We don’t normally associate the birth of Christ with concepts like justice, poverty, and oppression. But this is one of the reasons Jesus came—to put an end to injustice and to change the way his people relate to the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. In this message, David Platt considers how the words of “O Holy Night” relate to Luke 4:16–21. Christ came to save us from our sins and to free us so that we might give ourselves to serve those in need. In his name, all oppression will one day cease.

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The angels had the privilege of making the most momentous announcement in human history: the long-awaited Messiah had been born! And this Messiah was none other than Christ the Lord, Immanuel, God with us. In this message, David Platt helps us consider the lyrics of the Christmas song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” based on Luke 2:8–14. We’re reminded that the angels’ announcement was for God’s glory and our good. Unto us this child was given so that we might have peace with God both now and forever.

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How can you have hope in a world filled with mourning, sin, and suffering? Is it possible to rejoice? It is if the One you’re waiting for is Emmanuel, God with us. In this message from Matthew 2:13–23, David Platt uses the song O Come, O Come Emmanuel to remind us of the glorious truths that relate to Christ’s coming. As we remember the good news of Christ’s first coming, we look forward to the consummation of all God’s promises when Christ returns!

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The desire to want more and to seek after satisfaction in the things of the world has always been a temptation for God’s people. How much more so when our culture teaches us to live as consumers and to expect that we deserve to have our desires fulfilled? Sadly, as followers of Christ, we can easily buy into these lies. In this message from 1 Timothy 6:3–10, David Platt encourages us to consider money and possessions in light of the gospel and in light of the urgent needs of the world. Rather than being deceived by worldly riches, we should find our treasure in God himself.

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Critics of the Christian faith sometimes charge the Bible with condoning slavery. However, just because Scripture addresses the topic doesn’t mean it approves of it. As David Platt points out in this message from 1 Timothy 6:1–2, Scripture forbids the mistreatment of anyone made in God’s image. Far from condoning slavery, Scripture actually lays the groundwork for undoing this practice that has tragically been so common throughout human history. Mistreating others should be unthinkable for those who have been redeemed from the slavery of sin.

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Do you want Jesus so that you can get other things—health, comfort, security, success, etc.—or is Jesus himself your greatest desire? Is Jesus the means to some other end, or is he himself the end? In this message from Mark 3:7–19, David Platt challenges us to consider whether we are part of the crowd or part of the called. The crowd liked what Jesus had to offer, but those who were called saw Jesus himself as their ultimate treasure and they lived to make him known.

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Life can be exhausting. The pace at work or at school can feel unmanageable. Family dynamics require continual attention. Friendships take time and patience. And that doesn’t even begin to touch on physical struggles or medical and mental conditions that weigh us down. It’s no wonder so many people, including followers of Christ, are tired. The good news is that Jesus is not indifferent to our fatigue and anxiety and fear. In this message from Mark 2:23–3:6, David Platt points us to the rest that only Jesus can give. We find this rest—both now in the midst of earthly trials and for eternity in our never-ending reward—as we entrust our lives to Jesus as Lord. 

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Some Christians feel as if we get to re-define who the church is and what it’s supposed to do. But God hasn’t given us that responsibility. He himself has defined those things in his Word. In this message covering 1 Timothy 3:1–5:16, David Platt highlights who the church is, how it is to be led, and what it’s supposed to do. The church is to hold fast to Christ and the gospel, be led by qualified elders and deacons, declare the truth, and expose false teaching.

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Our culture often views the Christian faith as being backward or overly restrictive in relation to women. But Scripture has an altogether different view of women and men and their respective roles in the church. In this message from 1 Timothy 2:8–15, David Platt points us to the apostle Paul’s instructions concerning how God has designed men and women to relate within the church, including how authority and the teaching of God’s Word is to be exercised. God’s design may run counter to the world’s wisdom, but it is ultimately for our good and the building up of the church.

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Many Christians go their entire lives without noticing the most urgent needs around the world, or even those right around them. They are unaware that multiplied millions—even billions—among the nations still have no access to the gospel. They are also unaware that many of these same people, the unreached, have extreme physical needs. In this message from Mark 2:1–12, David Platt challenges us to consider how God may be using the story of a forgiven and healed paralytic to direct our lives to peoples and places that desperately need gospel access. Is God leading you to go? The faith that changed the life of the paralytic and his four friends in Mark 2 is a faith that ought to characterize followers of Christ today.

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