When Platt’s Radical became a national bestseller, many who read it were left wondering exactly how to implement its principles in their local church settings. To that end, Platt has penned this book, a sequel of sorts that seeks to move the conversation forward. While perhaps a little too brief (and perhaps too often reliant on shared content with its predecessor), it is a surprisingly useful tool for further conviction, study and implementation of its truths.

God has called us to lock arms with one another in single-minded, death-defying obedience to one objective: the declaration of His gospel for the demonstration of His glory to all nations. This is God’s design for His people, and it is worth giving our lives to see it accomplished. [5]

Are your church and mine willing to put on the table every program we’ve created, every position we’ve established, every innovation we’ve adopted, every building we’ve constructed, every idea we’ve formulated, every team we’ve assembled, and every activity we’ve organized? Are we willing to ask God if there is a better way to use the time, energy, and money He has given us for His glory in the world? [23]

In our lives and in the church, we are never without revelation from God. At all times you and I have His message to us in all its power, authority, clarity, and might. We don’t have to work to come up with a word from God; we simply have to trust the Word He has already given us. When we do, the Word of God will accomplish the work of God among the people of God. [40]

The goal of the church is never for one person to be equipped and empowered to lead as many people as possible to Christ. The goal is always for all of God’s people to be equipped and empowered to lead as many people as possible to Christ. [57]

The point of prayer is not to carry on business as usual in the church. The reality is, we can conduct monotonous, human-centered religion on our own. But if we want to make disciples in all the nations, then we will need to pray. For when we sacrifice everything we are and stake everything we have on the front lines of a battle for the souls of millions of people around us and billions of people around the world who have little to no knowledge of Jesus, we are forced to pray. [114]

TOP

What matters most to us? That question lies at the heart of Platt’s book, which challenges Christians in America to place their faith and the commands of Christ above the American dream and other self-satisfying goals. While some may misconstrue his examples as legalistic indicators of genuine faith, Platt doesn’t prescribe a formulaic solution, only a consistent reminder of the true purpose and calling of Christ’s people. A strong gospel focus is woven throughout his message.

The crucial question for every professing or potential follower of Jesus: Do we really believe He is worth abandoning everything for? Do you and I really believe that Jesus is so good, so satisfying, and so rewarding that we will leave all we have and all we own and all we are in order to find our fullness in Him? Do you and I believe Him enough to obey Him and to follow Him wherever He leads, even when the crowds in our culture—and maybe in our churches—turn the other way? [18]

The gospel does not prompt you to mere reflection; the gospel requires a response. In the process of hearing Jesus, you are compelled to take an honest look at your life, your family, and your church and not just ask, “What is He saying?” but also ask, “What shall I do?” [20]

The message of biblical Christianity is not “God loves me, period,” as if we were the object of our own faith. The message of biblical Christianity is “God loves me so that I might make Him—His ways, His salvation, His glory, and His greatness—known among all nations.” Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around Him. We are not the end of the gospel; God is. [70]

Jesus was not, and never is, interested in being seen as a respectable teacher. He is the sovereign Lord. He doesn’t give options for people to consider; He gives commands for people to obey. [120]

This, we remember, is the great reward of the gospel: God Himself. When we risk our lives to run after Christ, we discover the safety that is found only in His sovereignty, the security that is found only in His love, and the satisfaction that is found only in His presence. This is the eternally great reward, and we would be foolish to settle for anything less. [181]

TOP