Being ready

The sermon contrasts the superficial joy found in worldly circumstances with the deep, enduring joy of the Christian, which is independent of external events. It emphasizes that while life involves suffering and tribulation, the ultimate joy comes from the Lord's return, comparing this to the pain of labor giving way to the joy of birth. The speaker urges listeners to discern between the 'old covenant gospel' (focusing on earthly prosperity) and the 'new covenant gospel' (focusing on overcoming sin and knowing God personally), warning against being deceived by mixing the two.

In this couples' conference session, Brother Victor teaches from Proverbs 31 about the seven virtues of a godly spouse—trustworthiness, diligence, compassion, wisdom, godliness, and proper household management—while emphasizing that these principles apply to both husbands and wives. He encourages wives to support their husbands' involvement in God's work and ministry rather than hindering them, while also calling husbands to recognize their wives as their primary neighbors who deserve love and attention alongside their commitment to God's people. The message balances marital commitment with devotion to God and community.

Zac Poonen leads a worship service on January 4, 2026, centered on cultivating right attitudes as the new year begins. Through songs of worship and devotion, the message emphasizes trusting in God's faithfulness, yielding to the Holy Spirit's fullness, and committing oneself to serve God faithfully throughout the coming year.

The sermon emphasizes that God is sovereign over all things, having created and sustained everything. It draws heavily on scripture, particularly Isaiah, to assure the listeners that God is the only true God who has foreknowledge of all future events. The central message is one of worship and acknowledging God's unmatched power and eternal reign.

The speaker contrasts the fervent dedication of Paul in his pursuit of Christ with the lukewarm faith of many Christians, comparing it to people who will go to extreme lengths for a visa. He argues that Christians should possess this same level of passion for God, noting that Paul's radical commitment, despite his past life, exemplifies what is possible. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to be wholehearted and determined in their faith, following Christ's path.

The message encourages believers to approach God with a humble and needy heart, recognizing that the Lord desires a heart that is hungry and expecting of Him. Drawing from scripture, the teaching emphasizes that true spiritual life involves dependence on the Lord's Word and grace, rather than self-sufficiency or preoccupation with worldly matters. The core call is to remain in a state of neediness to receive God's provision and transformation.

The sermon uses the story of Jesus finding a fig tree with only leaves, no fruit, to challenge the congregation about their spiritual readiness. The central message is that when Jesus returns, he will look for tangible fruit in our lives, not just outward religious appearances. Believers must live in constant readiness, anticipating His unexpected return.

The speaker draws from Psalm 90 to emphasize the importance of acquiring wisdom during our allotted time on earth. He argues that true wisdom is a hidden quality, illustrated by the wise and foolish virgins and the wise and foolish builders, which cannot be displayed merely through outward religious observance. Ultimately, the goal is to build a deep, foundational wisdom that will prove itself when the Lord returns.

This drama uses the historical context of Jeremiah and Daniel to challenge believers to remain uncompromising in their faith amidst cultural compromise, symbolized by Babylonian Christianity. The core message emphasizes staying true to God's Word, avoiding idolatry, and maintaining purity of heart and lifestyle, even when it means facing hardship or exile. The performance urges the younger generation to be faithful witnesses for Christ.

The sermon encourages the congregation to focus their thoughts on preparing their hearts for the final judgment before the King of Kings. The speaker emphasizes that God knows all our hidden thoughts and motives, urging believers to approach Him with boldness and a desire for purification. The central message is to live lives worthy of God's grace by continually seeking His presence and love.

The message centers on the power of the blood of Christ, referencing Revelation 12:11, which states that believers overcome the devil through the blood of the lamb and the word of testimony. This power is available in the new covenant, enabling believers to overcome the devil's lies and temptations, a freedom not possible under the old covenant.

The speaker emphasizes that knowing the truth is liberating, quoting Jesus' statement that 'the truth will set you free.' He asserts that the bondage experienced by Christians stems from their lack of knowledge regarding this truth, which the devil desires to keep them ignorant of. The message centers on understanding and embracing divine truth.

The Lord's last message to the churches, according to Revelation, is a call to repent, which is a message of warning. The speaker analyzes the weaknesses found in the five churches, noting that even good works and perseverance are rendered meaningless if the first love for Jesus Christ is lost. True discipleship requires worshiping Christ first, and believers must guard against letting worldly comforts or activities overshadow a pure devotion to Him.

The sermon uses the story of the young girl who served Naaman's wife to illustrate the power of forgiveness and compassion. This girl, despite suffering great injustice, wished for her master to be with the prophet, demonstrating a profound heart of love and forgiveness. The speaker urges the congregation to cultivate this same heart—one of faith and compassion—believing that such a spirit can lead to great things in the church and in people's lives.

The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life is not merely about reaching heaven, but about prioritizing God above all else. He draws from John 14:21 to teach that loving Christ more than anything—including money or sex—is the primary condition for experiencing the Father's love. This commitment to Christ must be lived out daily as a demonstration of discipleship.

The speaker emphasizes that a church's purpose extends beyond mere social gathering; it must maintain a clear vision given by God. He draws parallels with Jesus' ministry, noting that true godliness is often offensive to many, and that the church's calling requires divine power to speak into people's deepest needs. Ultimately, the message challenges Christians to move beyond merely seeking forgiveness and instead embrace a life of radical discipleship, mirroring Christ's willingness to sacrifice for the Kingdom.

The speaker addresses various theological questions, including the necessity of marriage for the new covenant life and the understanding of roles within marriage, emphasizing co-heirship. He cautions against viewing God as a punitive policeman, urging instead that people recognize God as a loving Father. The central message is to approach evangelism and discipleship by first acting as a friend to sinners, rather than immediately presenting judgment.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching God's throne of grace boldly, recognizing the perfect work done in Christ. He draws parallels between the wise and foolish man/woman, arguing that God's purpose and the church's body must fully include women's roles, correcting historical misunderstandings. The talk also sets the foundation for understanding marriage by referencing the order of creation in Genesis, stressing that marriage is a sacred covenant.

The speakers shared various takeaways from the singles discipleship gathering, focusing on themes of glorifying God's goodness, embracing God's fatherly love, and trusting in God's provision amidst anxiety. Key messages included finding joy in God's grace, accepting God's will even through suffering, and learning to serve God without seeking personal honor. The overall theme was deepening one's relationship with God through faith and surrender.

The message emphasizes that God prepares a table for those who love Him, drawing parallels from scripture like Psalm 25 and Isaiah. Jesus seeks to dine with the humble and brokenhearted, contrasting this with the superficiality of worldly concerns. The core message is that true fellowship and receiving revelation come from spending dedicated time with Jesus, rather than being consumed by works or preparations.

Zac Poonen teaches that spiritual authority in marriage and the church flows from personal submission to God's authority, using Jesus and a Roman centurion as examples. A husband exercises godly authority over his home only when he himself is under Christ's authority; rebellion against proper authority is the root of all sin, originating with Lucifer and continuing with Adam and Eve. Without understanding and living this principle of submission, Christian leaders lack God's backing and become either tyrants or compromisers, resulting in shallow faith and disobedient children.

This message explores the characteristics of people who were prepared for the return of Christ. The speaker emphasizes that readiness involves a deep, personal relationship with God and a life lived in constant expectation. True preparedness is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical, daily walk of faith.

The message emphasizes that every believer in the Body of Christ has a unique and necessary function, drawing a contrast between the old covenant (where only the tribe of Levi could be priests) and the new covenant (where everyone is a priest). It warns against complacency, urging believers not just to attend meetings but to actively fulfill their roles, starting with prayer, offering words of encouragement, or showing appreciation, as God does not desire lazy members in His body.

Santosh Poonen leads a worship service centered on praising God and recognizing His majesty, holiness, and mercy. Through worship songs and brief exhortation, he emphasizes that believers have been redeemed by Christ's blood and called to live in the grace of God, standing apart from the world's perverted system through faith in the Savior's love and sacrifice.