TGC Podcast

“It's by relying on the Father of every good and every perfect gift that we can remain steadfast under trial.” –– Mary WillsonMary Willson delivers a message at TGCW21, teaching from James chapter 1, addressing the questions and concerns that have arisen within the Church over the last couple of years around sickness, financial strain, joblessness, loneliness, disorientation, anxiety, and how to faithfully stand firm in the midst of such compounding adversity. She encourages listeners to remember who they are and, ultimately, whose they are, as James describes in verse 1.Willson also addresses three sets of instructions that follow in James’s teaching in light of our identity in Christ, crescendoing into a glorious remembrance of who God is and the sovereign grace he bestowed on us, that we might be first fruits of his kingdom—reflecting his love in broken creation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“I want to be content in the presence of God with me, no matter what the circumstances are around me.” – David PlattDavid Platt preaches a message at TGC21 based in Hebrews 13:1-21. He begins by reminding us that we have an adversary who wants to destroy our intimacy with Jesus and divert his people from his mission in the world, which is why we have the book of Hebrews.Platt gives 25 ways that God directs his people through instructions, expectations, declarations, and a benediction in the final chapter of Hebrews. Platt exhorts us to fix our eyes on the Son of God, our reward, our Savior, our Sympathizer, our Intercessor, our Great High Priest who covers over all our sins, and the Great Shepherd who oversees our soul. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Every society has concepts of right and wrong, including overlaps and differences, and those concepts formulate moral ecosystems that pass down values from generation to generation. As described by Tim Keller, moral ecosystems display four distinct characteristics: moral cosmology (who we are and why we are here), moral instruction in some authoritative text, moral imagination (the stories we tell), and cohesive community made up of moral discourse, moral modeling, and moral practices.In her talk from TGCW21, Betsy Childs Howard addresses each of these characteristics from both historical and practical viewpoints with a particular focus on moral imagination—how the stories we tell shape our children.Check out the new book, Polly and the Screen Time Overload, written by this episode's speaker, Betsy Childs Howard. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Collin Hansen delivers a message at TGC21 titled “The Duty and Delight of Catechizing Your Children.” He begins with the thesis that someone will catechize your children and follows with the pivotal question, “Will it be you or someone else?”From Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Hansen addresses the nuts and bolts of catechesis, beginning with its theological foundation and detailing how parents might engage in both formal and informal catechesis, as the Scriptures command.As parents lay the foundation of catechesis for their children, duty gives way to delight, while Biblical truth begins to shape their families for the glory of God. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lloyd Kim delivered a message at TGC21 from Hebrews 8:6-13 titled “Christ’s Greater Covenant.” The author of Hebrews makes a case, he taught, that the New Covenant through Jesus is based on better promises of God than the Old. Those promises he described as three-fold:God will remember our sins no moreGod will write his laws on our hearts, and we will be his peopleAll will know him, from the least to the greatest Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sam Allberry, Rebecca McLaughlin, and Jackie Hill Perry participated in a panel discussion during TGCW21 titled “Sexual Identity and Loving Our Neighbor.” Having experienced same-sex attraction and taught extensively on issues of sexuality, each participant in the panel spoke from their own experiences—both being confronted personally by the gospel and engaging in conversations with others around the confrontational and controversial topics of sexuality. They encouraged their listeners to engage honestly, with open ears and a humble posture, recognizing that every image bearer has a story that is worthy of our careful attention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bryan Chapell taught a message from Hebrews 12 during TGC21 titled “The Pilgrim’s Purpose in Life.” Amid a global pandemic, he sought to answer the ancient question, “If God is for us, why is all of this happening?” He reminded believers that God is greater than our senses and explanations—and we need him to be.What God is doing in us, he explained, is disciplining us as sons and daughters, teaching us how dear we are to each other and how dear the Savior is to us. When life hits hard and we find ourselves desperate for solid ground, we should be reminded of the kingdom that cannot be shaken and its glorious King. As recipients of the unshakeable kingdom, we must lift our hands, strengthen our knees, and gratefully worship in reverence and awe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Don Carson delivered a message during TGC21 titled “Our Empathetic High Priest.” Focusing in on three passages from Hebrews chapters 4-7, he emphasized three major points as it pertains to Christ’s role as our Great High Priest:— He is able to encourage us to persevere despite our weakness, brokenness, and sin.— He is able to encourage us by anchoring our hope, in his immutable promise and oath.— He is able to encourage us by being uniquely qualified to save us completely. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aimee Joseph led a session during TGCW21 titled “What’s Next? Discerning God’s Will.” In a sense, she said, life is a huge series of compounding choices. At any given time, we are all in one of three places: on the verge of making a choice, in the midst of a choice, or having just made a choice. From the simple and nearly meaningless to complex and deeply significant, right choices are all around us. Aimee addressed decision-making from a biblical view using a five-part structure: —The problem of decisions —A paradigm for decisions —The process preparation for decisions —A posture for decisions —Praise Him who made us in his image as decision makers Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rebecca McLaughlin led a breakout during TGC21 titled “The Secular Creed” based loosely on her recently released book by the same title. Framing her teaching within current cultural critiques of modern evangelicalism and its history, she encourages Christians to both take the critiques seriously and avoid simply defending our tribe.She focuses on four points for consideration:- Jesus demands diversity- Jesus defines sexuality- Jesus defends women- Jesus desires repentance Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Horton delivered a message during TGC21 titled “The Necessity of Justification,” taking a look back at Luther’s discovery of the doctrine and the many factors that have affected its understanding, acceptance, or rejection by believers over the years. Correctly understanding and applying the doctrine of justification, Horton argued, is key to another needed reformation, though it does not stand alone. We must recognize the priority of justification, he encouraged his listeners, while also recognizing and rejoicing in the plethora of other gifts we receive in salvation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

TGC hosted a panel discussion at the 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Experiencing God in Your Affliction.” Vaneetha Rendall Risner, Emily Jensen, Jen Oshman, and Kristin Wetherell shared from personal experience regarding pain, suffering, and loss and addressed several questions regarding faith and the strength to endure, including —How has God met you at the end of your rope? —How can we prepare for suffering? —How does the Word of God minister to you in suffering? —Are there particular verses in which you regularly find comfort? —What truths ground you in times of suffering? —How do you avoid being overwhelmed by the idea of future suffering? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Melissa Kruger and Jen Wilkin led a conversation during a session at the 2021 TGC Women’s Conference titled “Gospel Parenting During the Little Years.” Each with older children now, the pair addressed questions regarding parenting their children through the younger years. From understanding accurate metrics for how difficult parenting small children should be to proactively teaching them the Bible in your home to relational vs. authoritarian leadership and choices about education, the women shared from their own experiences, both positive and negative, to encourage mothers facing similar challenges today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of TGC’s Behind the Song, Brett McCracken interviews Phoenix-based singer/songwriter LOVKN about his story, his songwriting process, and his desire for a renaissance of artistically beautiful Christ-centered music.Raised in a creative home, Steven Lufkin was immersed in music and began attending a performing arts school in the sixth grade. From that point on, creativity and excellence were vital in his music, and he sadly found most Christian music uninspiring and inauthentic. Much of his writing explores avant garde approaches to devotional worship and is more akin to music one might hear in a coffee shop than in corporate worship. He now leads a growing worldwide community of artists for creative collaboration and music and worship tours. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of TGC’s Behind the Song, Brett McCracken interviews Tenielle Neda about her journey to faith and writing music that can influence other people’s faith. From a farm in Australia to Australian Idol to an internship at her brother’s church and a very cool job (teaser), her uncommon story has shaped the trajectory of her life and perspective on writing and performing devotional music to nourish the church. Tenielle discusses her deeply gospel-centered songs and the important role they play simply helping people remember the glorious truths of Scripture that need to be remembered. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this “Behind the Song” episode of the TGC Podcast, Brett McCracken interviews Poor Bishop Hooper—Jesse and Leah Roberts—about their EveryPsalm project, which releases a new song each week, one for each Psalm. An already ambitious 3-year project became even more so when, only a few months after launch, the world was shaken by a global pandemic. But the sovereign timing of the project unexpectedly worked for good, creating a hymnal of hope and comfort for listeners in a world that seemed to be falling apart. In the interview, the duo addresses the origins of their project and what it takes for a married couple with young children to continually muster the creative energy to create for this ongoing work of art for the church. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Scott Sauls led a session at the 2021 TGC National Conference titled “Rising Above Cancel Culture with the Fruit of Gentleness.” Quoting the inimitable Mr. Rogers, he urged his listeners to move beyond the self-aggrandizing attitudes borne of the craziness of the last year and a half and greet one another, “I like you,” especially within the church. Instead of speaking over one another and canceling people with whom we disagree, he taught, we can—and must—love one another enough to address the issues that concern us while still fully valuing others as those made in the image of God. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Onwuchekwa led a session at the 2021 TGC National Conference titled “The Christian’s Patience” from Hebrews chapter 11.Defining hope as “the feeling that the feeling you have right now isn't permanent,” Onwuchekwa reminded listeners of its importance while also encouraging us to guard against the idea that identifying Christ as our source of hope is the end of the journey. Hope inherently assumes waiting, and we’re not great at that practice; practice doesn’t make us better at it. Onwuchekwa focuses on one truth to empower and equip his listeners—God’s people will constantly be waiting, but we must not worry while we do. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Betsy Childs Howard led a discussion with Suzanne Bates, Courtney Reissig, and Kristin Wetherell in a breakout session at the TGC 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Steadfast Hope in an Anxious World.” They addressed different types of anxiety, the notion that anxiety is sin, scriptural vs. sinful responses to anxiety, anxiety as spiritual warfare, and medical treatments for anxiety, among other topics. They offered specific and practical hope for women struggling with anxiety, encouraging them to remember that they are not alone in the fight. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Speaking primarily from his own traumatic experiences and pastoring others through their own, Matthew Spandler-Davidson led a workshop for pastors at the 2021 TGC National Conference titled “How the Cross Offers Healing for Victims of Abuse.” Having both experienced and seen abuse as a child—from beatings to rape to being smothered with a pillow—he was left shy, insecure, bitter, angry, and self-centered. It was through the care of a rugged fisherman with a thick Scottish accent, a glass eye, and a long beard that he was introduced to the Bible and the gospel broke into his stubborn, dead, and cold heart. Hope was stirred as Christ and his church became a refuge for his weary soul, and he worked to create the same for other victims when he became a pastor. Spandler-Davidson enumerated three ways churches can become a hope-giving refuge for victims of abuse and several ways to ensure that your church can be a place of safety for the vulnerable and healing for the hurting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“We serve a God who is not only powerful—not only does he have utter control of everything that's going on in our lives—but we serve one who has tasted death on our behalf.” – Alasdair GrovesAlasdair Groves taught a breakout session at TGC’s 2021 National Conference titled, “Nothing Outside His Control” as a response to the anxiety that is common to our human experience and amplified through current events.Defining anxiety as “the reality that, in the fallen world, there will be suffering in our future,” Groves turned to Hebrews 2:7-9 to flesh out how we should address it. The passage of Scripture, he taught, clearly states that God is in full control of all things, but we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. Embracing those two truths and holding them in tension is key to rightly responding to anxiety in our lives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

TGC hosted a panel discussion during the 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Motherhood and the Hope of the Gospel” with Christine Hoover, Trillia Newbell, Irene Sun, and Laura Wifler.Against the backdrop of such a difficult last year for mothers everywhere dealing with the reality of pandemic-driven changes, the panel offered words of hope for those who are tired and weary. Mental health, emotional health, relational strain, and all sorts of suffering and struggle common to motherhood were addressed as each participant in the panel offered biblical and experiential wisdom to encourage mothers and point them continually to Christ and his Word. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Piper preached a message at TGC’s 2021 National Conference on “The Essential Achievement of Christ” from Hebrews 9:1-10:18. Through this text, Piper expounded upon six manifestations of Christ’s greatness, magnifying the central achievement—the removal of guilt—and the averting of the wrath of God from those who are in Christ Jesus.He preached:Christ the Great AbsenceChrist the Great AchievementChrist the Great AccessionChrist the Great ApplicationChrist the Great ArrivalChrist the Great Abundance Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jackie Hill Perry taught a message at TGC’s 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Steadfast Speech: A Mighty Little Tongue.” James chapter 3 formed the backdrop for her admonition to carefully control the tongue by the power of the Spirit. Perry taught that the tongue is accountable, the tongue is powerful, and the tongue is inconsistent.Creating a better world through our words, she suggested, comes by addressing those realities in three ways. She called her listeners to be honest, to behold, and to be filled. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Speaking at TGC’s 2021 National Conference, Dane Ortlund delivered a message titled “Gentle Savior, Gentle Shepherd.” He addressed a common insufficiency many believers—and church leaders, specifically—possess when it comes to really knowing Christ.Through four Old Testament passages, Ortlund outlined the gracious, merciful, compassionate character of God that “rolled out the red carpet and constructed a perfectly fitted throne” for the King who would appear in the New Testament to inhabit it.Understanding the character of God throughout the Scriptures sets the stage for knowing how Christ approaches us, Ortlund taught, and how church leaders should then approach those under their care. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vaneetha Rendall Risner delivered a message titled “Forgiveness: The Hardest and Most Life-Changing Thing We Can Do” at TGC’s 2021 Women’s Conference. Speaking from her own difficult experience learning to forgive someone who had hurt her deeply, she encouraged those listening to explore and understand what forgiveness really is—allowing God to heal them through the process.Risner clarified what forgiveness is and, just as importantly, what it is not, as she outlined what it means to forgive in a healthy, biblical manner. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jen Wilkin delivered a message at TGC’s 2021 National Conference called “Female Bravery and the Mission of God.” Walking through Scripture, Wilkin relayed stories of women who feared God rather than men and stood against the Serpent, risking their very lives. The imagery revealed in the stories, she taught, is the metaphor necessary for the modern church to understand in order to also be shrewd as a serpent and innocent as a dove—overcoming the enemy that wages war against our very souls. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Phillip Holmes moderated a panel with Carl Ellis and Walter Strickland at TGC's 2021 National Conference titled “Free at Last: The Gospel and the African American Experience 25 Years Later.” From the framework developed in Carl Ellis’s Free At Last, the panel addressed questions regarding the African American experience over the last 400 years, including history, cultural contexts, and cultural biases and how that has affected African Americans and their faith. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paige Brown taught a session at TGC's 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Kingdom Matters.” Many believers, she posited, focus their belief mainly on how we are saved (justification), while lessening the theological and practical importance of what we are saved to do. The kingdom, she proclaimed, is not only good for the future but is meant for today and should permeate every part of our world. And it is the role of the church—of every believer—to proclaim the goodness of the kingdom. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brett McCracken hosted a panel discussion at TGC's 2021 Women’s Conference with Alisa Childers, Preston Perry, and Trevin Wax titled “Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church," addressing the topic of healthy deconstruction as discussed in the book by the same name. The panel addressed multiple questions, from what healthy deconstruction looks like to cultural structures that fuel deconstruction processes, to how believers address conversation about deconstruction, and much more. Ultimately, the process of healthy deconstruction should allow for questions while pointing to Jesus—reminding those who question of all that Christ has done. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mike Kruger delivered a message at TGC’s 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Can I Lose My Faith? Understanding Apostasy.” Susan Pevensie, of The Chronicles of Narnia fame, serves as the jumping off point of the message, having been so central to the beginning of Lewis’s storyline, yet so glaringly absent from its conclusion. As Peter, her brother, explained, she was eventually “no longer a friend of Narnia.” Her story is reminiscent of many believers who seem to be strong in their faith but eventually walk away from Christ and his kingdom. “Apostasy,” as it is known, is a difficult and touchy subject. In his message, Kruger addresses the topic, first clearly defining what it is (and isn’t), pointing to biblical examples, clarifying truths about apostasy, and finally, denoting how Christians should respond to it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Christine Hoover delivered a message at TGC's 2021 Women’s Conference titled “Messy Beautiful Friendship: Learning to Love Others in a Christlike Way.” Speaking from her own experiences building friendships—first as a child, then as an adult—Hoover discussed the “wish dream”: the idealized vision of a perfect friendship that too many women embrace. She compared this to the reality of mature, biblical friendship that, despite all its flaws and blemishes, is a priceless gift from God.She looked at four components of biblical friendships, exemplified by Christ, that women should pursue:– Focus on giving (serving) and befriending others– Erase unnecessary restrictions– Devote yourself to people– Be vulnerable Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Julius Kim delivered a message to the Bay Area Regional Chapter of TGC titled “Weakness & Witness” as part of the series “Testify: Bearing Witness to Christ in the Present Age.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 served as the text by which Kim encouraged his listeners to testify to the goodness of God even in the midst of overwhelming weakness. When we feel intimidated, overwhelmed, hopeless, powerless, paralyzed, and demoralized in the face of a culture that esteems success and shuns godliness, we are empowered by the same spirit—the spirit of the resurrected Christ—that enabled Paul to witness with power and confidence to the elite in Athens. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sam Allberry delivered a message to the Arizona Regional Chapter of TGC titled “Is God Anti-Gay?” Springboarding from his own personal struggle with homosexuality, Allberry addressed the question of sexuality and its association with sin according to Jesus’s own words. He refuted the idea that Jesus was silent on the issue of sexual ethics; in fact, he intensified the already stringent sexual ethic of the Old Testament. Jesus’s expectation for his people in marriage and sexuality—just as in all of life—is high. It requires the denial of one’s own sinful, selfish desires in order to become who we were meant to be and receive life. It is a costly proposition. And it is always worth it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andy Davis delivered a message to the Carolinas Regional Chapter of TGC titled “How the Scriptures Equip” as a part of the series “Equipped for Every Good.” Teaching from 2 Timothy 3:14-17, he argued that scripture alone is perfectly sufficient to equip believers for our journey of salvation—from unbelief to faithful, growing followers of Jesus. He then applied that truth to the responsibility pastors steward as they preach and lead their churches. Summarizing Spurgeon, he challenged them, “There should be real teaching in your sermon. The doctrine should be solid and substantial. There should be a system of truth building up in your hearers if they hear you over a length of time.” And scripture—in concert with the direct ministry of the Holy Spirit—provides all you need to wisely lead each person under your care in godliness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason Cook delivered a message at TGC’s 2018 Carolinas Regional Conference titled “I Am Your Neighbor” as a part of their series “Equipped for Every Good.” Teaching from Luke 10, Cook addressed the nature of discipleship, particularly as it pertains to engaging culture, to the end that a disciple is one who loves God and his neighbor. Cook added the caveat that what we often consider to be love for neighbor may not actually reflect what it means to love others as ourselves. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul Tripp delivered a message during PasCon2018 at Bethlehem College titled “Danger of Familiarity.” Directly addressing the pastors in the room, he directed their attention toward a single danger of life in the ministry—familiarity with the gospel. The overwhelming privilege of spending a life dedicated to understanding, declaring, and ministering the gospel can have the adverse effect of numbing pastors to the splendor of God and the gospel. Knowledge and experiences that once led to worship subtly fade and actually become irritants that produce selfishness and self-worship. The danger is that, in the midst of serving God in a life of ministry, pastors often lose their awe of God—the principal shaper and motivator of pastoral ministry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The current president of the Southern Baptist Convention is J. D. Greear, pastor at The Summit Church in North Carolina. The Summit Church has sent out more than 1,400 missionaries and planted more than 40 churches. Over the past few years, Greear has watched the SBC wrestle through sex abuse scandals, COVID 19, and the contentious presidential election. He’s got a pretty good handle on where the denomination sits and where he hopes it’s going.TGC senior writer Sarah Zylstra wrote about Greear in her book with Collin Hansen, Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age. In this episode of TGC Podcast, she sits down with Greear to discuss his experience as SBC president, future hopes for the SBC and the global church, and the importance of keeping the gospel at the center of it all. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

"One of the best things you can do to learn to pray is to follow the best models, and they're in Scripture." – Don CarsonDon Carson led a session for TGC’s 2018 Bay Area regional conference titled “New Power” as a part of the series “Being the Church in a Foreign Land.” All new believers, he taught, learn to pray through imitation—by hearing and practicing the prayers of the more mature believers around them. His admonition to his listeners was that believers also imitate the Pauline prayer found in Ephesians 3:14-21, specifically focusing on two petitions and the final doxology found in the prayer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Russell Moore led a session for TGC’s 2017 Arizona regional conference titled “Discipleship and Temptation” as a part of their series “Help Me Follow Jesus.” In his message, Moore addressed four questions that arise from Genesis 3:1-13 and serve as a warning for all of those who lead others to faith in Christ, disciple them, and teach them the Word of God. The questions posed were:Who are you (are you tempted to think of yourself higher or lower than you ought)? What do you want (does it align with God’s desires)?Where are you going (do you live with an understanding of the coming judgment)?What have you done (are you allowing your sin to be exposed in order to overcome it)?“If you and I are discipling people,” he said, “leading people to faith in Christ, and leading people in the Word of God, we must understand what it means to wrestle, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in the heavenly places, which means we have to understand the nature of temptation as it intersects with discipleship.”This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Jen Wilkin’s newest Bible study, God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1–18. Learn more at lifeway.com/deliverance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s fair to say we’re coming out of a hard year. Everything we’ve done for the past 12 months has taken more effort and resulted in less productivity. Perhaps we would’ve been better prepared if we’d all read a book Alex Harris wrote with his brother Brett a dozen years ago called Do Hard Things. In it, Alex and Brett proposed that doing hard things prepares you to do even harder things. You should get up early, they said. Step out of your comfort zone. Do more than what’s required. Find a cause. Be better than your culture expects.So how did this teenage message prepare Alex for this last year as an adult carrying weighty responsibilities? In this special bonus episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast, TGC senior writer Sarah Zylstra asked Alex about his experience clerking for two U.S. Supreme Court justices and editing Harvard Law Review, his brother Josh's high-profile deconstruction of his faith, whether evangelicals invest too much import in presidential politics, and much more. You can hear more from Alex in Zylstra's new book, Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age.This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Jen Wilkin’s newest Bible study, God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1–18. Learn more at lifeway.com/deliverance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Malachi Tresler led a breakout session at TGC’s 2019 Arizona Regional Conference titled, “The Impact of Revivalism on Contemporary Worship.” He taught from the thesis that revivalism has affected modern worship in two ways: pragmatism and emotionalism. Beginning with the Great Awakening in 1734, Tresler walked through a brief history of the birth of revivalism and how it shaped worship over the years, including how worship services are designed, their expected outcomes, and even our expectations for leadership in them. In response, he encouraged his listeners to remember three things in regard to worship:Worship is a goal in and of itself.We need a long view of God’s work.We must rely on the Spirit’s power for obedience. This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Jen Wilkin’s newest Bible study, God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1–18. Learn more at lifeway.com/deliverance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ray Ortlund led a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana titled, “Pastor, You and Your Church Can Get Healthy Again.” Framing the conversation according to Paul’s affirmation of the church in Colossians 2:5, he addressed the issue of church health according to one indicator that combined good order and firmness of faith. When held together in tandem, the combination of those two seemingly dichotomous glories, Ortlund posited, reveals a church that is informed, united, convicted, and steadfast, reflecting the complexity and vitality of Christ. He closed out the session with four encouragements for pastors seeking health:For your own soul’s sake, read The Whole Christ by Sinclair Ferguson.In your public ministry, preach through whole books of the Bible, especially the books you’ve never dared to preach from.As you lead your church forward, never stop affirming your church.Spread a sense of cheerful adventure by showing your people that you are growing.This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Jen Wilkin’s newest Bible study, God of Deliverance: A Study of Exodus 1–18. Learn more at lifeway.com/deliverance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Gospel Coalition hosted a panel discussion at the 2018 Women’s Conference with Colleen McFadden, Jen Wilkin, Courtney Doctor, and Danielle Anderson titled “Shaping Women’s Ministry in the Local Church: A Practical Discussion.” They defined and framed women’s ministry as holistic, in order to address all the needs of each woman—heart, soul, mind, and strength. Throughout the ensuing conversation, they touched on the very practical considerations necessary for building a healthy women’s ministry in the context of the local church. Many of the necessities were not unique to women’s ministry, per se, but certainly unique in their application, including development of a vision, strong support from top-down leadership, avoiding the ministry silo, growth, development of leaders, and telling great stories among many others. This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Christine Hoover's new Bible study, Seek First the Kingdom: God’s Invitation to Life and Joy in the Book of Matthew. Learn more at lifeway.com/seekfirst. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Platt delivered a message at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana titled “Paralysis and Forgiveness.” Expounding on the story of the paralyzed man brought to Jesus on a mat by his friends in Mark 2:1-12, Platt drew out the central theme of the book and the parable—the primacy and power of Jesus’s Word.Platt also highlighted the two urgent needs of the paralytic—physical and spiritual—and the attributes of Jesus by which he was able to minister to both. He addressed four characteristics of the paralytic man’s four friends that should be understood and mimicked by all believers. From the parable, Platt then exposited five expectations for believers in evangelism.This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Christine Hoover's new Bible study, Seek First the Kingdom: God’s Invitation to Life and Joy in the Book of Matthew. Learn more at lifeway.com/seekfirst. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“If it costs me my life, to deny you, you possession-loving self, you praise-loving self . . . I'll die gladly to be with Jesus forever.” – John PiperJohn Piper delivered a message at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference titled “Unashamed to Be Scorned with Jesus.” Expounding on Mark 8:31-38, Piper clearly laid out the gospel—that Christ suffered, was rejected, killed, and rose again, and the Father planned, prophesied, and performed it. As a response, Piper challenged listeners to five applications in evangelism.Tell unbelievers the news.Urge them to look at Jesus in the news.Warn them that to love this world—to love its possessions and to love its praise more than they love Jesus—will cost them their lives forever.Promise them in the name of Jesus that whatever must be denied in this life bears no comparison to the joy of being with Jesus for eternity.Make sure they know from the start that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom.This episode of The Gospel Coalition Podcast is sponsored by Lifeway, publisher of Christine Hoover's new Bible study, Seek First the Kingdom: God’s Invitation to Life and Joy in the Book of Matthew. Throughout eight weeks, you'll reorient yourself solidly around the kingdom and the King who gives life in abundance. Learn more at lifeway.com/seekfirst Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mindy Belz taught a workshop during the The Gospel Coalition 2018 Women’s Conference titled “The Wilderness Experiences: How God’s Suffering People in Faraway Lands Can Teach Us in the West.” Recounting her own experiences as a journalist and the deep oppression she witnessed toward religious people—Christians, in particular—around the world, she addressed the systems and situations that have led to such oppression and continue to drive it now. She also offered lessons she learned from the persecuted believers that can only be learned through facing down oppression. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Gospel Coalition hosted a workshop during the 2018 Women’s Conference titled “University and Beyond: Discipling Students for a Lifetime with Christ” with Aimee Joseph, Kori Porter, Danielle Sallade, and Shar Walker. The panel discussed the importance of intentional discipleship that prepares college students to follow Christ long after their university days are behind them. They addressed key elements of discipleship, teaching versus sharing, content and context of relational discipleship, biblical literacy, glorifying Christ through their studies, apologetics, facing cultural issues with a biblical world view, and a number of other specific topics regarding best practices for leading college students into deep, lasting relationship with Christ. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevin DeYoung delivered a message at TGC’s 2019 Southwest Clarus Conference titled “Laodicea,” drawing from Revelation 3:14-22. Closing out a series on Jesus’s words to the seven churches, DeYoung addressed the spiritual apathy of the church in Laodicea as the worst of the seven, and pointed out that the most comfortable and prosperous church of the seven was, in Jesus’s estimation, the one who had gotten things wrong the most—they were a stale, stagnant, smelly church.To those who said, “We are something,” Christ responded as a gracious warning, “You are far less than you think.” Many in the American church need to recognize that we share the same tendencies as Laodicea, therefore we need to humbly listen for similar words from Christ to our own churches. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.