Francis Chan - The Altar Conference

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of revering and worshiping God as a consuming fire. The speaker encourages believers to come before God with reverence and awe, acknowledging His power and majesty. This requires setting aside our own desires and expectations, and instead focusing on God's character and nature.

Key Scripture References

• Hebrews 12:18-29 - In this passage, the author describes God as a blazing fire, darkness, gloom, and a tempest. This is not a gentle or cuddly God, but one who demands reverence and awe from His people.
• Hebrews 5:7 - Jesus' prayers were heard because of his reverence for the Father. This challenges our own prayer practices, encouraging us to approach God with humility and respect.
• Hebrews 10:26-31 - The author warns against deliberately sinning after receiving knowledge of truth, as this will result in a fearful expectation of judgment and fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. This passage emphasizes the importance of fearing God and living in obedience to His commands.
• Hebrews 12:25-29 - The author describes a future time when God will shake the earth and the heavens, removing everything that has been made and leaving only what cannot be shaken. This passage encourages us to live with reverence and awe for God's power and majesty.
• 1 Corinthians 4:3 - Paul writes that it is a very small thing for him to judge himself, but he does not want to judge others. This passage challenges our own self-righteousness and encourages us to live with humility before God.

Main Points

• We must come before God with reverence and awe, acknowledging His power and majesty.
• Our prayers should be characterized by humility and respect for the Father.
• We must fear God and live in obedience to His commands, lest we face judgment and fury of fire that will consume us.
• God's power and majesty demand reverence and awe from His people.

Application

This message challenges believers to reevaluate their prayer practices and approach God with humility and respect. It also encourages us to live in obedience to God's commands, lest we face judgment and fury of fire that will consume us. Ultimately, this passage emphasizes the importance of revering and worshiping God as a consuming fire.

Reflection Questions

• How do you approach God in prayer? Do you come before Him with reverence and awe?
• Do you live in obedience to God's commands, or do you deliberately sin after receiving knowledge of truth?
• What does it mean for God to be a consuming fire? How should this change the way we worship and approach Him?

Conclusion

This message emphasizes the importance of revering and worshiping God as a consuming fire. By coming before Him with reverence and awe, acknowledging His power and majesty, and living in obedience to His commands, we can experience the fullness of His love and redemption in our lives.