Annie Poonen

The speaker encourages young women by affirming their inherent worth, referencing Psalm 139 to remind them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. She emphasizes that belonging to the family of Jesus is a source of pride, and she provides a simple three-step guide (A-B-C) for assurance of being born again: A) Admit sin, B) Believe in Jesus as the sole answer to sin, and C) Confess sins to God. Ultimately, she stresses that only God can grant the assurance of being a child of God.

The speaker uses the example of the sinful woman in Luke 7 to illustrate Jesus's unconditional love and compassion, particularly for those society deems unworthy. She draws parallels to the plight of vulnerable women, especially in developing nations, who face extreme hardship and exploitation. The central message is the hope that through repentance and faith in Jesus, believers will receive a new, beautiful identity in Christ, rather than being defined by past sins.

The speaker discusses how Jesus ministered to women, noting that he saw past outward appearances to the heart, understanding their burdens. Using the story of the Samaritan woman (John 4), the message emphasizes that Jesus' path was guided by the Spirit, even when it meant going through places of historical tension. The core lesson is to prioritize doing God's will above earthly comfort or convenience.

The message draws lessons from Mary of Bethany, contrasting her contemplative approach with her sister Martha's active service. The core message is that spending time listening to Jesus' word at His feet is the most valuable thing one can do, a treasure that cannot be taken away. Furthermore, the speaker discusses the suffering involved in watching a loved one suffer, using the example of Lazarus's death to emphasize that even when God's timing seems delayed, there is always a divine purpose.

The speaker expresses deep gratitude for the Christian Fellowship Center (CFC) for providing a spiritual home and foundation for her family's growth. She shares key lessons learned, emphasizing that discipleship requires taking up the cross, denying self, and following Christ's lead, even when it conflicts with personal desires. Furthermore, she reflects on the mystery of Christ taking on human flesh, realizing it allowed Him to fully sympathize with and save humanity from suffering and sin.

The message uses the biblical story of Martha and Mary to illustrate that while service and activity are valuable, the most needful thing is simply listening to Jesus. The speaker encourages the audience to identify what 'one thing' the Lord desires for them, suggesting that being present and attentive to God's word is more important than being busy with tasks or worries. This applies to modern life, urging listeners to prioritize their relationship with Christ above all other commitments.

The message uses the analogy of a mother hen protecting her chicks to illustrate God's protective care, drawing parallels to the song

The message emphasizes that God has a special plan for women, drawing strength and security from Jesus rather than worldly standards or past hurts. Using the example of the woman healed by Jesus in the synagogue (Luke 13:10-17), the speaker teaches that God's work often brings controversy, but believers should remain focused on God's will and presence. Ultimately, the message encourages women to find their true strength and healing in Jesus Christ.

The speaker emphasizes that regardless of one's background or the hardships faced, the best source of comfort and understanding is Jesus. Using the example of the woman with the hemorrhage, she illustrates that faith allows us to reach out to Jesus, even in a crowd, and receive healing and reassurance. She concludes by noting how Jesus always takes time to acknowledge and affirm the faith of those who approach him.

The message encourages listeners to anticipate a life sustained by God's constant care, drawing parallels between the promised land of hills and valleys and the believer's journey. It emphasizes finding strength through prayer, appreciating Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, and trusting that even through valleys of sorrow, God provides refreshing springs of life.

The speaker emphasizes the vital importance of consistently reading and drawing strength from God's Word, citing scripture like Matthew 4:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16. Through various testimonies, the message illustrates how the Bible has powerfully guided individuals—from a student in India to a man in the Middle East—to find truth, peace, and salvation, proving that God's Word is a transformative treasure.

The message uses the Israelites' grumbling in the wilderness as an example of how discontentment can lead to spiritual failure. The speaker emphasizes that while God provides miraculous provision, the heart can remain discontented with what is present. True freedom from grumbling comes from knowing the Lord personally, which empowers believers through the Holy Spirit to overcome internal complaints, especially those directed at loved ones.

The speaker emphasizes that the Old Testament is not obsolete but serves as an example for believers, illustrating God's patience and humanity's failings, such as discontentment and unbelief. The core message is that just as God prepared Israel through covenants and laws, we are called to emulate Abraham's faith and immediate obedience to God's promises and commands, believing that victory is possible for every individual.

The message uses the life of Fanny Crosby, a blind singer-songwriter, to illustrate that true contentment and joy come from finding security in Jesus. Just as Crosby found strength and happiness despite her blindness, believers can find ultimate safety and assurance by hiding in the cleft of the rock, which symbolizes Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The core message is that genuine faith, which flows from the heart, allows us to overcome life's difficulties and find joy regardless of our circumstances.

The message draws inspiration from the wedding at Cana, emphasizing that when life presents a need or weakness, the best response is to turn to Jesus and ask Him to meet that need. The speaker encourages listeners to apply God's word spiritually, obeying what the Holy Spirit directs, and uses Moses' life as an example of how God uses periods of 'wilderness'—whether through difficulty, loss of status, or challenge—to break down self-confidence and refocus reliance solely on Him.

The speaker uses the song 'I Gave My Life For Thee' and the life story of Francis Ridley to illustrate that giving one's life to Jesus is the ultimate offering. She emphasizes that God desires our lives and peace with Him, not material possessions. The talk highlights the importance of devotion, Bible study, and consistent prayer—including intercession for others—as ways to live a life pleasing to God.

The central message is that true freedom is found not in self-determination, but in willingly surrendering one's will to Jesus Christ. The speaker uses the metaphor of a captive to illustrate that we are all slaves—first to sin, and then to various worldly attachments like habits, people-pleasing, or loneliness. By choosing to be a captive of the Lord, we find true strength and freedom.

The message addresses the burden of regret, assuring listeners that God's love and forgiveness are vast enough to cover any past mistakes. Using examples like Paul's conversion and Moses's past failures, the speaker emphasizes that we should not dwell on the past but instead focus on God's present power. God calls us to forget our failures and trust in His ongoing provision and strength.

The sermon uses George Matheson's hymn, "O love that will not let me go," to illustrate that true life and spiritual vision are found through surrender to God, especially amidst suffering. Matheson's own life, marked by blindness and personal tragedy, led him to realize that earthly loves fade, but God's eternal love endures. The core message is that by yielding our lives to the Lord, our struggles become pathways to an abundant, joyful life mirroring Christ's sacrifice.

The central message is that true, godly wisdom is not found in worldly knowledge or rules, but is freely given by God through Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that believers should approach God with a thirst for this living water, drawing parallels between Jesus' invitation to drink and the wisdom described in Proverbs 8. Ultimately, the source of all wisdom is Jesus, who is the ultimate guide for navigating life's crossroads.

The central message is that the greatest gift a person, even a child, can bring to Jesus is a heart that loves Him and offers thankful praise. The speaker uses examples from the Bible (the gifts to Jesus, the loaves and fishes, the perfume) to illustrate that while intelligence, wealth, and strength are valuable, true devotion comes from the heart. This love is best demonstrated through daily acts of service, kindness, honesty, and humility at home, school, and in play.

The message emphasizes that true wisdom comes from God and requires constant humility and repentance, rather than relying on one's own understanding. The speaker encourages the audience to continually ask God for divine wisdom, drawing parallels from scripture like Colossians 1:9 and Proverbs 3:7. Ultimately, receiving this wisdom requires acknowledging personal fallibility and guarding against pride.

The sermon emphasizes that the goal of Christians is to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning corporately within the local church. Drawing parallels to Pentecost and Ezekiel's dry bones, the speaker urges the congregation to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to revive the church. This revival prepares the body of Christ to proclaim the imminent return of Jesus, leading to unity and service.

The message emphasizes that godly wisdom, characterized by peace, gentleness, and mercy, is essential for building a life that endures, contrasting it with the destructive nature of folly. The speaker warns that even small, seemingly insignificant acts of foolishness can gradually damage one's life, much like small foxes destroying a garden. Ultimately, the talk urges listeners to constantly seek God's wisdom and remain close to Him to avoid the pitfalls of worldly thinking.