Francis Chan: How To Get To Heaven From Simi Valley

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of God's nature and character. We often talk about God in a casual, flippant manner, but the Bible paints a different picture. When Isaiah saw God, he described him as a holy being who fills up the entire Temple, so huge that it's overwhelming. This is not a cuddly, warm God we can manage, but a powerful, holy God who demands our respect and reverence.

Key Scripture References

• Isaiah 6:1-5 - In this passage, Isaiah describes his encounter with God as a throne of holiness, so massive that it fills up the entire Temple. He sees high angels covering themselves from head to toe before God's presence, shouting out in reverence and awe.
• Isaiah 6:1-5 - When Isaiah sees God, he is overwhelmed with a sense of his own sinfulness and inadequacy. He cries out, "Woe is me! I am ruined!" because he knows he cannot stand before such a holy God.
• Psalm 130:3-4 - This psalm reminds us that we are all sinners who have fallen short of God's standards. We cannot come before him on our own merits, but must rely on his mercy and forgiveness.
• Romans 3:23 - The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This means we all need to approach God with a sense of humility and reverence, recognizing our own sinfulness and dependence on his mercy.
• Isaiah 6:5 - When Isaiah sees God, he is struck by his own unworthiness. He recognizes that he cannot stand before such a holy God without being destroyed. This should be a sobering reminder to us all of our own sinfulness and need for God's mercy.

Main Points

• We often underestimate the holiness and power of God, treating him as a casual, flippant figure rather than a powerful, holy being.
• When Isaiah saw God, he was overwhelmed with a sense of his own sinfulness and inadequacy. He recognized that he could not stand before such a holy God without being destroyed.
• The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. This means we all need to approach God with a sense of humility and reverence, recognizing our own sinfulness and dependence on his mercy.
• God's holiness is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather something to be revered and respected. It should drive us to seek him in humility and repentance, acknowledging our own sinfulness and need for his forgiveness.

Application

• We must reevaluate our understanding of God's nature and character, recognizing the holiness and power that he embodies.
• We should approach God with a sense of humility and reverence, recognizing our own sinfulness and dependence on his mercy.
• We need to repent of our casual, flippant attitude towards God, and seek him in sincerity and truth.
• God's holiness should drive us to seek him in worship, prayer, and obedience, acknowledging our own sinfulness and need for his forgiveness.

Conclusion

This message challenges us to take a fresh look at God's nature and character. We must recognize the holiness and power that he embodies, and approach him with humility and reverence. Only then can we truly understand the depth of our own sinfulness and need for his mercy.