Visited With David Platt Lately?

My wife Marquita and I had the privilege of visiting David Platt’s church in Birmingham Alabama yesterday. What an experience! They do many things well, including recognizing out of state plates and sending a friendly volunteer in a golf cart to whisk us to the door.

Once inside, the intentionality of a missional church was evident in the facilities, the trained people, and of course the worship service.

While I have read Platt’s materials, and heard him preach many times, I was unprepared for the power of the service. The worship was soul-full, prayer intimate and empassioned, and the message was simply awesome.

David was closing out a series called “Threads”, about weaving the threads of the gospel into our daily lives with intentionality. His message started in 2 Thessalonians 1:8,9 and how hell is the dreadful reality for those who turn from Jesus. He shared with such graphic reality the fate of those who don’t know Christ, not in a morbid, or a “you Got what you deserved” way, but with compassion and grief over many who will suffer.

Next David shared about the glorious reality we who have trusted Christ will enjoy, from Philippians 3:20. Again, his message was filled with love compassion and promise. At this point I was weeping tears of joy at the inheritance we have as saints.

Finally Platt asked if we will turn from Jesus or trust in Jesus? This is the eternal question for each of us. For our friends, family, colleagues, and our children. His exhortation was if we know how good it will be for us, why are we so shy about sharing this great news with others? Why the fear?? Eternity hangs in the balance.

Isn’t this why we are still on this little green ball? Have we forgotten that we are on a mission? Many of us have. A few minutes after the service during a lunch with friends, we got to put this admonition into practice. God allowed us to share the gospel with our server named Elijah. Great opening on his name eh?

If you need a nudge on missionaIity, I suggest listening to Platt’s series “Threads on their website, or a podcast. The messages can be found at: www.brookhills.org/media . But be careful… You may get the bug to come out of your comfort zone!