Fear

The sermon emphasizes that true spiritual revelation and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are only accessible when we approach God in a state of deep need and desperation, rather than treating prayer as a mere ritual. The speaker encourages the congregation to set aside worldly distractions and focus entirely on their need for God's transforming power, drawing parallels to the desperation of the early church at Pentecost. The central message is that God desires to fill every person present with the Holy Spirit.

The speaker reflects on several encouraging points shared by others in the church over the past few weeks, highlighting themes of fellowship, recognizing sin, and the importance of faith. He emphasizes that our spiritual life must guide our worldly decisions, and that God often uses trials to draw us closer to Him, pointing to Psalm 16 as a source of comfort and instruction regarding trusting God's plan even when circumstances appear difficult.

The speaker uses Noah building the Ark as an analogy to illustrate that a genuine fear of God compels one to pursue perfection in their spiritual life. He argues that merely going through the motions (religion) is insufficient; true faith requires meticulous care, ensuring that one's life is sound enough to withstand future trials, like the coming flood. This pursuit of perfection is rooted in the desire to be blameless before God.

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 message explores the true meaning of fearing and worshipping God, asserting that genuine worship is not merely an activity performed on Sunday morning. Instead, it requires laying one's entire life and all that one possesses upon the altar, exemplified by God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.

The central message is the necessity of discerning whether one's actions, particularly speaking, are motivated by pleasing God or by seeking approval from people. The speaker emphasizes that true spiritual life requires perfecting holiness in the fear of God, contrasting this with the danger of living in the fear of man. He warns against spiritual slumber, even when one has a good reputation, urging listeners to examine their motives and return to God.

The sermon emphasizes that true Christian life hinges on humility, which is presented as the master key to everything. The speaker encourages the congregation to use the Word of God like a mirror to honestly examine their hearts, rather than seeking mere praise or information. Ultimately, the goal of spiritual examination is not condemnation, but to foster a desire to be saved by Christ, which begins with recognizing one's need for grace.

The central message is a warning against the folly of worry, which the speaker asserts is a grave sin that robs joy and weakens health. Drawing from Matthew 6, the sermon emphasizes that instead of worrying about daily needs like food or clothing, believers should seek first God's kingdom and righteousness. The speaker concludes by noting that each day has enough trouble of its own, and tomorrow is a mystery that God will take care of.

The sermon draws from Malachi, emphasizing God's enduring love despite human backsliding and the need for a pure offering to Him. The speaker highlights that God's promise remains that His name will be great among the nations, especially for those who fear Him. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to focus on being among 'those who fear the Lord,' as they will be recorded in a 'book of remembrance' and belong to God.

The central message is that believers must establish themselves firmly on the foundation of being accepted by God through Christ, which declares them righteous regardless of their current sinfulness. To overcome discouragement and manifest the life of Jesus, one must adopt a mindset of 'dying' to personal opinions, prejudices, and judgments about others, instead living daily in alignment with Christ's example.

The speaker uses the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Mark 6) to illustrate that while ministry and serving others are vital, disciples must also recognize when to rest and trust God's plan. He cautions against trying to manage or explain every detail of God's work to Him, reminding us that Jesus knows where He is going even if we feel anxious about the logistics.

The message emphasizes that the fear of God is the foundation of all wisdom, drawing from Psalm 8:3-4. The speaker warns that living according to one's lusts is a sign of ignorance regarding God, citing 1 Peter 1:14. True Christians, having been called by the Holy One, must strive to be holy in all behavior because God is holy.

The message warns believers to remain constantly alert and on guard against deception, as the devil has spent millennia trying to lull people into complacency. The core message emphasizes that many people will be surprised on the final day, much like those who failed to prepare for Christ's return. Believers must be diligent stewards, living faithfully in secret rather than waiting for external validation or assuming everything is fine.

The sermon focuses on worshiping Jesus Christ, acknowledging His kingship, and drawing near to Him. The speaker emphasizes that Christ overcame death and invites believers to open their entire being to the Holy Spirit's guidance to connect with Him. The central message is one of profound praise and recognizing Christ's supreme authority.

The speaker warns that the last days will bring much deception, emphasizing that the Bible is a necessary guide against false teachings and miracles. He draws a parallel between physical strength requiring exercise and spiritual strength requiring resistance against temptation and pressure. True spiritual strength is gained by actively resisting the devil and the world, which ultimately leads to freedom from fear, anxiety, and depression.

The speaker recounts his personal journey of coming to faith, realizing the seriousness of eternity, and understanding the necessity of genuine repentance. He contrasts mere verbal confession with true repentance, which involves confessing sins, forsaking them, and making restitution. The message emphasizes that true repentance requires actively setting right past wrongs and dealing with unconfessed sin.

The sermon emphasizes the profound and transformative power of God's Word, which is described as an active, piercing force capable of judging the deepest thoughts and intentions. The speaker urges the congregation to move beyond merely understanding the theory of Christian doctrine and instead experience the reality of God's Word penetrating their hearts to effect genuine change and equip them for service.

The message urges the congregation to remember, keep, and hold fast to what they have heard and received from God's Word. Drawing parallels from the letters to the churches in Revelation, the speaker warns against spiritual complacency, using the example of Sardis, while encouraging the congregation to emulate the faithfulness of the church in Philadelphia. The central call is to remain spiritually alert and live in the Spirit, recognizing the open door Christ has provided.

The speaker urges the audience to develop a deep reverence for God's word, comparing it to a fear greater than fear of law enforcement. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires pursuing peace with all people and sanctification, warning that without this, one cannot see the Lord. The message also touches on the necessity of acknowledging one's own degree of guilt in every conflict, no matter how much fault lies with another.

The central message emphasizes that many biblical promises, including provision for earthly needs and eternal rewards, are conditional. To receive God's blessings, one must first seek God's kingdom and righteousness above all else. Furthermore, true discipleship requires giving everything—plans, possessions, and ambitions—to God, rather than offering only a percentage. Humility, not gifting or status, is the key to eternal reward.

The speaker encourages the congregation to value and respect the new generation of believers God is raising up. He emphasizes that believers should study the Word of God and seek the anointing of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on self-assessment. The central message is that the full truth, like a jigsaw puzzle, is found in the Bible, and preachers must ensure that everything written in Scripture is preached, not just what is convenient or popular.

The speaker emphasizes that believers must walk by faith, not by what they see or feel, drawing lessons from the contrasting examples of Abraham and Lot. He stresses that while we cannot determine the ultimate fate of a person, we must observe their life's fruit. Furthermore, the message repeatedly affirms that God's ways are good, even when human understanding cannot explain suffering, pain, or global injustice, urging trust in God's revealed commandments.

The message focuses on the responsibility and honor associated with eldership, drawing from 1 Timothy chapter 5. The speaker emphasizes that leadership principles must first be established within the church, as the judgment must begin at the household of God. He stresses that all believers have spheres of influence where these principles apply, urging accountability and integrity in leadership roles.

The speaker cautions against the deception of merely quoting Bible verses during times of distress, emphasizing that true spiritual protection comes from deeply knowing and obeying God's Word. He encourages believers to focus on the reality that God is in control, drawing comfort from passages like Psalm 18 and the call to rejoice in salvation, rather than just accumulating verses to ward off fear or anxiety.