Francis Chan: Don't Just Survive It, Own It

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message is about embracing the challenges and difficulties that life brings, and learning to find joy and purpose in them. The speaker shares personal anecdotes and experiences from their own life, including moments of exhaustion and feeling overwhelmed, but also moments of growth and transformation. They encourage listeners to recognize that even in the toughest times, there is always something to be thankful for, and that God is always working in our lives.

Key Scripture References

• Psalm 138:8 - "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." (This verse highlights the idea that even in difficult times, God is working to bring about His purposes and plans in our lives.)
• Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus walks on water, but Peter begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus. This passage illustrates the importance of keeping our focus on Christ, even when life gets difficult. (The speaker uses this example to encourage listeners to stay focused on God's presence and power in their lives.)
• Isaiah 40:29-31 - "He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (This passage emphasizes God's ability to give us strength and power when we feel weak or overwhelmed.)
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (This passage encourages listeners to recognize that God's strength and power are made perfect in our weaknesses, and that we should be proud to rely on Him.)
• Hebrews 12:1-3 - "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every hindrance and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." (This passage emphasizes the importance of perseverance and running the Christian life with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Christ.)

Key Takeaways

• Life will bring challenges and difficulties, but we can find joy and purpose in them by recognizing God's presence and power.
• We should not give up or quit when life gets tough, but instead rely on God's strength and power to carry us through.
• God's purposes and plans are always at work in our lives, even when we don't see it.
• We must keep our focus on Christ and His presence in our lives, especially during difficult times.

Application

This message encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences of feeling overwhelmed or struggling with life's challenges. They are encouraged to recognize that God is always working in their lives, even when they don't see it, and to rely on His strength and power to carry them through. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of perseverance and running the Christian life with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. Listeners are challenged to lay aside every hindrance and sin that ensnares us, and to run with endurance the race that is set before us.