It may sound odd to the world, but the way to greatness comes through humility and dependence. Though we often don’t acknowledge it, we are completely dependent on God for everything—from our salvation to our growth in godliness to every detail of our lives. And all of this is made possible through Christ’s selfless service to us in which he laid down his life to atone for our sins. In this message from Matthew 10:32–45, David Platt asks us to consider ways in which we need God’s grace and strength, as well how we can serve others in reliance on him. We are to follow in the pattern of Christ, who became a servant for our salvation. 

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 What are you holding onto that is keeping you from the fullness of God in your life? Jesus calls his followers to radical surrender to his lordship and radical love for him. Yet, the sad reality is that many people choose the passing pleasures of sin and the comforts of this life. In this message from Mark 10:17–31, David Platt urges us to find true and eternal life in Jesus. Don’t hold back from living for him. 

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There is a constant temptation for all of us to settle for a safe, easy, comfortable Christianity that consists of casually going through motions on Sunday morning and moving on with our lives however we want to live them.  But that is not biblical Christianity, and it’s not what we’re made for. In this message from Exodus 14, David Platt urges the church to pursue the Lord’s lead and not to hold back from following him. Relying on God’s Word and empowered by his Spirit, we look expectantly for how the Lord will work out his saving purposes in and through us.

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When is the last time you acknowledged that you were desperate for God? When is the last time you came to him, pouring out your heart, longing for his presence and grace and power to obey him? In this message from Isaiah 54:2, David Platt exhorts us not to hold back in our pursuit of God and in our desire to bring glory to him. As the bride of Christ, the church should not want to hold back in becoming all that God intends for us. This message is drawn from themes from David’s new book, Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully.

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We don’t usually think of boasting as a good thing. Drawing attention to our talents, wealth, status, etc., is often a sign of sinful pride. However, there is something we should boast in as followers of Christ—the cross. In this message from Galatians 6:11–18, David Platt gives us five reasons we have to boast based on Christ’s death on the cross. Justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone means boasting in the cross alone. 

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The greatest evidence of the Spirit-filled life is not dramatic signs and wonders but rather love for other believers. As Christians, we combat self-obsession and vain competition through humble confession before God. In this message on Galatians 6:1–10, David Platt warns us against self-centeredness and self-righteousness while pointing us to the marks of true spiritual community.

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 Few topics are more off-putting and offensive to non-Christians than the Bible’s teaching about hell. Even some Christians seem to be embarrassed at this topic. For many people, the idea of eternal punishment seems to be incompatible with a God of love. However, no one spoke more pointedly and arrestingly about hell than Jesus himself. And he told us this to warn us—he wants us to take heed. In this message, David Platt considers Christ’s words about hell in Mark 9:42–50 and urges us to respond appropriately. Hell is a dreadful reality that is consistent with God’s perfect justice and holiness toward sinners. At the same time, heaven is a glorious reality for all who turn from their sin and from trusting in themselves to trust in Jesus. Because of Christ’s sinless life, sin-bearing death, and glorious, bodily resurrection, those who trust in Him can know that they have eternal life. 

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Christians often talk about being “free,” but do we realize what we’ve been freed to do? Or have we adopted the world’s definition of freedom? In this message from Galatians 5:1–25, David Platt helps us understand the kind of freedom that God gives us in the gospel—a freedom that results in neither legalism nor license. It’s a freedom that enables us to live by faith in God in the power of the Spirit. With this kind of freedom, we can walk in hope and with love for God and others.

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 When we hear the word “freedom,” we usually think about having the ability to do whatever we want to do or what we think is best. However, God frees us from our sin and from the law’s condemnation so that we might live in a relationship with him and walk in obedience to his Word, even when it’s difficult. In this message from Galatians 4:8–31, David Platt highlights the freedom the gospel brings in terms of our relationship with God. We no longer live for fading earthly pleasures because we’ve been freed to live in light of our new, heavenly home. 

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