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.

Radical with David Platt

Love Never Ends

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. 

What Makes the Body of Christ Beautiful

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.

Supernatural Church

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.

The Best Meal in the World

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.

Meditating on God’s 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.

Men and Women in the Church (Part 2)

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."

Men and Women in the Church (Part 1)

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.

Choose to Live

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.

The Dangerous Habit of Not Meeting Together

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.

Your Conscience and Common Temptations

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.

Good News for the Poor

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. 

Your Conscience and People without Christ

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.

Your Conscience and Your Love 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.

Conscience: What is It, and Why in the World Does it Matter?

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.

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Radical with David Platt is a podcast that highlights sermons weekly from teacher, author, and pastor David Platt.

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Radical with David Platt

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