Francis Chan: Make Every Effort — Passion 2014

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is a call to action, encouraging believers to move beyond mere gratitude for the cross and to experience a deeper intimacy with Jesus. The speaker emphasizes that we have been given everything we need for life and godliness through our faith in Christ, and that we should strive to live out this faith in a way that brings glory and excellence to God.

Key Scripture References

• John 3:30 - This passage highlights the importance of decreasing so that Jesus can increase. The speaker uses this verse to illustrate how we should be willing to let go of our own desires and ambitions in order to make room for God's work in our lives.
• Matthew 26:38-44 - In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed that if possible, the cup of suffering might pass from Him. The speaker reflects on this passage as a model for how we should approach prayer and surrender to God's will.
• 2 Peter 1:1-4 - This passage emphasizes the idea that believers have been given everything they need for life and godliness through their faith in Christ. The speaker uses this verse to encourage listeners to tap into the power of God's promises and to live out their faith with confidence.
• Ezekiel 36:26-27 - This passage speaks of God's promise to give His people a new heart and to put His Spirit within them. The speaker uses this verse to illustrate how we can experience the presence and power of God in our lives, and to encourage listeners to seek after a deeper intimacy with Christ.
• 2 Peter 1:4 - This verse speaks of believers becoming partakers of the divine nature through the promises of God. The speaker uses this passage to emphasize the idea that we can experience the life and power of God in our lives, and to encourage listeners to seek after a deeper understanding of God's promises.

Key Takeaways

• We have been given everything we need for life and godliness through our faith in Christ.
• We should strive to live out our faith in a way that brings glory and excellence to God.
• We can experience the presence and power of God in our lives by tapping into the promises of Scripture.
• We should seek after a deeper intimacy with Christ, and not be satisfied with mere gratitude for the cross.

Application Questions

• What areas of my life do I need to surrender to God's will?
• How can I tap into the power of God's promises in my life?
• What steps can I take to seek after a deeper intimacy with Christ?
• How can I live out my faith in a way that brings glory and excellence to God?

Reflection Questions

• Have I been living out of a sense of gratitude for the cross, or have I been seeking after a deeper intimacy with Christ?
• What are some areas where I need to decrease so that Jesus can increase in my life?
• How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's promises and tap into their power in my life?
• What steps can I take to live out my faith in a way that brings glory and excellence to God?