The Gospel Coalition

Jun 4, 2020 • 51 min

In this episode, four pastors reflect on their current ministry and what they hope the future will hold for churches in Canada.

Jun 2, 2020 • 45 min

In this episode, Pat Sczebel discusses Gospel-Shaped Liturgy with two pastors: Jeff Eastwood and Steve Bray.

May 29, 2020 • 1h 1m

Todd Goranson and Steve Rooks spoke during a breakout session titled “Evangelism in the Arts” at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this message, they addressed the efficacy of arts as a tool for evangelism, arguing that art has its own way of conveying and portraying the beauty and the complexity of God's creation. It also provides a means for reaching communities and individuals who might not be inclined to walk into a church on Sunday morning or actively seek knowledge or relationship with Christ with the message of the gospel. The arts are a vehicle through which the gospel can effectively impact the culture for the sake of Jesus Christ. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 28, 2020 • 48 min

The book of Ecclesiastes raises so many questions. Who is Qoheleth? Who wrote the book? Is life really meaningless? Are we supposed to just eat, drink and be merry? After putting it off for forty years as many fine preachers and teachers have done before him, Harry Reeder, senior pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, finally preached through Ecclesiastes. In our conversation, we talked about the things that make the book challenging to teach and how to organize teaching through the book. According to Reeder, Ecclesiastes has a lot to teach us about how to approach life and death, as well as the promise of life beyond death. Recommended resources: Preacher’s Toolkit: How Should I Preach Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes: Why Everything Matters (Preaching the Word) by Philip Graham Ryken Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson Ecclesiastes: A 12-Week Study by Justin Holcomb Sermon Series on Ecclesiastes by Harry Reeder Sermon series on Ecclesiastes by Kevin DeYoung Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 27, 2020 • 48 min

In this episode of 'Worship God,' three worship leaders discuss how to lead during a pandemic.

May 22, 2020 • 1h 4m

Kyle Strobel led a breakout session at The Gospel Coalition’s 2018 West Coast Conference in Fullerton, California, titled Jonathan Edwards, Love, and the Formation of the Christian . He discussed Edward’s understanding of love, Christian formation, theology, and spirituality, arguing that we need to develop a robust spiritual theology to help the church navigate lived existence—actual lived life with God in the Spirit.  As did Jonathan Edwards, Strobel worked to inextricably tie theology and praxis and discourage the approach that makes the two disparate disciplines. The practice of contemplation about God, then, becomes the beatific motivator for sharing in the life of God.    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 15, 2020 • 45 min

“No one can thwart God's good plans for us. No one can ultimately turn God's good plans for us against us.” Trillia Newbell delivered a message in a breakout session as part of The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, entitled If God Is for Us . From Romans 8:31-39, Newbell encouraged attendees to trust that the verdict has been determined for believers in Christ, and it is in our favor! By reiterating a series of rhetorical questions Paul laid out in Romans 8, Newbell emphasized the rightful conclusion that if God is for us, no one can ever prevail against us, no matter the circumstance. “More than conquerors” is not a silly slogan to get you through your morning workout; it is a world-changing truth that he who loved us has given us the victory and nothing will ever thwart it! That is news too amazing to ignore or to keep to ourselves.   This episode of The Gospel Coalition podcast is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of Need to Know , a book by Gary Millar. This practical book will give new Christians the essentials—what you really need to know if you’re going to follow Jesus. To learn more, visit thegoodbook.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 14, 2020 • 52 min

In these days of COVID-19, plenty of people are asking if the virus is a judgment from God, if he is sending a message to us. I recorded this conversation on the book of Joel with Paul House, professor of Old Testament at Beeson Divinity School , prior to the spread of the virus, but his points about God’s message in disaster to call out to the Lord has proved to be timely. Disasters, he says, should cause us to ask, “What have we as a people and a nation been doing? It certainly hasn’t been looking to the Lord. So without going into direct causation, these are meant to get people to repent." House presents the book as Joel preaching on Deuteronomy 28 and Exodus 34, using vivid imagery to warn of the awful reality of God’s judgments. Joel calls the people of God to turn toward God, assuring them that "even now, if they return to the Lord with all their heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning, he will be gracious and merciful and relent from disaster."  House offers insight on the locusts in the book, the meaning of the the Day of the Lord, and how to present the mercy of Christ for sinners from the book of Joel. Recommended Resources: Sermon Series on Joel by Sinclair Ferguson Sermon Series on Joel by Christopher Ash Message on Joel by John Piper ESV Expository Commentary: Daniel-Malachi The Restoration: God’s Precious Promise for the Future  by Willem VanGemeren Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 8, 2020 • 1h 3m

Sandra McCracken and Russ Ramsey led a breakout session as part of The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, entitled Reading Scripture with an Engaged Imagination . The songwriter and author, respectively, discussed the role the imagination plays in reading, understanding, and conveying the content of Scripture.  Even for individuals with a high view of Scripture, who believe the Bible is authoritative and reliable, Ramsey and McCracken argue that reading it well requires a fully engaged imagination—not because it is lacking in any way, but because that’s what our humanity demands. They discussed how, in prose and songwriting, they mine the detail of Scripture and use their imaginations to faithfully flesh out its context and significance. In doing so, they encourage others to engage Scripture in the same manner no matter their specific vocations.   This episode of The Gospel Coalition podcast is sponsored by The Good Book Company, publisher of 'Need to Know', a book by Gary Millar. This practical book will give new Christians the essentials—what you really need to know if you’re going to follow Jesus. To learn more, visit thegoodbook.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

May 7, 2020 • 1h 26m

The Spurgeon Fellowship - Spokane

May 1, 2020 • 50 min

As part of The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, Kevin DeYoung led a breakout session entitled  Grace Defined and Defended: The Continuing Relevance of the Canons of Dort 400 Years Later . In this session, DeYoung argued for theological precision—the wise measurement of the words used to describe God’s interaction with his people—via a close look at why and how the Canons of Dort came to be. When it comes to the doctrines of our faith, we ought to hunger for the specifics because they matter deeply. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 30, 2020 • 57 min

I spoke to Brian Tabb, academic dean and associate professor of biblical studies at Bethlehem College and Seminary, general editor for Themelios , and author of 1-2 Timothy and Titus: A 12 Week Study in the Knowing the Bible study guide series from Crossway. In our conversation, Tabb answers the question, “What is the book of Titus about?” in several ways including, “Titus is about the gospel at work,” “It’s about being saved for good,” and “Titus is about the organic connection between what is taught and caught.” Over the course of our conversation Tabb helps Bible teachers understand the unique setting of the ministry of Titus—the island of Crete and Cretans who have been saved by grace—as well as the role of good works in the life of a Christian. We also talk about what it looks like to “adorn the gospel” in the way we live it out. Resources recommended by Brian Tabb: The Letters to Timothy and Titus (The Pillar New Testament Commentary) by Robert W. Yarbrough 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (The Expositor's Bible Commentary) by Robert L. Thomas and Andreas J. Köstenberger Commentary on 1-2 Timothy and Titus (Biblical Theology for Christian Proclamation) by Andreas J. Köstenberger Recommended Audio Resources: Talks on Titus by Carrie Sandom Talks on Titus by Jamie Child Sermons on Titus by Alistair Begg Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 24, 2020 • 1h 18m

The Spurgeon Fellowship - Spokane

Apr 24, 2020 • 48 min

Aimee Joseph leads a workshop session at the 2018 TGC Women’s Conference on the necessity of the grace of Christ in motherhood. Emphasizing the lack of a “magic bullet,” Joseph encourages mothers from Hebrews 12:12 not to grow weary in their work but to allow God to train and strengthen them. It is Christ who keeps you, and in doing so keeps you from falling into the trap of either simply enduring or enthroning your children. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 17, 2020 • 54 min

Division has plagued the church around this topic, which stands in stark contrast to Jesus’s prayer for unity in John 17. Though there have lately been helpful conversations around this topic, certainly much remains to be done. Linne offers three biblical directives for engaging in these needed discussions. This message was originally given at The Gospel Coalition’s 2019 National Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 16, 2020 • 47 min

Colin Smith is senior pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, a thriving, multi-campus church located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and a TGC Council member. He's also president of Unlocking the Bible , a ministry that seeks to root people in the Word of God through their website, publishing, podcast and radio program. When Smith asked me to read his newest book,  For All Who Grieve: Navigating the Valley of Sorrow and Loss in view of offering an endorsement, not only was I glad to endorse it, I discovered that the book is really an exposition through the book of Lamentations. Lamentations is a book that, I think it is safe to say, very few preachers and teachers teach all the way through. Written by Jeremiah, who endured one manifestation of the divine judgment the Bible consistently calls ‘the day of the Lord,’ this brief book not only includes vivid descriptions of judgment; it offers compelling prayers that confess sin, express renewed hope, and declare total dependence on God’s grace. In our conversation, Smith explained how he structured  his own sermon series on Lamentations into four messages on: 1) Tears and Talk, 2) Guilt and Grievance, 3) Hope and Healing, and 4) Prayer and Praise. He also explained some of the ways this book, written by a prophet weeping over Jerusalem, points to the greater prophet who will also weep over Jerusalem. The man of sorrows seems to speak through Lamentations, saying along with the writer, “I am the man who has seen affliction under the rod of his wrath” (3:1) and, "Though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer" (3:8). Recommended Resources The Message of Lamentations by Christopher Wright Jeremiah and Lamentations: From Sorrow to Hope  by Philip Graham Ryken Lamentations, Habakkuk and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study  by Camden Bucey Five Festal Garments: Christian Reflections on the Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes and Esther  by Barry Webb Bible Book of the Month—Lamentations by Meredith G. Kline Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 3, 2020 • 53 min

Alistair Begg addresses the need for pastors to continually “press the gospel message home.” From 2 Timothy 4:1-9, he charges them to focus on the ministry of the Word in a climate marked by moral and doctrinal confusion.

Apr 2, 2020 • 1h

We have four gospels. Each of the gospels tell the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in different ways, targeting different audiences, and with different purposes. In this conversation, I asked Benjamin Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and author of the new book, The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament , to walk listeners through the book of Luke looking for the particular larger biblical themes Luke seems to be most concerned with impressing upon his readers. The kingdom of God is a focus of each of the gospels, but Gladd suggests that Luke is most concerned with how a person gets into the kingdom, which is through faith in Christ. In addition, Gladd highlights the themes of the nations and Gentiles, Jesus as the obedient son, his journey narrative as a second exodus, the temple, and paradise, suggesting that at the resurrection of Jesus, heaven itself changed. Suggested resources: The Story Retold: A Biblical Theological Introduction to the New Testament by G.K. Beal and Benjamin L. Gladd From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of the People of God  by Benjamin L. Gladd Hidden but Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery  by G. K. Beale and Benjamin L. Gladd Luke (2 Volumes) Reformed Expository Commentary by Phlip Ryken Luke: A 12-Week Study by C.D. Jimmy Agan III   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 27, 2020 • 59 min

Jesus is the meeting place of time and eternity. He is the intersection between heaven and earth. When we, like the woman at the well, were in our sin and could not reach up, God reached down to us.

Mar 20, 2020 • 1h 3m

A holistic, Augustinian apologetic gives us the resources to offer critiques of other world views and secular idols—paving a path to an eternal love that the human heart has always yearned for.