Books, Discipleship

HUNDRED’S OF YOUTH RESPOND TO CHAN’S CHALLENGE

Francis Chan at YC

Last night I had the privilege to hear one of my role models speak to thousands of students.

Francis Chan has influenced people all over the world, with his honest character and passion for Scripture. Once again, he brought the Word of God to thousands of students from across Western Canada at YC Conference in Edmonton, AB.

Using Isaiah 6:1-6 as his reference text, he cracked open a topic to which many of us struggle to grasp:

Are we consumed by the majesty of God?

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

Woe to me!’ I cried. ‘I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.’

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, ‘See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.’” (Is. 6:1-6)

When speaking with youth, too often we pitch God more like a buddy that we hang out with. Though Jesus is our friend and brother, we ought not forget the power and ‘majesty‘ of the One we serve.

Francis, down on his knees as he ends his message, physically displaying the reverence in which he is trying to convey to the young people in the crowd. Truly, visibly, ‘consumed with the majesty‘ as he spoke. The students responded.

Purposefully, after refuting the typical ‘with all heads bowed and eyes closed,’ Chan gave an invitation. Not through a slight raising of the hand to catch the preacher’s eye. No, Francis challenged the students to stand boldly among their peers.

Openly and honestly, called them to commit their lives to loving God and following His ways. Without question, hundreds of students took to their feet.

Once again, through the work of His Spirit in the hearts of people, challenged by simple words by an ordinary man. In an instant, our Lord graciously changed hundreds of lives, bringing them into His love, grace and some day, into His presence.

Blessed to have witnessed it first hand.

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