A collection of New Covenant teaching, gathered from publicly available YouTube sermons by Zac Poonen and related CFC messages.
River of Life Christian Fellowship
8 videos · in series order
Speaker: Zac Poonen Dates: May 24-26, 2019 Event: RLCF Family Discipleship Conference 2019
53mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 27, 2019
The speaker emphasizes that the true Full Gospel centers on Jesus saving people from sin, not just forgiving them. He contrasts legalistic adherence to doctrine with the reality of grace, using the story of the woman caught in adultery to illustrate that Jesus came to save, not to condemn. The Full Gospel comprises two parts: the past is forgiven ("I do not condemn you") and the future calls for perseverance ("don't sin again").
48mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 28, 2019
The speaker emphasizes that spiritual education is necessary for all believers, drawing parallels to Jesus's earthly life. He argues that true suffering is not merely physical, but the internal struggle of yielding to God's will over one's own desires, which is the root of sin. Overcoming temptation requires constantly saying 'no' to the 'my will' in favor of obedience to God.
52mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 28, 2019
The sermon emphasizes that for young people considering marriage, it is crucial that both partners are born-again Christians, warning against being unequally yoked. The primary purpose of marriage, according to God, is fellowship, followed by having children. The speaker advises that marriage should be a union first in spirit, then mind and body, and recommends reading specific books on the topic.
1h 5mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 4, 2019
The central message is that effective service and ministry are not about personal initiative but about being guided by the Holy Spirit, mirroring how Jesus was led by the Father. The speaker uses examples from scripture, such as Jesus's ministry and Peter's healing, to illustrate that divine timing and obedience to guidance are more impactful than independent action. Ultimately, all believers are called to serve the Lord in their unique ministry within the body of Christ by listening for the Spirit's direction.
1h 6mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 28, 2019
The sermon uses the Garden of Eden's trees to illustrate the choice between self-determination and dependence on God. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge symbolizes deciding what is good and evil based on personal intellect, while the Tree of Life represents a life of constant dependence on God. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life, or the 'New Covenant,' is characterized by this dependence, urging listeners to seek the Holy Spirit's anointing to speak and live as God's utterance rather than relying on personal ability.
1h 1mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · Jun 4, 2019
The speaker emphasizes the necessity of learning to listen to God's promptings, comparing it to the dependence of small children on their parents. He warns that worldly distractions, like excessive media consumption, can drown out God's voice, urging listeners to keep world awareness in proper perspective. The sermon concludes by addressing theological questions, asserting that only God Almighty could die for humanity's sins and that baptism must correctly name the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
1h 3mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2019
The ultimate goal of God's work is not merely forgiveness, but to conform every believer to the image of Jesus Christ. This process requires a deep commitment to loving God above all else and desiring only to fulfill His will. The Church, therefore, is understood not as a physical building or denomination, but as the body of people under the headship of Christ, whose life on earth models how humanity should live.
46mRiver of Life Christian Fellowship
Zac Poonen · May 29, 2019
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.