Radical With David Platt

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.