At TGC21, Darryl Williamson explains how Hebrews 12 uncovers the purpose of opposition in the Christian life. Spiritual conflict has been our defining reality since the fall of man, and God has used the church—people—to show himself to the world. Williamson says as we consider Christ, we cannot miss the cross and the way of suffering. Jesus doesn’t tell us to avoid suffering. Instead, he says to not be afraid about what we are about to suffer. The purpose of this suffering, Williamson explains, ...
May 27, 2022•48 min•Ep. 217
Sam Allberry leads a breakout session at TGCW21 on receiving the gift of singleness. Allberry encourages Christians, both married and single, with three reasons why singleness is a gift and not a curse. He explains that the culture, and even sometimes the church, has taught us that we can only find happiness and intimacy through marriage. But the true, Biblical view of singleness shows us that: Singleness is good, and we should embrace it as a gift. Singleness allows us to find intimacy and deep...
May 20, 2022•48 min•Ep. 216
Courtney Doctor, Vanessa Hawkins, Melissa Kruger, and Trillia Newbell discuss what discipleship is and why it is important, especially within the local church. The panel defines discipleship as a lifelong growing in the knowledge of the Lord, a growing in his likeness, and a growing in affection for Christ until he returns. Kruger explains that discipleship isn’t “you becoming like me,” but instead becoming like the Lord together. A practical path to discipleship is outlined during the discussio...
May 13, 2022•46 min•Ep. 215
Julius Kim closes the Book of James with an explanation of why we should pray, tying together all the teachings from TGCW21. Kim connects all the previous teachings on steadfastness by describing what James meant in his closing statements of the book. Kim explains that what we pray about reveals the priorities of our hearts. In his letter, James teaches us exactly what we should pray and why, listing four reasons why we should remain steadfast in prayer: God hears us. God heals us. God forgives ...
May 06, 2022•54 min•Ep. 214
At TGCW21, Nancy Guthrie teaches on James chapters 4 and 5 and paints a picture of two different songs being sung to us—the world’s song of self-indulgence and self-accomplishment, and the song of God’s sovereign plan of patient endurance through suffering. She explains that we must reject the world’s song and instead, sing the song of Scripture, which tells us to wait patiently for the coming of the Lord. Singing God’s song of Scripture so that it comes out in our dreams, ambitions, and plans i...
Apr 30, 2022•47 min•Ep. 213
Unpacking James chapters 3 and 4 at TGCW21, Paige Benton Brown teaches us how to discern where worldliness has crept into our lives: Worldliness in Our Logic Worldliness in Our Longings Worldliness in Our Loyalties As we recognize our worldliness, we can become humble, draw near to God through repentance, and reflect the wisdom God gives. Worldly striving is no longer necessary since Christ already exalted us and seated us with Him in the heavenly places. Brown ends with the glorious news that J...
Apr 22, 2022•57 min•Ep. 212
Courtney Doctor teaches at TGCW21 on James 2:14-26, and carefully examines the true meaning of “faith apart from works is dead.” Are we justified by faith alone or justified by works along with faith? In her keynote address, Courtney Doctor explains that true and living faith transforms us and changes what we do, creating the good works to which James calls us. We should not muster up these good works to be right with God. Instead, we can follow the four examples of living faith James gives us i...
Apr 08, 2022•42 min•Ep. 211
At TGC's 2021 Women's Conference, K. A. Ellis presents a message called, “Whose Story Will You Follow?” based off of James 1 and 2. Ellis explains that the Bible is an ancient and true story that God has created for his people. She also speaks of the false stories and idols that we, as humans, are so quick to follow. Ellis, preaching from the Book of James, lays out what it means to choose to follow God’s story, instead of all the other false stories that lead us astray. The theme she creates is...
Apr 01, 2022•46 min•Ep. 210
“Our conversations will produce more light than heat if we can focus in on one argument at a time. By more carefully isolating our real disagreements, we will be better equipped to talk responsibly, listen respectfully, and find common ground and move in the direction of possible solutions.” – Isaac Adams Isaac Adams delivers a message at TGC21 addressing the question, “Why is it so hard to talk about race?” He begins with the most basic and foundational of answers from James 4: sin is the reaso...
Mar 25, 2022•46 min•Ep. 209
“It's by relying on the Father of every good and every perfect gift that we can remain steadfast under trial.” –– Mary Willson Mary 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 rememb...
Mar 18, 2022•49 min•Ep. 208
“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 fi...
Mar 11, 2022•56 min•Ep. 207
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 ta...
Mar 04, 2022•38 min•Ep. 206
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 c...
Feb 25, 2022•46 min•Ep. 205
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 more God will write his laws on our hearts, and we will be his people All will know him, from the least to the greatest Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab...
Feb 18, 2022•28 min•Ep. 204
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...
Feb 11, 2022•45 min•Ep. 203
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 fi...
Feb 04, 2022•45 min•Ep. 202
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 Simplecas...
Jan 28, 2022•47 min•Ep. 201
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 o...
Jan 21, 2022•48 min•Ep. 200
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 Simpleca...
Jan 14, 2022•33 min•Ep. 199
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 re...
Jan 07, 2022•41 min•Ep. 198
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 ...
Dec 17, 2021•48 min•Ep. 197
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dec 10, 2021•45 min•Ep. 196
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 shar...
Dec 03, 2021•47 min•Ep. 195
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. M...
Nov 19, 2021•25 min•Ep. 194
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 th...
Nov 12, 2021•19 min•Ep. 193
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...
Nov 05, 2021•20 min•Ep. 192
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 i...
Oct 29, 2021•44 min•Ep. 191
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. Onwuchek...
Oct 22, 2021•47 min•Ep. 190
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 ...
Oct 15, 2021•46 min•Ep. 189
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, an...
Oct 08, 2021•44 min•Ep. 188
