Cross Podcast

Rosaria Butterfield uses the story of a WWII Japanese soldier who hid in a cave for 27 years to illustrate how false beliefs trap us in bondage. Though legally free when the war ended in 1945, the soldier refused to believe the war was over, remaining captive to his false convictions. Many Christians experience similar spiritual bondage they believe they're forgiven through Christ's blood but don't truly believe they're free from sin's patterns, habits, and thoughts. Butterfield provides eight practical points for starving sin, beginning with making your calling and election sure. Reject the cave of sin's bondage by embracing your true identity and freedom in Christ. Topics: Sin, Freedom in Christ, Identity in Christ, Spiritual bondage, Sanctification

David Platt addresses how believers can share the gospel naturally in everyday circumstances. Prioritizing questions applicable to broad audiences, Platt focuses on equipping Christians to proclaim the gospel with both compassion and boldness. The goal of gospel sharing is not merely personal conversion moments but fruit that extends to people's spheres of influence, airplane conversations, and gospel witness that bears fruit for decades. Commit to speaking the gospel with both greater compassion for the lost and greater boldness in your everyday conversations. Scripture: Matthew 4:19; Matthew 28 Topics: Gospel witness, Evangelism, Discipleship, Boldness, Compassion

Matt Schmucker, Ben Lacey, and John Piper honor the volunteers and group leaders who enabled CrossCon26 to happen. Schmucker shares the origin story of the Cross conference born from John Piper's dream, conversations, and prayers. The conference reflects a vision of gathering believers around God's biggest realities: His sovereignty, human sin, Christ's return, and the gospel's advance among the nations. Recognize the unseen labor of volunteers and leaders, and commit to serving alongside others in building God's kingdom. Topics: Leadership, Volunteering, Community, Conference vision, Family faithfulness

Bob Kauflin invites listeners to consider what kind of music God actually enjoys. Rather than assuming we understand God's musical preferences, Kauflin explores the deeper question of whether our worship songs align with what matters to the Sovereign God we serve. Our songs matter because they reflect and shape what we believe about God's character and worth. God deserves worship that reflects His true nature and majesty. Examine your worship music and practices to ensure they genuinely honor the Sovereign God rather than reflecting your own assumptions. Scripture: Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 34:11; Colossians 3:16 Topics: Worship, Music, God's sovereignty, Corporate worship, Theological reflection

Ryan Robertson advocates for missionaries and churches to prioritize global cities as harvest fields. Growing up in multicultural Toronto where he openly shared the gospel with Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim classmates, Robertson demonstrates that cities are natural gathering places where diverse peoples converge. Since Babel's dispersion, humans have migrated toward cities rather than away from them, making urban centers strategic locations for gospel witness and discipleship. Reassess your church's mission strategy to include the strategic importance of reaching unreached peoples gathering in global cities. Scripture: Genesis 11 (Babel) Topics: Global cities, Urban missions, Cultural diversity, Gospel witness, Church strategy

Brooks Buser shares lessons from missionary work in Papua New Guinea, the world's most linguistically and culturally diverse nation. Having settled among the Yembiyembi people and been adopted into their clan system, Buser identifies six key principles three that explain why missionaries fail and three that demonstrate how missionaries can succeed. Buser's experience navigating language acquisition, cultural integration, and sustained missionary presence reveals both the common pitfalls and proven pathways for long-term effectiveness in cross-cultural ministry. Evaluate your approach to cross-cultural ministry against the tested patterns of what enables missionaries to see the finish line. Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20; John 12 Topics: Missions, Cross-cultural ministry, Papua New Guinea, Language learning, Perseverance

Kyle Claunch explores the doctrine of the Trinity and how God can be eternally one God yet three distinct persons. A seminary professor and longtime pastor, Claunch uses Isaiah's throne vision to frame this foundational Christian doctrine. The Trinity isn't merely abstract theology but a doctrine that enhances worship, strengthens discipleship, and increases our capacity to make disciples. Understanding that we serve "one true and living God who exists eternally as three distinct persons" transforms how we approach our faith. Deepen your understanding of the Trinity to strengthen your worship and discipleship of others. Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-5 Topics: Trinity, Christian theology, God's nature, Worship, Discipleship

David Mathis explores why physical exercise matters for Christians in light of God's sovereignty and the gospel. He introduces Adoniram Judson, one of America's most significant figures, who was the nation's first commissioned missionary and spent nearly 40 years in Burma. Judson's life demonstrates how physical health and endurance enabled him to persevere in missionary work and kingdom purpose. Mathis connects the physical discipline of exercise to the broader spiritual realities of God's rule over all things. Steward your physical body as part of your overall commitment to God's purposes in the world. Topics: Christian exercise, Physical health, Missions, Endurance, Stewardship

Andy Davis teaches on Scripture memorization using the Sermon on the Mount as his foundation. He explores the contrast between building on rock versus sand those who hear Jesus' words and practice them versus those who don't. Through the parable of two builders, Davis demonstrates that putting God's Word into practice creates a stable spiritual foundation that withstands life's pressures, while neglecting practice leads to spiritual collapse. Begin memorizing Scripture today as the first step toward building an unshakeable spiritual foundation. Scripture: Matthew 7 Topics: Scripture memorization, Spiritual maturity, God's Word, Discipleship, Foundations

Tilly Dillehay examines how envy corrupts joy in seasons of others' success. Witnessing her sisters' stunning musical talent for the first time as a college sophomore, Dillehay faced a complex emotional moment despite having her own musical aspirations. Envy can masquerade as other emotions, even sisterly admiration, yet it poisons authentic joy in others' gifts. Recognizing and rejecting envy allows believers to celebrate God's diverse grace distributed throughout their community. When tempted toward envy over others' talents or success, deliberately choose rejoicing and gratitude for how God distributes His gifts. Scripture: Exodus 34; Psalm 8; Psalm 19; Isaiah 6; Genesis 2 Topics: Envy, Joy, Comparison, Contentment, Community

Jonathan Leeman contrasts two paradigms for conducting missions work. As President of Nine Marks, Leeman critiques movement-driven missions while advocating for church-centered missions as more biblically grounded. Two dominant paradigms compete within evangelical missions: movement-driven (emphasizing flexibility and speed) and church-centered (emphasizing ecclesiology and accountability). Church-centered missions proves more sustainable and biblically faithful. Evaluate your mission involvement through the lens of church health and accountability rather than movement metrics alone. Topics: Missions, Church, Ecclesiology, Missions Strategy, Ministry Paradigms

Mark Collins explores essential foundational beliefs before going on mission. After 25 years leading West Shanghai Baptist Church in China, Collins recalls his own pivotal moment at age 22 when a speaker mentioned China's long spiritual hunger. Before accepting a cross-cultural call, believers must solidify their foundational theological commitments. Clarity about what you believe regarding Christ, Scripture, the gospel becomes your anchor in challenging contexts. Examine your core convictions about Jesus, Scripture, and the gospel before pursuing any significant ministry calling. Scripture: Romans 3:21-25 Topics: Missions, China, Calling, Theology, Cross-cultural Ministry

Nina Buser shares the spiritual markers of women called to global ministry. A missionary to the Yembiyembi tribe in Papua New Guinea for 13 years, Buser recounts her unlikely journey from a secular, broken home to a cross-cultural calling. Encountering God's holiness and Christ's sufficiency reorients women's entire perspective on identity and purpose. Buser's transformation from disinterest to dedication illustrates how gospel renewal fuels missionary calling. Ask God to reveal His holiness to you and examine what markers of missionary character He's already developing in you. Topics: Women in Missions, Calling, Gospel Transformation, Character, Faith

David Mathis challenges attendees to become agents of godly transformation. Mathis speaks to young believers who sense divine discontent with cultural compromise on campus and online. Being an example involves allowing Scripture rather than the world to shape your speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. When centered on Jesus Christ and rooted in a faithful local church, individual transformation becomes catalytic for community change. Commit to being shaped by God's Word rather than algorithms, and lead others toward real life and biblical sanity. Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12 Topics: Influence, Example, Discipleship, Cultural Witness, Campus Ministry

Alistair Begg and Jonathan Carswell discuss effective gospel communication. Carswell interviews Begg through prepared questions about sharing Jesus, referencing Begg's well-known "man on the middle cross" teaching. Effective evangelism requires both preparation and authenticity. Learning from experienced communicators like Begg helps believers move beyond awkwardness to natural, compelling gospel witness. Practice articulating your faith clearly and compassionately, drawing from Begg's model of winsome gospel communication. Scripture: John 1:29 Topics: Gospel Sharing, Evangelism, Communication, Witness, Jesus

Rae Reid reflects on the joys and challenges of single missionary service. At 43 and single after nearly 12 years in Southeast Asia with Reaching and Teaching, Reid presents an honest assessment of singleness on the mission field. Marital status should never be an excuse to avoid overseas ministry. Single missionaries face unique considerations and opportunities that deserve thoughtful examination rather than dismissal or romanticization. Evaluate whether singleness is truly an obstacle to your calling, and consider the unique strengths single missionaries bring to cross-cultural ministry. Topics: Singleness, Missions, Calling, Single Missionaries, Ministry

David Platt addresses the perennial question of discovering God's will. Acknowledging that believers constantly wrestle with God's direction for their lives, Platt examines whether Scripture addresses all decisions from mundane choices to major life directions. Many decisions aren't explicitly answered in Scripture, yet believers wonder if God cares about all details. Understanding God's character as infinitely good, wise, and loving provides the foundation for experiencing His will in every circumstance. Trust God's infinite wisdom and goodness as you make daily decisions, seeking His guidance through Scripture and His Spirit. Scripture: Proverbs 3:5; 1 Kings 19; Acts 16 Topics: God's Will, Decision-Making, Guidance, Discernment, Scripture

Isaac and Stephanie Stiles provide biblical guidance on dating practices. With 13 years of marriage and experience counseling students through Across Campus, the Dosses address how dating culture has shifted from public chaperoned courtship to modern hookup culture. Though dating itself has radically changed, Scripture speaks directly to how believers should approach relationships and honor God throughout the dating process. Their practical counsel helps students navigate relationships with biblical integrity. Evaluate your dating practices against biblical standards and seek counsel from godly married couples. Scripture: Proverbs (fear of the Lord); James 1; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 7:39 Topics: Dating, Relationships, Purity, Marriage, Biblical Courtship

Brooks Buser examines language as both barrier and key to gospel expansion. Working with Radius International to help missionaries learn language and culture, Buser demonstrates why linguistic skill directly determines gospel effectiveness. Language proficiency separates clear gospel communication from muffled, ineffective witness. Valuing language means valuing the gospel's spread, as words are the vehicles through which faith is communicated across cultures. Commit to learning language with gospel intentionality, whether at home or on the mission field. Scripture: Matthew 28 Topics: Language, Gospel Communication, Missions, Culture, Barriers

Scott Hubbard explains the liberating power of self-forgetfulness. Drawing on insights from C.S. Lewis, Tim Keller, and John Piper, Hubbard presents self-forgetfulness as the pathway to freedom and deep wonder. The healthiest Christians live free from constant self-comparison and internal analysis. Instead of obsessing over psychological categories or how they rank against others, they simply forget about themselves and live fully. Practice self-forgetfulness by redirecting your thoughts away from self-assessment toward others and toward God. Topics: Humility, Self-forgetfulness, Joy, Freedom, Wonder