CROSS Conference Podcast

Rosaria Butterfield uses the story of a WWII Japanese soldier who hid in a cave for 27 years to illustrate how false beliefs trap us in bondage. Though legally free when the war ended in 1945, the soldier refused to believe the war was over, remaining captive to his false convictions.

Many Christians experience similar spiritual bondage they believe they're forgiven through Christ's blood but don't truly believe they're free from sin's patterns, habits, and thoughts. Butterfield provides eight practical points for starving sin, beginning with making your calling and election sure.

Reject the cave of sin's bondage by embracing your true identity and freedom in Christ.

Topics: Sin, Freedom in Christ, Identity in Christ, Spiritual bondage, Sanctification

David Platt addresses how believers can share the gospel naturally in everyday circumstances. Prioritizing questions applicable to broad audiences, Platt focuses on equipping Christians to proclaim the gospel with both compassion and boldness.

The goal of gospel sharing is not merely personal conversion moments but fruit that extends to people's spheres of influence, airplane conversations, and gospel witness that bears fruit for decades.

Commit to speaking the gospel with both greater compassion for the lost and greater boldness in your everyday conversations.

Scripture: Matthew 4:19; Matthew 28
Topics: Gospel witness, Evangelism, Discipleship, Boldness, Compassion

Matt Schmucker, Ben Lacey, and John Piper honor the volunteers and group leaders who enabled CrossCon26 to happen. Schmucker shares the origin story of the Cross conference born from John Piper's dream, conversations, and prayers.

The conference reflects a vision of gathering believers around God's biggest realities: His sovereignty, human sin, Christ's return, and the gospel's advance among the nations.

Recognize the unseen labor of volunteers and leaders, and commit to serving alongside others in building God's kingdom.

Topics: Leadership, Volunteering, Community, Conference vision, Family faithfulness

Bob Kauflin invites listeners to consider what kind of music God actually enjoys. Rather than assuming we understand God's musical preferences, Kauflin explores the deeper question of whether our worship songs align with what matters to the Sovereign God we serve.

Our songs matter because they reflect and shape what we believe about God's character and worth. God deserves worship that reflects His true nature and majesty.

Examine your worship music and practices to ensure they genuinely honor the Sovereign God rather than reflecting your own assumptions.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31; Psalm 34:11; Colossians 3:16
Topics: Worship, Music, God's sovereignty, Corporate worship, Theological reflection

Ryan Robertson advocates for missionaries and churches to prioritize global cities as harvest fields. Growing up in multicultural Toronto where he openly shared the gospel with Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim classmates, Robertson demonstrates that cities are natural gathering places where diverse peoples converge.

Since Babel's dispersion, humans have migrated toward cities rather than away from them, making urban centers strategic locations for gospel witness and discipleship.

Reassess your church's mission strategy to include the strategic importance of reaching unreached peoples gathering in global cities.

Scripture: Genesis 11 (Babel)
Topics: Global cities, Urban missions, Cultural diversity, Gospel witness, Church strategy