How do you exalt Jesus during a presidential election? Some Christians think this involves promoting a particular political agenda, while others want the church to denounce a certain candidate or party. One consequence of these kinds of approaches is that the church loses its distinctive witness to the gospel of Christ. In this message from 1 Peter 2:13–17, David Platt points us to some foundational biblical foundations for exalting Jesus in an election and beyond. Instead of putting our trust in and given our allegiance to worldly leaders, the church submits to and exalts the One who rules heaven and earth. We are united, even amidst political differences, around the Lord Jesus Christ.

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In a culture that seems to be getting increasingly divided and contentious on a number of important issues, it’s easy to forget that the most important battle we face is spiritual. The world wars against our soul, and unless we are resisting its attacks in the power that God supplies, the consequences can be disastrous. In this message from 1 Peter 2:11–12, David Platt urges us to heed Peter’s exhortations about how we are to live as sojourners and exiles in a hostile world. By our good deeds, we bear witness—even to our enemies—that God is worthy of all glory.

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People have all kinds of questions about the truth claims of Christianity, but in the end, there’s a question that all of us must answer: “Did Jesus rise from the dead?” We might call this the ultimate question. While various possible explanations have been offered as to how Christ’s tomb was empty on that early Sunday morning, Scripture’s account of Christ’s resurrection best accounts for the historical evidence. And as David Platt points out in this message from Matthew 28:1–15, if Jesus, in fact, rose from the dead, then this has startling implications for our lives and for all of history. All authority belongs to the One who has conquered sin and death.

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What does it mean to live a “full” life? The way the world answers that question is very different from the answer God’s Word gives us. For followers of Christ, knowing and enjoying God is the essence of what it means to truly live. In this message from 1 Peter 1:13–25, David Platt urges us to be holy, to love God, to fear God, and to hope in God as our heavenly Father. This is what marks us as his beloved children.

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In a time abundant hardship felt all around the world, how do we hold on to our faith in the midst of various trials? Whether these struggles are seemingly small or majorly significant, they each tempt us to lose faith in the sufficiency and goodness of God. But what Satan intends for evil, God intends for good, and His word assures us that we have much to hope for in Him. In this message from 1 Peter 1:3–12, David Platt urges us to continue hoping and trusting in God amidst trials we face in this world. 

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As followers of Christ, it’s so easy for us to lose our bearings. Without realizing it, we begin to think and act as if this world is our final destination, as if our identity and security is found in temporary things. However, the apostle Peter tells us that we are “elect exiles” looking forward to our future hope at Christ’s return. Regardless of our current circumstances, our identity is in Christ. In this message from 1 Peter 1:1–3, David Platt urges us to find our security and our hope in Jesus Christ and his salvation.

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While division in the church is always a danger, a number of factors make this especially true in recent days. Too many Christians are quick to slander, criticize, cancel, and separate from other brothers and sisters in Christ. In this message, David Platt draws on two passages—Philippians 1:27 and 1 Kings 19:1–8—in order to help and encourage the church toward greater unity in the gospel. In light of our identity in Christ and the mission he has given us, we dare not divide over lesser matters. By God’s grace and by the power of the Spirit, we must continue to pursue faithfulness to Christ and love for one another.

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At the center of all human history stands the cross of Jesus Christ. It’s here that we see the character of God put on full display, the sinfulness of man at its worst, and a death that shaped all of history. In this message from Matthew 26–27, David Platt urges us to look to the One who gave himself as a substitute for sinners, for not only history but also our eternity depends on our response to Christ’s death in the place of sinners.

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The fact that Christ has not returned after 2,000 years makes some people doubt the reality of his second coming, while others simply ignore it altogether. Instead of living with expectancy and seeking to faithfully endure, they become careless and fail to live in light of the judgment that is coming. In this message David Platt exhorts us to heed Christ’s warning in Matthew 25. Though Christ’s return seems to be delayed, he will return suddenly and all hearts will be exposed. Christ’s coming should shape the way we live in the present and the way we look to the future, for nothing short of heaven and hell are at stake. This message is Part 2 of the “Return of the King.”

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When it comes to the topic of Christ’s return, many Christians either get confused or they become engrossed in speculation and date setting. Sadly, Christ’s second coming has little effect on the way they live today as his disciples. In this message from David Platt on Matthew 24, we are urged to live in light of the second coming by trusting in Christ now, by persevering in his power, and by expectantly longing for his return. As  we wait for that glorious day, the return of the king should compel us to proclaim the good news of his kingdom to the ends of the earth. This message is Part 1 of the “Return of the King.”

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