Giving

The sermon uses the story of the two blind men to illustrate the principle that receiving blessings from God is based on faith, not on desire or ability. The speaker emphasizes that believers must be specific in their prayers and, more importantly, must trust in God's power to act, even when the request seems impossible. Ultimately, what a person receives from God is measured by the measure of their faith.

The speaker contrasts the 'health and wealth' gospel of the Old Covenant, which promises blessings for obedience, with the true message of the New Covenant. He emphasizes that the New Covenant message, centered on Jesus, is about being saved from sin, not from physical ailments or poverty. The speaker urges listeners to examine what Jesus has truly saved them from, suggesting that many misunderstand the meaning of Jesus' name and the scope of salvation.

The speaker shares an anecdote about a humble man who waited patiently outside a closed door to listen to a message, illustrating God's care for those who seek Him even when access is difficult. He then reflects on the crucifixion narrative, emphasizing that salvation is a pure gift of grace, as demonstrated by one criminal who repented at the last moment. The core message is that salvation is unearned and requires a soft heart receptive to the Holy Spirit's work.

The speaker contrasts Old Testament faith, which focused on material victories, with New Testament faith, which requires giving thanks even when circumstances haven't changed. True spiritual growth requires not only godliness but also contentment, which means accepting the boundaries God sets for our lives, including our finances. By submitting totally to God and living contentedly, believers can resist the devil and find freedom from discouragement and debt.

In this sermon on Matthew 6, Zac Poonen teaches about nine wrong attitudes Jesus identified, focusing particularly on hidden spiritual practices: giving, prayer, and fasting should be done in secret for God's eyes alone, not to impress people. He emphasizes that storing up treasures on earth through the love of money is wrong, but clarifies that Scripture also calls believers to save responsibly for their families' future needs, illustrating the balance between detachment from worldly wealth and wise stewardship.

The speaker uses the Israelites' failure to enter the Promised Land, despite experiencing many miracles, as a warning that spiritual gifts and experiences do not guarantee God's favor. He emphasizes that Christians must guard against carnal living, even while exercising spiritual gifts, and reminds the audience that every temptation they face is within their ability to overcome because God is faithful. The ultimate way of escape from temptation is through humility.

The speaker encourages the audience to take up the cross daily by adopting the single-minded focus of Jesus Christ, who suffered in the flesh. This means living purposefully for God's will rather than for personal desires. The message emphasizes that God's grace flows to the lowest point, citing examples of Jesus ministering to those considered disqualified, such as the Samaritan woman.

The central message is that God accepts offerings based on the heart's attitude, not the offering itself. Drawing from the story of Cain and Abel, the speaker emphasizes that giving God one's very best—whether it's time, energy, or material goods—stems from a heart that recognizes God's prior bestowment. Furthermore, the sermon warns that even a perfect offering will be rejected if the individual is unreconciled with their brother, citing Matthew 5.

Jesus taught that a person cannot serve two masters, specifically God and wealth, requiring a complete devotion to God. The speaker emphasizes that true Christian life means prioritizing God above all earthly attachments, using the example of Zacchaeus to illustrate that salvation, in this context, means being saved from the love of money. This salvation is a change in attitude and devotion to God, not merely a change in financial status.

The sermon uses the allegory, "A Chronicle of the Redeemed Land," to illustrate the Christian life. The story contrasts the complacency of Adam Slowman, who complains about lack of resources despite abundant provision, with the faith of his neighbor, Widow Fulljoy. The central message is that true provision and joy come not from what we possess, but from actively submitting our requests and trusting in the promises written in the covenant (Scripture).

The speaker draws parallels between the parable of the lost coin and God's deep care for His people, particularly the young generation. He emphasizes that being dedicated to the Lord, like a Nazarite, requires setting oneself apart from the world. Practically, he urges the congregation to guard their inner lives by taking them seriously, referencing 2 Timothy 2:20-21 which teaches that true value comes from cleansing oneself to be a vessel for honor and useful to the Master.

The central message is that God desires a 'pure offering,' not financial donations. Drawing from Romans 12:1, the speaker urges believers to present their entire bodies—specifically their eyes and tongue—as a living, holy sacrifice. True spiritual transformation is measured by how one behaves privately (at home) and how one controls their desires, rather than by outward religious observance or speaking in tongues.

The speaker emphasizes the theme of God's never-failing faithfulness, urging the congregation to maintain a heart of gratitude. He warns against complacency, noting that familiarity can breed contempt, and encourages believers to teach their children about God's faithfulness so they can rely on Him during difficult times. The core message is to live with constant thankfulness for God's mercies.

The central message is that God calls out to those who are unworthy, contrasting them with those who try to satisfy themselves with worldly or religious achievements. Drawing from Isaiah 55 and John 4, the speaker argues that those who have nothing to offer are the ones who can receive God's free, satisfying 'living water.' True satisfaction comes only from acknowledging our unworthiness and coming to Christ, rather than relying on our own 'broken cisterns.'

Zac Poonen urges Christians to live simply, avoid debt, and be faithful with money as a prerequisite for God's anointing. Drawing from his own marriage, he shares how he and his wife lived frugally—standing in ration queues, reusing items, refusing credit card debt—to stay free from financial bondage, warning that carelessness with money forfeits the true riches of revelation and the Holy Spirit's anointing. He calls couples to work together financially, care for the poor, and reject the devil's tactic of comparison with those who have more.

Jesus taught that acts of giving, praying, and fasting should be done in secret, seeking reward only from God the Father, not from men. The speaker warns against boasting about these spiritual disciplines, noting that advertising them undermines their true spiritual value. Furthermore, he addresses the wrong attitude of the love of money, urging believers to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth, as where the heart is, the treasure lies.

The speaker analyzes the offerings of Cain and Abel to teach that God accepts the person's heart, not just the physical offering. He emphasizes that God's regard was for Abel, not his offering, pointing out that true acceptance requires settling relationships with others first. Ultimately, the quality of the offering reflects the heart's condition, which is what God sees.

The speaker emphasizes that Christians often live in spiritual poverty because they fail to fully grasp the inheritance purchased for them through Christ. True deliverance from sin's nature, passion, and pride is not achieved merely by confessing sins or relying on the blood of Christ, but by being crucified with Christ and subsequently living by faith in Him. This exchange means that 'no longer I who lives,' but rather Christ lives within the believer.

The sermon emphasizes that Jesus came to save, not to condemn, drawing heavily from John 3:16-17. The speaker uses the analogy of a blind spot in driving and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to illustrate that human efforts to earn righteousness are insufficient. True standing before God requires acknowledging our need for grace, as all our good deeds are like filthy garments.

The speaker emphasizes that a major sin is complaining, citing Deuteronomy 28 to warn that a lack of joy in serving God leads to hardship. He contrasts this with the example of Jehoshaphat, who, instead of fighting a massive enemy force, had his people praise the Lord first, leading to victory. The core message is that true faith, characteristic of the New Covenant, means praising God *before* seeing the answer, trusting in Christ's victory over Satan.

Sunil Poonen encourages believers to embrace humility and resist complaining spirits as they enter 2026, using biblical imagery of sticks and staffs to illustrate how God builds His church with those who depend on Him completely. Drawing from stories like Aaron's budding staff and Elisha's axe, he teaches that God restores the broken and rejected, making them fruitful as branches connected to Jesus the vine, and that the foundation of spiritual growth is poverty of spirit and complete reliance on the Lord.

The sermon centers on Malachi 1, contrasting the old covenant with the new covenant established through Christ. The speaker emphasizes that God desires a 'pure offering,' not merely material sacrifices, for His name. He warns that God will no longer accept offerings tainted by impurity, unfaithfulness, or worldly concerns, urging the congregation to maintain purity in their devotion.

The sermon emphasizes that the greatest reward God gives is the revelation of Jesus Christ. The speaker encourages the congregation to focus on Christ and not be satisfied with worldly things or mere religious rituals. The core message is a call to keep Jesus central to one's life and faith.

The speaker recounts his personal history, detailing his family's ordinary life in Nazareth and his growing jealousy and bitterness towards Jesus, particularly after witnessing his miracles. This bitterness culminated in his feeling that Jesus was not truly accepting or honoring his family, leading him to a profound sense of alienation from Jesus's mission.