Crazy Love Podcast

Episode: Tremble at His Word | Francis Chan

Date: March 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Francis Chan addresses a group of college students, sharing his personal spiritual journey and passionately calling this generation to develop a genuine, trembling reverence for God’s word. He reflects on his early experiences with God, the enduring nature of true spiritual transformation, and the difference between outward religious performance and inward, Spirit-born change. Chan challenges listeners to move beyond seeking charismatic speakers or flashy ministry, and instead to cultivate deep personal encounters with God—marked by humility, repentance, and trembling at His word.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Mystery and Privilege of Spiritual Encounter

• Worship and Legacy:
  Chan recalls his long history speaking on college campuses, noting the shift from antagonism to openness. He emphasizes the unique move of God present in the gathering, urging listeners to recognize their privilege.

  • “You’re very privileged right now. You’re a part of something so special that I really believe God is doing…this isn’t just another gathering…” (01:03, Chan)

• Genuine Spiritual Awakening:
  Drawing from his own college experience, Chan describes how authentic change began when he desired solitude with God—not from persuasive preaching, but a mysterious spiritual work.

  • “Something started then… I just wanted to be alone with God. In fact, it felt weird… Pretty soon I just felt like, does anyone else feel what I’m feeling right now?” (01:38, Chan)

• The Limits of Human Persuasion:
  Chan admits his frustration at not being able to replicate his experience for others through mere words or skillful teaching.

  • “You did a miracle, and I can’t, like, talk you into something. If I talked you into it, someone else will talk you out of it. It’s got to be something mysterious tonight.” (02:45, Chan)

The Power of Presence and Impartation

• Romans 1:11 and Spiritual Impartation:
  Chan explores Paul’s longing to impart a spiritual gift in person, rather than simply by writing, highlighting the mystery and substance of spiritual presence.
  • “Paul says…I can’t wait till I see you because I want to impart something spiritual to you. That’s what I was praying for. God is mysterious, and there is something that He can do from one human being to another…” (04:02–04:18, Chan)

Trembling at His Word: Isaiah 66 and a Call for Awe

• God’s Majesty and Our Humility:
  Reflecting on Isaiah 66:1–2, Chan positions God as transcendent and self-sufficient, seeking not human talent but humility and contrition.

  • “He goes, here’s the one I look to, who’s humble, who’s contrite in spirit. And He says, who trembles at My word. Who trembles at God’s word anymore?” (07:47, Chan)

• A New Generation’s Opportunity:
  Chan confesses how his own generation prioritized charisma and communication skills over deep reverence for God’s word, urging students to break that cycle.

  • “I was part of the generation that wanted to be an awesome speaker… I just want to be the best…I would get up, I would read a couple verses, then talk you into understanding… that’s not trembling at His word.” (09:18–10:17, Chan)

  • Vision for Church Gatherings:
    “I’m dreaming of a day when Christians show up…and they can just look at God’s word and literally tremble at it and go, did He really say that? … That came from God.” (11:21, Chan)

Authenticity Over Performance: Abiding in Christ

• 1 John 3: Abiding and Sin:
  Chan unpacks 1 John 3, stressing the straightforward implications: those born of God do not make a practice of sinning. Righteousness is a result of His seed—His nature—inside the believer.

  • “No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning. No one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him… Tremble at that.” (13:19–14:43, Chan)

• Warning Against Deception:
  “Let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous… Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil… Is there any part of that verse you don’t understand?” (16:25–17:05, Chan)

• Power of the Indwelling Spirit:
  Chan reminds listeners that genuine change comes from God’s Spirit within, not external accountability alone.

  • “You know, I know in church, we have accountability groups… but I’m going, what’s going on inside? …God says, there’s a day when I’ll put the fear of Me in your heart…You don’t need everyone else… Everything inside of you craves what’s right.” (19:53–20:58, Chan)

Personal Story: Spiritual Resemblance and Change

• Illustration from Family:
  Chan tells a poignant story about his daughter resembling him, using it as a metaphor for the transformational likeness that comes when God’s seed is in us.
  • “You’re going to look like me. Why? Because my seed is in you. And that’s what this passage is saying is when God’s seed is in you, you’re just going to start becoming like Him, desiring the things that He desires.” (22:31–22:38, Chan)

Invitation to Experience God’s Mercy and Transformation

• Invitation to Change:
  With compassion, Chan reassures those who may not feel that inner fire or conviction.

  • “That could change tonight. That could all change in a moment. … Tell God, God, I want to be your child. I want your seed to come into me.” (27:03, Chan)

• On God’s Mercy:
  He closes with Ephesians 2, emphasizing God’s eagerness to forgive:

  • “God being rich in mercy, like that’s who He is. He’s just rich when it comes to mercy. …Just start confessing your sins to a God who is begging you right now. Please tell me, tell me your sin, because Jesus died for that.” (28:21–29:27, Chan)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the Real Work of God:
  “If I talked you into it, someone else will talk you out of it. It’s got to be something mysterious tonight.” (02:58, Chan)

• On Spiritual Transmission:
  “Paul says, I wrote these 16 chapters, but I can’t wait to see you, because when I see you, I want to impart something spiritual to you.” (04:18, Chan)

• On the Danger of Performance:
  “Some of the greatest sermons on purity were preached by guys who were having affairs…Because they never trembled at it.” (12:24–12:59, Chan)

• On the Spirit-Filled Life:
  “See, this is what happened to me. That’s why I’m saying I can’t talk you into this.” (19:23, Chan)

• On God’s Transforming Power:
  “When God’s seed is in you, you’re just going to start becoming like Him, desiring the things that He desires.” (22:38, Chan)

• On God’s Readiness to Forgive:
  “God, being rich in mercy, like that’s who He is. He’s just rich when it comes to mercy. …Just start confessing your sins to a God who is begging you right now. Please tell me, tell me your sin, because Jesus died for that.” (28:21–29:27, Chan)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:03] – The privilege and uniqueness of the current spiritual movement
• [02:23] – Reflection on decades-long growth in love for God
• [02:58] – The limitation of persuasion; the necessity of God’s mysterious work
• [04:02] – The significance of in-person spiritual impartation (Romans 1:11)
• [07:47] – Isaiah 66:1–2: The person God looks on—humble, contrite, trembling at His word
• [09:18] – Critique of ministry focused on speaking skill rather than trembling at God’s word
• [13:19] – Meditating on 1 John 3: Abiding, sin, and spiritual evidence
• [19:01] – The Spirit gives power over sin
• [20:10] – Real change comes from within, not just external accountability
• [22:31] – Family illustration: resemblance through the “seed”
• [27:03] – Invitation for personal transformation and prayer
• [28:21] – God’s overwhelming readiness to forgive

Conclusion

Francis Chan’s message is both a challenge and an encouragement: True spiritual transformation is not the product of compelling sermons or external discipline, but of an intimate, Spirit-driven encounter with God’s word. The call is clear—to humble ourselves, reject mere performance, and let God’s own Spirit so transform us that we tremble, love, and live as His children. For Chan, and for those who respond, this results in decades-long passion that never fades.

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