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Zac Poonen

Zac Poonen (1939 - ). Christian preacher, Bible teacher, and author based in Bangalore, India. A former Indian Naval officer, he resigned in 1966 after converting to Christianity, later founding the Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC) in 1975, which grew into a network of churches. He has written over 30 books, including "The Pursuit of Godliness," and shares thousands of free sermons, emphasizing holiness and New Testament teachings. Married to Annie since 1968, they have four sons in ministry. Poonen supports himself through "tent-making," accepting no salary or royalties. After stepping down as CFC elder in 1999, he focused on global preaching and mentoring. His teachings prioritize spiritual maturity, humility, and living free from materialism. He remains active, with his work widely accessible online in multiple languages. Poonen’s ministry avoids institutional structures, advocating for simple, Spirit-led fellowships. His influence spans decades, inspiring Christians to pursue a deeper relationship with God.
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Sermon Summary
Zac Poonen emphasizes the urgent call for believers to overcome sin and live in holy conduct, as highlighted in 2 Peter 3:11-12. He points out that the missing element in today's preaching is the call to overcome, which has been God's message since the fall of man. Poonen reminds us that overcoming is essential for inheriting God's promises, as stated in Revelation 21:7. He encourages believers to live a life that radiates God's glory, just as Jesus did, and to remain faithful with an eternal perspective. The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that anyone can be an overcomer throughout their life.
Scriptures
The Call to Overcome
Peter says, "Since all these things (the existing heavens and earth) are to be destroyed, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Pet. 3:11,12). The message of the Spirit in these last days, can be summed up in one word : "OVERCOME " (See Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12,21; 21:7). We began this book by emphasising the missing element in much of today's preaching to unbelievers - REPENT. We conclude this book by emphasising the missing element in much of today's preaching to believers - OVERCOME. The call of God to man, ever since he fell into sin has been to be an overcomer. God told Cain, "Sin is crouching at your (heart's) door...but you must master it" (Gen.4:7). In the last book of the Bible that call is repeated, "He who overcomes shall inherit these things and I will be his God and he will be My son" (Rev. 21:7). Nothing on earth can be compared with the glory of a life lived in fellowship with God and in the fulfillment of His purposes. The life that Jesus lived on earth was the most wonderful, the most glorious and the happiest life that any man ever lived. He wasn't world-famous or rich. But He radiated the glory of God through His life. The good news of the gospel is that you can radiate that glory too. You can be an overcomer all the days of your earthly life. May you be faithful then and live with eternity's values in view at all times. Amen.
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Zac Poonen (1939 - ). Christian preacher, Bible teacher, and author based in Bangalore, India. A former Indian Naval officer, he resigned in 1966 after converting to Christianity, later founding the Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC) in 1975, which grew into a network of churches. He has written over 30 books, including "The Pursuit of Godliness," and shares thousands of free sermons, emphasizing holiness and New Testament teachings. Married to Annie since 1968, they have four sons in ministry. Poonen supports himself through "tent-making," accepting no salary or royalties. After stepping down as CFC elder in 1999, he focused on global preaching and mentoring. His teachings prioritize spiritual maturity, humility, and living free from materialism. He remains active, with his work widely accessible online in multiple languages. Poonen’s ministry avoids institutional structures, advocating for simple, Spirit-led fellowships. His influence spans decades, inspiring Christians to pursue a deeper relationship with God.