Zac Poonen

The sermon encourages the congregation to build an unshakable life as they enter the new year. Key themes include rooting one's life in Christ and understanding that true stability comes from a relationship with God, not external circumstances. The message calls for a renewed commitment to Christ's lordship.

The message urges believers not to lose heart or become discouraged, drawing parallels from Paul's endurance through trials. The core message emphasizes that God has a singular purpose for our lives: to be conformed to the image of Christ, which surpasses earthly achievements. Furthermore, the speaker instructs listeners that when reading scripture, they must seek to see the glory of Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit removes the veil that obscures this vision.

The speaker advises looking in three directions throughout the year, starting with recognizing the Lord as lofty, exalted, and in control of the universe, which prevents anxiety. Secondly, one must focus on Jesus as the object of the Christian race, looking to Him seated at the right hand of God. Finally, the speaker emphasizes the necessity of understanding and cultivating reverence for God's holiness, citing examples from Eden and the cross to illustrate the profound nature of divine holiness.

The sermon uses the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus to illustrate that true spiritual hunger for God's Word leads to profound revelation. The speaker emphasizes that believers must be eager to learn and share the truth, recognizing that the breaking of bread is a moment to see Jesus's sacrifice clearly. Ultimately, this shared truth carries a responsibility to evangelize and share the gospel with others.

The central message is that Christians should not become discouraged, especially regarding spiritual progress, because their ministry is a continuous process of transformation from one degree of glory to the next. True spiritual growth involves looking into the Word of God (the mirror) and focusing on personal progress toward Christ's image, rather than comparing oneself to others or dwelling on past failures. This ongoing process requires reliance on grace, which empowers us daily.

The sermon encourages the congregation to look in three directions throughout the coming year: upward to God, inward to self, and outward to others. It emphasizes that a life focused on God's will, self-examination, and service to others is the path to true blessing and spiritual growth. The message calls for a renewed commitment to spiritual focus in all areas of life.

The message encourages the congregation to distinguish between what they should forget and what they must remember as they walk with Christ. Key points revolve around leaving behind past sins and worldly concerns while holding fast to the truths of the Gospel. The focus is on remembering God's grace and the calling to discipleship.

The sermon emphasizes that God has perfect plans for every individual, promising peace and a future when we call upon Him. The speaker stresses the need for a pure heart and mind, comparing it to clean vs. dirty cups, because a polluted mind hinders communication with God. Ultimately, believers must actively seek God through prayer and obedience to hear His daily word.

The central message is that true love for God, which must be comprehensive, is impossible to achieve on one's own effort. Drawing parallels from Jesus' miracles and Peter's fishing experience, the speaker emphasizes that one must reach a 'zero point' of personal inability before God can work abundantly. This spiritual discipline requires overcoming competing loves—namely, the love of self, money, and pleasure—to fully dedicate oneself to God.

The sermon emphasizes that the Christian life is a process of daily transformation aimed at becoming more like Christ. This transformation requires actively applying biblical truths to one's daily life. Ultimately, the goal is a continuous pursuit of Christlikeness through spiritual discipline.

The central message is that Christians must strive to be an exact reflection of Jesus by pursuing constant purity and self-discovery, comparing this passion to scientific or medical breakthroughs. The speaker uses Jesus' journey through Samaria and the concept of God's impartiality (Romans 2:11) to argue that Christians must actively combat all forms of prejudice, including racism and partiality, in their personal lives and church fellowship.

The central message is the necessity of continuous, daily surrender to Christ, which is the antidote to spiritual backsliding. The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship requires loving Jesus above all else and constantly taking up the cross by dying to one's own preferences and self. This daily process allows the life of Jesus to be manifested in our actions, relationships, and attitudes.

The sermon emphasizes that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but must be demonstrated through active love. It explores the practical outworking of faith, suggesting that genuine belief inevitably leads to loving action towards others. The core message is that faith and love are inseparable components of a Christian life.

The central message is that the ultimate goal for Christians is not achieving miraculous feats, but rather taking up the cross daily and striving for perfection through self-denial. The speaker contrasts the historical miracles of faith with the superior calling of following Jesus, urging the audience to give up all sin and hindrances to run the race with endurance, acknowledging their dependence on God like a baby.

The central message emphasizes that Christians must prioritize listening to God's word over being busy with religious activities. The speaker warns against the immaturity of thinking one can do things for the Lord without first learning what He desires. True service requires attentive listening to God's guidance to build His church.

The core message is that the Christian life must be founded on genuine repentance—a complete 180-degree turn away from self-worship toward God. While faith in Jesus is crucial, the emphasis on faith alone has caused many to neglect repentance. True repentance means identifying and being willing to give up every sin and self-will that displeases God, not just believing in Jesus for salvation from sin.

The speaker analyzes Jesus' teachings, focusing on themes of persecution and ministry. He cautions against modern excesses in healing ministries, noting that Jesus healed completely in specific instances, which was an attestation of his divine nature, not a model for imitation. Furthermore, he stresses that true Christian conduct, exemplified by Jesus, involves non-quarreling and speaking with quiet authority, contrasting this with the tendency to over-exaggerate spiritual experiences through shouting or excessive emotional displays.

The speaker emphasizes that true rest comes from following Jesus' teachings, which are not a burden but an easy yoke. He warns against lowering spiritual standards to please others, comparing it to choosing a less hygienic hospital. The core message is to obey every commandment given to Christians and to actively claim every promise found in scripture before death.

The speaker emphasizes that true knowledge of the Father comes only through Jesus' revelation, which is tested by one's reliance on Him first in times of need. He contrasts the restless, troubled heart of the wicked, likened to a tossing sea, with the peace of the righteous, symbolized by a sea of glass. The central message is that by coming to Jesus in faith, we can receive the promised rest, which is not dependent on the number of our problems but on our belief.

The central message is that while sacrificial service, like Martha's, is commendable, prioritizing time to listen to God's word, as Mary did, is more important. The speaker advises that when struggling with complaints about others, one should bring those concerns directly to the Lord rather than airing them with others. Ultimately, the focus should be on what is eternally important, which is hearing and absorbing Christ's teaching.

The sermon focuses on understanding and embracing the power of Christ's resurrection. It emphasizes that knowing this resurrection power is central to the Christian life and ministry. The message encourages the congregation to live in the reality of what Christ accomplished.

The speaker argues that understanding God's mysteries, particularly those found in the New Testament, requires spiritual understanding rather than mere intellectual ability. He draws parallels between the Old Testament's plain laws and the New Testament's 'mystery,' which can only be grasped in the spirit through the Holy Spirit. True understanding, therefore, requires genuine humility, a quality Jesus associated with children, which is necessary to dwell in God's presence.

The sermon addresses the believer's role in confronting the enemy, specifically Satan. It emphasizes that Christians are called to be witnesses against Satan's works and influence in the world. The message encourages believers to stand firm in the truth and actively resist the devil.

The sermon emphasizes that a Christian life must be built upon foundational truths, as these pillars keep life strong during times of testing. The speaker stresses the importance of receiving God's word with faith, comparing the preaching ministry to careful heart surgery aimed at bringing life rather than causing harm. The core message is that knowing the truth, as Jesus taught, is what sets believers free.