which means reality—allowing believers to live truthfully in their innermost being. Ultimately, he stresses that genuine faith requires reading the Bible directly rather than relying on tradition or cultural influences.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 30, 2024 · 1h 3m
The speaker encourages the audience to study the Old Testament, noting that it is filled with symbolic language pointing to truths in the New Covenant, including Jesus. He explains that the origin of sin was not an external action but an internal desire—pride—when a created being sought to exalt itself above God's given position. Therefore, true faith and change must begin in the heart, not just in outward confession.
58mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 29, 2024 · 58m
The central message is that Christian life must be lived by grace, not by adherence to the law. The speaker uses the analogy of a shadow to explain that the Old Testament laws (like those concerning the Sabbath, tithing, and circumcision) are merely shadows pointing to the reality found in Christ. Believers must focus on the substance—Jesus Christ—rather than being preoccupied with the 'photograph' of the law.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 27, 2024 · 10m
The message emphasizes that true spiritual life requires moving beyond mere religious activity to a deep connection with God, symbolized by the rent veil at Christ's death. The speaker stresses that one must study scripture diligently to grasp its full meaning. A major theme is resisting the temptation to use spiritual gifts or ministry for personal gain, honor, or money, as Jesus exemplified by refusing to use divine power for self-benefit. Ultimately, the speaker advises that true truth is found not just in what is written, but in understanding the balance between scriptures.
1h 19mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Aug 27, 2024 · 1h 19m
The speaker emphasizes the vital role of prayer, comparing the church to a body where prayer provides unseen strength for those who speak. He distinguishes between a general preacher and a prophet, noting that true prophetic preaching speaks directly to the specific needs of the group present. The talk concludes by cautioning against believing accounts of visions or supposed trips to heaven, citing scripture to show that such experiences are often unreliable or not permitted to be spoken about.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 15, 2024 · 11m
The central message is that the scriptures do not contain eternal life; rather, they testify about Jesus Christ, who is the true source of life. True spiritual understanding requires the operation of the Holy Spirit, which reveals Jesus in all of scripture, moving believers from mere knowledge to a personal encounter with Christ. The speaker urges listeners to study the Bible not as a set of laws, but with the goal of seeing Jesus in every passage, mirroring the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
12mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Aug 8, 2024 · 12m
The central message is that Christian living must be governed by the principles of God's Kingdom in every aspect of life, not just in spiritual matters. The speaker contrasts the Old Testament focus on earthly blessings with the New Testament focus on spiritual blessings in Christ. He urges listeners to apply divine principles—such as honesty and integrity—to their daily work and relationships, even when facing worldly pressures or injustices.
30mCFC India
Zac Poonen · Aug 6, 2024 · 30m
The speaker argues that true Christian churches are characterized by a commitment to the whole counsel of God, exemplified by the early believers in Ephesus. He warns that churches tend to backslide over time by lowering standards, such as regarding divorce, and that the true remnant will always be the small group dedicated to the full truth, much like the early believers who left the fading, large congregations. Standing for the complete truth, even when unpopular, is essential for a church's survival.
10mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 29, 2024 · 10m
The message emphasizes that justification and redemption are achieved solely through the blood of Jesus Christ. The speaker explains that this blood not only forgives sins but also legally declares the believer righteous, making it as if they never sinned. He further details that 'redeemed' means purchased, and Jesus paid the price to satisfy the law of God, freeing believers from condemnation and the devil's accusations.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 22, 2024 · 11m
The sermon compares the Old and New Covenants, arguing that the Old Covenant offered blessings like forgiveness, healing, and material prosperity, but the New Covenant promises something deeper. The key shift is from merely having the Spirit 'upon' people to having the Spirit dwell *within* the believer's spirit, enabling true worship in the Spirit, which is a profound change from the physical and emotional worship of the past.
30mNCCF Church
Zac Poonen · Jul 16, 2024 · 30m
Zac Poonen explains how truly Christian churches maintain the presence of Jesus by adhering to the whole counsel of God and not compromising biblical standards. He illustrates through church history how churches gradually backslide when they lower doctrinal standards (particularly on issues like divorce), causing spiritually discerning believers to separate and form faithful remnant communities, resulting in cycles of new churches that eventually face the same temptation to compromise.
11mCFC Daily Devotions
Zac Poonen · Jul 15, 2024 · 11m
The message emphasizes achieving a state of being 'without blame' before Christ's return by diligently self-examining daily, treating scripture both as encouragement and as reproof. To increase in love, one must realize that this supernatural ability comes from God's power, not personal effort. The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant's declaration of delighting in God's will with the New Covenant's reality, where God actively works within us by the Holy Spirit to both desire and accomplish His will.