Library
31 messages
15mJeremy Utley · Jun 10
21mJeremy Utley · Oct 7
23mJeremy Utley · Dec 23
26mJeremy Utley · Sep 16
21mJeremy Utley · Nov 8
23mJeremy Utley · Oct 4
26mJeremy Utley · Sep 13
14mJeremy Utley · Sep 8
14mJeremy Utley · Jul 21
20mJeremy Utley · Jul 14
15mJeremy Utley · Jun 21
7mJeremy Utley · May 12
16mJeremy Utley · Mar 31
26mJeremy Utley · Mar 23
20mJeremy Utley · Mar 3
25mJeremy Utley · Jan 18
17mJeremy Utley · Jan 13
27mJeremy Utley · Oct 14
12mJeremy Utley · Sep 30
30mJeremy Utley · Dec 27
22mJeremy Utley · Aug 27
20mJeremy Utley · Mar 21
17mJeremy Utley · Sep 27
17mJeremy Utley · Feb 27
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.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jun 10, 2026 · 15m
The speaker emphasizes that to build the church in humility and holiness, one must take the smallest teachings and commands seriously, drawing parallels from Matthew 18. He argues that just as the shepherd rejoices over one lost sheep, believers must diligently care for every 'little command' from God, lest they neglect something small that is actually vital to their spiritual life.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 7, 2025 · 21m
Jeremy Utley teaches that for Christ to truly increase in our lives, we must decrease—denying our self-will, self-interest, and self-awareness in a daily, costly commitment to discipleship. Drawing from John 3:30 and 2 Corinthians 4:10, he emphasizes that bearing Christ's dying (saying no to our own initiative and will) is the prerequisite for manifesting Christ's life, and that this requires constant vigilance and passion to become nothing so that Jesus becomes everything.
23mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 23, 2024 · 23m
Jeremy Utley presents the three defining characteristics of mature Christians at NCCF: humility, honesty, and hunger. Rather than evaluating these qualities by their obvious opposites (proud, dishonest, full), he introduces more actionable antonyms—misery indicates dishonesty, defeat indicates pride, and boredom indicates lack of hunger—to help believers honestly assess their spiritual growth and identify areas needing repentance and realignment with God.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 16, 2024 · 26m
Jeremy Utley teaches that God uses confusion and difficult circumstances as protective measures against pride, which is a far more serious spiritual enemy than our external struggles. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 12 and Paul's thorn in the flesh, he challenges Christians to be grateful for perplexity and the boundaries God appoints in their lives, recognizing that confusion keeps us humble and drives us to seek God rather than trusting in our own understanding.
21mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Nov 8, 2021 · 21m
The central message warns against the danger of seeking or receiving glory from other people, arguing that this desire acts as a barrier to true faith. Drawing parallels from John 5 and Judges 7, the speaker emphasizes that true faith requires seeking glory only from the one and only God, as any acknowledgment of human appreciation can lead to spiritual downfall.
23mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 4, 2021 · 23m
The sermon uses Peter's repeated failures in the Garden of Gethsemane to illustrate how God works with imperfect people. Jesus repeatedly brings Peter into situations where he fails, first by asking him to keep watch, and later by finding him asleep again. The central message is that God's purpose in our lives is to lead us into circumstances that reveal our own inability, stripping away our self-reliance and insistence on our own ability, leaving us speechless and dependent on Him.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 13, 2021 · 26m
The central message is that a defining mark of a Christian life should be reverent humility before God. Drawing from Isaiah 52 and 53, the speaker emphasizes that just as the world will eventually marvel at Christ's exaltation, believers must take personal responsibility for their own tendency to neglect God. True humility requires recognizing that we, individually, are often the ones who fail to esteem Christ, which is the key to living a life marked by reverence.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 8, 2021 · 14m
The speaker analyzes Mark 10, focusing on the disciples' request to sit at Jesus' right and left in glory. He argues that instead of focusing on status, the true desire should be nearness to Christ, as exemplified by the rich young ruler's initial desire for eternal life. Jesus counters the ambition for exaltation by teaching that true greatness lies in servant-heartedness, pointing to himself as the ultimate servant.
14mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 21, 2021 · 14m
The central message is to accept all of God's dealings without grumbling or disputing, remembering that taking issue with God's plan is a sign of pride that hinders receiving grace. Instead of wishing for different circumstances—whether concerning oneself, others, or situations—one must gain a revelation to see every challenge as a divinely appointed pathway for God's glory and personal growth in Christ.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jul 14, 2021 · 20m
The central message is to avoid the errors exemplified by Judas Iscariot, which involves misplaced ambition and a failure to heed warnings. The speaker cautions against reducing discipleship to mere rules or cold orthodoxy, emphasizing instead the 'law of the spirit'—a living, sensitive connection to Christ. Furthermore, one must guard against seeking recognition or status, remembering that true service is done as unworthy servants.
15mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jun 21, 2021 · 15m
The central message is that Christians must actively resist the natural tendency of the heart to become troubled, echoing Jesus' command in John 14:1. When trouble threatens peace, the remedy is not to ignore it, but to deliberately bring all cares and anxieties to God's presence. This act of casting cares, which demonstrates humility, allows God to bring His peace and perspective, transforming distress into worship.
7mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · May 12, 2021 · 7m
The central message is that casting our cares upon the Lord is a profound act of humility, which in turn helps us remain sober-minded and resist spiritual attack. The speaker draws from 1 Peter 5:6, emphasizing that we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand by entrusting our anxieties to Him. This practice is presented not only as a means of humility but also as a way to be spiritually alert and receive God's perfecting, confirming, strengthening, and establishing grace.
16mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 31, 2021 · 16m
The central message is that Christians must strive to be a reflection of Jesus, which is best exemplified through profound humility. The speaker draws parallels between Jesus's willingness to endure the cross and his ultimate service, noting that his humility is evident in both his divine glory and his earthly ministry. This enduring, humble path is presented as the ultimate model for Christian living, even when facing mockery or opposition.
26mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 23, 2021 · 26m
The sermon encourages the congregation not to grow weary in ordinary days, asserting that these mundane times are the extraordinary way God accomplishes His purpose. The speaker emphasizes that to continue in God's word, one must progress deeply into both the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus Christ. True spiritual growth, like Jesus's ministry, is found not in dramatic moments but in humble, steadfast obedience within the daily grind.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 3, 2021 · 20m
The central message is that true discipleship requires acknowledging the impossibility of keeping God's standards, rather than adopting an attitude of familiarity or complacency. The speaker uses examples from Israel (Exodus 24 and Joshua 24) and the New Testament (Peter, Ephesus) to illustrate how people fall away when they treat God's commands as manageable. The key is to maintain a sense of awe and recognize that fulfilling God's will is beyond human capability.
25mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 18, 2021 · 25m
The central message is that God's power is best displayed through human brokenness, not through remaining intact or being scattered. The speaker draws from scripture to argue that while we naturally fear brokenness, God desires to use our broken pieces as the canvas for His surpassing greatness. Therefore, Christians must learn to treasure their weakness and brokenness as part of their discipleship.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Jan 13, 2021 · 17m
The central message is to resist a transactional approach to faith, where one approaches God only when needing something or having a task. Drawing from the example of Mary choosing the 'good part,' the speaker emphasizes that simply sitting at Jesus' feet and drawing near to Him is sufficient. Furthermore, the sermon warns against looking upon others—whether fellow believers or unbelievers—with contempt, urging instead to adopt the humble, needy posture of the publican.
27mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Oct 14, 2020 · 27m
The central message is the necessity of growing in the fear of the Lord, which is presented as the beginning of wisdom and the fountain of life. The speaker emphasizes that this fear is not merely a feeling but a deep awareness of God's presence, which is crucial for living in the new covenant. He suggests that signs of growth include adopting childlike humility and maintaining a constant awareness of the Lord's presence, much like a dove leaving a place of quarreling.
12mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 30, 2020 · 12m
The central message is that true Christian life requires adopting Jesus' mindset, which is characterized by deep humility and a willingness to embrace the cross. The speaker emphasizes that genuine humility goes beyond mere performance or thought; it must be rooted in the heart and is achieved through obedience—taking up Christ's yoke. This obedience is exemplified by viewing the cross not as a burden to dread, but with the same passionate anticipation Jesus had.
30mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Dec 27, 2019 · 30m
The central message is that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in humility, exemplified by the willingness to ask for help like a small child. The speaker contrasts feeling helpless with actively asking for help, noting that this act of dependence is what God honors. He encourages the audience to proactively humble themselves by casting anxieties on God, comparing spiritual growth to monitoring a tachometer that signals when more divine power is needed.
22mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Aug 27, 2018 · 22m
The sermon explores why God allows us to face difficult circumstances, arguing that these trials serve as mirrors reflecting our true spiritual state. The central message is that these experiences are designed to reveal the 'filth of our flesh' so that we can crucify our own desires and become empty vessels for Christ. Furthermore, the speaker emphasizes that true mercy towards others stems from recognizing and remembering God's own abundant mercy toward us.
20mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Mar 21, 2018 · 20m
The central message is the necessity of actively rooting out bitterness to become a reflection of Jesus' gentleness and humility. The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual growth involves moving away from self-condemnation and instead focusing on receiving rest and grace from God. He warns that bitterness, like a weed, can spread and defile not only the individual but also those in their community.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Sep 27, 2017 · 17m
The sermon warns against two dangerous attitudes in the Christian life: believing God doesn't love you, and conversely, believing you deserve favor because of your longevity or effort. Drawing from the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, the speaker emphasizes that those who are established in faith can become complacent, thinking they deserve more reward than others. The central message is to remain humble and recognize that God's grace is freely given, regardless of how long one has been following Him.
17mNCCF Church
Jeremy Utley · Feb 27, 2017 · 17m
The speaker discusses spiritual pride, identifying jealousy as an early indicator of this deeper sin. He explains that jealousy, especially regarding another's ministry or gifts, stems from the underlying assumption of personal worthiness and deservingness. True Christian unity, exemplified by the body of Christ, requires abandoning this spirit of competition and instead appreciating the unique role God has given to every member.