Jun 12
David Platt brings a powerful message highlighting what it looks like to be a witness of Jesus in our city.
Key Takeaway
You are personally commissioned by God as witness to the greatest news in the world.
Don't believe the lie that the Church is powerless.
God is calling us to be in the cities we're planted in.
God uses ordinary people.
The church is the Church because of the gifts of few, but because of the grace of an extraordinary God. Don't sell Him short.
Apart from God, you have nothing. You cannot do it alone. You can do more in a week with God than decades without Him.
Don't live a spirit-less Christian life and that you can do it in your own power.
You are personally commissioned by God as witness to the greatest news in the world.
A witness is good, but testifying is even better.
We have more opportunities to reach the ends of the Earth than we ever have.
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"God wants you to experience the love and the power of Jesus in your life and to live empowered and emboldened to speak His name to people all across the city."
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David Platt
Discussion Questions
How is God using you right now in the city you live in?
Scripture shares story after story of God using ordinary people to fulfill His purposes on earth. How does it make you feel knowing that He doesn't choose people by their own strength?
How have you sold God short recently?
What are some ways that you find yourself relying on your own power vs. God's?
How does it make you feel knowing that God positioned you to proclaim His message?
How can you testify that God is who He says He is?
What are some ways you can reach people with the Good News from around the world?
Scripture References
1.In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2.until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3.After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4.On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5.For John baptized with1:5 Or in water, but in a few days you will be baptized with1:5 Or in the Holy Spirit.”6.Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7.He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”9.After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10.They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11.“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”12.Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer from the city. 13.When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were:
Peter, John, James and Andrew;
Philip and Thomas;
Bartholomew and Matthew;
James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James.14.They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
1.When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2.Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3.They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4.All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11 as the Spirit enabled them.5.Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6.When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7.Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8.Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9.Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name 10.Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11.(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12.Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”13.Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”14.Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15.These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16.No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:17.“ ‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.18.Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.19.I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.20.The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.21.And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.’2:21 Joel 2:28-3222.“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23.This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles) put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24.But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25.David said about him:
“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.26.Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,27.because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.28.You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)29.“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30.But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31.Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32.God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33.Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34.For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand35.until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.” ’2:35 Psalm 110:136.“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”37.When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”38.Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40.With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41.Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
13.When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
54.Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55.And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56.A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”57.But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.58.A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.59.About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”60.Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61.The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62.And he went outside and wept bitterly.
48.You are witnesses of these things. 49.I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
16.On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled.
18.When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
8.They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’
Hope for the Mountains of Israel
1.“Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. 2.This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The enemy said of you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession.” ’ 3.Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander, 4.therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you— 5.this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland.’ 6.Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations. 7.Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.
8.“ ‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit for my people Israel, for they will soon come home. 9.I am concerned for you and will look on you with favor; you will be plowed and sown, 10.and I will cause many people to live on you—yes, all of Israel. The towns will be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. 11.I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 12.I will cause people, my people Israel, to live on you. They will possess you, and you will be their inheritance; you will never again deprive them of their children.
13.“ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because some say to you, “You devour people and deprive your nation of its children,” 14.therefore you will no longer devour people or make your nation childless, declares the Sovereign Lord. 15.No longer will I make you hear the taunts of the nations, and no longer will you suffer the scorn of the peoples or cause your nation to fall, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ ”
Israel’s Restoration Assured
16.Again the word of the Lord came to me: 17.“Son of man, when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman’s monthly uncleanness in my sight. 18.So I poured out my wrath on them because they had shed blood in the land and because they had defiled it with their idols. 19.I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. 20.And wherever they went among the nations they profaned my holy name, for it was said of them, ‘These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave his land.’ 21.I had concern for my holy name, which the people of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone.
22.“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23.I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
24.“ ‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25.I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26.I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27.And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28.Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29.I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30.I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. 31.Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 32.I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!
33.“ ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 34.The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35.They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.” 36.Then the nations around you that remain will know that I the Lord have rebuilt what was destroyed and have replanted what was desolate. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’
37.“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep, 38.as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
The Valley of Dry Bones
1.The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2.He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3.He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”
4.Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5.This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath37:5 The Hebrew for this word can also mean wind or spirit (see verses 6-14). enter you, and you will come to life. 6.I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”
7.So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8.I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9.Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10.So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
11.Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12.Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13.Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14.I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ”
One Nation Under One King
15.The word of the Lord came to me: 16.“Son of man, take a stick of wood and write on it, ‘Belonging to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick of wood, and write on it, ‘Belonging to Joseph (that is, to Ephraim) and all the Israelites associated with him.’ 17.Join them together into one stick so that they will become one in your hand.
18.“When your people ask you, ‘Won’t you tell us what you mean by this?’ 19.say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am going to take the stick of Joseph—which is in Ephraim’s hand—and of the Israelite tribes associated with him, and join it to Judah’s stick. I will make them into a single stick of wood, and they will become one in my hand.’ 20.Hold before their eyes the sticks you have written on 21.and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. 22.I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. There will be one king over all of them and they will never again be two nations or be divided into two kingdoms. 23.They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding,37:23 Many Hebrew manuscripts (see also Septuagint); most Hebrew manuscripts all their dwelling places where they sinned and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.
24.“ ‘My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. 25.They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your ancestors lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever. 26.I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and increase their numbers, and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. 27.My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28.Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’ ”
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God
14:1
Or
Believe in God
; believe also in me. 2.My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4.You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus the Way to the Father
5.Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6.Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7.If you really know me, you will know14:7 Some manuscripts If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8.Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9.Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10.Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11.Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12.Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13.And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14.You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15.
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16.And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17.the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be14:17 Some early manuscripts and is in you. 18.I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19.Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20.On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21.Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22.Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23.Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24.Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. 26.But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27.Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28.
“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29.I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30.I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31.but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.
Israel’s Only Savior
1.But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2.When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3.For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush43:3 That is, the upper Nile region and Seba in your stead.
4.Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5.Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6.I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7.everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
8.Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9.All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
10.“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11.I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12.I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13.Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”
God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness
14.This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians,43:14 Or Chaldeans
in the ships in which they took pride.
15.I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator, your King.”
16.This is what the Lord says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
17.who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18.“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19.See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
20.The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21.the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
22.“Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
you have not wearied yourselves for43:22 Or Jacob; / surely you have grown weary of me, Israel.
23.You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,
nor honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with grain offerings
nor wearied you with demands for incense.
24.You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me,
or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
and wearied me with your offenses.
25.“I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions, for my own sake,
and remembers your sins no more.
26.Review the past for me,
let us argue the matter together;
state the case for your innocence.
27.Your first father sinned;
those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.
28.So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;
I consigned Jacob to destruction43:28 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
and Israel to scorn.
8.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
28.“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.29.Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.30.I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.31.The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.32.And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the Lord has said,
even among the survivors
whom the Lord calls.2:32 In Hebrew texts 2:28-32 is numbered 3:1-5.
David Platt
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical. David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series. Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area.