Cross Podcast

  Everyone will live forever—either in eternal joy with God or eternal misery apart from Him. Jesus spoke often of hell as a real place of torment, but God’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Himself through the everlasting joy of His people. John Piper challenges those who feel called to cross-cultural missions to take their next steps in faith, seek counsel from their local church, and commit to making Christ known among the nations.

  Josh and Jenny Manley, a married couple from Mississippi, left careers in Washington, D.C. to serve at Ras Al-Khaimah Evangelical Church in the UAE. There, they have witnessed people from diverse backgrounds come to faith, trained local leaders, and supported the persecuted church, particularly in Afghanistan. Despite challenges, they encourage young adults to trust God's leading, be patient in their formation, and have a vision for His glory.

Kevin DeYoung argues that the mission of the church should be centered on making disciples rather than transforming nations as political entities. He supports this by examining biblical passages that emphasize God's work in redeeming a people for Himself through the church, not in establishing Christian civilizations. Ultimately, he concludes that the church's focus should be on God's plan to dwell with His redeemed people, rather than on cultural or national transformation.

Brad Buser, co-founder of Radius International, spent over 20 years church planting among unreached people groups, particularly in Papua New Guinea. He shared his journey of being called to missions as a young Christian, the challenges of learning the language and culture, and raising his family in the jungle. Buser emphasized the importance of discipline, commitment, and reliance on prayer in taking the gospel to the unreached. He encouraged the audience to consider dedicating their lives to this work, while acknowledging the cost, and urged those not called to go to become "rope holders" who support missionaries through prayer and giving.

  David Platt explores the wonders of the Holy Spirit in a 50-point sermon, highlighting His life-giving and sustaining work. The Spirit testifies about Jesus, grants new birth, assures our adoption, convicts of sin, and sets believers free from condemnation. He empowers obedience, produces spiritual fruit, and enables bold gospel proclamation, making His presence both awe-inspiring and life-transforming.

As Jesus faces his impending death, he humbly washes his disciples' feet, demonstrating the depth of his love and the true nature of servanthood. This act challenges the disciples' self-centered attitudes and calls them to a life of sacrificial love for God and others. Mez McConnell exhorts the audience to consider how the love of Christ should compel them to go to the "least, the last, and the lost" with the gospel, even if it means forsaking their own dreams and comforts. The ultimate question posed is: "Why are you here?" - is it to pursue your own agenda, or to wholeheartedly serve the one who loved you to the end?

The local church is essential for missions - it is the beginning and end of missions. Missionaries should not operate independently of the local church, but rather be recognized and sent by their church. The church provides accountability, discipleship, and community for new believers, which is crucial, especially for those from non-Christian backgrounds. Missions is about planting and strengthening local churches, not just individual evangelism. Whether the missionary is a man or a woman, the importance of the local church remains the same. The church is God's plan for evangelism and for displaying His manifold wisdom to the world.

Trip Lee emphasizes the importance of the church, stating that it is not optional but essential for following Jesus and holding onto hope. He encourages the audience to hold on to their confession of hope, watch out for one another, and gather together regularly, as these are crucial for persevering in the faith. Trip argues that the church is not a mere "pep rally" but a community that sustains and strengthens believers, and that neglecting the church is a mistake that can have serious consequences for one's spiritual life.

In this panel, John Piper emphasizes God's sustaining grace in keeping believers faithful through prayer, the Word, and corporate worship. He shares his personal journey of relying on God's grace in difficult seasons and urges believers to cultivate habits that keep them rooted in their faith. Piper stresses the urgency of global missions, the centrality of a "big God theology," and the call for the church to embrace risk for the sake of God's glory and the salvation of the unreached.

John Musyimi exposits 1 Kings 10 by introducing the Queen of Sheba's awe of King Solomon as a prelude to highlighting the unmatched glory of King Jesus. He emphasizes the Queen’s journey to witness Solomon's wisdom and grandeur, leading to her transformation into a worshiper of Yahweh. Drawing from Matthew 12:42, Musyimi contrasts Solomon’s limited magnificence with Jesus’ infinite supremacy, declaring Him the ultimate King. The message crescendos with Jesus’ eternal dominion, universal fame, and unparalleled wisdom that far outshines even the glory of Solomon.

Holiness is not optional for the Christian life; it is essential, as Hebrews 12 reminds us that "without holiness, no one will see the Lord." This panel explores how the gospel both saves us by grace and calls us to a radical, Spirit-empowered pursuit of holiness that cuts out sin at its root. With insights from Kevin DeYoung, Rosaria Butterfield, and Garrett Kell, the discussion addresses how to live in the tension of being fully justified in Christ while striving for the holiness that reflects Him. Ultimately, it’s a call to pursue a life of godliness with joy, knowing that Jesus is worth it.

This message from Luke 18 challenges us with the question: Is Jesus worth it? Through the story of the rich young ruler, we see how Jesus exposes our hearts, calling us to surrender everything for the treasure of knowing and following Him. The ruler’s tragic decision to walk away reveals the grip of idols that blind us to Jesus' infinite worth. Will we trust Him, letting go of what the world offers, to embrace the life only He can give?

In this breakout, Rosaria Butterfield discusses the topics of homosexuality, transgenderism, and the Christian response to these issues through the lens of repentance and gospel truth. She challenges common misconceptions and cultural narratives, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and repenting from sin as defined by Scripture, not societal standards. 

In this breakout, David Mathis looks at the profound relationship Jesus had with Scripture, exploring how the fully human and fully divine Jesus came to know and embody the words of God with such authority and depth. This talk is not just about learning Scripture, but living it—highlighting the practices of memorization and meditation as vital to a vibrant Christian life. 

In this episode, David Mathis explores the vital yet often overlooked aspects of pace and pattern in our spiritual lives. Drawing on the life of Jesus, he discusses the transformative power of balancing engagement with retreat, and the significance of taking time to commune with God amidst the busyness of modern life. 

This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.

This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.

This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.

This breakout was given at CROSS CON24. To learn more, visit crosscon.com.