In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord sacrificially and unselfishly. He highlights the need for believers to listen to God and do what He tells them to do, rather than just doing what they feel like doing. The speaker shares his personal experience of God constantly telling him to listen. He also discusses the significance of expressing gratitude to God through a life of service and sacrifice, rather than just seeking personal gain or comfort. The sermon references various biblical examples, including Mary's devotion to finding the body of Jesus and her willingness to serve Him.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God is in control of every aspect of our lives, including our relationships, jobs, and homes. He argues that if God, who runs the universe, cannot provide us with what we need, then He is not the God of the Bible. The speaker uses the example of David and Saul to illustrate the importance of not taking matters into our own hands and seeking revenge. He also highlights the need for humility and surrendering to God's will, acknowledging that even if we are at fault, God can redeem us and work things out for our good.

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of looking beyond our own sorrows and reaching out to encourage others. He uses the example of Joseph, a young man who had dreams from God at the age of 17. Despite facing challenges and being thrown into jail, God had a plan for Joseph's life. The speaker also highlights the significance of winning God's approval and the promise of reward in eternity for those who faithfully serve Him.

In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the contrasting attitudes and actions of Peter and Judas. He starts by discussing the story in Luke 5 where Jesus teaches from Peter's boat and then asks him to go fishing despite a previous unsuccessful attempt. The preacher emphasizes Peter's humble obedience to Jesus' command, even though it went against his own reasoning. He then highlights Judas' response to Jesus' words in Matthew 26, where he immediately goes to betray Jesus for personal gain. The preacher concludes by discussing the importance of accepting correction and appreciating others, using examples from his own life and encouraging the audience to do the same.

In this sermon, the preacher discusses the power of the people, as represented by the word "democrat" which comes from "demos" meaning people and "kratos" meaning power. He contrasts this with the power of the devil, who has the power of death but lacks authority. The preacher shares a story about a student named Joe Hunky who was held at gunpoint but responded with a powerful statement of faith, disarming his would-be assassin and leading him to Christ. The sermon emphasizes the importance of miracles, wonders, and signs as evidence of Jesus' accreditation and highlights the philosophy of life found in the statement "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of moving from simply believing in Jesus to becoming a person whom Jesus can entrust Himself to. The ultimate goal is to receive Jesus' commendation and approval. The blessing of Abraham is described as being both blessed by God and becoming a blessing to all the families of the earth. The speaker also highlights that Jesus' death on the cross not only removes our sins but also brings the blessing of Abraham upon us. The sermon concludes by introducing a series on characters in the Old Testament who received God's approval through their faith.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the distinction of CFC from other churches, highlighting that it was founded to restore God's original standards, particularly in overcoming sin rather than merely seeking blessings. He challenges the congregation to reflect on whether they are pursuing God's approval or just His blessings, urging them to prioritize a life that pleases God over one that seeks material prosperity. Poonen uses the example of Enoch, who walked with God and was taken up to heaven, to illustrate the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God. He stresses that true faith is demonstrated through works and that believers should focus on their spiritual growth and readiness for Christ's return. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to follow Jesus and to live a life of righteousness, rather than merely seeking blessings.

In this sermon, the preacher discusses two types of preachers: those who focus on visions and dreams, and those who cling to traditions. He emphasizes the importance of not changing what our forefathers believed and challenges the listener to see if God will accept that challenge. The preacher then shifts to discussing the book of Job and how Job's response was not always perfect, but God still blessed him. He highlights the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, stating that in the Old Covenant, God treated people like children, but in the New Covenant, God treats us like adult sons. The preacher concludes by discussing the three-fold hedge of protection that God puts around believers and how it brings comfort in times of trouble.

Zac Poonen emphasizes that the Christian life is a race towards becoming more like Jesus, highlighting the importance of moving beyond just being saved to actively pursuing spiritual growth. He explains that while many Christians are content with their salvation, they must strive to win God's approval by embodying Christ-like qualities and making choices that reflect their faith. Poonen illustrates this through the life of Moses, who, despite his mistakes, demonstrated a passion for knowing God and a commitment to His ways. He encourages believers to seek a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing that true eternal life is about knowing Him more intimately. Ultimately, Poonen calls for a balance between understanding salvation and actively running the race of faith.

In this sermon, the speaker announces a series of nine sessions on the topic of winning God's approval. He plans to study characters from the Old and New Testaments who either won or lost God's approval and draw lessons from their experiences. The speaker highlights the importance of seeking God's grace in times of need, using the analogy of a mountain climber who falls but is too proud to ask for help. He emphasizes the need to recognize the seriousness of rejecting God and the temptation to ask for grace. The sermon concludes with a reminder of God's goodness and forgiveness, using the example of God clothing Adam and Eve with fig leaves after their failure in the Garden of Eden.

In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of winning God's approval and how it differs from being accepted by God. They compare it to the foundation and superstructure of a building, emphasizing that both are essential. The speaker also highlights the blindness of the world to the truth of Christ's sacrifice and the new covenant life available to believers. They give an example of two missionaries, one living in luxury and the other living in poverty, to illustrate the importance of living a simple and debt-free life as a child of God.