I am on my way home from the 2010 Together for the Gospel conference. This was my first T4G and I am greatly refreshed in the gospel. I traveled with several of our leaders from OBC and we are, to a man, variously provoked unto a more fervent love for Christ and a more steely resolve to stand together for the unadjusted gospel.
From the outset of the conference I found myself wondering why this conference seemed different than many others I’d been to. And to this moment I remain unclear on precisely why this is…but it is. I have a few corallary ideas…
1. The concept is a gospel concept. Everything from the various leaders’ friendships to the title of the conference pivots on the gospel.
2. The preaching. Every sermon seemed like it was carefully & prayerfully loaded into the preacher’s soul in order to inflict believers to love & serve Jesus.
3. The music. What can I say? To have Bob Kauflin lead 7,000 people in songs that are drenched in the gospel is a soul-stirring, Christ-magnifying joy.
4. The fellowship. I met pastors from all over the place. I met many folks who read this blog. I met new friends. I saw old friends again. It was great. And the time with my dear brothers from OBC was a true joy. What a glorious blessing.
5. The Books. Of course I am going to say this. These guys gave away books like no one I’ve ever seen. And the books were intentionally selected to promote and sustain gospel growth in local churches.
Everyone will ask what sermons to listen to, so, I’ll say: all of them. But give you this order:
1- Piper’s homiletical bomb on the need to emphasize all of Christ’s work is very much needed. LISTEN TO IT! And apply.
2. Thabiti’s sermon on culture. You may not agree with him (I do) but he will force you to think. I am still chewing on this.
3. Dever on making the gospel visible. This was classic Dever. A timely word for the church.
4. RC Sproul. He pretty much condensed a seminary course down to a one hour sermon. He showed the failures of syncretism throughout church history. Awesome.
I praise God for his kindness and grace this week. I am blessed by the service of these men.