Radical With David Platt

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 U

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.