Unseen Leadership

Unseen Leadership Episode 75: David Platt on the Importance of Intimacy with God

Aug 16, 2023

David Platt, Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church and founder of Radical, discusses the importance of intimacy with God and prioritizing a biblical gospel over an American one that values comfort, power, and politics. He shares insights from his new book, 'Don't Hold Back,' exploring unity in the church, justice with the gospel, and the beauty of a multi-ethnic bride of Christ. Platt also reflects on embracing spiritual disciplines and the danger of ministry without intimacy with Jesus.

36:24

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Episode guests

David Platt

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Intimacy with God is essential for effective leadership, and leading without it can be detrimental.

Meditating on and internalizing Scripture is crucial for knowing God intimately and leading with authenticity.

Deep dives

The Importance of Intimacy with Jesus in Leadership

David Platt emphasizes the significance of leading out of an overflow of intimacy with Jesus. He shares how he learned the hard way that mechanical study without a genuine connection to God misses the point. He encourages young leaders to prioritize a daily routine of spending time with God in prayer, meditation, and Scripture. Platt shares his personal routine, which includes waking up early, having an hour of solitude with God, followed by a workout. He also emphasizes the importance of unplugging from work and being fully present with family and loved ones. Platt asserts that intimacy with Jesus is the foundation from which effective leadership flows.

Introduction

3min

Journey through Leadership Roles

21min

Sermon preparation process and the importance of meditation

5min

Ideal Daily Routine, Productivity Hacks, and App Recommendations

4min

The Power of 'Waiting on God' and Leading with Intimacy

3min

In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by David Platt, who is the Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church and founder of Radical, who discusses his journey in ministry and the importance of intimacy with God. He emphasizes prioritizing a biblical gospel over an American one that values comfort, power, and politics. Platt’s new book, “Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully,” explores topics such as unity in the church, justice with the gospel, and the beauty of a multi-ethnic bride of Christ. Platt also shares a pivotal moment in his personal life where his wife’s wake-up call led him to embrace spiritual disciplines such as meditation, prayer, fasting, exercise, and sleep.

QUOTES FROM EPISODE 75

“I don’t think it was just an American dream that was captivating our hearts, I think there’s been an American gospel that’s been consuming our lives.” – David Platt

“A gospel that exchanges the biblical gospel that exalts Jesus above everything in the world for an American version of it prostitutes Jesus for the sake of comfort and power and politics and prosperity in our country. It has ravaged the church in many ways and our witness, not just in our country, but to the ends of the earth.” – David Platt

“What frightens me is how successful in the eyes of the world that I could be in ministry and do it totally apart from intimacy with Jesus.” – David Platt

“Don’t try to manufacture a heart for ministry and miss a heart for Jesus or you’ll miss the whole point.” – David Platt

“Of course, it’s unhelpful if you never act on anything and you’re just always indecisive, but at the same time, be wise in learning and listening before deciding or acting to learn that balance or that tension of when it’s healthy to move forward.” – David Platt

That’s part of what leadership is which is to shepherd people toward where God’s calling you to go and not just telling them to go there and expecting it to happen.” – David Platt

“Be afraid of leading apart from intimacy with Jesus.” – David Platt

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Don’t Hold Back: Breaking Free from the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully by David Platt

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God’s Word by D.A. Carson

Waiting on God: A 31-Day Adventure into the Heart of God by Andrew Murray