Crazy Love Podcast

Our desire to defend what's true can sometimes distract us from the very thing God has called us to do: love one another. In this Staff Talk, Francis shares what he's been learning from Romans 14 about navigating disagreements within the body of Christ. Reflecting on the tension between theological convictions and loving others well, Francis reminds us that being right isn't the ultimate goal. God calls us to pursue something greater - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This is an invitation to examine how we treat those who see things differently and to remember that the people we disagree with are people Christ died for.

God designed marriage for something far greater than our happiness here on earth. It's meant to reflect His love and point others toward Him. After 33 years of marriage, Francis and Lisa Chan share how keeping an eternal perspective has shaped their relationship, their family, and the decisions they've made together. They challenge us to look beyond the expectations we place on our spouses and consider what it means to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. When Jesus becomes the center of our lives, marriage takes on a greater purpose. It's no longer just about building a happy life together, but about helping each other live for what lasts forever. This message was shared at the Ignite Marriage Conference on September 26, 2026.

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.

What does it actually look like to be filled with the Holy Spirit? In this classic teaching, Francis explores the unmistakable marks of a Spirit-filled life. Scripture describes a people whose hearts are filled with worship, whose words encourage one another, whose relationships are marked by love and humility, and who continually give thanks to God, even when life is difficult. But when problems arise, gratitude is often one of the first things to disappear. We become consumed with what needs to be fixed, what needs to get done, or what we wish would change. Francis challenges us to consider whether making the most of our lives means simply accomplishing more, or whether God is calling us into something deeper. This message, originally taught at Cornerstone Church on May 14, 2010, is an invitation to become people whose joy, gratitude, worship, and love make the presence of God difficult to hide.

It's easy to let the newest thing become the biggest thing. A fresh argument, a new controversy, a detail we feel certain about - these tend to take up the most room in our minds, while the things that matter most quietly move to the background. In this Staff Talk, Rob Zabala shares about a neighbor in need and the moment he felt like he was looking at Christ. Francis picks up from there, reflecting on why God's people have so often divided over lesser matters while neglecting what Jesus called the weightier things. Walking through church history, Matthew 23, and 2 Corinthians 7, he reminds us that the first love we were made for was always the point. He closes in Revelation 19 with a sobering picture of the returning King, and the staggering contrast between standing against Him and being called His son or daughter. When we see God clearly, everything else finds its proper size.

Following Jesus has never been about doing whatever feels right. Today, Francis looks at the striking difference between Joshua and Judges. One shows a people moving together in faith. The other shows what happens when everyone does what is right in their own eyes. In a culture that celebrates independence and speaking your mind, it can be easy to confuse courage with rebellion. But Scripture gives us another picture - one of humble leadership, willing submission, and people who care more about God's kingdom than their own opinions. There is a courage that leads. And there is a courage that follows. Both require us to lay down our own way and trust God enough to seek His kingdom first.