Are you afraid, discouraged, disappointed, or depressed? Do you feel exhausted or alone? Have you found yourself dealing with self-pity and self-condemnation? Have you ever reached the point where you wondered whether life is worth living? In some form or another, the prophet Elijah dealt with these very issues, but he wasn’t the only one. God’s people have experienced these trials throughout Scripture and throughout history. In this message from David Platt from 1 Kings 19:1–18, we’ll see why we have reason for hope in every circumstance. The God who created us and sustains us also pursues his people, even in their darkest days. Regardless of our feelings, fears, or circumstances, those who are trusting in Christ can rest in God’s character and his promises.

If Christ were to speak to the Church today, what would he say? In this message on Revelation 2–3, Pastor David Platt teaches us that Christ desires his church to define themselves by their pursuit of him. By doing so, the church can stand in a world that offers competing desires.

If you had the opportunity to talk to the Creator of the Universe, would you take advantage of it? The answer to that question may be obvious, but, sadly, many Christians forfeit the privilege of talking to God in prayer regularly. In this message from David Platt from Matthew 6:6, we’re encouraged and invited to be intentional about talking to God and spending time with him through prayer and fasting. Amazingly, the One we pray to has made it possible to call on him as our Heavenly Father by sending his own Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and make us sons and daughters by faith.

Jesus is present among us, possesses us, protects us, and has a purpose for us. As Christians, we ought to fall down in worship and rise up as witnesses. May his glory continually captivate our imagination. May his grace supernaturally empower our devotion. May his gospel radically compel us on mission. In this message on Revelation 1:9–20, Pastor David Platt called us to endure in the power of Christ and lead others to salvation.

The book of Revelation was not written to create confusion for the Christian, cause division in the church, or promote speculation about the coming of Christ. In this message on Revelation 1:1–8, Pastor David Platt reminds us that the purpose of Revelation is to point us to the coming Christ. Revelation was written to give unshakeable hope to suffering Christians, encourage unwavering holiness in a seductive culture, refute deception in the church, and fuel mission among the nations. Historically, Christians hold to three different views of Revelation.

As Christians, it can be difficult to grow in prayer. The basis of our confidence in prayer is twofold: the God we pray to and the Gift he gives us. In this message on Luke 11:11–13, Pastor David Platt reminds Christians to turn to the Lord in prayer and fasting.Go to radical.net/give to be a part!

In a world corrupted by sin, none of us is immune from suffering. This is true for both unbelievers and believers. Following Christ doesn’t exempt us from life’s trials and even painful tragedies. In this message from David Platt from James 5:7–12, we are exhorted to patience in the midst of life’s pain. By God’s grace, we can endure faithfully because we know that pain and suffering don’t have the last word. We look forward to the day when Christ returns and there is no more pain and suffering. Instead of living for this world, we wait with faith and patience for a new creation filled with rest and unending joy in Christ. Go to radical.net/give to be a part!

In countless ways, our culture tells us that wealth is the key to happiness. Even among Christians, the pursuit of money and comfort and ease can be a major blindspot. We live as if this world is all there is. However, as David Platt reminds us in this message from James 5:1–6, there’s a deceptive danger attached to worldly wealth. While money isn’t inherently evil, we can begin to live for things that are temporary while ignoring the things that will matter for all of eternity. Even if we don’t consider ourselves to be wealthy, we must be on guard against the desire for more. We should be eager to use our resources for the glory of God and the good of others.

Over 3 billion people in the world today have little or no access to the gospel—we refer to them as the unreached. It’s easy to look at this staggering number of unreached people and label it as a missions problem, but this is a problem that actually runs deeper. This is a discipleship problem. In this message from David Platt based on Matthew 28:18–20 and Revelation 7:9–10, David Platt helps us see the massive number of unreached people as a discipleship problem. Every follower of Christ should desire to obey Jesus, and this obedience involves living our lives and using our resources for the sake of making disciples among every people group on the planet. This message was given at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more resources from Radical, go to radical.net. 

God delights in revealing himself to those who are bold enough to bother him. God invites us to bother him anytime about anything. In this message on Luke 11:5–10, David Platt teaches us to view this parable through the perspective of the man in need.

In this message from David Platt from James 2:14–26, we see the difference between dead faith and living faith.

When we pray, we should make our desires whatever God desires. In this message on Luke 11:2–4, David Platt teaches us that our desire for God is the heart and secret of prayer. Christians can remember that God gives us protection amidst temptations and perseverance amidst trials. 

According to James 1:26–27, it’s entirely possible to practice a kind of religion that is acceptable to man but not to God. The danger of deception is real, and God graciously warns us against deception by telling us what true religion—the kind that pleases God—looks like in our speech, our care for the vulnerable, and our conduct. In this message, David Platt challenges us to put our faith into action, particularly as it involves caring for the vulnerable. This is not an option but an obligation. However, we don’t care for orphans and widows because we’re rescuers; we care for orphans and widows because we’re the rescued.

Why do we pray? Are we desperate before God? Do we recognize our great need for the Lord? In this message on Luke 11:1, David Platt reminds us that the power of people who connect with Almighty God is unstoppable. Pastor David Platt helps refocus our minds on the importance of a personal relationship with the Lord.

How can we receive, remember, and obey God’s Word? In this message on James 1:19–25, David Platt encourages Christians to view God’s Word with the right perspective. He challenges us to receive God’s Word humbly and wholeheartedly, remember the Word intentionally and continually, and obey God’s Word gladly and immediately.

Revelation 7:9–17 gives us a picture of a great multitude from every tribe, people, and language gathered around God’s throne to sing his praise for his salvation. Sadly, though, over 3 billion people in the world today have never even heard the only message—the gospel—by which they can be saved and join in such a song.  In response, David Platt forces us to ask the question, “Does this reality even bother us?” We put a lot of time and resources into our worship music, even dividing over it at times, but we don’t seem to be that committed to getting the gospel to the billions who are unreached. Each of us should ask the Lord how he would have us and our church be a part of this great mission. This message was given at the Sing! Conference 2023. (This and other resources from Radical can be found at radical.net)

 Superficial faith is always possible, but saving faith always perseveres. As Christians, the Bible teaches us that we can have the assurance of eternal salvation. When we are saved, we are always saved. In this message on 1 John, Pastor David Platt teaches us how the present truth of Christ affects our life. 

 It’s easy to say we trust the Lord and talk about his goodness when life seems to be going well, but when trials come our way, our faith is put to the test. What we trust in is exposed. In this message from James 1:1–12 from David Platt, we see how, by God’s grace, trials can actually serve to strengthen our faith. We can even have joy in trials—but only when God is our ultimate goal. (This message can also be found at radical.net.) 

The Bible teaches us about the three foundational components of salvation. First, justification is an event. We speak of this by saying that we have been saved. Second, sanctification is a present process. We speak of this by saying that we are being saved. Third, glorification is a future prize. We speak of this by saying that we will be saved. The grace of God undergirds every facet of our salvation. In this message on Philippians 2:12–13, Pastor David Platt teaches us that faith involves radical dependence on God’s work in our lives.

Many gospel presentations emphasize the fact that God has a wonderful plan for your life while spending little time on the problem of sin and how it is that holy God can have fellowship with people who have rebelled against him. But Scripture paints a different and much fuller picture of God’s saving work in Christ. In this message from Romans 3:21–26, Pastor David Platt unpacks the following definition of the gospel: the just and gracious God of the universe looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent his Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against sin on the cross and to show his power over sin in the resurrection so that all who have faith in him will be reconciled to God forever. Though the problem of sin may be greater than we imagined, God’s grace in the gospel is greater still.

 Sometimes God’s timing leaves us with questions or even doubts. Does he care? Has he forgotten me? Is he really working all things for my good? In this message from Romans 8:18–30, David Platt points us to the character and promises of God. Regardless of our circumstances, we can trust what God says in his Word. His love is sure, even when we don’t understand his timing. Waiting on God should cause us to grow in prayer and dependence on him. Ultimately, our waiting is for God’s glory and our eternal good. 

Jesus said that unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God. So what does it mean to be born again? In this message from John 3:1–21, David Platt points us to the words of Jesus to understand God’s sovereign work in our salvation. We are responsible for putting our faith in Christ, but it’s the gracious and powerful work of the Holy Spirit that makes our response possible. As those who are born dead in sin, we need more than moral improvement—we need a new heart. And that’s precisely what God gives us in the new birth. 

 Many professing Christians assume that because they’ve prayed a prayer or made a public profession, they are on their way to heaven, despite the fact that their lives give very little evidence of heart change. In this message from David Platt from Matthew 7:13–27, we hear the sobering warnings of Jesus. Many will call Jesus “Lord” on the last day, only to find out that they never belonged to him. Every professing Christian should examine his or her life to see if they are truly following the narrow way. 

 Sometimes our culture talks about faith as if it’s a way to achieve our own dreams. But faith is more than self-centered positive thinking. Faith is humble and dependent on God, and it leads us to prayer and patience in suffering. Faith lives in light of Christ’s coming. In this message from David Platt from James 4:13–5:20, we see that genuine faith perseveres through the trials and difficulties of life. It may face obstacles and setbacks, but by God’s grace and power, true faith lasts. 

Some Christians say that the way to be a light to the world is to look more like the world. However, the book of James has a very different message. We’re told to live by a wisdom that is very different from the world’s wisdom, and we’re told that friendship with the world and its sinful ways is rebellion against God. It’s by humbling ourselves before God and receiving his grace that we are enabled to live lives that please God. In this message from James 3:13–4:12, David Platt points us to the kind of faith and wisdom that submits to God’s good ways rather than the sinful ways of the world.

How can a God who is infinitely holy, just, and good show mercy and grace to sinful and rebellious people? How can a Just Judge let the guilty go free? In this message from Mark 15:1–20, David Platt points to the cross as the answer to these questions. By sending his Son in the flesh to bear his wrath against sin, God provided a substitute for guilty people like us. God’s justice and his mercy met at the cross, and as a result, all who trust in Christ can be freed from the penalty and power of sin. 

Most Christians can understand looking to Abraham as an example of what it means to live by faith. But it’s surprising to hear of a notoriously sinful lady named Rahab get mentioned alongside one of the heroes of the faith. What makes Rahab like Abraham, and how does Rahab’s story give us hope? In this message from James 2:25–26, David Platt helps us see the faith of Rahab—a faith that risks everything out of trust in God’s sovereign lordship. Regardless of our background or the sin in our lives, we can be declared righteous by trusting in Christ, and this trust changes the way we live.

Scripture is very clear about the fact that we are saved through faith in Christ and not by our own works. This is a major emphasis in the apostle Paul’s letters. However, the book of James says that good works are necessary in order for our faith to be genuine, saving faith. So how do we put these two truths together? In this message from James 2:20–24, David Platt helps us see that Paul and James don’t contradict each other. Rather, they complement one another in the ways they talk about the relationship between faith and works. We are saved by faith, apart from works, but the faith that saves always and inevitably produces good works. 

If we assume that the Christian life should be carefree and filled with uninterrupted joy, we are likely to be shaken when reality hits. The truth is, in a fallen world, faith can be hard and our burdens can be heavy. Gratefully, Jesus knows life in the real world, and he knows what we most need—his grace and his power. In this message by David Platt from Matthew 11:30, we hear Jesus call the weary and heavy laden to himself to find rest. He reminds us that his yoke and his burden is light. 

What did Jesus mean at the Last Supper when he said of the bread, “This is my body,” and of the cup, “This is my blood”? That may sound like a strange question, but it’s one that Christians before us have had to answer at the cost of their lives. The question of whether the bread and the wine actually become Christ’s physical body in the Lord’s Supper became one of the central issues of the Reformation nearly 500 years ago. At stake was the gospel of God’s grace. In this message from David Platt from Mark 14:22–31, we are faced with the question, “Are you willing to lose your life over one word?”

Did you know it’s possible to have a kind of faith that is not saving faith? The Bible says that even the demons believe and tremble before God, and yet they don’t have saving faith. According to James 2:14–19, faith that doesn’t produce works is “dead.” True, saving faith rests in Christ for salvation, but it inevitably produces the fruit of good works, including helping those in need. In this message, David Platt challenges us to consider whether our faith is genuine. Genuine faith acts.

What does true Christianity look like? Many people are happy to go to church, or even identify with Christ, so long as it doesn’t cost them anything. Their “faith” doesn’t seem to affect the way they live or the way they view those in need. In this message from James 1:26–2:13, David Platt challenges us to look at how true faith is described in the Bible rather than taking our cues from culture or common practices in the church. True faith produces love, and this love should be evident in the way we speak, the way we treat the vulnerable and the poor, and the way we live in relation to the ways of the world.  

It’s good for us to read and hear God’s Word on a regular basis, but merely hearing or agreeing with the Word isn’t the end goal. True faith obeys God’s Word. In this message from David Platt on James 1:19–27, we see that true faith receives God’s Word humbly and then responds. Our obedience will never be perfect in this life, but true faith, the kind that is produced and sustained by God’s grace, is evidenced by the works it produces.

We cannot escape trials and suffering in this world that is still broken by sin. It’s in the midst of these difficult times that our faith gets tested. The question is, “How should we respond?” In this message from James 1:1-18, Pastor David Platt helps us see how true faith perseveres in the midst of trials. By trusting in God, we can endure, and even rejoice, in life’s most difficult seasons.

How much thought do you give to the offering when your church gathers each Sunday? Is it a significant part of your worship, or is it merely a routine that you go through? In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus uses the seemingly insignificant—yet sacrificial—gift of a poor widow to challenge many of our practices and assumptions about giving and money. By God’s grace, our approach to giving can change when we realize that God already owns everything, including our money, and that giving to him is a privilege that should be motivated by his grace in the gospel. In this message, David Platt contrasts worldly giving with godly giving. 

Who do you say that Jesus is? An important historical figure? A revered religious teacher? While all kinds of answers have been given to that question, the Bible teaches clearly that Jesus is Lord, God come in the flesh. In this message from Mark 12:35–40, David Platt helps us see the significance of Christ’s lordship. If we confess Jesus as Lord, then our lives should look different from the world and it should shape our message to the world. The One whom we proclaim as Savior is the One to whom every knee will one day bow.

What are you living for? Money, health, career, reputation, or comfort? These things aren’t inherently bad, but they were never meant to be truly and finally satisfying. Sadly,  many professing Christians seem to live for these things while sprinkling in some religious devotion here and there. However, based on Mark 12:28–34, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is what we were created for, and it’s what Jesus saved us to experience and enjoy—a relationship with the God who is our highest good and greatest joy. Those who have come to God through Jesus are then freed and enabled to obey the second greatest commandment, to love their neighbors as themselves. This message from David Platt continues our series through the Gospel of Mark. 

How should belief in heaven to come affect the way you live on earth this week? In this message on Mark 12:18–27, Pastor David Platt asks us to reflect upon this poignant question. He reminds us that God will make all things new at the end of time. The earthly pleasures we enjoy for a time are mere shadows of heavenly pleasures we’ll enjoy forever. As Christians, we can rejoice in suffering because the indescribable sorrow in this world will one day turn into inexpressible joy. 

 Almost everyone seems to have an opinion about the government, but too often we disconnect our view of the government from the teaching of God’s Word. We fail to ask questions like, What obligations and responsibilities do Christians have toward the government? Is there ever a time to disobey the government? If so, when? In this message from Mark 12:13–17, David Platt points us to some foundational truths from Jesus concerning the way we should think about our relationship to government and, more importantly, to God. As Christians, though we are to be submissive to the government, our ultimate allegiance is to God. 

We naturally want to be in control of our lives. The idea that someone else might have authority over us can feel threatening. We see this in the response of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day, and we can see it in our own lives. In this message from Mark 11:27–12:12, David Platt encourages us to see the authority of Jesus as something to be submitted to and gladly embraced. When we turn from our sin and put our faith in Jesus, we are restored to God—the One we have rebelled against. Now, for those who belong to Jesus, his authority is the greatest news in all the world.

Is it possible for churches to worship in ways that are comfortable, all while ignoring the lost around them and far from them, including the unreached—the over 3 billion people in the world who have little or no access to the gospel? Sadly, this is a reality for many churches. We need to realize or be reminded: God calls all believers to pray, give, and go for the spread of the gospel among all nations. In addition to reverent fear, sorrow for sin, and faithful prayer, genuine worship should involve a desire to see all nations reached with the gospel of Christ. This is Part 2 of a message titled, “Are We Truly Worshiping?” from Mark 11:12–26.

It’s possible for churches to have people gathered, have access to God’s Word, display the outward forms of worship, and participate in a lot of religious activity and yet still miss the heart of genuine worship. In this message from David Platt from Mark 11:12–26, we’re reminded that true worship includes fear and reverence before God, confession of sin, and faithful prayer. Christ’s cleansing of the temple is a humbling reminder of the kind of worship God deserves.

If you’ve ever had your hopes dashed, lost your joy, or experienced deep grief, then it may be that you need to hear the voice of Jesus calling you like he called to Mary on that first Easter morning. Today we hear his voice in the words of Scripture, and through the gospel he offers us the very same peace that he offered to his followers while he was on earth. In this message from John 20, David Platt urges us to respond to Jesus now, while God has given us an opportunity. His claim to have risen from the dead has been believed by even the most resistant skeptics. How will you respond to the risen Christ?

Though Jesus came as a king, he was not the kind of king that most people expected. He didn’t come to provide immediate political and military victory, nor did he strike people as outwardly impressive. Jesus was different than other earthly kings. In this message from Mark 11:1–11, David Platt helps us see that, despite our expectations, Jesus Christ is precisely the kind of king we need. His authority, his humility, his power over sin, his ability to give us peace with God, and his ability heal us—for all these reasons and many more, there is no one like Jesus.

Music has a powerful way of stirring our affections, and many followers of Christ feel a passion and excitement for God when certain songs are played. While this can be very good and biblical, have you ever stopped to ask: what if we had that level of anticipation and eagerness to hear God’s Word? In this message from the Passion conference in 2023, David Platt points to Nehemiah 8 to highlight the priority we ought to put on God’s Word, and he recites the entirety of Romans 1-8 to demonstrate the powerful effect of Scripture as it is spoken. God’s Word is the final and authoritative truth for who we are and how God sees us. We ought to treasure it like it’s our life—because it is!—and we should long to make it known to those who are apart from Christ.

It may sound odd to the world, but the way to greatness comes through humility and dependence. Though we often don’t acknowledge it, we are completely dependent on God for everything—from our salvation to our growth in godliness to every detail of our lives. And all of this is made possible through Christ’s selfless service to us in which he laid down his life to atone for our sins. In this message from Matthew 10:32–45, David Platt asks us to consider ways in which we need God’s grace and strength, as well how we can serve others in reliance on him. We are to follow in the pattern of Christ, who became a servant for our salvation. 

 What are you holding onto that is keeping you from the fullness of God in your life? Jesus calls his followers to radical surrender to his lordship and radical love for him. Yet, the sad reality is that many people choose the passing pleasures of sin and the comforts of this life. In this message from Mark 10:17–31, David Platt urges us to find true and eternal life in Jesus. Don’t hold back from living for him. 

There is a constant temptation for all of us to settle for a safe, easy, comfortable Christianity that consists of casually going through motions on Sunday morning and moving on with our lives however we want to live them.  But that is not biblical Christianity, and it’s not what we’re made for. In this message from Exodus 14, David Platt urges the church to pursue the Lord’s lead and not to hold back from following him. Relying on God’s Word and empowered by his Spirit, we look expectantly for how the Lord will work out his saving purposes in and through us.

When is the last time you acknowledged that you were desperate for God? When is the last time you came to him, pouring out your heart, longing for his presence and grace and power to obey him? In this message from Isaiah 54:2, David Platt exhorts us not to hold back in our pursuit of God and in our desire to bring glory to him. As the bride of Christ, the church should not want to hold back in becoming all that God intends for us. This message is drawn from themes from David’s new book, Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully.

We don’t usually think of boasting as a good thing. Drawing attention to our talents, wealth, status, etc., is often a sign of sinful pride. However, there is something we should boast in as followers of Christ—the cross. In this message from Galatians 6:11–18, David Platt gives us five reasons we have to boast based on Christ’s death on the cross. Justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone means boasting in the cross alone. 

The greatest evidence of the Spirit-filled life is not dramatic signs and wonders but rather love for other believers. As Christians, we combat self-obsession and vain competition through humble confession before God. In this message on Galatians 6:1–10, David Platt warns us against self-centeredness and self-righteousness while pointing us to the marks of true spiritual community.

 Few topics are more off-putting and offensive to non-Christians than the Bible’s teaching about hell. Even some Christians seem to be embarrassed at this topic. For many people, the idea of eternal punishment seems to be incompatible with a God of love. However, no one spoke more pointedly and arrestingly about hell than Jesus himself. And he told us this to warn us—he wants us to take heed. In this message, David Platt considers Christ’s words about hell in Mark 9:42–50 and urges us to respond appropriately. Hell is a dreadful reality that is consistent with God’s perfect justice and holiness toward sinners. At the same time, heaven is a glorious reality for all who turn from their sin and from trusting in themselves to trust in Jesus. Because of Christ’s sinless life, sin-bearing death, and glorious, bodily resurrection, those who trust in Him can know that they have eternal life. 

Christians often talk about being “free,” but do we realize what we’ve been freed to do? Or have we adopted the world’s definition of freedom? In this message from Galatians 5:1–25, David Platt helps us understand the kind of freedom that God gives us in the gospel—a freedom that results in neither legalism nor license. It’s a freedom that enables us to live by faith in God in the power of the Spirit. With this kind of freedom, we can walk in hope and with love for God and others.

Do you want to be “great”? Before you answer that question, it’s important to get the right definition of greatness. Sadly, the world’s definition of greatness is often polar opposite to the Bible’s definition of greatness. In this message from Mark 9:30–37, David Platt points us to Jesus’ interaction with his disciples about what true greatness looks like. With the cross before him, Jesus taught and demonstrated for us that true greatness isn’t self-serving and it doesn’t seek to gain the approval of others. Instead, it finds its satisfaction in God and is therefore freed up to serve God and others. 

 When we hear the word “freedom,” we usually think about having the ability to do whatever we want to do or what we think is best. However, God frees us from our sin and from the law’s condemnation so that we might live in a relationship with him and walk in obedience to his Word, even when it’s difficult. In this message from Galatians 4:8–31, David Platt highlights the freedom the gospel brings in terms of our relationship with God. We no longer live for fading earthly pleasures because we’ve been freed to live in light of our new, heavenly home. 

 In the busyness of our schedules and the pressing needs of everyday life, it’s easy for us to ignore the things that matter most—things that have eternal significance. In this message, David Platt urges us from Genesis 1:27 (and other Scriptures) to resolve to live for what really matters now and forever. We need to be able to answer questions like, “Who am I?”, “What is wrong in the world?”, “How can it be made right?”, and “How can I experience life to the full, both now and forever?” The start of a new year is a good time to reset by pursuing life to the full through praying, fasting, and hearing and obeying God’s Word. 

There may not be a greater privilege in all the world than to be adopted into God’s family, and yet this is precisely what God has done for us by sending His Son who was fully God and fully man to redeem us through the cross. In this message from Galatians 3:26–4:7, David Platt points us to the amazing reality of our spiritual adoption into God’s family through Jesus Christ. God not only adopts us through His Son, He also sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. As former rebels deserving of God’s wrath, those who are in Christ now have the privilege of calling God our Father. 

Who was the baby born in a manger that we celebrate at Christmas? This is a question everyone has to answer, and it’s one that divides people across the world and throughout history. In this Christmas message, David Platt highlights the mystery of Christ’s incarnation based on Colossians 2:5–11. The baby born in Bethlehem was both fully God and fully man; the One through whom all things were made yet who walked among us. And it is only through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection that we can be saved. Each of us must respond to him.

Regardless of how many times you’ve heard the gospel, every Christian needs to be reminded of how God’s grace relates to our faith and our obedience. We tend to believe we can earn God’s favor by keeping his law, on the one hand, or else we abuse his grace by using it as an excuse to live how we want. In this message from Galatians 3, David Platt helps us understand the relationship between God’s grace and God’s law. The gospel reminds us that Christ has obeyed the law in our place and died to take the punishment we deserve. Therefore, the blessing of God comes to us freely by grace through faith.

The astounding part of Christ’s first coming is not simply that he was—and is!—fully divine, but also that he was—and is!—fully human. The baby in Bethlehem was fully God and fully human. The One through whom the world was created became a servant in order to save us from our sins. In this message from David Platt, we reflect on Philippians 2:7 and the mystery of Christ’s humanity and deity dwelling in one person. The idea that God would come in the form of a servant should fill us with awe, gratitude, and praise.

Who was the baby born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago? The answer to that question divides people into the various religions of the world, and it also determines where everyone will spend eternity. In this message from Philippians 2:5–6, David Platt points us to the astounding reality that Jesus Christ is fully divine—God the Son—and yet he took on flesh to save us. Though we cannot fully comprehend the mystery of the Trinity, we can know God truly as he has revealed himself in his Word.

 The poor and vulnerable are often easy to overlook, but Scripture teaches that true religion consists in caring for them. Though we may not receive earthly notoriety or gain, the Lord has commanded his people to care for those most in need, including widows and orphans. In this message from James 1:27, David Platt urges us to obey Scripture’s commands concerning a faith that is “true and undefiled,” and we do this not merely because we feel obligated but more importantly because we want to reflect the mercy of the God who calls himself the father of the fatherless and the protector of widows. This message was given at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, during their Stand for Life emphasis. 

Many people in our culture cringe when they hear words like leadership, authority, and submission. The same is true for some Christians, particularly those who have experienced harsh, self-serving, or abusive leadership in the church. However, our response to bad leadership as followers of Christ should not be to reject all forms of leadership. Our response should be to embrace good, biblical leadership. In this message from Hebrews 13:17, David Platt points us to the Bible’s teaching on biblical leadership in the church. God has given leaders as a gift to the church, not to serve for their own interests but to serve for the glory of God and the good of others. Submission to this kind of leadership is good for our souls.

There is no better news than to hear that God’s pleasure in you is not based on your performance for him. And yet, it’s all too easy for us to slip back into thinking that we can somehow secure our standing before God by our efforts and our works. In this message from Galatians 2, David Platt points us to Scripture’s teaching about how we are justified, or declared righteous, before God. God’s free and undeserved grace comes to us by faith alone based on what Christ has done on our behalf.

We usually attach a lot of weight to someone’s first and last words. In Matthew’s Gospel, the first and last words of Jesus have to do with fishing for men and making disciples of all nations. The question for followers of Jesus is, Do we see these words as weighty? How does it affect our lives to know that Jesus has given his people a mission, a mission that starts right where we live but doesn’t stop there—it extends to the ends of the earth. In this message from Matthew 28:18–20, David Platt reminds us why we need biblical mission. We were made to glorify God and to make him known among all nations. This message is in a series covering biblical traits that should be a part of every church.

Most people feel uneasy when they think about discipline and accountability. They want to be independent and call their own shots. But for those who belong to Christ, discipline and accountability should be seen as spiritual safeguards. And God has provided these things through the local church. In this message from Hebrews 12:3–11, David Platt helps us see why accountability and church discipline are evidence of God’s love and concern for his people. The various steps for church discipline laid out by Jesus in Matthew 18 are intended to preserve the church’s holiness and restore those who are walking in sin. This message is the next in a series identifying twelve traits of a biblical church.

In one way or another, all of us are tempted to try and earn God’s favor. The idea that God would save us freely out of his own grace, prior to any good works on our part, just doesn’t seem right. As a result, we fall into the trap of legalism. Even as Christians, we can make the mistake of relating to God as if we can please him by working in our own power and according to our own rules. In this message from Galatians 1, David Platt reminds us that our efforts inevitably fall short of God’s righteousness. This is precisely why the gospel is such good news: those who are in Christ have been forgiven and made righteous solely by the grace of God. Christ’s death on the cross is a sufficient sacrifice for sinners.

It may shock many people in our culture to find out that the love of money is dangerous. Even among Christians, it’s easy to fall for the lie that our finances can provide true satisfaction and security. However, Jesus invites us to something more satisfying than money—Himself. In this message from 1 Timothy 6:6–19, David Platt points us to the apostle Paul’s instructions to those who have wealth. Though we may not always feel it, compared to most of the world, and to most people in history, many in the US and in the West are wealthy. Therefore we need to hear the Scripture’s warnings to the wealthy. We also need to hear of the eternal riches that belong to those who treasure Jesus Christ. This sermon on giving is in a series that identifies 12 traits of a biblical church.

In this message from Matthew 4:18–22, David Platt unpacks the significance of what Jesus means when he says to people, “Follow me.”

The book of Acts tells the story of how God turned the world upside down through the earliest Christians and churches as they proclaimed God’s Word in the power of the Spirit. These followers of Jesus not only served one another—they served the world. In this message from the book of Acts, David Platt reminds us that, with the gospel as our foundation and motivation, followers of Christ today should live to make disciples and multiply churches to the glory of God. Just as it was for the early disciples, the cost will be great. But the reward is more than worth it.

As followers of Christ, we know we’re supposed to pray when the church gathers, but it’s all too easy for prayer to become a thoughtless routine in which we don’t even stop to think about Who we’re praying to. We rarely have a sense of desperation for God’s help; we lack zeal for his beauty; our confession, if there is any, often misses the seriousness of our sin; our prayer and praise tend to be lukewarm. In this message, David Platt uses Psalm 27:4 and other passages to point us to the kind of prayer that ought to characterize God’s people. The church should come to God humbly, expectantly, and zealously, calling out for his grace and strength as we seek to enjoy and proclaim his glory.

We were not intended to live the Christian life alone. While our culture urges us to express ourselves as individuals, Scripture teaches us that belonging and gathering with other believers is for our good and God’s glory. In this episode of Radical with David Platt from 1 Corinthians 1:1–2 and 12:12–31, David Platt highlights the need for all followers of Christ to embrace biblical membership in a local church. Belonging to Jesus means being a part of his body.

What’s the most important thing about a church? Its website? Its facilities and programs? How about the general “vibe” on a Sunday morning? In this message from 2 Timothy 4:1–4, David Platt points to preaching and teaching as the fundamental mark of a healthy church. If we don’t believe God’s Word, or if we value the wisdom of man over the wisdom of God, then we are putting ourselves in a dangerous position. We desperately need to hear God speak to us through the preaching and teaching of Scripture. This is the beginning of a series in which we will identify twelve biblical traits that should characterize a church.

You may not be the pastor of a church, but the teaching God’s Word is a responsibility—and a privilege!—that belongs to every follower of Christ. In this message from Acts, David Platt helps us see that every disciple is to be involved in making disciples, and the Word of God is critical in this task. The Word saves, satisfies, and sanctifies people. Whether formally from the pulpit or relationally in everyday life, disciples of Christ are to teach the Word.

Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations extends to every church and every individual follower of Christ. No disciple was meant to be a spectator—disciples make disciples, and that starts with sharing the Word of God. In this message from the book of Acts, David Platt exhorts every member of the church is to make the gospel known. For the glory of Christ and by the power of his Spirit, we proclaim the good news of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to the glory of God.

As we read about the spread of the gospel in the book of Acts, we’re left with some questions. Should we expect the same experiences as the earliest Christian communities? Is there a baptism of the Holy Spirit that occurs after conversion? What does spiritual warfare look like? In this message from Acts 18:23–20:16, David Platt helps us think through what God’s work through the church in Acts means for us today. We must interpret Acts in light of where it falls in God’s plan of redemption, fully submitting to God’s Word while at the same time applying it in light of its wider context. God desires for the church to be a people mighty in the Word.

When you think of things that have changed the course of history, what comes to mind? Great leaders? Revolutionary new inventions? It’s safe to say that, for most people, what comes to mind is not prayer and fasting. However, in this message from Acts 12:25–14:28, David Platt points us to the way God advanced the spread of the gospel in the early days of the church through his people’s dependence on him in prayer and fasting. So also today, the church should rely fully on God’s power and wisdom as we seek to carry out his will. God is still able to use fasting and prayer to change the world.

When you think of things that have changed the course of history, what comes to mind? Great leaders? Revolutionary new inventions? It’s safe to say that, for most people, what comes to mind is not prayer and fasting. However, in this message from Acts 12:25–14:28, David Platt points us to the way God advanced the spread of the gospel in the early days of the church through his people’s dependence on him in prayer and fasting. So also today, the church should rely fully on God’s power and wisdom as we seek to carry out his will. God is still able to use fasting and prayer to change the world.

If God left it up to us to carry out the church’s mission, relying on our own strength and counting on our own wisdom, we would be in serious trouble. Quite simply, we cannot address sin, sickness, suffering, favoritism, and persecution on our own. Gratefully, though, the God we serve is sovereign over all things, and he ensures the advancement of his kingdom through his people, the church. In this message from Acts 9:32–12:25, David Platt exhorts us to see how the God who is sovereign over all things has worked for the spread of the gospel and the multiplication of the church. The church today has no reason to fear or shrink back, because we serve the God who holds the world in his hands.

Ever since the church was founded, Satan has attempted to oppose God’s people. However, the book of Acts teaches us how God worked in and through Christ’s early disciples for the spread of the gospel, even amid persecution and opposition. In this message based on Acts 4–8, David Platt points us to the early church as an example of a people who—though imperfect—relied on the power of God to carry out the church’s mission. We too can have confidence in God’s power as we seek to live faithfully in our day. Christ has given us his Spirit, and he has promised to build his church. Our mission is therefore unstoppable.

Being a disciple of Jesus should make us stand out in a culture that prizes individuality and personal autonomy. When God saves us, he changes not only our personal desires and private actions but also the way in which we relate to others. We no longer live for ourselves. In this message from Colossians 3:1–4:1, David Platt helps us see how belonging to Jesus changes a disciple’s relationships. God’s Spirit empowers his people to live for his glory and for the eternal good of others. 

At one time or another, many Christians have asked the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” To find the answer to that question, we use all sorts of methods. But what if God’s will is not lost, and what if he actually wants his people to know it? In this message from Galatians 2:20, we’ll be introduced to a better, more biblical way of finding God’s will. Faith in God’s promises is more certain than trying to discern temporary feelings or impressions. God desires to accomplish his will through us, and though he might not reveal every detail about every decision we make, his Word makes clear his overarching desires for us and how he wants us to live. 

Many Christians are rightly giving thanks in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the infamous Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion a constitutional right. We rejoice that in this decision justice was upheld on behalf of the unborn. In addition to giving thanks, we also need to know how to speak about this issue to those in our culture—and in our churches—who have questions. In this sensitive message from Psalm 139:13–16, David Platt urges all believers to not only speak up on behalf of the unborn but also to continue caring for mothers and families. Even as we use our political freedoms to love our neighbors—including the unborn—we need to remember that our ultimate goal is not to win a political battle but to make disciples for the glory of God.

In a culture that says, “No one can tell me what to do with my body,” God’s Word gives us a different reality for disciples of Jesus. Not only our minds and hearts but also our bodies belong to him. In this message from 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, David Platt highlights the way being a disciple of Christ changes the way we think about and use our bodies. As God’s Spirit indwells us, we are to live for his glory in all that we do.

When God saves us, he doesn’t only change the things we believe in our minds. He also changes the very affections of our heart. Our desire for Christ begins to replace the fleeting pleasures of sin. In the message from John 6:25–35, David Platt points us to the change that takes place in our emotions when we come to believe the gospel. We were made to find our deepest and most meaningful cravings fulfilled by Christ.

Jesus promised his disciples that they would be opposed and persecuted for his name’s sake. But this kind of opposition is not something that Jesus stands aloof from—he himself has been rejected, and even crucified. He knows what disciples need most if we are to be faithful in a hostile world. In this message from Mark 9:1–13, David Platt points us to the glorious revelation of Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration. Disciples then and now need to see Jesus for who he is—not merely a good religious teacher but the supreme revelation of God’s glory to weak and sinful people!

Do you know it’s possible to know something about who Jesus is and still not truly be following him? Did you know that you can regularly attend church and desire many of the blessings of God’s salvation and still not be a Christian? In this message from Mark 8:31–38, David Platt points us to the sobering experience of Jesus’ disciples. Even with the recognition that Jesus was the Christ, the Deliverer God had promised, they didn’t yet fully understand the kind of Deliverer they needed. They didn’t realize that following Jesus would mean counting the cost and forsaking temporal comfort and pleasures in this world for the sake of finding greater, eternal pleasures in the life to come. What about you—have you considered what it really means to follow Jesus?

The story in Mark 8 of Jesus healing a blind man includes some key people who, though easy to overlook, are essential to the story. Verse 22 mentions “some people” who brought the man to Jesus and “begged him to touch him.” The Bible is full of stories of people who bring people to Jesus and beg him on their behalf to then watch Jesus heal, restore, deliver, and forgive like only he can do. These stories in the Bible and that we see at work around us should lead us to ask ourselves the critical question, “How can you, how can I, how can we bring people to Jesus?”

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “healing”? How have you seen God heal in the past? What kind of healing do you long for in your life? Whether you’re praying for physical, emotional, or relational healing, the Lord sees you and cares for you, even in the darkest times. In this sermon on Mark 8:22–26, David Platt reminds Christians of the tender compassion, healing power, and sovereign timing of Jesus.

Some people define faith as positive thinking, as if we can force Jesus to do what we want him to do. However, biblical faith trusts what Jesus will do—in his way and his time—instead of demanding what Jesus must do. In this message from Matthew 8:11–21, David Platt points us to a picture of true, biblical faith. Knowing who Jesus is should cause us to trust him in every circumstance.

People have all kinds of opinions about who Jesus is. He has been called everything from a respected teacher to a mythical religious figure to a fraud. But the all-important question is, “Who do you say that Jesus is?” There is no more important question to answer, and it’s the question Jesus poses to his disciples in Mark 8:31–9:1. In this message, David Platt urges us to consider and respond to this question. And as we do, we must rely on God’s Spirit to open the eyes of our hearts. Only by God’s grace will see Jesus as the Messiah sent by God to redeem sinners through his life, death, and resurrection.

When God saves us, he doesn’t merely change our habits or our outward behavior. He changes our heart and renews our mind, enabling us to know and do his will. In this message from Romans 12:2, David Platt points us to the transforming work of God in the life of a disciple. Those who belong to Christ no longer live for themselves but for the worship of God and the mission for which Christ sent us into the world.

God has given his church the Great Commission as his plan to see disciples made among all the peoples of the earth. However, there are currently around 3.2 billion people today who do not have access to the gospel. Tragically, unless something changes, they will live, die, and go to hell without ever hearing about how they can be reconciled to God. In this message recently given at the Together for the Gospel conference, David Platt looks at a number of Scripture passages to urge us to consider how we might work for the spread of the gospel to the hardest to reach peoples and places. Rather than focusing inward and dividing over less important issues, we need to be united in our mission around the gospel—for the glory of God and for the sake of those who have never heard.

Is Jesus your life? Whether we realize it or not, apart from faith in Jesus Christ, every person is enslaved to sin. This enslavement looks different in each of our lives, but it’s there in one form or another. To make things worse, Scripture says the end result of our enslavement to sin is that we will face death—both physical death and eternal death in hell. And there’s nothing we can do on our own to free ourselves. But gratefully, as Psalm 107:10–16  shows us, God is able to free those who are imprisoned and enslaved. In this message, David Platt urges all of us to make certain that Jesus is our life, for he alone can free us from our sin and its consequences. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is our only hope in life and death.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, it’s critical that we know what we’ve been sent out into the world to do. We haven’t received grace simply to keep it to ourselves. We have been sent out to extend this grace to others. In this message from Matthew 9:35–10:4, David Platt urges us to consider the mission Christ has given us, a mission that leads us to look to the needs of others and to proclaim Christ’s love to them. Though this mission isn’t always easy, we go in the authority of the King.

It is possible to have all the outward trappings of religion and still lack a genuine love for God and desire to do his will. Others may applaud you, and life may seem to be going well, all the while you may still lack the heart of pure religion. In this message from Mark 7:1–23, David Platt points us to the religious leaders of Jesus’ day as a warning of what it looks like to miss a heart for God. Like them, we’re capable of missing God’s purposes for us when we become focused on justifying ourselves and pleasing ourselves. God’s Word, not preferences and traditions, must be our final authority.

As we think about the mission Christ has given the church—to make disciples of all nations—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. After all, we have our sins and weaknesses, so what do we have to offer? In this message from Mark 6:30–44, David Platt encourages us to let our witness to Christ overflow out of our relationship with Christ. As we rest in Jesus, we will begin to reflect his compassion to the world. Through his Spirit, Jesus not only meets our needs but also uses us to meet the needs of others.

The church has the privilege of proclaiming the greatest news in all of history—that God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world! However, the fact that this gospel message is good news doesn’t mean it will be popular. In fact, those who proclaim Jesus should expect opposition and persecution. In this message from Mark 6:14–29, David Platt points to the example of John the Baptist’s death as a reminder that following Jesus is costly. But, as Scripture also makes clear, the reward of following Jesus is greater than the cost—both for us and for those with whom we have the privilege of sharing the gospel.

It can seem easy to have a missional mindset when we go on a short-term mission trip to some place overseas or outside of our own context. We naturally see others in light of their greatest need—salvation in Christ. But what if we took that same approach with the people we interact with on a daily basis? How might that change the way we look at our neighbors and their need for Christ? In this message from Mark 6:7–13, David Platt challenges the church to consider their lives over the next couple weeks as if they were on a short-term mission trip. Rather than settling for what’s comfortable and easy, we ought to trust God to work as we intentionally share the gospel and meet the needs of those around us.

As followers of Christ, we have the privilege of proclaiming the greatest news in all the world—that God has sent his Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for sinners and then to rise from the dead, conquering sin and death! However, if we’re honest, proclaiming this good news isn’t always easy. Our sins, weaknesses, and fears often get in the way. Gratefully, God hasn’t left us alone in this task of sharing the gospel and making disciples. In this message from Acts 1:1–8, David Platt reminds us that Christ has given us his own Spirit, not only to comfort us but also to empower our witness in the world. 

Despite all man’s attempts to build earthly kingdoms, God is establishing his kingdom as the gospel goes forward throughout the world today. And he has promised to consummate this work when Jesus, the world’s true King, returns in all his glory. Amazingly, God uses us in his kingdom work, both in receiving and scattering the seed of his word. In this message from Mark 4:21–34, David Platt helps us understand the parables of the kingdom and how these stories give us hope for the future. Though we don’t always perceive what God is doing with our eyes, we can rest assured that the King is establishing his kingdom.

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to seek to carry out Christ’s mission in the church without looking to the Word of God and relying on the Spirit of God. Even with the best of intentions, we can begin to trust in our own wisdom rather than in God’s power. In the message from 1 Corinthians 2:1–5, David Platt urges us to treat God’s Word as if our lives, and the lives of others, depended on it—because it does! This message was given at the CROSS conference 2021.

There are points in our lives where all of us ask, “God, why is this happening to me? God, why now? God, how long will this go on?” Gratefully, God can handle our questions, and though we don’t always get the answers we’re looking for, God doesn’t leave us without hope. We can trust that his wisdom is greater than ours, and we can persevere knowing that he will keep his saving promises to those who are in Christ Jesus. In this message, David Platt points us to Job 3 and the example of a man who suffered greatly but who found God faithful in the end. Regardless of our circumstances or our questions, we can rest in God’s sovereign care.

There’s not much worse than getting to the end of your life only to find out that you’ve missed the very point for which you were created. Sadly, this isn’t only a reality for unbelievers—Christians can also spend their lives on things that miss God’s ultimate purposes in the world. In this message from Revelation 7:9–17, David Platt urges us to consider our ultimate purpose in life from the perspective of Scripture and God’s redemptive plan for all nations. The question is: How will you pray, give, and go in light of Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations? This message was given at Ignite Auburn 2021. 

Although many Christians talk about prayer and know that it is important, how much time do we actually spend doing it? How often do we feel our need for God? How often do we honestly confess our sins before him? Do we ever pause long enough to reflect on his Word and its implications for our lives? In this unique message from Nehemiah 9, David Platt leads his congregation through the prayer that Israel prayed when they gathered and fasted. As you listen, grab a pen and paper and be ready to record your own prayers and reflections in response to God’s Word.

God desires for people from all nations to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Scripture tells the story of the spread of this gospel, a story that culminates with people from all nations worshiping the Lamb who was slain. However, today there are approximately 3.2 billion people who are considered unreached, which means they have little or no access to the gospel. And many of them are suffering physically as well. In this message from Revelation 5, David Platt encourages us to consider our role in making disciples among all nations, particularly among those who have never heard. This message was given at Passion 2022.

Amidst all of our planning and our good intentions for the coming year, we can easily overlook our greatest need—God himself. We need his grace and power if we are to glorify him and carry out his will for our lives. That’s one of the main reasons why prayer and fasting are so critical for us as individuals and as churches. In this message, David Platt looks at the role of prayer and fasting in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, and he urges us to put these spiritual disciplines into practice. We’ll consider nine reasons to pray and fast.

For Christians who do not face hostility for their faith, it can be all too easy to forget that we are involved in a spiritual war. And the stakes are eternal. Satan wants to stop the church from believing and spreading the gospel, and he wants believers to be lured into all kinds of sin and deception. In this message from 1 Timothy 6:11–21, David Platt urges us to engage in this spiritual war by fleeing sin, looking to Christ, and pursuing righteousness. Because of what our mighty Savior has accomplished, we don’t fight for victory but from victory.

In a world filled with spiritual and physical needs—lack of gospel access, extreme poverty, exploitation, etc.—how should the church respond? And what does our use of money say about us? In this message from 1 Timothy 6:17–19, David Platt warns of the danger of the love of money as well as the eternal reward for those who use their resources for God’s glory and the good of others. Riches are not inherently sinful, and God gives us good things to enjoy, but we must be on guard to make sure that our hearts treasure God more than the things of this world.

We don’t normally associate the birth of Christ with concepts like justice, poverty, and oppression. But this is one of the reasons Jesus came—to put an end to injustice and to change the way his people relate to the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. In this message, David Platt considers how the words of “O Holy Night” relate to Luke 4:16–21. Christ came to save us from our sins and to free us so that we might give ourselves to serve those in need. In his name, all oppression will one day cease.

The angels had the privilege of making the most momentous announcement in human history: the long-awaited Messiah had been born! And this Messiah was none other than Christ the Lord, Immanuel, God with us. In this message, David Platt helps us consider the lyrics of the Christmas song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” based on Luke 2:8–14. We’re reminded that the angels’ announcement was for God’s glory and our good. Unto us this child was given so that we might have peace with God both now and forever.

How can you have hope in a world filled with mourning, sin, and suffering? Is it possible to rejoice? It is if the One you’re waiting for is Emmanuel, God with us. In this message from Matthew 2:13–23, David Platt uses the song O Come, O Come Emmanuel to remind us of the glorious truths that relate to Christ’s coming. As we remember the good news of Christ’s first coming, we look forward to the consummation of all God’s promises when Christ returns!

The desire to want more and to seek after satisfaction in the things of the world has always been a temptation for God’s people. How much more so when our culture teaches us to live as consumers and to expect that we deserve to have our desires fulfilled? Sadly, as followers of Christ, we can easily buy into these lies. In this message from 1 Timothy 6:3–10, David Platt encourages us to consider money and possessions in light of the gospel and in light of the urgent needs of the world. Rather than being deceived by worldly riches, we should find our treasure in God himself.

Critics of the Christian faith sometimes charge the Bible with condoning slavery. However, just because Scripture addresses the topic doesn’t mean it approves of it. As David Platt points out in this message from 1 Timothy 6:1–2, Scripture forbids the mistreatment of anyone made in God’s image. Far from condoning slavery, Scripture actually lays the groundwork for undoing this practice that has tragically been so common throughout human history. Mistreating others should be unthinkable for those who have been redeemed from the slavery of sin.

Do you want Jesus so that you can get other things—health, comfort, security, success, etc.—or is Jesus himself your greatest desire? Is Jesus the means to some other end, or is he himself the end? In this message from Mark 3:7–19, David Platt challenges us to consider whether we are part of the crowd or part of the called. The crowd liked what Jesus had to offer, but those who were called saw Jesus himself as their ultimate treasure and they lived to make him known.

Life can be exhausting. The pace at work or at school can feel unmanageable. Family dynamics require continual attention. Friendships take time and patience. And that doesn’t even begin to touch on physical struggles or medical and mental conditions that weigh us down. It’s no wonder so many people, including followers of Christ, are tired. The good news is that Jesus is not indifferent to our fatigue and anxiety and fear. In this message from Mark 2:23–3:6, David Platt points us to the rest that only Jesus can give. We find this rest—both now in the midst of earthly trials and for eternity in our never-ending reward—as we entrust our lives to Jesus as Lord. 

Some Christians feel as if we get to re-define who the church is and what it’s supposed to do. But God hasn’t given us that responsibility. He himself has defined those things in his Word. In this message covering 1 Timothy 3:1–5:16, David Platt highlights who the church is, how it is to be led, and what it’s supposed to do. The church is to hold fast to Christ and the gospel, be led by qualified elders and deacons, declare the truth, and expose false teaching.

Our culture often views the Christian faith as being backward or overly restrictive in relation to women. But Scripture has an altogether different view of women and men and their respective roles in the church. In this message from 1 Timothy 2:8–15, David Platt points us to the apostle Paul’s instructions concerning how God has designed men and women to relate within the church, including how authority and the teaching of God’s Word is to be exercised. God’s design may run counter to the world’s wisdom, but it is ultimately for our good and the building up of the church.

Many Christians go their entire lives without noticing the most urgent needs around the world, or even those right around them. They are unaware that multiplied millions—even billions—among the nations still have no access to the gospel. They are also unaware that many of these same people, the unreached, have extreme physical needs. In this message from Mark 2:1–12, David Platt challenges us to consider how God may be using the story of a forgiven and healed paralytic to direct our lives to peoples and places that desperately need gospel access. Is God leading you to go? The faith that changed the life of the paralytic and his four friends in Mark 2 is a faith that ought to characterize followers of Christ today.

Do you ever struggle with guilt over something you have done or someone has done to you? If so, there is hope in Jesus Christ. Jesus meets us, like no one else can, in the raw realities of our lives. He has come to save the dirty, guilty, ashamed, afraid, and alone. In other words, he has come for all of us. In this sermon on Mark 1:29–45, David Platt reminds us that Jesus alone is willing and able to clean us.

What should the church pray about and who should the church pray for? And what should motivate our prayers? These are important questions, particularly given the important role God has given our prayers in the unfolding of his saving purposes. In this message from 1 Timothy 2:1–7, David Platt points us to the gracious will of God and the sufficiency of Christ as the motivation for our prayers. We have been instructed to pray for all peoples, and we can pray with boldness in light of the certain victory of Christ and his church.

What sustains and unites the church is not a pastor or a program, nor is it preferences concerning music. What sustains and unites the church is perseverance in the gospel. In this message from 1 Timothy 1:3–20, David Platt highlights the centrality of the gospel in the life of the church. The apostle Paul highlights the role of the law as well as the mercy that God showed him as the “foremost” sinner. This same mercy in Jesus Christ remains the church’s only hope, which is why we must guard the gospel.

The greatest news in human history was announced nearly two thousand years ago, and it still rings true today. Regardless of your past or your upbringing or the sins you’ve committed, there is Someone who can change everything about your life … and your eternity. We’re introduced to this Person in Mark 1:1–15, and he is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In this message, David Platt pleads with us to hear and respond to the opening summons of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel: “... repent and believe in the gospel.” As we begin a journey through Mark’s Gospel, we’ll consider twenty short pictures of Jesus in these opening verses. There is truly no one like him. 

The church is not simply a program or a building. It’s a spiritual family, a body of believers who share a common life and a common mission. In this message from Nehemiah 1–2, David Platt reminds McLean Bible Church of the biblical priorities of the church in order to refocus its efforts in the days ahead. Rather than focusing on divisions and distractions, the church should be eager to make disciples locally and globally. God intends for all believers to be an integral part of a local church and to participate in its mission.

Few stories have captured the imagination quite like David and Goliath. Christians and non-Christians alike want to be like David. Whether it’s a sports team that’s a heavy underdog or a start-up business looking to make it big, we want to be the hero by overcoming seemingly overwhelming obstacles. But is this actually the point of the story? In this unique message, David Platt urges us to reconsider the story of David and Goliath, and to do this, he enlists the help of kids as the events of 1 Samuel 17 are acted out. As David explains, this story is meant to point us beyond our own strength to the One who has slain our greatest enemies—sin and death—through his death and resurrection.

When the church comes together for corporate worship, what is it supposed to do? Do we get to choose? Is it a free-for-all? Most importantly, does Scripture have anything to say about this? In this message from 1 Timothy 1:1–2, David Platt points us to the essential components and central characteristics of our gathered worship. As an earthly outpost of a heavenly kingdom, the church’s worship is to be God-centered and shaped by the gospel. 

People inside and outside the church talk about being “blessed,” but what does it truly mean to be blessed by God? To have good health? To be financially secure? To be successful in your job? To have a loving family and good friends? Based on Psalm 84, being blessed means dwelling with God and experiencing communion with him. In this message from David Platt, we’ll see how the sorrows and the holy longing of the psalmist is satisfied only by the God of Scripture. That same satisfaction is still the blessing today for all who come to God through Christ.It’s hard to not be affected by what we see on the news of what’s happening in the world right now. Currently, right before our eyes, we see incredible suffering happening in Afghanistan. According to Radical’s Stratus Index (stratus.earth), Afghanistan sits at the top of the list for the country with the most dire physical and spiritual needs.What role can you play in meeting the urgent physical and spiritual needs of the Afghani people? By donating to Urgent United, you are funding work on the ground in Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq, and Iran. Your funds are going directly to work on the ground in these countries where the needs are great and opportunities to care for God’s people and share the love of Christ grow daily. Join the thousands of people who are already uniting to make a difference. Visit urgentneeds.org today.

What happens to us after we die? Many people prefer not to think about that question, though we all have to face it at some point. Sadly, many Christians associate death with the end of our bodily existence. However, Scripture makes clear that there will be a resurrection of the body for all people. Those who do not trust in Christ will experience everlasting judgment while those who are in Christ will experience everlasting life. In this message from David Platt from 1 Corinthians 15, we’ll see why the future resurrection of the body is the ultimate source of hope for followers of Christ. We can press on in difficult days knowing that our sinful, broken bodies will be raised and transformed at Christ’s return. Instead of sin and suffering, we will experience unending joy as we behold God for all eternity. 

How much of your time, your energy, and your resources are focused on things that are merely temporal? Does the reality of eternity even enter your mind on a daily basis? Most importantly, how should your approach to life and eternity be changed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ? These are the kinds of questions David Platt puts before us in this sermon from 1 Corinthians 15. This passage points us to the hope of our future, bodily resurrection, a hope that is grounded in Christ’s own bodily resurrection. And if Christ has in fact been raised, then it only makes sense that we would spend our lives in loving, radical, risk-taking, death-defying, all-out obedience to Jesus. 

How much of your time, your energy, and your resources are focused on things that are merely temporal? Does the reality of eternity even enter your mind on a daily basis? Most importantly, how should your approach to life and eternity be changed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ? These are the kinds of questions David Platt puts before us in this sermon from 1 Corinthians 15. This passage points us to the hope of our future, bodily resurrection, a hope that is grounded in Christ’s own bodily resurrection. And if Christ has in fact been raised, then it only makes sense that we would spend our lives in loving, radical, risk-taking, death-defying, all-out obedience to Jesus. 

Whether due to sin or simply distractions, the church has to be diligent to remain focused on the things that matter most—loving God and loving one another. Even as we think about spiritual gifts, it’s easy to miss the point of the gifts that God gives to us by his Spirit. In the message from 1 Corinthians 14:1–26, David Platt points us to the apostle Paul’s repeated emphasis on building up the church through spiritual gifts. Rather than competing with one another or looking out only for ourselves, we are to build up others and point unbelievers to Jesus Christ. 

Did you know it’s possible to hold to biblical truths, possess impressive spiritual gifts, sacrifice your money, and even give your own life … and still fall short of what God desires? Without love, 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us, nothing else matters. In this message, David Platt urges us to heed the apostle Paul’s instructions about the priority of love in the church. As followers of Christ, we are to love God supremely and love one another selflessly. This is the kind of love that pursues unity and the good of others, and it can only be lived out in the power of God’s Spirit.

As we look out at the world, we see people divided based on ethnicity, politics, preferences, economic status, family background, and other factors. But this shouldn’t be the case when it comes to the church. Those who are in Christ are united by his Spirit as part of one body. God has gifted us in a variety of different ways, and as David Platt points out in this sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:12–31, this variety of gifts serves a much greater purpose—to exalt Jesus Christ above everything. This glorious purpose is larger than any one of our individual lives. 

Christians around the world often face conflict within the local church. In this message on 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, David Platt reminds us that any conflict in the church is always due to deficiencies in us, never deficiencies in Jesus. When we encounter conflict in the church, we should let it drive us to deeper love for Jesus as we recognize that he alone is perfect.

Many Christians and churches aren’t quite sure about the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. They know it’s important, but they’re not sure how it’s supposed to affect them. Still, others largely ignore it, only taking it on rare occasions. However, Jesus himself instructed his disciples to take the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of him. Based on Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, this message from David Platt addresses the purpose of the Lord’s Supper as well as how we are to approach it as those who are unified around the gospel. We’ll also consider who is supposed to take this meal as well and how often we should take it. Christians ought to be clear about the importance and blessing of this ordinance instituted by Christ.

It’s all too easy to hear a sermon or read your Bible on a daily basis without pausing to let truth of God’s Word soak in. How often do we take extended time to consider the implications of what a passage says about God—what he is like and what he has promised to his people? In this passage from Joshua 1:1–9, David Platt urges us to heed God’s command to Joshua—to meditate on God’s Word—and to consider the implications of God’s promise to always be with his people. In the midst of every circumstance, we can be confident in God’s powerful and comforting presence.

The Bible’s teaching about gender roles is seen by many in our culture as either outdated or outright demeaning. Drawing distinctions between men and women offends many people. However, Scripture points to these gender distinctions as part of God’s good design. In this message from 1 Corinthians 11:2–16. David Platt helps us see what it means for a husband to be the head of this wife. This kind of God-given leadership should mirror the self-sacrificial leadership that Jesus exercises over his church. This passage also forces us to consider which aspects of Scripture’s teaching apply only to a particular time and place rather than to all people in all times and in all places. Ultimately, we can trust God’s design for men and women in the church because it is for our good and for his glory.

As we approach topics that are controversial in the world and in the church, it’s critical that we have a right view of Scripture. Otherwise, we will assume that the norms of culture, or even our own sense of what seems fair, should dictate the church’s beliefs and practices. In this message from 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, David Platt lays out seven reasons we can bank our lives on God’s Word and two principles to help us rightly understand God’s Word. These truths help lay the groundwork for thinking about the proper roles for men and women in the church. This is Part 1 of “Men and Women in the Church."

When God gave the law to his people in the Old Testament, it wasn’t intended to be a burden, nor was it a way for his people to earn his favor. The law was a gift of God’s grace given through the prophet Moses. In this message from the book of Deuteronomy, David Platt points us to the true intent of the law. Ultimately, we look to a greater prophet, Jesus Christ, who has dealt with our sin problem through his death and enabled us to obey God’s Word. Through Christ, we find the eternal life that the law could only look forward to but never provide.

Over the last year, a global pandemic has prevented churches around the world from gathering in person. While this has been a necessary short-term measure to prevent the spread of a disease, there’s a spiritual danger when Christians choose to view their church’s weekly service online for reasons that are not health-related. As restrictions continue to be lifted, those who are physically able should hear and respond to what God’s Word teaches about the importance of the church’s gathering. In this message from Hebrews 10:24–25, David Platt addresses the danger of Christians choosing not to meet in person for corporate worship. God has designed us to persevere and flourish as we physically gather on a weekly basis to glorify him and encourage one another in the faith.

As Christians, we face a number of temptations related to living a life with a good conscience. In this sermon, David Platt explores the dangers of idolatry and sexual immorality. Ultimately, the six temptations found in 1 Corinthians 10:1–11:1 are rooted in an inclination to worship ourselves more than God. We are to ask ourselves what we can think, say, desire, and do in order to bring the most glory to God.

As Christians who live in a materialistic culture, it’s easy to get focused on acquiring more and more “stuff” while neglecting the needs of others. Even if our desire is not to pursue wealth, it’s easy for the needs of the poor to be ignored. Gratefully, the God we serve cares for the poor and vulnerable, and he demonstrated this by including provisions for them in the law. In this message from Leviticus 25:8–55, David Platt points us to God’s provision for the poor in Israel through the Year of Jubilee. We’re reminded of God’s character and generosity, and ultimately of the hope that we have in Christ. Those who have received God’s grace in salvation should be compelled to address the spiritual and physical needs of others.

Many people in the United States (and in the West more generally) are used to having certain rights and even demanding those rights. Even as Christians, we can begin to view the world as if God owes us certain things. However, for those who have been freed from sin through Jesus Christ, life is no longer about our preferences, our comforts, and our rights. As David Platt points out from 1 Corinthians 9, followers of Christ live for God’s glory and for the good of others. We are to lay down our rights in order to lead people to Jesus. 

Sadly, Christians are being divided right now, not only by the culture at large but also by other Christians. We often assume that others are either compromising the truth, on the one hand, or too unloving in the way they state their views. So how do we make decisions in those areas where sincere, Bible-believing Christians disagree? In this message, David Platt points out some principles for this kind of decision-making from 1 Corinthians 8. Our love for the truth must be accompanied by a love for one another. We must always ask what’s best for the church.

What is the conscience, and why should Christians care about having a clean conscience? Is our conscience always right? What if our conscience is too insensitive? What if it’s oversensitive? These are the kinds of questions raised by the apostle Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 8–10. In this message, David Platt points out why It’s important that we don’t ignore the God-given gift of conscience but rather calibrate it in accord with God’s Word.

The Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 is one of the most significant chapters in all of Scripture when it comes to understanding God’s provision for the sin of his people. But as members of the new covenant, we’re no longer under the sacrificial system. So what does this passage teach us today? In this message, David Platt helps us answer that question as he points us to God’s ultimate provision for sin at the cross. We’re reminded of God’s holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the abundance of grace that is ours in Christ.

Are you trusting Jesus Christ as your life? That’s the all-important, eternal question that each of us must answer. It’s not enough to merely give assent to Jesus intellectually. As John 11 teaches us, Christ is the resurrection and the life, and he’s the only one who has conquered death. In this Easter message, David Platt urges us to respond to this truth—through faith and baptism—while we still have time. Those who trust in Jesus as their Savior and Lord can know that they have eternal life.

In the midst of suffering, we tend to doubt God’s goodness and our lives feel like they are spinning out of control. However, as we see from the example of Joseph, God is sovereign over every detail of our lives, including our suffering. In this message from Genesis 50:20, David Platt helps us see sin and suffering in the larger context of God’s providence and his redemptive purposes. Ultimately, God’s work through Joseph points us to Christ. The sin that led to Christ’s crucifixion was used to carry out our deliverance from sin.

When it comes to an issue like abortion, many Christians rightly see the need to defend the unborn through political and legal means. However, we often fail to see how abortion is connected to Scripture’s teaching on sexual morality, singleness, marriage, and the way we care for and disciple mothers and fathers in our churches. These issues have surfaced as we’ve made our way through 1 Corinthians 6–7, and now in this message from John 10:10 David Platt points us to a more holistic picture of what it means to address the issue of abortion and all those who are involved. Those who claim to be pro-life should be passionate about the abundant life that Christ provides for all who belong to him.

How often do we enter casually into worship before and communion with God because we have not taken time to consider who we are worshipping and communing with? Understanding who God is leads us to appropriate, biblical fear and awe. But the good news of the gospel is that God does not leave us hopeless in fear of his judgment. This God who spoke creation into being and sustains entire nations and is surrounded by multitudes of angels declaring his holiness has looked upon wretched sinners and reconciled us to himself. Furthermore, once we have been reconciled, he calls us to participate in this ministry of reconciliation for others. And when we fear God rightly, we obey him completely because we fear nothing else. Mentions:To register for Secret Church 21, go HERE.

Everyone is touched at some level by the topic of marriage and divorce. Sadly, in a world that has been ravaged by sin, God’s design for marriage has been distorted in a variety of ways. Even for many Christians today, divorce is seen as a valid option when personal expectations and needs aren’t being met. In this message from 1 Corinthians 7:10–16, David Platt urges us to consider how marriage is intended to display the gospel. He answers questions like, “Is divorce ever permissible? If so, under what circumstances?” The good news for those who have sinned in this area, or been sinned against, is that the grace of God is sufficient to restore and sustain you.Mentions:To register for Secret Church 21, go HERE.

God’s design for marriage and singleness is often twisted by the world and sometimes misunderstood by the church. However, as David Platt points out in this message from 1 Corinthians 7:1–9, God’s desire is that we would glorify him in both of these callings. Regardless of our station in life, we are to display the gospel by fleeing sexual immorality and embracing God’s good design.Mentions:To register for Secret Church 21, go HERE.

God doesn’t stop transforming us once we place our faith in Christ. Through a lifelong process called sanctification, God makes us look more and more like Jesus. In this message from 2 Corinthians 3:18, David Platt helps us understand the process of sanctification, including the fact that this is not something we do in our own strength. True, abiding transformation only comes about through the power of the Spirit as we continually behold “the glory of the Lord.” 

To many non-Christians, the Bible’s teaching on sexuality sounds restrictive, narrow, or even harmful. It pushes back against the idea that happiness is found in expressing your sexual desires in a way that makes you happy. However, as David Platt points out in this message from 1 Corinthians 6:9–20, our bodies belong to God and his design for sex is for our good. Though sin tempts us to reject or twist God’s Word, we can trust his design when it comes to sex, marriage, and our ultimate satisfaction.

Our culture assumes that people will only be happy when they are free to pursue sexual satisfaction in any way that they choose. This idea has infected the church as well, with the result that many professing Christians are left confused and broken as a result of sexual sin—whether their own or someone else’s. In this message from David Platt on 1 Corinthians 6:9–20, we’ll see that true satisfaction comes when we trust God’s design for our sexuality. And the good news for those who need forgiveness and healing for sexual sin is that the One who created us and knows what’s best for us has sent his own Son to make us new. 

Jesus died to ransom people from every nation, tribe, tongue, and language, and currently, there are over 3 billion people who are considered unreached, which means they have little or no access to the gospel. And many of these people are suffering physically as well. In light of these realities, how might the Lord be calling us—you and me—to address these urgent spiritual and physical needs? How might we leverage our lives for the sake of God’s glory among all nations? These are the kinds of questions David Platt urges us to answer in this message from Acts 13 and Revelation 5. How will you respond?

In a culture that emphasizes individuality and encourages us to think about our own comforts and preferences, the church should stand out. We have been told to lay aside our own preferences and to look out for the eternal good of our brothers and sisters in Christ. In this message from Hebrews 10:19–25, David Platt and fellow Pastor Mike Kelsey point us to the various ways Scripture encourages us to look out for and encourage one another in the church. We were never meant to live the Christian life as lone rangers.

Some Christians may be surprised to find out that heaven will be made up largely of people who do not look like them or have the same background. In fact, Scripture teaches that Christ is redeeming a people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. That’s why we need a global perspective of worship. However, as David Platt points out in this message from Revelation 7:9–17, there is a unity to this beautiful and God-glorifying diversity. Because the Christian’s fundamental identity is in Christ, we should gladly lock arms with other believers to give praise to the One who has died for us. There should be both unity and diversity in our worship.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean an escape from suffering. In fact, we may even experience more suffering as a result of being a disciple of Christ. In this message from 2 Corinthians, we’ll see what a Christian view of suffering should look like. David Platt points us not only to God’s comfort in suffering but also to the fact that our suffering gives us an opportunity to extend comfort to others in their suffering. By God’s grace, even the most difficult trials can be used for his glory.

After a year full of anxiety, heartache, and loss due to the pandemic, many people are just grateful that 2020 is over. However, what if it’s possible for God’s people not simply to survive but to thrive in the days ahead? And if it’s possible, what would that look like? In this message from Genesis 5:22–24 and Matthew 6:5–18, David Platt encourages us to consider the privilege we have of walking with God and drawing near to Him in prayer. Even through difficult days, we have the privilege of an intimate relationship with the God of the universe.

With all the differences within the body of Christ—politics, ethnicity, economic conditions, preferences, opinions, etc.—what is it that unites us? In this message from David Platt, we’ll see that the cross of Christ should unite God’s people. Furthermore, as the apostle Paul makes clear, it’s the cross that humbles us, transforms us, and undergirds who we are and what we do. Though it may seem foolish to the world, the cross is where God’s wisdom and power are put on display.

Have you ever wondered whether your faith would hold up under persecution? Or maybe you’re experiencing suffering right now, and you’re not sure how to press forward in faith. If so, then 1 Peter 4:12–19 has a needed word for you. In this message from David Platt, we’re encouraged not only to expect suffering but also to embrace God’s good purposes for his people through suffering. We can persevere knowing that Christ is worth it and our God will never forsake us.

What is the state of missions in the world today?Various barriers and other factors have led to a Great Imbalance in the way we use our resources and send missionaries. As a result, those with little or no gospel witness often go unnoticed while areas of the world that have been reached continue to receive the vast majority of our support.Why does “The Great Imbalance” still exist and what, if anything can be done about it? Radical's Global Strategy Team discusses these issues in today’s episode, “State of Missions.”Learn more about Urgent: urgentneeds.orgChurch Leaders Email Us: partnerships@urgentneeds.org

Whether it’s 5, 10, 20, 30, or even 90 years, each of us has only a short time to live in relation to eternity. So how do you make your life count for things that matter? In this message from 1 Peter 3:13–4:11, David Platt points us to the infinite value of Jesus Christ—the suffering Savior, risen Lord, and triumphant King who alone is worthy of our total allegiance. Though suffering may come, God’s people are “blessed” when they suffer for the sake of Christ. 

You may have heard someone described as being “so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.” However, this is a far cry from the way the Bible describes the transforming effect of the gospel. In this message from 1 Peter 3:8–12, David Platt points out the ways that God’s people ought to be distinct from the world based on God’s work in and through us. Our eternal hope radically changes the way we love and relate to one another.

When it comes to the topic of money, many Christians get uncomfortable. Perhaps they’ve heard too many appeals for money from pastors, or maybe they feel convicted about their own lack of giving. Regardless, this is not a topic that God has been silent about, so we need to know what Scripture says. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8–9, David Platt points us to the basis of Christian giving—God’s grace. How can those who belong to a Savior who was willing to go to the cross not be generous with their money and their lives?

It’s all too easy for Christians and churches to seek to serve God apart from the power of his Spirit. Yet Scripture teaches us that the Spirit is the One who reveals God’s truth and empowers God’s people. In this message from 1 Corinthians 2:1–16, David Platt reminds us that our only hope of believing, obeying, and proclaiming God’s Word comes through the power of God’s Spirit. That’s why our lives and our churches should be marked by desperate prayer for the Spirit’s help.

It seems all too common for us to take God lightly in our worship today. We tend to trivialize his greatness and disregard his holiness. In this message from Malachi 1:6–14, David Platt encourages us to listen and respond to God’s indictment of the worship of his people centuries ago. Those who are in Christ should experience God’s greatness and reflect his holiness, and as we do this we will accomplish the purpose God has for us.

Following a presidential election, Americans are experiencing a wide array of emotions. As our political leadership changes, it’s important for God’s people to recognize that the One who sovereignly rules over all things is still in control. In this message from Isaiah 6, David Platt points to truths about God that we need to recognize, regardless of the circumstances around us. The God who is absolutely holy and who fills the earth with his glory, deserves our fear, our trust, and our love. 

While God’s Word tells us to honor our government leaders, it is also clear that God alone is worthy of our fear and reverence. The One who created all things and to whom we must give an account as our just Judge is not to be treated lightly. In this message from Peter 2:13–17, David Platt urges to hear the repeated refrain of Scripture, “Fear God!” For followers of Christ, this fear gives us confidence in the face of every earthly fear that we might have. It is God, not worldly leaders and governments, who is sovereign over our lives. 

How do you exalt Jesus during a presidential election? Some Christians think this involves promoting a particular political agenda, while others want the church to denounce a certain candidate or party. One consequence of these kinds of approaches is that the church loses its distinctive witness to the gospel of Christ. In this message from 1 Peter 2:13–17, David Platt points us to some foundational biblical foundations for exalting Jesus in an election and beyond. Instead of putting our trust in and given our allegiance to worldly leaders, the church submits to and exalts the One who rules heaven and earth. We are united, even amidst political differences, around the Lord Jesus Christ.

In a culture that seems to be getting increasingly divided and contentious on a number of important issues, it’s easy to forget that the most important battle we face is spiritual. The world wars against our soul, and unless we are resisting its attacks in the power that God supplies, the consequences can be disastrous. In this message from 1 Peter 2:11–12, David Platt urges us to heed Peter’s exhortations about how we are to live as sojourners and exiles in a hostile world. By our good deeds, we bear witness—even to our enemies—that God is worthy of all glory.

People have all kinds of questions about the truth claims of Christianity, but in the end, there’s a question that all of us must answer: “Did Jesus rise from the dead?” We might call this the ultimate question. While various possible explanations have been offered as to how Christ’s tomb was empty on that early Sunday morning, Scripture’s account of Christ’s resurrection best accounts for the historical evidence. And as David Platt points out in this message from Matthew 28:1–15, if Jesus, in fact, rose from the dead, then this has startling implications for our lives and for all of history. All authority belongs to the One who has conquered sin and death.

What does it mean to live a “full” life? The way the world answers that question is very different from the answer God’s Word gives us. For followers of Christ, knowing and enjoying God is the essence of what it means to truly live. In this message from 1 Peter 1:13–25, David Platt urges us to be holy, to love God, to fear God, and to hope in God as our heavenly Father. This is what marks us as his beloved children.

In a time abundant hardship felt all around the world, how do we hold on to our faith in the midst of various trials? Whether these struggles are seemingly small or majorly significant, they each tempt us to lose faith in the sufficiency and goodness of God. But what Satan intends for evil, God intends for good, and His word assures us that we have much to hope for in Him. In this message from 1 Peter 1:3–12, David Platt urges us to continue hoping and trusting in God amidst trials we face in this world. 

As followers of Christ, it’s so easy for us to lose our bearings. Without realizing it, we begin to think and act as if this world is our final destination, as if our identity and security is found in temporary things. However, the apostle Peter tells us that we are “elect exiles” looking forward to our future hope at Christ’s return. Regardless of our current circumstances, our identity is in Christ. In this message from 1 Peter 1:1–3, David Platt urges us to find our security and our hope in Jesus Christ and his salvation.

While division in the church is always a danger, a number of factors make this especially true in recent days. Too many Christians are quick to slander, criticize, cancel, and separate from other brothers and sisters in Christ. In this message, David Platt draws on two passages—Philippians 1:27 and 1 Kings 19:1–8—in order to help and encourage the church toward greater unity in the gospel. In light of our identity in Christ and the mission he has given us, we dare not divide over lesser matters. By God’s grace and by the power of the Spirit, we must continue to pursue faithfulness to Christ and love for one another.

At the center of all human history stands the cross of Jesus Christ. It’s here that we see the character of God put on full display, the sinfulness of man at its worst, and a death that shaped all of history. In this message from Matthew 26–27, David Platt urges us to look to the One who gave himself as a substitute for sinners, for not only history but also our eternity depends on our response to Christ’s death in the place of sinners.

The fact that Christ has not returned after 2,000 years makes some people doubt the reality of his second coming, while others simply ignore it altogether. Instead of living with expectancy and seeking to faithfully endure, they become careless and fail to live in light of the judgment that is coming. In this message David Platt exhorts us to heed Christ’s warning in Matthew 25. Though Christ’s return seems to be delayed, he will return suddenly and all hearts will be exposed. Christ’s coming should shape the way we live in the present and the way we look to the future, for nothing short of heaven and hell are at stake. This message is Part 2 of the “Return of the King.”

When it comes to the topic of Christ’s return, many Christians either get confused or they become engrossed in speculation and date setting. Sadly, Christ’s second coming has little effect on the way they live today as his disciples. In this message from David Platt on Matthew 24, we are urged to live in light of the second coming by trusting in Christ now, by persevering in his power, and by expectantly longing for his return. As  we wait for that glorious day, the return of the king should compel us to proclaim the good news of his kingdom to the ends of the earth. This message is Part 1 of the “Return of the King.”

It’s sobering to realize that some of Jesus’s most sobering warnings were aimed at those who were considered to be the most religious. To appear to be living a holy life in the eyes of men is not the same thing as living a truly holy life before God. In this message from Matthew 23, David Platt urges us to heed Jesus’s warnings to the religious leaders of his day. Rather than living lives marked by hypocrisy, pride, and self-centeredness, God wants his people to live lives marked by a supreme love for him and a selfless love for others. 

Whether it’s through financial security, health, entertainment, or recognition and acceptance from others, people are looking for contentment and failing to find it. Even as Christians, we can fall into the trap of looking for contentment in all the wrong places. In this message from Philippians 4:10–13, David Platt points us to the place, or rather Person, where true contentment can be found. Here in Part 2 of our search for “The Secret of Contentment,” we will see why Jesus is all we need in any and every circumstance. 

Everyone is looking for contentment, but it seems to elude most people. We may be happy and feel secure temporarily, but when circumstances change, our contentment vanishes. In Philippians 4:10–13, the apostle Paul shares the “secret” of contentment, and he does it from prison. In this message, David Platt points us to the kind of contentment that doesn’t change with circumstances—the contentment that can only be found in Christ. This is Part 1 of in our search for “The Secret of Contentment.”

If someone followed you around on a consistent basis, what would their takeaway be? What would your conversations, actions, and priorities communicate to them? In this message from Philippians 4:9, David Platt talks about what it means to live a life worthy of imitation. Like the apostle Paul, we want those we influence to be consistently hearing God’s Word and becoming more like Jesus.

How do you experience the peace that God wants for his children? How can you be joyful in the midst of trials and uncertainty? How can you be gentle when the world seems chaotic? In this message from Philippians 4:8, we learn that experiencing peace and joy and other godly virtues requires us to engage in a battle, a battle for our minds. David Platt points us to the words of the apostle Paul, who tells us to set our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. For our faith to persevere and flourish, particularly in the midst of trials, we must intentionally think on these things.

At his first coming, Jesus came in humility and was largely rejected by the world and even his own people. However, when he returns, Christ’s authority and splendor will be unmistakable and inescapable. In this message from Matthew 21:1–22, David Platt points to various attributes of this Sovereign King who will return as Savior and Judge. It is now our privilege, by God’s grace, to give our entire lives to follow him.

The reality that God’s salvation comes solely by his mercy and not by our merit has all kinds of ramifications for followers of Christ. Unlike the world, God does not favor the powerful or the rich. He shows his grace to those who are humble and recognize their need for him. In this message from Matthew 19:16–20:34, David Platt points us to the miraculous mercy of God and the way this mercy should shape the way we live as disciples of Christ. In addition to seeing Christ’s view of worldly wealth and its dangers, we’ll also see his concern for children (including the sensitive and difficult topic of those who die in infancy). 

Sadly, the church often looks like the world when it comes to the things we divide over. Topics like race and politics tend to define us rather than the gospel. Many Christians in our culture  rarely serve alongside those who look different than us and who have different political opinions. In this message from Philippians 4:2–3, David Platt highlights the kind of unity that ought to mark followers of Christ. This unity is based on the gospel, and it should transcend the various divisions that Satan uses to disrupt the church’s fellowship and harm the church’s witness. The church should be a community of other-worldly unity.

In a culture with a decidedly unbiblical view of marriage and divorce, Jesus’s words in Matthew 19:1–12 may sound extreme. However, since God designed marriage for His glory and for our good, we would be wise to listen to Him. Gratefully, God’s grace in the gospel is sufficient for those who have fallen short when it comes to His design for marriage. In this message, David Platt looks at Jesus’s teaching on marriage and divorce, as well as Christ’s related comments on discipleship and singleness. As followers of Christ, the entirety of our lives––including our approach to marriage and divorce––is to be lived under His lordship. 

Amidst the many challenges that we face as believers—temptations to sin, opposition from the world, physical sickness, relational difficulties, etc.—we need to be regularly reminded to stand firm. However, as David Platt points out in this message from Philippians 4:1, our standing firm must be “in the Lord.” We cannot stand in our own strength or rely on our own wisdom. For the sake of our unity, our sanctification, and our faithfulness to Christ’s mission, we must look to God’s Word and rely on His Spirit.

Even with the best of intentions, it’s all too easy for the church to put its trust in earthly leaders—political leaders, business leaders, or even church leaders. However, the church doesn’t belong to any man but to God. He alone is worthy of all our trust and obedience, and it is His design for the church that we must embrace if we are to be faithful to the purposes and to the mission Christ has given to His disciples. In this message from Psalm 146, David Platt casts a vision for “A New Chapter” in the life of McLean Bible Church. Along with acknowledging the Lord alone as its leader, the church is also encouraged to reflect God’s love—love for His people within the church and love for all people out in the world. 

Today’s graduates will not be the first to be tempted to settle for some version of the American Dream—get a good job and a nice house, make sure life is comfortable for you and your family, and set yourself up for a relaxing retirement. But living for these earthly treasures is not what followers of Christ have been called to. To be a follower of Christ means that we have died to ourselves so that we can live for Him and His purposes in the world. In this message from 1 Kings 19:19–21, David Platt uses the story of Elisha’s call to urge graduates to risk everything to  pursue Christ’s call on their lives. These are young men and women who are so infatuated with following their King that they will gladly go wherever He leads and do whatever He calls them to do. 

It seems as if everyone is talking about the value of community, including non-Christians. However, the world’s idea of community is very different from the kind of community produced by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this message from Matthew 18, David Platt identifies some important aspects of the kind of community that characterizes the kingdom of God. Entering God’s kingdom is not about being strong or proud but dependent and child-like. And the community of God’s people, the church, is to be a context in which we love, protect, restore, and forgive one another. For brothers and sisters in Christ who fall into sin, God has given us a process of church discipline that aims at their restoration and the good of their soul. Even when members must be removed due to unrepentant sin, God promises to be with us as we act for His glory and for the purity of His church. 

If you’re looking to promote unity in the church, you might be tempted to avoid topics like race and justice. Even mentioning them stirs up a range of emotions among God’s people. However, if the church is to pursue the kind of unity that Christ calls us to––a unity that includes diverse ethnicities, perspectives, political views, etc.––then it is essential that God’s people find their ultimate unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this message from Psalm 133, a message that was prompted by the conversation surrounding the tragic death of Ahmaud Arbery, David Platt and Mike Kelsey urge the church to look to the gospel to find unity in diversity. Several pastors and their wives also share their perspectives on recent events in this unique message concerning race, justice, and the gospel.

The current pandemic presents a unique challenge for pastors. In addition to determining how best to serve their members in unusual circumstances, they must also decide how the pandemic and its economic fallout will affect the church’s mission. Unfortunately, global missions is one of the first budget items to be cut for many churches. In this interview, Jeff Lewis asks David Platt a number of questions aimed at helping pastors think through how they can keep the church’s mission––making disciples among all nations––a priority during these difficult days. Though we don’t always get to see God’s work among the nations with our eyes, we must trust that He is still fulfilling His redemptive purposes, even among the hardest to reach places on earth. Pastors have an important role to play in terms of keeping these urgent realities before their people.

Our culture feeds women all kinds of lies about who they are, what makes them valuable, and how they can find fulfillment. That’s why it’s so critical that women––and men––understand Scripture’s teaching concerning what God says about them. In this message on Mother’s Day, David Platt uses Psalm 113, as well as various other texts, to urge women in various life circumstances––singles, wives, mothers, grandmothers, widows, etc.––to look to God’s Word so that they might embrace God’s good design for them as well as His grace to them in Christ.

When we think of becoming more like Christ, we often think of what we need to do. However, we should not forget the transforming effect of beholding. Scripture teaches us that we become like whatever we set our gaze upon. In this message from Matthew 17, David Platt urges us to behold Christ in His glorious perfections so that, by the power of the Spirit, we might be changed more and more into His likeness. The One whom the Law and Prophets looked forward to––Christ, the Son––is the One who radiates the splendor of God. 

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During the recent pandemic, it has been good to be reminded of God’s great promises for us. However, even as we find comfort in God’s promises, we should not neglect to look to the needs of those in other nations for whom this pandemic has made an already difficult situation even more deadly. We need a global perspective of COVID-19. In this message from Psalm 117, David Platt highlights God’s desire for all the peoples of the world to praise Him. Since this is God’s desire, it ought to be our desire too. We should want all peoples––particularly those who have no access to the gospel––to hear of God’s salvation in Christ. 

Every Christian has to be on guard against the subtle deceptions of sin, and pastors are no exception. Whether it’s selfish motives or a desire to conform to the world’s pattern of leadership, pastors need to be reminded of the stewardship God has given them and how He has instructed them to carry it out. In this message from 1 Peter 5:1–4 given at Together for the Gospel 2020, David Platt urges pastors to ask eight questions of themselves as they seek to faithfully shepherd the flock of God. Gratefully, Christ, the Great Shepherd, has grace and power enough to sustain His unworthy but dearly-loved under-shepherds. 

Whether it’s a deadly virus, a car accident, or simply our bodies giving out at an old age, the reality is that, unless Jesus returns soon, each of us will have to face the reality of our own death. And that means facing the reality of eternity––either eternal life with God in heaven or facing God’s judgment in hell. So the question each of us must ask is, “Do I know for certain that if I died right now I would go to heaven?” In this message from Mark 5:21–43, David Platt points us to Jesus Christ as our only security in life and in death. This account of Christ raising a young girl to life should cause our fear to give way to faith as we place our trust in the One who died for sinners and then rose again to conquer sin and death on their behalf. 

Sometimes it’s easier to affirm God’s goodness at a general level than it is to genuinely trust that He cares for us as individuals. Fear and anxiety often make it harder to believe. In this message from Mark 5:25–34, David Platt points us to Jesus’s very personal concern for a woman who would have been viewed by the world as unworthy of His attention. We’re reminded of Christ’s compassion and mercy toward sinners like us. It’s His saving grace––not our own wisdom or power––that gives us hope and peace in every circumstance.

There are many voices today urging us to reimagine the church’s purpose and mission, and this makes sense if the church is merely man’s invention. But if the church belongs to Jesus, then He gets to set the agenda and we should want to know what He says. In this message, David Platt considers the institution and confession of the church based on the words of Christ in Matthew 16. The One who bought the church with His own blood has given us the privilege of knowing Him and proclaiming His gospel. And we can be confident, because Christ has told us that not even death would stop Him from building His church.

Despite our many material comforts, our culture continues to be characterized by anxiety and depression. We worry about every aspect of life: Is my job secure? Am I healthy? Will I get married? Will I have kids? What’s going to happen to the economy? While we do not float above the problems of this life, as followers of Christ, we have no reason to give in to worry and fear. In this message from Matthew 6:25–33, a message given in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic, David Platt points us to Christ’s counsel for anxious souls. We can trust in the care of our heavenly Father, who provides not only for our earthly needs but more importantly for our eternal good.

Is it prideful for the church to call out unrepentant sin? In a culture where individualism and freedom of expression are celebrated, it is certainly unpopular to speak of sin. God’s Word explains that it is dangerous to neglect unrepentant sin in His church. In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 5, David Platt shows us that though the world may not understand, dealing with unrepentant sin in the church is not prideful, but humble. Dealing rightly with unrepentant sin shows humble submission to God.

Worldly leadership is often characterized by power, prominence, and privilege, but this kind of self-centered perspective is vastly different from the kind of leadership that should characterize the church. In this message from 1 Corinthians 4, we’ll see how God’s grace in the gospel should shape not only our view of church leadership but also ourselves. Because everything we have is a gift of God’s grace, we can flee pride and the temptation to live for the approval of others. Our commendation comes from God alone.

Jesus often taught in parables and He often spoke about the kingdom. So how should we understand these parables, and what does Jesus mean by “the kingdom”? In this message from Matthew 13, David Platt answers those questions as we look at eight different parables about the kingdom. With eternity, judgment, and salvation at stake, every person needs to know how to respond to Christ and live in light of His kingdom. 

Whether it’s the controversial cultural issues of our day or the basic truths about sin, salvation, and eternity, each of us has a choice to make: Will we trust the wisdom of man or will we trust the wisdom of God? In this message from David Platt on 1 Corinthians 2, the wisdom of men is contrasted with the wisdom that can only imparted by the Spirit of God. Regardless of how things may appear, it is those who rely on Christ crucified who are truly wise.

Our culture seems to be increasingly divided in terms of religious and political beliefs. Sadly, these divisions are also a reality in the church, even over issues of lesser importance. In this message from 1 Corinthians 1, David Platt points to Christ and His cross as the ground of the church’s unity and the theme of the church’s proclamation. This is the first sermon in a new series in which we will make our way through the book of 1 Corinthians. This letter from Paul to the church at Corinth covers a wide range of important issues, and as we’ll see, the message of the cross, though foolish and offensive to the world, is the very message the world and the church desperately needs to hear.

As the church seeks to carry out the mission Christ has given, there are so many things that can distract us, and many of these are good things. But there is one thing that we must be zealous about: the glory of God. In this message from Acts 15:36–18:22, David Platt points out how God graciously and powerfully worked in and through His people in the early church and how the church responded with faith, obedience, and with a zeal for His glory. Our response to God’s saving work today should be the same.Sign up for for Secret Church 20 by clicking here. 

Psalm 23 is one of the most loved and well-known passages in all of Scripture. However, it’s easy to become so familiar with a passage like this that we no longer stop to consider what God is saying and how we should respond to it. In this message, David Platt helps us think about how to understand and respond to Psalm 23 through various tools: memorization and meditation, application, prayer, and sharing its truth with others. As followers of Christ, we want to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd and respond rightly to Him.

As the church carries out its mission in its own community and among all nations, it’s critical that this mission is carried out in response to God’s Word. In this message from Psalm 13, David Platt helps us think about how to understand and respond to this psalm by memorization and meditation, by application, by prayer, and by sharing its truth with others. The psalmist’s cry for help and trust in the Lord should lead us to cry out to God and to rely on His steadfast love. Sign up for for Secret Church 20 by clicking here. Use code "podcast" for 10% off Secret Church 20

Churches and all followers of Christ are fully dependent on God’s Word in order to carry out God’s purposes. Sadly, however, many Christians either don’t read God’s Word regularly or don’t know how to understand it rightly. In this message from Psalm 8, David Platt gives us a helpful tool for getting the most from our time in God’s Word. In order to be a faithful disciple and in order to make disciples, every follower of Christ is encouraged to meditate on and memorize the Word, apply the Word, pray the Word, and share the Word.Sign up for for Secret Church 20 by clicking here. 

The end goal of all that we do as churches and as individual followers of Christ is to glorify God, and God has graciously provided us with different means of pursuing this goal. In this message based on Psalm 1, David Platt points us to three primary means of seeking God together––fasting, prayer, and the Word of God. As we pursue God in these ways, He satisfies our souls and transforms us so that we delight to do His will.

Jesus has always elicited different responses from people. Some heard his words and saw His works while He was on earth, yet they still rejected Him. For others, Jesus overcame their fears and gave them a glimpse of His true identity. In this message from Matthew 13:53–14:36, David Platt points us to two pictures of belief and two pictures of unbelief when it comes to responding to Jesus. We too must decide how we will respond to Jesus––will we reject this King or will we fall down and worship Him?

In order to redeem someone, there are certain requirements you must meet. In this message from David Platt, we’ll see how Boaz fulfilled these requirements in Ruth 3–4. We’ll also see how Boaz’s act of kindness pointed to something, or Someone, much greater. The story of Ruth ultimately points us to what God has done for us through Christ our Redeemer. We have been brought from death to life, from despair to hope.

When we walk through trials and suffering, it’s often difficult to believe that God is working for our good. However, in this message from David Platt from Ruth 2, we’re reminded of God’s steadfast love, a love that seeks the hurting and shelters the vulnerable. As we wait for Him, we can trust Him based on His character and His past faithfulness. // Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.

When tragedy and sorrow strike, we often feel that God is far from us. We feel as if we’ve been abandoned. However, the book of Ruth reminds us that God offers hope to the hopeless. In this message from Ruth 1, David Platt shows us that God takes our tragedies and turns them into unexpected triumph. At the close of one of Scripture’s bleakest chapters, we get a glimpse of God’s mercy and faithfulness. 

Unfortunately, the book of Revelation is often the source of much division and unhelpful speculation about the future. However, this book was meant to fuel obedience and perseverance in the face of present trials. In this message based on the book of Revelation, David Platt shows us how Revelation brings the story of God’s kingdom to its glorious conclusion. Viewing our own personal stories within God’s larger story of redemption challenges us to live for a kingdom that is heavenly and eternal. This is the final message in a thru-the-Bible journey from this past year.

Scripture describes God’s people as sheep in need of a shepherd, and God has given pastors a special responsibility to care for His flock. In light of Satan’s schemes and the many dangers that face God’s people, pastors must rely on and obey God’s Word in order to care well for God’s people. In this message from 1 Peter 5:1–10, David Platt encourages pastors to shepherd God’s people faithfully. For every follower of Christ, our ultimate hope and security and redemption is found in the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

There is no more significant historical event in the history of the world than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, Christ’s resurrection not only changed history at a general level––it also changes the life of every individual believer. In this message from Romans 6:4–11, David Platt helps us see the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection for our own salvation. Because we are united to Christ by faith, His death and resurrection results in our own death to sin and new life with God.// Learn more about the Radical Gap Year here.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.

God has blessed His people with every spiritual blessing in Christ, including the blessing of being adopted into God’s family. We who were once strangers and enemies of God are now sons and daughters through faith in Christ. In this message from Ephesians 1:3–14, David Platt explains the glorious reality of our adoption in Christ as well as the privilege we have of reflecting God’s love through earthly adoption. By caring for children in need, we can extend the love that we’ve received and bear witness to the One who has met our greatest need by adopting us through His Son.// Learn more about the Radical Gap Year here.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.

Our culture insists that true freedom is found when we get to express ourselves and follow our own desires. Scripture’s teaching on sex is seen as restrictive and outdated, and many people are even wanting to determine their own gender. In this message from Colossians 4:2–6 and other selected passages, David Platt points us to Scripture so that we can understand God’s good design for sexuality and gender. The One who created us not only has the authority to set the parameters for us, but also He has the wisdom to know what is best for us. As Christians, this is increasingly becoming a costly conviction. Nevertheless, we must believe and proclaim the truth––that true and lasting satisfaction can only be found in Jesus Christ.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Learn more about the Something Needs to Change here. 

While our culture often places value on people based on their “usefulness” to us, Scripture teaches that we are valuable because each of us is made in God’s image. As Christians, this means that we should view children and those with special needs differently than the world. However, because Scripture also teaches that we are born in sin and stand guilty before God, many Christians are still left wondering, “What happens after death to infants, young children, and those with special needs––do they go to heaven?” In this message from Colossians 1, David Platt points us to the character of God and the truths of Scripture in order to find hope for these difficult questions. We can trust in the One who always does what is good and just.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.

Many Christians would be grieved to learn that the number of people around the world who have little or no access to the gospel is measured in the billions. However, we will not feel the full weight of such statistics until we recognize the fate of those who never hear about what Christ has accomplished for their salvation. In this message, David Platt shows us from the book of Romans that those who never hear the gospel stand condemned before a just and holy God. This realization makes the church’s mission––making disciples of all nations––all the more urgent, and it should compel us to ask God how He would have us be a part of making the gospel known to those who have never heard.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Learn more about the Something Needs to Change here. 

Becoming a Christian is so much more than simply adding Jesus to the mix of your life or becoming a better person. To become a Christian is to become a new creation in Christ and to receive a new calling in life. And, as David Platt points out in this sermon from 2 Corinthians 5:17–6:2, this is all based on God’s gracious and powerful work in and through us. As ambassadors for Christ, each of us is challenged to ask the question, “How does God want me to use my life for the spread of His gospel in the world?”

There is a temptation for Christians to monotonously drift through the pages of Scripture without meditating on the glorious truth of God’s Word and the great reality that He is with us. In this sermon from Joshua 1:1–9, David Platt exhorts us to see that like Joshua, even in the face of uncertainty and despair, we have great reason to be confident and filled with hope, living each day trusting in God’s presence and clinging to His Word. // Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Learn more about the Something Needs to Change Bible Study here. 

Some people talk about being a Christian as if it is merely a decision made in the past, a decision that has little effect on the way you live your life on a daily basis. But this is a far cry from Scripture’s teaching about what it means to belong to Jesus. In this sermon from 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24, David Platt explains how Jesus transforms everything about us when He comes to live in us, transforming us from the inside out. And this transformation prepares us to come face-to-face with Jesus on the last day (either at death or when Jesus returns). Because God’s judgment will be final and irreversible, we should make certain now that Jesus is, in fact, our life, so that we might escape eternal judgment and instead enjoy eternal satisfaction with Him.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.

Some Christians spend a lot of time and energy searching for new and better ways to please God. Others simply have no idea how to live the Christian life, so they make little or no progress. Sadly, they don’t realize what God has already provided for them in Jesus Christ. In this sermon from Galatians 2:20, David Platt points to the amazing reality that Christ “exchanges” His life for ours. We receive the righteousness we need as well as the desire and the power to please God. Rather than being frustrated and defeated, we can live restful and secure.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Find out more about David's latest book, "Something Needs to Change," here. 

God’s Word constantly exhorts the church to see that, here, we have no lasting city, and Christians must seek the city that is to come. We know the clock is ticking on this life, and one day we will all stand before God. In this sermon from Revelation, David Platt turns our attention to one critical question that we all must answer on that day: Did you trust in Jesus as your life?

Many people think of the church simply as a building or a place while failing to see God’s purpose for His people. God is changing the world by using ordinary people to share the greatest news in all the world––the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this sermon from Acts 1–2, David Platt urges us to commit ourselves–by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit–to fulfilling Christ’s commission until He returns.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.

God has given His people a continual reminder of their identification with Christ and with His church, and this reminder has come in the form of a meal––the Lord’s Supper. In this message from 1 Corinthians 11:23–32, David Platt answers some important questions about the Lord’s Supper: Who should participate? Where should we have this meal? When should we have it? How should we understand it? And, at the most foundational level, why should we celebrate the Lord’s Supper? As we’ll see, this meal is an essential component of new covenant worship and a celebratory expression of new covenant community.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Sign up to stream the Something Needs to Change Simulcast by clicking here.// Sign up to attend the Something Needs to Change Simulcast live at McLean Bible Church by clicking here.

Although Jesus commands believers to be baptized and Scripture assumes that all believers will have been baptized, many churches place little importance on baptism. It’s no surprise, then, that many Christians are left with questions: Why should I be baptized? What is the meaning of baptism? Who should be baptized? When should I be baptized? These are the kinds of questions David Platt answers in this message from Acts 2:36–41. Every follower of Christ should see not only the necessity of baptism but also the beauty and the privilege of identifying with Christ and his church.

In a culture that is constantly telling us that we need and deserve more earthly comforts, Jesus’ view of money and possessions can come as a shock. He demands radical surrender of all that we are and all that we own. However, as David Platt points out in this message from Mark 10:17–31, Jesus is concerned with our eternal good. Riches and the passing pleasures of this world can be deceiving and dangerous.  Based not on guilt but on grace, Jesus invites His followers to store up an eternal, heavenly reward as they leverage their resources for the sake of the gospel.

In a culture of self-expression and self-gratification, Scripture’s teaching about marriage and divorce can sound strange. Even many Christians have, without realizing it, failed to see marriage as a lifelong, covenant union between one man and woman, a union that bears witness to the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. In this message from Matthew 19:1–2, David Platt takes a look at Christ’s teaching on marriage and divorce and the importance of this God-ordained institution. Gratefully, whether you’re single, married, or divorced, God’s grace in Christ is able to restore you, sustain you, and empower you to live for His glory.

Of all the events that have affected the course of history––wars, famines, technological breakthroughs, etc.––none compares to the coming of Jesus Christ. By His life, death, and resurrection, Christ, the Son of God, fulfills God’s plan of redemption and reveals to us the purpose for which we were created. In this message from Matthew 1–2, David Platt helps us see how Jesus changes everything.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Find thousands of other Gospel-centered resources at Radical.net.

God’s people should treasure Him above anyone or anything else since He is supremely glorious and satisfying. However, it’s all too easy for us to say that we treasure God and then deny Him with the way we live and the things we value. In this message from Ethiopia based on Malachi 2:17–3:12, David Platt encourages us to consider what we’re saying about God with the way we use our money. We should use our money, and everything we have, so that His name is glorified in our lives and His gospel is made known around the world. 

When it comes to Jesus, no one can remain neutral. We will eventually submit to Him gladly in faith, or else we will become increasingly cold and even hostile to Him. In this sermon on Matthew 12, David Platt points us to the identity of Christ and to the different responses that people had to Him, including the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. We are not only warned against rejecting the Spirit’s testimony to Christ, but also we are invited to take Him as our Savior and King.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Find thousands of other Gospel-centered resources at Radical.net.

It seems as if everybody has a “key” to the Christian life––some list of things to do, some technique, or some spiritual practice that will improve your life. But what if your identity as a follower of Christ is not ultimately dependent on what you can do? And what if living the Christian life isn’t about merely improving your life? In this message from Colossians 1:24–29, David Platt explains the good news that Christ Himself dwells in His people. If you’re a Christian, your transformation into Christ’s likeness, your eternal hope, and everything in between is secured through this glorious reality––Christ in you.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Find thousands of other Gospel-centered resources at Radical.net.

Christianity is different from every other religion in the world. Instead of trying to earn God’s favor, which is what all religions seek to do (in one form or another), Scripture teaches that God has graciously provided for our salvation in Jesus Christ. In this message from Matthew 11:28–30, David Platt encourages believers to find their identity in the One who has died for their sins and provided for their peace with God. This same Jesus now empowers His people to walk in obedience to God.

Many people think of God’s salvation as a nice add-on to their lives, perhaps something that will give them comfort or success in their current pursuits. However, this is a far cry from how Scripture speaks of God’s saving work. In this message from Ezekiel 36–37, David Platt highlights God’s transforming work in the lives of His people. By His grace and by the life-giving power of His Spirit, God saves us and gives us a radically different purpose for our lives, all for His glory.// Watch the full sermon, download the free discussion questions, and more by clicking here.// Find thousands of other Gospel-centered resources at Radical.net.

God promises to give His people “a future and a hope” in Jeremiah 29:11, and many Christians assume that this rules out the possibility of suffering in their lives. However, we need to consider this promise in its wider, biblical context. In this message from Jeremiah 29:11–13, David Platt helps us think through God’s promise to Jeremiah in the context of God’s overarching plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Even in the midst of pain and suffering, God’s people can be confident that He will sustain them and that His saving promises will be fulfilled. Those who are in Christ truly have a future and an eternal hope.

So what is it that compels a person to give up his or her comforts for the sake of getting the gospel to unreached people groups around the world? Based on the book of Revelation, David Platt urges us to consider the glory of Christ as our motivation for reaching the unreached. This message from the CROSS conference in 2019 identifies forty-eight characteristics of Jesus that should elicit our praise, our awe, and our sacrifice for the sake of His name. Pursuing Christ’s glory, particularly in light of the urgency of eternity, should be the all-consuming passion of our lives.

One of the reasons Jesus died was for the unity of His church. However, from the church’s earliest days, there have been disagreements among God’s people. These disagreements can become especially difficult when both sides feel as if they are obeying what the Bible teaches on a particular issue. How, then, can Christians remain united in the midst of a multitude of opinions, preferences, and deeply-held convictions? In this message, David Platt points us to Christ’s prayer for unity in John 17:20–23 as well as Paul’s exhortations in Romans 14:1–15:7 concerning how God’s people should relate to one another in light of their disagreements. Our unity in Jesus, or lack thereof, profoundly affects our witness to the world. 

It’s easy for churches to be involved in a lot of good things while giving too little attention to God’s design for the church. Other priorities and activities tend to crowd out caring for fellow members, growing in Christlikeness, and obeying Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations. Drawing from Proverbs 16:1–9 and 1 Kings 18, David Platt addresses the future of McLean Bible Church in light of Scripture’s priorities for the church. For the sake of Christ’s glory and the spread of His gospel, every church should ask itself, “How can we most faithfully and effectively accomplish our mission?” 

The world tries to sell us a version of the good life, but, not surprisingly, God’s Word gives us an entirely different picture of what life should like. In the Old Testament, the high point in the life of God’s people occurs at the beginning of Solomon’s reign and the dedication of the temple. In this message from 1 Kings 2–8, David Platt points to the highlights of this period in Israel’s history and then considers the implications for the lives of God’s people today. The secret to living the “high life” involves God’s Word, God’s wisdom, and God’s worship.

While local ministry and mission are absolutely necessary for the church, global mission is often tragically neglected. Over two billion people in the world still do not have access to the gospel. In this message from Psalm 19, David Platt presses home the urgency of the church’s mission in view of the massive spiritual and physical needs in the world. This global mission involves every follower of Christ.

According to our culture, a woman’s identity is tied to such things as her outward appearance and her own inner strength. Scripture, on the other hand, casts a completely different vision of womanhood. Women have intrinsic value based on God’s good design, and they can be a blessing to others based on God’s grace in them. In this Mother’s Day sermon from Proverbs 31:10–31, David Platt identifies characteristics of a Christlike woman. How we view these characteristics has implications not only for married women but also for husbands, singles, and the entire church.

During his earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated His power in a variety of ways, including healing the sick, curing the demon-possessed, and raising the dead. However, we will miss the greater significance of the authority of Jesus if we only focus on the physical needs that He met. In this message from Mark 2:1–12, David Platt looks at Christ’s forgiveness and healing of a paralytic. Like Jesus, we should reach out compassionately reach out to meet urgent physical needs in the world. But this cannot be our primary or ultimate goal. As followers of Christ, we must be faithful to proclaim the gospel of the One who can meet the greatest need of every sinner––the forgiveness of sins.

Although most Christians are familiar with the story of David and Goliath, many simply view it as a call to have more courage. They do not view this story in light of the bigger picture of God’s unfolding plan of redemption. In this sermon on 1 Samuel 17, David Platt helps us see this well-known story at the level of individual, national, and redemptive history. The God who brought victory for Israel through a young shepherd-turned-king from Bethlehem has accomplished the work of redemption through the death and resurrection of another shepherd from Bethlehem––King Jesus.

Much to the surprise of Jesus’ disciples, He told them that He was going to be killed and then rise again. And as if that weren’t enough, Jesus also told them that they too would have to take up their cross if they wanted to follow Him. In this Easter sermon from Mark 8:31–38, David Platt holds out the invitation of Jesus to come and follow Him. While being a Christian is costly, the reward is far greater than any earthly possessions or praise that we might desire in this life. Eternal life and joy is found in the One who gave His life for us.

It’s easy for us to assume that our sin is not that big of a deal if others don’t know about it or seem to be affected by it. We can go on with life as usual without considering the that God Himself knows everything about us––our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our actions. In this sermon from Joshua 7, David Platt urges us to consider the seriousness of our sin, even the sin that we think is hidden. If we want a deeper and fuller sense of God’s presence and blessing in our lives, then we should acknowledge our sins––even our hidden ones––and look to the One who can graciously forgive and restore us.

Our entire lives are, in a sense, spent either working or resting. Sadly, though, we don’t often think of our working or our resting in light of God and His Word. We either overvalue our work or undervalue it; the same is true with our rest. In this sermon from Exodus 31, David Platt urges us to consider our work and our rest in light of God’s own character and actions. The God who finished His work of creation and then rested has made it possible for His people to work unto Him and to find rest in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sometimes the pull of sin can feel so strong that we feel completely overwhelmed. We are weak, and Satan’s lies are deceptive and enticing. Gratefully, God has not left us to face sin and temptation on our own. In this sermon from Matthew 4:1–11, David Platt points us to the One who has overcome temptation on our behalf. Christ, our King, has defeated Satan and given us the victory over sin, death, and hell.

Some Christians struggle with the motivation to pray because they don’t understand how their prayers fit with the purposes of a sovereign God. In this sermon from Exodus 32–34, David Platt helps us think through the mystery of prayer, as he points us to the character and purposes of God. We’ll see how God uses our prayers for the good of others, for the good of His people, and, ultimately, for His glory in the world.

As Christians, we can get so accustomed to talking about God’s salvation that we don’t stop to consider some foundational questions, questions such as How does God save us in light of our sin? And why does God save us? In this message, David Platt helps us see how the book of Exodus answers these all-important questions. As God’s salvation of Israel demonstrates, He saves us by His grace––for His glory and for our good.

In the midst of sin and suffering, God hears the cries of His people and He rescues them. This same God also sends His people out for purposes that are, humanly speaking, impossible. In this message from Exodus 2:23–3:22, David Platt shows us that, despite our weaknesses, God empowers us by His Spirit to accomplish His purposes in the world. 

Although we often feel as if we’re without hope in our suffering, Scripture reminds us of God’s character and His promises. We can trust His sovereign care, His goodness, and His wisdom, even in the darkest seasons of life. In this sermon from Genesis 37–50, David Platt uses the life of Joseph to show us that God is not only with us in our sin and suffering but also that He uses it for our good and His glory. 

All of us have blind spots in our lives, that is, areas of sin that we don’t notice or that we tend to downplay. But these small and seemingly harmless blind spots can have disastrous results in terms of our relationship with God and with others. In this sermon from Genesis 28–35, David Platt shows us how these truths play out in the life of Jacob. Gratefully, God in His grace is able to open our eyes to our blind spots, forgive us of our sins, and enable us to walk in new obedience, and all this is based on what Christ has done for us.

We rightly associate the Great Commission in Matthew 28 with making disciples, but what does making disciples have to do with caring for the unborn as well as others who are vulnerable or oppressed? In this message given at Evangelicals for Life, David Platt helps us see how the church’s makeup and mission make it specially designed to care for all who are made in God’s image. The God who gives us new life in Christ compels us to love our neighbors in every stage of life.

Many people try to ignore suffering or pretend that they won’t ever have to face it. But as sinners living in a world ravaged by sin, it’s inevitable that, sooner or later, we will all face suffering. The question is, “Where will we turn when it comes?” Based on the book of Job, David Platt urges us to respond to suffering by meditating on God’s sovereignty. When we realize Who is in control of our suffering, what He is like, and what His purposes are, we can endure faithfully, giving God glory even in our pain. 

Who is God? What’s wrong with the world? What hope do we have? These are the kinds of questions that every human being must face, and, thankfully, God has not left us wondering about the answers. In this sermon from Genesis 1–11, David Platt shows us how God’s Word answers life’s foundational questions in the Bible’s opening chapters. We’ll also be urged to think through how these truths should affect our lives as we memorize and meditate on, apply, pray, and share them.

As important as it is to read the Bible, it’s also crucial that we read it the right way. We don’t want to come asking the wrong questions and, in turn, walk away with a distorted message that we assume is from God. In this sermon on Psalm 19, David Platt identifies dangerous and dependable approaches to Scripture. Given the power, truthfulness, and value of God’s Word, we should long to hear and respond to it rightly. 

As those who belong to a sovereign God who is perfectly just and merciful, we too should seek to extend justice and mercy to others. In this sermon from Psalm 82, David Platt urges us to pray in light of the injustice around us and to make certain that we address the world’s greatest need––its spiritual need––by sharing the gospel. The realities of abortion, racism, and the persecution of Christians around the world should drive us to plead for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In order understand what following Jesus is all about, we must understand who He is and what He has accomplished for our salvation. The One through all things were made took on flesh in order to reconcile us to God. He is fully man and fully God. In this sermon from Hebrews 1:1–4, David Platt expounds on the glorious person and work of Christ. 

If we’re honest, many of us find it difficult to pray and fast. Whether it’s our sense of self-sufficiency, the distractions of social media, busyness, or simply not knowing what the Bible teaches about prayer and fasting, we often struggle with these spiritual disciplines. In this sermon from Matthew 6:5–18, David Platt addresses the why and the how of prayer and fasting. This passage from Christ’s Sermon on the Mount reminds us to acknowledge our needs and to look forward to our ultimate reward––God Himself.

It’s all too common for Christians and for churches to seek to know God and to make Him known apart from relying on His Spirit. However, relying external regulations and human abilities is empty and, ultimately, damning. In this sermon from 2 Corinthians 3:7–18, David Platt reminds us that God’s people should be desperate for the Spirit’s presence and power. Gratefully, in His grace, God freely gives His Spirit to those who put their trust in Jesus.

It’s one thing to acknowledge that Christmas is about a child being born in Bethlehem, but it’s quite another to ask questions like, “Who was this child?” and “What is He like?” In this Advent sermon, David Platt identifies twenty biblical characteristics of Jesus based on the majestic picture we see in Revelation 1:9–20. The child born in Bethlehem is fully human, but He is also fully divine and the Sovereign Lord of all.

Many Christians get nervous about the topic of giving. Some feel convicted about their materialism or lack of generosity, while others simply fear that they will be be guilted into giving more money. However, in this Advent sermon from 2 Corinthians 8–9, David Platt reminds us that our giving should be motivated by God’s grace. God’s gift of His own Son frees us to give for the glory of God and the good of others.  

It’s not enough to know that Jesus came; we also need to know why He came. It’s when we ask that question “why” that we hear the greatest news in all the world––Christ came to serve sinners. That’s the amazing truth in Mark 10:45, the text David Platt looks at in this Advent sermon. The One through whom all things were created took on flesh to serve and to save sinners like us. 

We will never understand why Christ’s coming is such good news until we see the seriousness of sin. On this first Sunday of Advent, David Platt looks at Genesis 3 to help us understand sin and its effects. Despite the hurt caused by sin, Christ’s victory over sin and death provide us with eternal hope.

Apart from God’s grace, the Bible’s description of our spiritual condition is sobering. We live under the curse of God’s law, separated from Him and without hope. However, according to Galatians 3:13, Christ has taken on our curse at the cross and provided full redemption for those who trust in Him. In this message David Platt points to the heart of the gospel––Christ’s death for sinners. 

It’s one thing to know that you’re saved, but have you stopped to consider how and why God saved you? In this message from the Rethink Church + Rethink Mission conference, David Platt urges us to consider these questions based on Ezekiel 36:22–32. When we realize that our salvation is solely by God’s grace and aimed at God’s glory, it should cause us to rethink our role in the the mission of God.

In a world of approximately 153 million orphans and vulnerable children, the church is uniquely called and equipped to care for these. Having received the love of God and having been adopted by grace into His family, we are now to reflect that love to others––particularly to those who are weak and vulnerable. Based on 1 John 3:1, David Platt encourages us to consider how God might be leading us to care for orphans, whether through adoption or through a variety of other ways.

While the world has many ideas about what it means to truly live, Jesus offers us a path to life that seems counterintuitive––in order to live, you have to die. This truth from John 12:24–26 applies not only to the eternal life that comes to us through Christ’s death, but also to our own death—death to self, death to the world, and even death for the sake of the gospel. Drawing on a recent trip to South Korea, David Platt shares about how this truth was demonstrated in the twentieth century among Korean Christians, and he challenges us to consider how this truth should shape our lives as well. 

Scripture teaches us that supernatural love exists eternally in God. Therefore, if we claim to know God, then it only makes sense that our lives would be characterized by love. In this sermon from 1 John 4:7–5:5, David Platt points out the centrality of God’s love for the Christian life, particularly as that love has been demonstrated in the death of Christ. Now, for those who possess God’s Spirit, God’s love for us should cause us to respond in love for Him and for others.

Whether we realize it or not, we are all involved in a spiritual war. Thankfully, God has not left us to our own strategies or abilities. In this sermon from 1 John 4:1–6, David Platt exhorts us to trust in the truths of who Christ is and what He has accomplished for our salvation as we engage in spiritual battle. By the power of God, our victory is assured.

If we claim to love God, then our lives should reflect a love for His children, that is, our brothers and sisters in Christ. The good news is that God enables this love for others by His Spirit, and Christ has given us the ultimate demonstration of love by laying down His life for us. In this sermon from 1 John 3:11–24, David Platt urges us to reflect on God’s love and then demonstrate this love in the way we serve others. This kind of selfless love is a mark of every true child of God.  

The incredible promise of Scripture is that by God’s grace, those who have trusted in Christ are declared to be His children and will one day be united fully with Him. In this sermon from 1 John 2:28–3:10, David Platt exhorts us to see the beauty of God’s love for us and how He has equipped us to live not for this world but for the world to come, when we will see Him as He is.

What will happen to me after I die? That’s a question that confronts everyone, regardless of their background or religious affiliation. Thankfully, the Bible is not silent on this eternally important question. In this sermon based on Revelation 21, David Platt explains the Bible’s teaching on what happens to us after we die. For the unbeliever, the sobering prospect of God’s righteous judgment awaits. But for the believer, there is an eternal hope that fuels our perseverance in the faith. Those who are in Christ will dwell with God forever.

Many people claim to love God even though their lives demonstrate a love for the world. However, as 1 John 2:3–17 reminds us, these two loves cannot coexist. In this sermon, David Platt encourages us to examine our lives to see whether we genuinely belong to God. None of us will reach sinless perfection in this life, but a love for God will be evident in our desires and in our obedience.

It can be difficult for anyone to admit that they’ve sinned. Even as Christians, we have a tendency to want to deny or make excuses for things we do wrong. Our sin may even lead to doubt whether we have eternal life. In this sermon from 1 John 1:5–2:6, David Platt reminds us that, instead of hiding or denying our sin before a holy God, Scripture invites us to confess it and to find the forgiveness that comes through the death of Christ. Walking in the light involves regularly receiving God’s grace and walking humbly in obedience to His commands.

There are a lot of areas in life where it’s ok to lack certainty. However, when it comes to our relationship with God and our eternal destiny, we should want to know for certain where we stand. Thankfully, God wants His people to have this same assurance––the assurance that we have eternal life in Jesus Christ. In this sermon from 1 John 1:1–4, David Platt encourages us to believe and experience the love of God as it is revealed in Jesus Chris

We often don’t understand the full significance of a story until we get to the end. That’s certainly true in the book of Ruth, as Ruth’s redemption is put in the larger framework of God’s redemptive purposes. In this message from Ruth 4, David Platt shows us how Ruth’s redemption looks forward to King David and the Redeemer who would come from David’s line. We’re reminded that, even in the most difficult times, God will accomplish His saving purposes.

Our culture has a distorted picture of what it means to love someone. The focus is on my desires, needs, and happiness. Gratefully, this kind of love is nothing like the love of the Lord for His people. In this message from Ruth 3, David Platt highlights the indescribable love of God. This is a self-giving love that protects and provides for those in need, much like Boaz showed toward Ruth. Ultimately, though, God’s love was manifested fully and perfectly in the death of Christ, who gave His life in order to shelter us from the judgment we deserve.

While the world often ignores or mistreats those who are weak and vulnerable, the Lord takes a different posture toward those in need. In this message from Ruth 2, David Platt points us to the God of Israel’s abundant mercy toward a needy Moabite woman named Ruth. Like Ruth, we too need God’s mercy. And, for those who have received that mercy in Jesus Christ, we should be extending mercy to the most vulnerable in our own communities and around the world.

One of the most difficult aspects of suffering is the feeling that God is far from us. We assume that loneliness, cancer, the death of a loved one, and other forms of suffering are evidence of God’s indifference or anger. However, the book of Ruth reminds us of God’s faithful love in the midst of suffering. In this message from Ruth 1, David Platt encourages us to trust in the God who sovereignly works all things for the good of His people.

There is no better news than the message of God’s grace in the gospel. Followers of Christ rightly celebrate this as our greatest joy and our life. However, it’s all too easy to ignore one of the ways we should respond to this good news––by making it known to all the peoples of the world. In this message from 2 Corinthians 4:13–18 at The Gospel Coalition 2013 Missions Conference, David Platt urges churches and followers of Christ to make the gospel known, even in the midst of difficulties and suffering. While earthly trials are temporary, God promises His people eternal joy.

Whether due to cultural opposition, sins and weaknesses within the body of Christ, or the routine, daily struggles that come with following Christ, it’s easy to forget the amazing privilege God has given to the church. No other institution or organization can claim to have Christ as its head. In this message from Ephesians 1:22–23, David Platt highlights the significance of the church’s relationship to Christ and its role in proclaiming His salvation. As we commit to Christ and to one another in the context of the local church, we put the glory of Christ on display.

There are many ways churches can serve their own members and their communities, but we cannot forget the global scope of Christ’s mission. As David Platt explains from Romans 15–16, the church should be about spreading God’s praise among all the peoples. Whether by praying, giving, or going, every member should play a role in getting the gospel to those who have never heard. It is the church’s privilege and responsibility to proclaim the good news to our neighbors and to the hardest-to-reach people groups on the planet.

If God has all power and knowledge, even over the future, then do our prayers really matter? And if they do, then what difference should that make in our lives and in our churches? In this message from Exodus 32–33 at Together for the Gospel 2014, David Platt urges believers to depend fully on the God who is sovereign over all things. God uses the prayers of His people to accomplish His purposes in the world.

Many Christians recognize that the church’s weekly gathering is important, but they seem to give little thought as to why. Why should we gather regularly for corporate worship, and what should our priorities be when we gather? In this sermon from John 4:1–26, David Platt identifies the kind of worship that pleases God. We gather as God’s people, not to be entertained or to listen to the thoughts of men, but rather to worship God in spirit and in truth.

Without realizing it, many followers of Christ have had their views of government shaped by political debates, the media, and popular culture. They give little thought to Scripture’s teaching on this important topic. In this sermon from 1 Peter 2:13–17, David Platt helps us think through a biblical view of government as well as the Christian’s responsibility to governing authorities. While we should pray for and submit to earthly rulers, our ultimate allegiance is to a heavenly King.

In order for a business, an organization, or a government to be effective, good leadership is essential. It’s no surprise, then, that bookstores are filled with advice on how to identify an effective leader. But what about the church––how do we know who is qualified to lead God’s people? In this message from 1 Timothy 3, David Platt points out the biblical qualifications for elders and deacons. In order to faithfully carry out its mission, the church should look to Scripture to find out what faithful leadership looks like.

If we only listen to the competing voices in our culture, then we’re likely to ignore the most important realities in life––eternal realities. Where else will we hear about God, salvation, heaven, hell, and judgment, unless we are confronted with God’s Word on a weekly basis? In this sermon from Acts 20:25–38, David Platt urges pastors and all Christians to consider why God’s Word must be supreme in the church. Instead of focusing on the ideas of man, we desperately need to hear from the God who speaks to us in Scripture.

Thankfully, when it comes to God’s design for the church and its mission, we’re not left to our own wisdom and creativity. God has graciously given us His Word, a perfect revelation of who He is and what He desires for His people. In this sermon from Acts 20:1–24, David Platt urges us to submit our lives and our churches to the authority of Scripture. God intends for His people to teach it, discuss it, obey it, visualize it, and then spread it to the ends of the earth.

We don’t normally think of words like accountability and discipline in a positive light, but in Scripture God gives us these things for our good. God’s people are called to care for one another in the context of the church, both in terms of teaching and encouraging one another and, if necessary, calling one another to repent of sin. In this sermon David Platt points us to accountability and discipline as marks of a biblical church. Beginning with Galatians 6:1 and then moving to other parts of the New Testament, we’ll see why churches that seek to glorify God and be faithful to the Great Commission should be marked by a concern for the spiritual welfare of every member.

What counts as Christian fellowship? A group Bible study? What about praying with someone? Is it considered fellowship if we’re simply eating with or spending time with other believers? These are important questions. As David Platt explains in this sermon, Scripture makes fellowship among God’s people a top priority. Based on Romans 12, we’ll see how God’s mercy in the gospel grounds the fellowship that should exist in the church. As a family of faith, the church should partner together for the glory of God and for the good of one another.

Some truths are so important that they’re worth giving our lives for. The gospel certainly fits in this category, which is why the Reformers were willing to die to make sure that the good news of Christ was proclaimed faithfully according to God’s Word. In this message from Together for the Gospel 2016, David Platt urges us to learn from the example of the Reformers. Their deaths several centuries ago should give us an eternal perspective on how we live our lives today.

What is God’s design for women? Our culture offers a very distorted answer to that question, bombarding us with messages and images that miss God’s good design. Women are promised liberation, all the while being physically abused, sexually objectified, and even encouraged to ignore or change their God-given gender. And the problem isn’t just out there in the world—the church often misses God’s good design as well. The roles of wives and mothers are often devalued, as is the important role of single women in the church’s life and mission. In this message, David Platt addresses these distortions by providing an overview of biblical womanhood that begins with Genesis 1 and then draws from various passages of Scripture. Only as we listen to God’s Word and find our identity in His gospel will we see the goodness and the fruit of God’s design for women.

Many churches rarely teach on the new covenant ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The biggest concern is how to fit them in without disrupting the weekly service. It’s little wonder, then, that baptism is viewed as optional by many Christians while the Lord’s Supper is either misunderstood or ignored. In this sermon David Platt explains the meaning of these two ordinances and answers the following questions: Why should I be baptized? How should I be baptized? Who should be baptized? When should I be baptized? Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper? Where should we have the Lord’s Supper? When should we have the Lord’s Supper? According to Scripture, baptizing believers and regularly taking the Lord’s Supper are crucial aspects of what it means to be a New Testament church.

Sadly, it’s not uncommon today for those who claim to be followers of Christ to show half-hearted commitment to Christ’s bride, the church. Like consumers, many Christians shop around for the best church “experience.” Others merely attend for an hour each week without any desire to meet needs among God’s people or to be a part of the church’s mission. There are even those who attempt to follow Christ apart from regularly gathering with God’s people. But as David Platt points out in this sermon from 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, God has not designed us to be spiritual lone rangers. We are fellow members of Christ’s body. For the sake of our own souls and for the sake of Christ’s mission, every follower of Christ should be committed to a local church.

It’s one thing for someone to hear the gospel and reject it, but what about those who have never even heard of Jesus? Are they okay, spiritually speaking, as long as they live a good life and follow the light they’ve been given? What is their standing before God? In this sermon, David Platt addresses these eternally important questions based on Romans 15. Given the staggering number of people in the world with little or no access to the gospel, this issue is not merely theoretical. Getting the gospel to the unreached is urgent.

Although we don’t always feel wealthy, evangelicals in America and in many parts of the West are some of the wealthiest people in world history. We have everything we need––food, clothes, houses, cars, jobs, education, savings accounts, vacations––and more. Yet, for many churches, God’s generosity toward us has not resulted in our generosity toward others. We have been content to stockpile God’s resources rather than use them for the spread of the gospel. In this message, David Platt highlights giving as one of twelve biblical traits of the church. Rather than listening to the culture, we should be listening to Scripture to see how God would have us use the resources He has entrusted to us.

We are taught from a young age to “be safe” in whatever we do. This isn’t bad advice for the everyday tasks God has given us to do, but when it comes to following Jesus, we can wrongly assume that God would never call us to something costly or dangerous. Our time, effort, and resources are spent on maximizing our comfort. However, Jesus said that following Him would mean forsaking everything. And while we aren’t to seek out suffering, we know that proclaiming the gospel in many areas of the world requires taking risks. In this sermon from Philippians 1:12–30, David Platt reminds us not to let comfort become an idol, but instead to pursue faithfulness to Christ, even if it costs us our lives. Being with Christ is infinitely better than any temporary security this world offers.

We live in a day where people are made uncomfortable by any claim of truth. Jesus taught that He Himself was “The Truth” and the only way to God. As He breathed His last on the cross, it seemed like He would be written off as a fraud. Easter Sunday serves as a reminder that God cashes in on all of His promises. In this sermon, David Platt encourages us from John 20 with testimonies to the resurrection. Through Christ being raised from the dead, our eyes have been opened to the truth and we now live in the hope of the resurrection, trusting that we will one day be with Him forever.

Our culture questions the very idea of truth. The fact that anyone would claim to know something, particularly as it relates to eternity, can sound arrogant. Yet in John 14:6 Jesus claims to be the “the way, and the truth and the life.” But what if we are accountable to God? And what if Jesus is who He says He is? If He actually died on the cross and rose from the dead, then His claim to be the way to God is not arrogant but the best news in the world. In this Good Friday message, David Platt urges us to consider and respond to the claims of Jesus Christ.

Our culture constantly tells us to look to our own abilities to find strength and success. Tragically, many churches in our day have taken that advice. In this sermon, David Platt shows us why this self-reliant attitude is contrary to what we see throughout the book of Acts as the gospel spreads across geographic and cultural borders. If the church is to carry out God’s mission, then it must rely on God’s power. Making disciples of all nations requires desperate prayer.

Holy Week is the time when Christians around the world remember the days leading to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Beginning on Palm Sunday, we’re going to dive into God’s Word each day to put ourselves in the shoes of those who walked with Jesus on the road to the cross. We'll see how these days affected their lives, even as we reflect on how they affect ours.Subscribe to Pray the Word: www.radical.net/praytheword

In John 17, we find what people have often called the “High Priestly Prayer” as Jesus prayed to the Father before His betrayal and crucifixion. What does this prayer have to do with us? In this sermon, David Platt gives three exhortations from John 17 concerning how we can leverage our lives in obedience to the Great Commission.

Discipleship is a common word used among Christians today, but it often is used without clarity. Why must the church be committed to helping Christians live every day in light of the final day? In this sermon, David Platt looks to God’s Word in order to explain what biblical discipleship is and how it is vital for the church.

What makes a church a church? After all, many religious groups meet regularly to talk about their common values and their common mission. Is there something unique about the gathering of Christ’s followers? In this sermon on Matthew 16:13–28, David Platt looks at the importance of biblical evangelism. We’ll see how the church’s identity is tied to believing and proclaiming the gospel.

Different pastors and church leaders in our day continue to offer their opinions on what the church should be about. As a result, churches are often left wondering whose preferences to follow and whose authority to listen to. In this sermon from 2 Timothy 3:10–4:8, David Platt points us away from the preferences of man to the church’s ultimate authority––God speaking through His Word. In this first of twelve traits of a biblical church, Biblical Preaching and Teaching, we’ll see why the faithful proclamation of Scripture shapes everything about the church’s life and mission.

A pastor who believes that God is sovereign over all things will lead his people to be a death defying missional people. Our sovereign God holds the destiny of the world in the palm of his hand. Therefore, his shepherds should lead their people to pray confidently, give sacrificially, go intentionally and die willingly for the spread of the gospel message to those who have never heard.

It’s so easy for churches to become self-focused. Our own comforts and concerns slowly begin to swallow up our time, energy, and resources. But Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations should compel us to move out with the gospel to a world in need. This is the church’s mission. In this third sermon in a three-part series on Matthew 28:16–30, David Platt encourages the church to make disciples and to multiply churches, both in our own neighborhoods and among unreached peoples across the globe.

There is no shortage of books, conferences, and consultants in our day offering to help churches find their mission. It’s as if God’s people have been left in the dark as to what we should be about. But what if Jesus has already given us our marching orders? In this sermon, David Platt directs our attention to Christ’s words in Matthew 28:16–20 in order to help us identify the church’s mission.

Churches often put their time, resources, and efforts into many doing good things, all the while failing to ask what their primary focus should be. Thankfully, God hasn’t left us in the dark when it comes to the church’s mission. In this sermon from Matthew 28:16–20, David Platt begins a three-part sermon series unpacking the vision, mission, and goal of the church. In this sermon we’ll see why glorifying God has to be the starting point for all that we do.

Depending on who you’re talking to, the issue of abortion brings up feelings of anger, guilt, or despair. Even many Christians view it primarily as a political issue. However, before abortion is a political or any other type of issue, we need to recognize it for what it is––a God issue. In this sermon on Psalm 139, David Platt urges Christians to take a God-centered perspective on abortion. This will involve both repentance and the pursuit of biblical justice on behalf those who are the most vulnerable. Thankfully, God’s grace in the gospel is sufficient to cover abortion and every other sin we commit against Him.

The topics of race and social justice often elicit strong emotions, which is why many pastors and churches tend to stay silent on these issues. However, David Platt argues that these are not topics the church can ignore. Our worship of God is integrally connected to the way we treat our neighbor, including those who don’t look like us. Based on Amos 5:21–24, this sermon exhorts us to consider our role in perpetuating racism, often without realizing it. Every follower of Christ should pray and work for justice in the culture around us.

If you want to grow a church and see the gospel spread, there is no shortage of strategies being offered today. Sadly, few of these strategies revolve around the power and authority of God’s Word. In today’s sermon from 2 Timothy, David Platt challenges us to rely on God’s Word to do God’s work. Not only do we need this life-changing Word in our own lives and churches, but also—there’s a world out there that has no hope without it.

There’s nothing greater, nothing more significant we can share with others than the message of the gospel. And yet, if we’re honest, we often fail to speak about this good news to unbelievers God has put in our lives. We’re silent about the hope of eternal life because we’re worried about what others will think. In this sermon based on Acts 18:1–17, David Platt encourages us to share the gospel without fear. Even though opposition is inevitable, God’s power and His mission are unstoppable.

Keeping your word seems to matter very little in our culture. Politicians unashamedly break promises, the covenant of marriage is trivialized, and, if we’re honest, each of us is tempted in a thousand little ways to distort the truth in our own lives. But, according to Psalm 98, we serve a God who is always faithful. In this sermon, David Platt encourages us to behold the God who shows steadfast love to His undeserving people. Such faithfulness should continually elicit our praise.

Many followers of Christ cringe when the topic of giving comes up. Even when we do give, we’re often motivated more by guilt than gratitude. But this is not how Scripture motivates us to give. In this sermon on Psalm 86, David Platt points us to several biblical motives for our giving. We give in response to God’s infinite grace so that others might see His glory.

Sadly, some professing Christians find very little joy in their relationship with God. Trusting and obeying Him is a duty, not a delight. However, Psalm 63 reminds us that God’s great love ought to draw out deep affection from God’s people. In this sermon David Platt urges us to set aside lukewarm thoughts toward God and instead pursue Him as our all-consuming passion.

The scale of the current refugee crisis is massive, and it can seem like events are spinning out of control. But what if God is using these tragedies to accomplish His global purposes? In this sermon on Acts 17:26–27, David Platt encourages us to view the movements of refugees around the world through the lens of God’s sovereignty and His redemptive purposes. The nations may be closer than you think.

Christians use many different strategies to find an answer to that all-important question, “What is God’s will for my life?” But what if God’s will isn’t lost? And what if He actually works in us so that we might walk in His will? David Platt encourages us to align our lives with God’s larger purposes in the world in this sermon from Acts 16.

The claim that Jesus is the only Savior, that anyone who doesn’t believe in Him will face God’s eternal judgment, sounds narrow-minded and arrogant to most people. But if Jesus is who He says He is, and if He has died, risen, and been raised to God’s right hand as Lord of all, then proclaiming the gospel is the most loving thing we can do. This gospel was the reason for Paul’s mission in Acts 13:13–52, and, as David Platt reminds us in this sermon, it is the very message that should define our lives and the church’s mission today.

No one wants to be described as jealous. In fact, Scripture warns us against an ungrateful heart that longs for what God has not given us. But, according to Psalm 79, jealousy is a good thing if we’re talking about God’s jealousy. Unlike us, God is jealous for His own glory, and this is good news for His people. In this sermon, David Platt helps us see why God’s jealousy should lead the believer to greater comfort, hope, and worship.

It’s not popular to talk about the wrath of God. Even in Christian circles, we want a God who is like us and who makes us feel good about ourselves. However, if God is holy and just––as Scripture teaches––then it is only reasonable that He would punish sin and judge those who rebel against Him. In this sermon from Psalm 78, David Platt reminds us that God’s wrath is one of His many perfections. The good news of the gospel is that God has sent His own Son to take the wrath that we deserve by dying on the cross.

Our culture is obsessed with temporal things. We want instant gratification. We don’t want to be bothered with the future, much less eternity. However, as David Platt reminds us from Psalm 90, we serve a God who is eternal. His perfections––His justice, His love, His wrath, His faithfulness, His grace––had no beginning, and they will have no end. These biblical realities should help us live for that which truly matters. Sin is more serious than we ever realized, but God’s grace is greater than we ever imagined. Our God is unchanging, and this is good news for those who have trusted in His Son.

Can one local church be used for the spread of the gospel among all nations? This is precisely what God did with the church at Antioch in Acts 13:1–12. In this message, David Platt points out five characteristics of the church at Antioch that should inform the mission of every local church. The spread of the gospel by God’s people is ultimately dependent on His power.

Many Christians in our culture enjoy the blessings of God without ever asking why they have been blessed. Could it be that God has blessed us, both spiritually and physically, for a greater purpose than our own comfort? Based on Psalm 67, David Platt helps us connect God’s blessings with His mission in the world, a theme that runs from Genesis to Revelation.

We have a dangerous tendency to treat God lightly in worship, preferring instead various activities and gimmicks that hold our attention. However, as Psalm 95 reminds us, our God is worthy of our worship and our deepest reverence. In this message David Platt encourages us to let God’s character and greatness shape our worship. We should respond to God with humility, joy, gratefulness, trust, and obedience.

Churches need leaders who are faithful to the gospel, but we can’t forget who the church’s actual leader is––Jesus Christ. When we pause to reflect on who Jesus is, then it only makes sense that we would want to submit to His plan and trust in His power to carry out the church’s mission. Based on Matthew 4:18–22, David Platt encourages the church to look to Christ and His gospel as we seek to make disciples of all nations.

It’s easy to get so caught up in our own little worlds that we miss the urgent needs right around us, not to mention the spiritual and physical needs of billions around the world. But have you considered what God, in His sovereignty, might have for His church today as He accomplishes His purposes in the world? Drawing on Esther 4:13–17, David Platt urges the church to seize the opportunities God has provided for us as we make His gospel known around the world.

It is deceptively easy for us to talk about God, sing to God, and even claim to be serving God, all while ignoring His Word. In this new message from Isaiah 66 and Romans 8, David Platt reminds us that God’s Word should cause us to stand in awe. We ought to respond to Scripture by submitting to and delighting in the One who is sovereign over us.

With areas of the southern United States facing potentially one of the worst storms of our generation head-on, that following the severe flooding in Texas caused by Hurricane Harvey… and even beyond the U.S., the strongest earthquake in a century hitting Mexico this week, severe flooding in India affecting 40 million people, hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children fleeing Myanmar, North Korea testing missiles and threatening nuclear war—and all this in addition to personal struggles and afflictions in our personal lives. With all that’s going on in the world today, what exactly does God’s Word bring to bear on our turbulent world?

It can be tempting to try and live your life in your own strength—devoid of God’s Spirit. However, the Bible urges you to not walk into the days ahead with dependence upon yourself, but rather with desperation for God’s Spirit. That’s what prayer is all about, and that’s what today’s sermon from Exodus 33 is all about.

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).” The first step toward following God is to trust in the truth of Jesus. In today’s new sermon, David Platt identifies four truths that ought to be the natural outworking of a believer’s life… from the very outset of trusting in Jesus, to the day-in and day-out of facing life without fear.

All followers of Christ will face the storms of life. However, we have anchors in these storms, truths on which we can bank our lives and our eternities. Based on Acts 27 (and several other passages), David Platt identifies five anchors for the believer’s soul in the midst of life’s trials. The God who is sovereign over all things cares for us deeply and is working all things according to His good purposes.

The object of our faith matters more than the measure or circumstances of our faith.

While elders are servant leaders in the church, the Bible identifies deacons as leading servants in the church. According to Acts 6:1–7 and 1 Timothy 3:8–13, deacons have three responsibilities: meet needs according to the Word, support the ministry of the Word, and unify the body around the Word. This kind of ministry may not be flashy, or even visible, but it is crucial to the church’s health and growth.

A biblical model of church leadership is critical for a church that aims to display the glory of Christ. In this sermon, David Platt turn our attention to Acts 20:17–31 as a helpful guide for elders, or pastors. As servant leaders, these men ought to lead under the authority of Christ, care for the body of christ, teach the Word of Christ, and model the character of Christ. Churches should appoint and follow such men.