Show Notes
Has the church lost the fear of God? In this episode of Staff Talks, Francis reflects on a growing burden he feels for the modern church - a drift away from honor, biblical conviction, and the simple authority of Scripture. From teaching in prison to worshiping openly on Stanford’s campus, Francis contrasts the fear of man with the fear of God and wrestles with what happens when culture, influence, and endless opinions begin shaping our understanding of truth. As more voices reinterpret long-held Christian beliefs, this conversation explores a few of the tensions many believers feel today: Who do we trust? How do we stay grounded? And what does it look like to hold to Scripture as our anchor in a sea of voices all vying to be the answer to our questions? More than anything, this episode is a call to return to a faith marked by reverence for God, confidence in His Word, the awareness that eternity is real, and a passionate pursuit of truth that leads us to love others well.
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Not every distraction from Jesus looks like a bad thing. Sometimes, it's the very things we're doing in His name. In this Staff Talk, Francis asks us to consider how easily we can become consumed with ministry, theology, church practices, and even the pursuit of unity while losing sight of Christ Himself. He wrestles with a sobering question: Have we become so focused on getting certain things right that we've neglected what matters most? At the heart of this conversation is a simple but profound reminder. The goal of the Christian life isn't merely to do good things for God, but to know Him, enjoy Him, and help others find their life in Him. When Jesus is truly at the center, everything else finds its proper place.
There’s a difference between knowing things about Jesus and truly seeing Him for who He is. In this message, Francis reflects on the beauty and supremacy of Christ described in Colossians 1 - the One who created all things, holds all things together, and gave His life to reconcile us to God. He reminds us that we were created for Jesus, and nothing else can satisfy the soul the way His presence can. Following Jesus is more than a belief system or a commitment to live a moral life. It begins with seeing the glory of Christ and discovering that He really is enough. This message was shared at We Are Church on September 27th, 2026.
It’s easy to begin the Christian life by faith and then slowly start relying on our own effort. In this classic message, Francis Chan looks at Paul’s warning to believers who had experienced the Spirit of God but were turning back to a system of works. What God had freely given them through faith, they were now trying to accomplish on their own. Francis reminds us that the Holy Spirit isn’t simply a truth we believe, but a presence we should actually experience. Through His Spirit, God changes us, empowers us, and does in us what we could never accomplish on our own. The Christian life was never meant to be a life of self-reliance, but one of faith and dependence on the God who has given us His Spirit. This message was originally shared on November 25th, 2007 at Cornerstone Church.
The Bible is filled with ordinary people who lived with extraordinary courage because they believed in the power of their God. But somewhere along the way, many of us have learned to play it safe. In this message, Francis Chan looks at the story of Joshua and Caleb and the difference between a life shaped by fear and one shaped by faith. While others saw giants and impossible odds, Caleb believed God was greater. And 45 years later, his confidence hadn’t changed. God is still God. His Spirit still lives within His people. And as we grow older, our faith doesn’t have to become more cautious. We can become more courageous, more confident in His power, and more willing to follow wherever He leads. This message was taught at Cornerstone Church on May 10, 2009.
What would happen to your faith if you could no longer depend on a pastor, teacher, or podcast to tell you what God says? One of the most important things we can learn as followers of Jesus is how to meet with God in His Word for ourselves. In 2 Peter 1, Peter knows his life is nearing its end, and his concern is that believers will continue to remember the truth and faithfully follow Christ after he is gone. In this episode, Francis calls us back to a personal love for Scripture and a faith that isn’t built around a personality or dependent on someone else’s teaching. In a world filled with competing voices and constantly changing ideas, we need to become people who know God’s Word, seek His truth, and tremble at what He has spoken. This message was originally shared on November 29, 2009 at Cornerstone Church.