We have control over our prayer life, our relationship with Jesus.
Francis ChanRead
It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity.
Interpretation
The quote warns against the dangers of complacency and materialism that can overshadow spiritual truth.
Francis Chan highlights that the greatest threat to the gospel message is not outright disbelief or alternative beliefs, but rather a comfortable, selfish lifestyle that prioritizes luxury and superficial faith. This sense of prosperity can lead individuals to become indifferent to deeper spiritual truths, resulting in a hollow experience of faith.
In practice
During a sermon about the importance of genuine faith, this quote could serve as a powerful reminder.
We have control over our prayer life, our relationship with Jesus.
A disciple is a disciple maker.
Don't fall into the trap of studying the Bible without doing what it says.
Our God listens to us. Our God is a living God. He's not a block of wood you made up that's not going to answer you. My God listens to me. He answers me.
...I don't have to worry about not meeting His expectations. God will ensure my success in accordance with His plan, not mine.
People who are obsessed with Jesus aren't consumed with their personal safety and comfort above all else. Obsessed people care more about God's kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.
We cannot change ideas in the minds of men and races with machine guns or battle ships.
Irony has only emergency use. Carried over time it is the voice of the trapped who have come to enjoy their cage.
Symbolism is no mere idle fancy or corrupt degeneration: it is inherent in the very texture of human life.
The world was reduced to the surface of her skin and her inner self was safe from all bitterness.
The one thing that the racist can never manage is anything like discrimination: he is indiscriminate by definition.
Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage.
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