Crazy Love Podcast

What It Really Means to Follow Jesus | Francis Chan

Obedience can feel complicated, but Jesus made it simple.

In this episode, Francis Chan unpacks John 15 and shows how obedience and love are inseparable. When Jesus calls us to keep His commands, He ultimately points us to one: love one another as I have loved you.

This kind of love goes far beyond words or weekly gatherings. It’s sacrificial, generous, and rooted in a deep trust that God’s commands lead to life and joy.

Looking at the example of the early church in Acts, this teaching challenges us to move beyond cultural Christianity and step into a life marked by radical love and real obedience.

Staff Talks with Francis: Is Logic Killing Your Faith?

Ever found yourself starting to pray “smaller” prayers?

Maybe you've walked through disappointment, things didn't turn out the way you expected, or what once felt powerful now seems like a distant memory.

Over time, it’s easy to become more “reasonable” in what we believe God can do. But what if that shift isn’t maturity… but drift?

In this honest and searching message, Francis Chan looks at the warning of the ten spies in the book of Numbers and challenges the ways we’ve begun to normalize things like complaining, cynicism, and unbelief - often calling them wisdom or realism. He invites us to examine our hearts and ask: Have we slowly lost faith in the God who does the impossible?

This message isn’t just about feeling inspired again. It’s about refusing to settle for a version of faith that no longer expects God to move.

The Power You’ve Been Ignoring | Francis Chan

What if God loves you more than anyone you’ve ever loved?

Think about someone you deeply care about, someone you would do anything for. Now imagine this: God loves you even more than that. He knows everything about you and still chose to give His Son for you.

But if that’s true… why do so many of us still feel powerless?

In Ephesians 1, Scripture says there is an immeasurable greatness of power at work in those who believe - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. And yet, many of us don’t live like that power is real.

In this teaching, Francis unpacks what it means to truly believe what God says about us. Not only our identity, but the way we live, fight sin, and love one another.

Because this power was never meant to be lived out alone.

We were designed to be one body with many parts, each of us uniquely gifted, deeply needed, and called to build each other up in love. When we step into that reality together, we begin to experience the kind of life and community Jesus prayed for.

Does God Really Love Me? | Francis Chan

Do you know God as a loving dad? One who always wants to see you, always wants to hear from you, and always wants to be with you?

If you answered no, you’re not alone. For a myriad of reasons, many of us struggle to relate to Him as father, but He’s still waiting for you with open arms. His love for us is secure, unmoving and forever, light years better than even the best dad we can imagine.

In this message, Francis shares the unique blessing God has for each one of us as His sons and daughters, the boldness with which we can come to Him for grace, and the genuine delight He takes in our every step toward Him.

When we show up to His throne room with expectation, we can find mercy, rest in His unearned but ever-present love, encounter His tender affection for us, and be filled with the security of knowing He is for us.

Staff Talks with Francis: Embracing the Unseen

What are we actually coming for when we gather?

For many of us, church has become something we can predict - good music, a thoughtful message, a meaningful moment or two. And while none of that is bad, it’s possible to walk away satisfied… without ever encountering the presence of God.

In this message, Francis Chan challenges us to rethink what we expect when we come together. He reminds us that we were never meant to be consumers of information, but stewards of the mysteries of God.

There are realities in our faith that can’t be manufactured or explained - only experienced. A living Word that searches the heart. A Spirit who imparts gifts and transforms from within. A mysterious work that happens when believers gather in love, break bread, and wait on Him.

But if we’re not careful, we’ll trade that mystery for something more controllable - something safer.

This episode is an invitation to lift our expectations, release our need to manage the outcome, and rediscover a faith that is not just understood… but experienced.

Staff Talks with Francis: The Strength in Waiting

Why are so many of us burning out so quickly?

What if the answer to our exhaustion wasn’t in more energy drinks, but in learning to embrace the quiet and waiting on the strength of God?

In this episode, Francis shares a handful of stories from around the world to illustrate how spending time alone with God truly refreshes our hearts, brings peace to our souls, and empowers us with His Spirit to become all we were created to be.

As we learn to be still in His presence and embrace the beauty of silence with Him, our strength is renewed, our vision becomes clear, and our identity is found as His beloved son or daughter.

Staff Talks with Francis: The Real Fear of Missing Out

“Staff Talks with Francis” is a new series where we share real moments from our Crazy Love staff meetings - honest conversations about following Jesus, caring for the church, and discerning God’s voice in the middle of everyday ministry.

Are you constantly checking your phone… without even thinking about it?

Scrolling. Notifications. Endless updates.

In a world full of distractions, many of us are quietly losing our focus - and even our ability to be fully present. Along with it comes a subtle pressure to keep up with everything: news, controversies, messages, and the constant stream of information that leaves us feeling like we can’t afford to miss anything.

But what if the real danger isn’t missing what’s happening in the world… but missing what God wants to say to us?

In this episode, Francis Chan shares what the Lord impressed on him during a long trip home from Brazil, wrestling with distraction, the fear of missing out, and the deeper invitation into silence and presence.

This conversation is both practical and convicting - challenging us to set boundaries with our screen time, embrace uninterrupted time with Jesus, and live with greater intentionality. As we learn to be still, look people in the eyes, and pursue God’s presence, we begin to experience deeper connection, clearer purpose, and a love that truly reflects His heart.

Expect the Mysterious | Francis Chan

Do we actually expect “mystery” from God when we come to a church gathering? More often than not, we show up as a ritual, looking for little more than a motivational speech, maybe a new Greek word or two, and a moving worship set... and think that's what makes a great Sunday.

But what if church was meant to do more than just inform or impress us? What if God's design for our experiences together as the body of Christ is to be more than just a collection of good speakers and songs?

In this teaching, Francis shares the importance of stirring up our anticipation of God's presence when we gather, showing up ready to give and minister to each other by His grace, and regularly remembering what Jesus did by breaking bread together.

As we keep growing in our walk with God, may we actively come closer to Him, tremble at His Word, love our brothers and sisters with spiritual gifts, expect to receive grace in Communion, and live in the blessing of His goodness and mercy.

Being Biblically Courageous | Francis Chan

What matters most to God when it comes to His Church? Is it how many people we can gather in a room? How compelling the preaching is? How precisely we can unpack a verse in Greek or Hebrew?

What if it’s none of those things?

In this teaching, Francis Chan paints a picture of the kind of community God actually desires - one marked by deep unity, sacrificial love, and shared mission. Drawing from the early church and the call to love one another, he challenges us to reconsider what we’ve prioritized and to refocus on what will matter for eternity.

This message will encourage and equip you with practical ways to show up for your brothers and sisters in Christ, pursue real unity, and navigate disagreements with humility and peace.

If you long for a faith that feels more like family and a church that reflects the heart of God, this message will stir you to draw closer to Jesus and to the people He’s placed around you.

Tremble at His Word | Francis Chan

What if experiencing God’s closeness wasn’t rare, but constant? What if freedom from sin didn’t come from trying harder, but from being so satisfied in Christ that sin simply lost its appeal?

In this message from Pepperdine University, Francis Chan calls us beyond hype and emotional moments to a faith that truly abides - a life rooted in Jesus, shaped by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. This is about a relationship that doesn’t fade when the gathering ends, but grows deeper over time.

This isn’t behavior modification. It’s transformation from the inside out.

When the Holy Spirit fills a life, something real begins to change. Desires shift. Conviction deepens. Freedom becomes tangible. And what starts as a spark can become a fire that lasts for decades.