In her message at TGCW22, Lydia Brownback addresses the topic of contentment and points to where we can find true fulfillment for the things in our life that just don't feel quite right. When there is discontentment in our lives, there are usually two avenues we typically take to deal with it: take it to the Lord or avoid it with busyness or another handy escape. Brownback uses Psalm 73 to teach about Asaph's journey from discontentment to contentment through his response to disappointment. In P...
May 26, 2023•40 min•Ep. 266
In his message at TGC Chicago's 2022 Regional Conference, Kevin DeYoung expounds on John 17, teaching us how to pray like Christ through his high priestly prayer. DeYoung summarizes Jesus’s prayer in three sections: Jesus prays for himself to be glorified, his disciples to be sanctified, and his church to be unified. Jesus also prays for the safekeeping of his disciples, knowing they'll sin and fail. In this way, we must also pray for protection and safekeeping from the temptation to sin and dri...
May 19, 2023•54 min•Ep. 265
At TGCW22, Irwyn Ince explores the characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 and explains how to abide in that kind of love. Ince discusses the importance of love in relationships, specifically within the body of Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of God's love, which changes self-centered individuals into self-sacrificial lovers of God and neighbor. He proposes that love is not based on likeness or attraction, but instead, true love overcomes divisions and reconciles those...
May 12, 2023•38 min•Ep. 264
In his message at TGC Chicago's 2022 Regional Conference, H. B. Charles explains what happens in David’s heart during his prayer of confession in Psalm 51. Through this psalm, we learn that confession and repentance can lead us to joy as we follow David’s example. First, David prays, “Forgive me,” which is essential to moving forward in our relationship with God once we’ve sinned against him. He prays based on God’s character—knowing God is full of abundant mercy. This confession allows David to...
May 05, 2023•54 min•Ep. 263
In this TGCW22 session, Rebecca McLaughlin teaches on how the apostle Peter offers hope to those feeling hopeless in today's world, by reminding us of our living hope—Jesus Christ. McLaughlin explains that hope in Christ always runs to Jesus, breeds holiness, requires ransom, and springs eternal. She emphasizes the importance of setting our hope fully on the grace that will come at the revelation of Jesus, not on earthly things like careers, marriage, or children. By fixing our eyes on Jesus and...
Apr 28, 2023•34 min•Ep. 262
In his message at TGC19, Trip Lee teaches on the importance of having faith in God during difficult times of suffering. Lee uses two stories from Matthew 8 that display the healing power of Jesus—the healing of the man with leprosy and the healing of the centurion’s servant—to show what true faith looks like. Lee says that by studying the Word and remembering God's faithfulness, we nourish and strengthen our faith. He says that real faith isn’t demanding that God heals but instead trusting him t...
Apr 21, 2023•48 min•Ep. 261
“Setting our eyes on the object of our faith is the only way we will endure.” — Trillia Newbell At TGCW22, Trillia Newbell emphasizes the importance of abiding faith in the life of a Christian. Faith is the foundation of the Christian life, and it is through faith that we can walk with Christ and obey him. Newbell distinguishes between saving faith (saved by grace through faith) and enduring faith (remaining in Christ), and encourages us to abide in Jesus by trusting, praying, obeying, and resti...
Apr 14, 2023•34 min•Ep. 260
In this TGC17 breakout session, Kevin DeYoung discusses the significance of accurate Bible interpretation, addressing the issue of pervasive interpretive pluralism within Christianity. DeYoung emphasizes the sufficiency and clarity of Scripture as well as the importance of interpreting Scripture alongside the creeds, confessions, and traditions of the church. DeYoung also highlights the need for understanding church history to combat pervasive interpretive pluralism. He encourages Christians to ...
Apr 07, 2023•54 min•Ep. 259
As Christians consider how to heal racial wounds and pursue racial justice, one debated question is how reconciliation and justice are related. Must justice be served first, before talk of reconciliation can even be taken seriously? Or is reconciliation the groundwork that makes the collective pursuit of justice possible? Should evangelicals stop talking about the need for “racial reconciliation” unless they're actively addressing racial injustice? Or is the theological value of reconciliation—a...
Apr 05, 2023•59 min
The pace of change in the digital age is staggering. Every year sees the emergence of new platforms, apps, and technologies that each bring possibilities, problems, and power to reshape culture. What should the church’s posture be toward new technologies? Should churches be early adopters, seeking to leverage new technologies missionally and ecclesially, rather than being a few steps behind? Or should the church take a more cautious approach—not necessarily antitechnology but at least hesitant a...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Few Christians would deny that “creation care” is a good thing or that stewardship of God's creation is a biblical mandate. But many Christians differ on the public policy implications of environmental stewardship. Is creation care something Christians should only practice in their private sphere of activities (e.g., recycling, not littering, and so on), or is it an issue requiring larger political action (e.g., regulations to curb emissions, government incentives for clean energy development, a...
Apr 05, 2023•59 min
The issue of immigration is perennially divisive in American politics and also among American Christians (whose opinions about immigration are often more informed by politics than by the Bible). What are the best biblical arguments for strong borders and enforcement of immigration law on one side, or for more open borders on the other? For Christians, how does our faith inform the relationship between respecting the law and showing compassion to undocumented immigrants? These and related questio...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Christian parents are right to give significant thought to where and how they educate their children. For many, the decision involves not only faith convictions but also financial realities and other factors. Why, or why not, should Christian parents have their children attend public schools? And if not, what are the best arguments for investing in a nonpublic education option (Christian private, homeschool, private classical school, and so on)? Whatever parents decide, how might they compensate...
Apr 05, 2023•56 min
In 2005, Al Mohler wrote an article about the call to Christian maturity through triaging theological issues. As with prioritizing particular injuries and illnesses in a hospital, there's great need for ranking theological issues in order of importance within the church. At TGC21, Matt Smethurst moderates a panel with Al Mohler, Gavin Ortlund, and Afshin Ziafat as they discuss how to separate primary, secondary, and tertiary theological beliefs. Smethurst defines the three categories as follows:...
Mar 31, 2023•49 min•Ep. 258
“There’s no greater source of inspiration than an abiding friendship with Jesus.” –– Davy Flowers At TGCW21, Sarah Walton, Caroline Cobb, Hunter Beless, Davy Flowers, Ruth Chou Simons, and Jen Wilkin discuss what it looks like to be a creative in this age of technology. The panel discusses questions like, “How do we not seek our own glory on social media? How do we balance home life with ministry work? And, how do we serve both our local church and the global church at the same time?” Simons enc...
Mar 24, 2023•41 min•Ep. 257
At TGCW22, Julius Kim delivered a powerful message on how King David’s sacrificial love toward Mephibosheth points us to the sacrificial love of God through Christ. As Kim teaches on 2 Samuel 9, he explains that King David’s love for Mephibosheth mimics Christ’s love for us. Kim draws out four key acts in this passage: David’s pursuit to show kindness Mephibosheth’s plight David’s promise to do no harm Mephibosheth’s peace when being accepted by David Just as David calls Mephibosheth by name, pr...
Mar 17, 2023•46 min•Ep. 256
“When current fear comes and it is looming large in your life, then what we need to do is . . . remember what God has done, remember his past faithfulness. . . . Let his past faithfulness cultivate current faith in us in the present.” –– Courtney Doctor In her keynote message at TGCW22, Courtney Doctor teaches from 1 Samuel 17 about the true champion in the story of David and Goliath. Doctor says the battle between David and Goliath is actually about the King who has won the battle for us—King J...
Mar 10, 2023•45 min•Ep. 255
“[God’s Word] did a much deeper work in Rahab than merely making her afraid. . . . While the hearts of all of the rest of the people in Jericho melted into fear, Rahab's heart melted into faith.” –– Nancy Guthrie In her keynote message at TGCW22, Nancy Guthrie teaches on the faith of Rahab and the encouragement it provides for us to risk everything for God. There's a thread of protection from God’s judgment throughout the Old Testament for those who believe his promises are true. In the book of ...
Mar 03, 2023•55 min•Ep. 254
“Christ was conformed to the image of the serpent that we might be conformed to the image of Christ.” — Jen Wilkin In her talk at TGCW22, Jen Wilkin teaches about the significance of the serpent on the pole as referenced in Numbers 21. In this Old Testament passage, Wilkin explains, the serpents point back to Egypt and the severity of the punishment from God in the 10 plagues. It's a reminder to the people of Israel at the time not to harden their hearts in disobedience. The Israelites repent, a...
Feb 24, 2023•44 min•Ep. 253
“Everything you need has been purchased by the blood of Jesus . . . for your enjoyment now, in the midst of the wilderness, and your enjoyment, forever.” – John Piper In his keynote message at TGCW22, John Piper describes four scenes in the wilderness of Exodus 17 that are brimming with implications for our own lives: God brought his people to a waterless place in the wilderness on purpose. God commands the movement of our lives—we do not go into the wilderness by accident. The Israelites did no...
Feb 17, 2023•43 min•Ep. 252
“We need to remember the reality of God and that there is nothing too hard for him. All of us have something in our life where this truth needs to be applied.” — Jackie Hill Perry In Genesis 22, when Abraham is asked to sacrifice his only son, he obeys immediately. In her message at TGC's 2022 Women's Conference, Jackie Hill Perry explained how Abraham's obedience was directly tied to his unwavering faith in God—for whom nothing is too hard. When Abraham thought about the sacrifice he had to mak...
Feb 10, 2023•43 min•Ep. 251
“We deserved the flood . . . we are given the ark, and his name is Jesus.” –– Melissa Kruger In her keynote message at TGCW22, Melissa Kruger uses the story of Noah and the flood to illustrate God's unchanging character and grace. She points out three key takeaways: God is just, therefore salvation is needed. God is gracious, therefore salvation is provided. God is powerful, therefore salvation is effective. Kruger says that the main point of the flood was that God, in his mercy, remembered Noah...
Feb 03, 2023•42 min•Ep. 250
“Accomplishing the Great Commission will not be easy, but we’ve been commanded by God to take the gospel to all people groups.” — David Platt In his message at TGC's 2021 National Conference, David Platt urges local church leaders and pastors to prioritize the 3 billion unreached people across the globe. He reminds these leaders that God has commanded their obedience in the Great Commission for the sake of his global glory. Platt gives 10 ways church leaders and pastors can shepherd their people...
Jan 27, 2023•51 min•Ep. 249
During a panel discussion at TGC21, Hannah Nation, Ryan Zhang, and S. E. Wang from China Partnership discuss the experience of the Chinese church and how the American church can learn from its suffering and kingdom mindset. Since the 1970s, the church in China has grown 60-fold, which is a clear sign of revival. Nation and her team challenge and encourage the American church to pray for revival and learn from the Chinese church by adopting these four beliefs and practices: 1. Believe that prayer...
Jan 20, 2023•37 min•Ep. 248
“When we say that we should sing the Word, we mean that our singing ought to be biblical.” – Ligon Duncan In the book of Hebrews, we are exhorted to offer acceptable worship to God, but what does that practically look like? Ligon Duncan not only answers the “what” of acceptable worship, but also the “how.” Worship is defined as “glorifying and enjoying God forever,” which is done in two ways: Gathering to worship with the body of Christ. Worshipping God in all of life, with everything we have. T...
Jan 13, 2023•15 min•Ep. 247
At TGC's 2021 National Conference, Trevin Wax taught on the importance of being a multi-directional leader and how to have a heightened awareness of problems your flock may encounter. Wax defines multi-directional leadership as “a manner of leadership grounded in the unshakable conviction that all the truth revealed in Scripture must be deployed for the good of God’s people.” The pursuit of this type of leadership can be difficult as it requires dexterity and vision to protect the flock from all...
Jan 06, 2023•45 min•Ep. 246
In his message at TGC's 2021 National Conference, John Yates teaches on the successes of The Great Awakening of the 1700s to1800s and what this historical revival can show us. Yates explains five things that made the ministry and revival of the early awakeners so effective: 1. Their message always started with man’s lostness and inability to live up to the standard of God. It always ended with the atonement of Christ and a call to new birth and true faith that brings assurance of salvation. 2. T...
Dec 16, 2022•45 min•Ep. 245
A few years ago, Jen Wilkin coined the term “celebratory failurism” to describe an acceptance of the thought that Christians will never be able to fully obey because of total depravity. Wilkin pushes back on that idea, and she and Mike Kruger discuss why there seems to be a misunderstanding on total depravity, legalism, and obedience to the law. They discuss the struggle between antinomianism (lawlessness) and pharisaical tendencies (lawfulness) and find that the relationship between law and gra...
Dec 09, 2022•47 min•Ep. 244
“We can’t love Christ and love his word and ignore the gospel imperative to love each other .” — Courtney Doctor In our polarized world, Christians should be constantly demonstrating a better way toward unity. In this panel discussion at TGC21 (moderated by Vanessa Hawkins), Courtney Doctor, Suzanne Bates, Ruth Chou Simons, and Dennae Pierre discuss the barriers to gospel-centered racial unity and practical ways we can move forward. Some of these barriers to racial unity can include: fear of peo...
Dec 02, 2022•46 min•Ep. 243
“Go online for a purpose, go for a reason. Stay online only as long as you need to, and then go offline.” — Brett McCracken In his message at TGC21, Brett McCracken addresses an issue of today's generation of quick information—how to develop wisdom in the midst of all that is being thrown at us, online. He shares three things that are making us sick: We have too much information We receive it too quickly The information is too focused on the individual (self) As an antidote to these problems, Mc...
Nov 18, 2022•48 min•Ep. 242
