“I want to be content in the presence of God with me, no matter what the circumstances are around me.” – David Platt

David 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.

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In this panel discussion from TGC's 2018 West Coast Conference, Collin Hansen, Ray Ortlund, Kevin DeYoung, and Juan Sánchez discuss the prevalence of suffering in the lives of faithful Christians, citing examples from history and encouraging listeners to embrace their own suffering as a means of deeper spiritual growth. 

They advise younger pastors and ministry leaders to trust in the Lord as their defender, wait for him to straighten out tough situations, and give honest answers in formal settings, while keeping quiet in informal humiliation. The panel also focuses their discussion on the importance of gentleness and self-control in ministry, particularly in response to criticism and opposition.

Ultimately, to endure suffering in ministry and live faithfully to Jesus is to live in the fellowship of his sufferings. Ortlund says, “This has taken me to a deeper place with Jesus than I've ever dreamed of going.” 

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In his message at TGC's 2018 West Coast Conference, Kevin DeYoung teaches from 2 Timothy 2:1–13 on what it means for Christians to be strong, not according to their own strength, but by that which has been given to them by God through Christ.

When Paul writes to Timothy, he compares spiritual strength to a soldier's readiness for battle. DeYoung emphasizes the importance of understanding that suffering is a part of life as a soldier, and not to be surprised or emotionless about it. He also encourages his audience of pastors and ministry leaders to prioritize their relationship with God as a soldier would—with a single-minded devotion.

DeYoung says that we need both halves of 2 Timothy 2:1 in our walk as Christians, and concludes, “We need grace and we need strength. We need grace not simply because we're all failures. And we need strength not because we're all so strong and mighty. But rather, we can be strong because of grace and by grace, we must be strong.”

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In his message at TGC's 2018 West Coast Conference, Michael Horton teaches on 2 Timothy: 9–18, encouraging believers to live unashamed of the gospel, even amid suffering.

Focusing on the centrality of the gospel in suffering witness according to God's power within us, Horton says the ministry of Paul and Timothy isn't merely about their personalities or abilities but about Christ's testimony. Just as Paul wasn't ashamed of the gospel because he knew he was entrusted with it and that God completes what he starts, so too can we live and minister with confidence.

Horton ends his message with an encouragement: “Brothers and sisters, you are chosen, you are saved, and you are kept by this gospel. Therefore, do not be ashamed of it. Embrace it for yourself and guard it by giving it away.”

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In his message at TGC's 2018 West Coast Regional Conference, Ray Ortlund emphasizes the importance of enduring faithfulness and making sacred commitments to the Lord. He draws inspiration from the book of 2 Timothy and highlights the theme of God's enduring faithfulness. Ortlund reads verses from 2 Timothy where Paul expresses gratitude to God and encourages Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel. 

Ortlund urges ministry leaders to recognize their rich spiritual ancestry and find courage in their connection to God and the faith of previous generations. Ortlund also emphasizes the need for personal connection and genuine care for others, reminding listeners of the lasting legacy of faithfulness and the importance of imparting it to future generations.

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Are you ready to tell someone about Jesus? How can you be prepared? Matt Smethurst, author of Before You Open Your Bible and companion book Before You Share Your Faith, outlines seven tips for becoming “evangelism ready.”

“The greatest obstacle to evangelism is not unbelievers,” Smethurst says. “The greatest obstacle to evangelism is Christians who don’t share the gospel.”

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Today’s generation of young people is more anxious, more depressed, and less Christian than ever before. What is causing this? Chris Colquitt, campus minister for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Northwestern University, explores how safetyism and fragility are hazards to Generation Z's mental health and spiritual health.

Colquitt says the Christian gospel provides realism that challenges our fragility (“In this world you will have trouble,” John 16:33), but also hope to sustain us ("But take heart! I have overcome the world.”).

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Trevin Wax, general editor of The Gospel Project and author of the book, Rethink Your Self, observes that today's common wisdom says you’re free to create yourself, design yourself, and define yourself. Yet the way of Jesus, Wax argues, would have us realize we’re already created, designed, and defined. Jesus confronts a “me first” way of life with a “God first” world. The world says we should look inward; Jesus says to look upward.

To learn more, check out Trevin Wax's book, Rethink Your Self: The Power of Looking Up Before Looking In.

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Gavin Ortlund—writer and pastor at First Baptist Church of Ojai (California)—ponders the question, why do we feel a sense of transcendence when we listen to beautiful music? Where does that feeling come from? What's the best explanation for it? Ortlund compares the naturalistic and theistic answers to these questions, ultimately concluding that music is not a distraction from reality but a window into reality—and that the theistic framework gives a much more satisfying explanation for why it moves us emotionally.

For more videos like this, subscribe to Gavin Ortlund’s YouTube Channel.

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