Imperishable Inheritance

This year I had the privilege of attending Together for the Gospel 2008. It was an outstanding and edifying experience. I left a little spoiled after listening to incredible talks on aspects of the gospel ministry. I would like to share a synopsis of the talks with you and what I took from them. The audio is currently available online for your consumption. If you are only going to listen to one than listen to R.C.'s talk followed by Dever's.

Ligon Duncan On Sound Doctrine

Ligon gave the introductory talk to the conference, and it was a fitting way to start. His talk focused on those in the pastoral ministry who downgrade or even eliminate the importance of systematic theology in their messages. It was definitely good to be encouraged in reminding us that systematic theology has a very important role in preaching especially in a postmodern world. What was interesting is how he almost seemed to juxtapose the role of biblical and systematic theology. I had a conversation recently on the importance of biblical theology in preaching and teaching over systematic theology, and it was good to hear his thoughts on the issue. Mohler did a good job in the panel discussion about balancing the importance of both to run alongside one another even though there seems to be many who impose a tension between the two.

Thabiti Anyabwile On Our Unity

Thabiti is a "newcomer" if you will on the scene, and it was a most encouraging talk. Thabiti spoke on the un-biblical nature of race and racism from a historical and theological perspective. He spoke of our unity as sinners "in Adam," he spoke of our unity "in Christ," and finally our unity in the church. He spoke about the fact that God "hath man of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation" (Acts 17:26 KJV). The truth is that we shouldn't be discriminatory against anyone else, because we all have the same father inheriting the same curse. This goes even farther as Christians are one "in Christ" in the same church, and we have even less of an excuse to find ourselves engaged in racism.

John MacArthur On Total Inability

John MacArthur started the second day of reminding us of the importance of understanding total depravity. It is this doctrine that the world hates so much, and it is imperative that it be an understanding we have to engage the world with the gospel. Even though you had the feeling that he was "preaching to the choir" it was a good reminder of the necessity of a biblical understanding of sin and anthropology in partaking in the gospel ministry.

Mark Dever On Gospel Fundamentals

I thoroughly enjoyed Dever's talk, and for the reason that it focused on the gospel essentials. He talked about efforts to "improve" the gospel through un-biblical emphasis. I especially appreciated how he pointed out the tendency of Christians to mix the implications of the gospel with the gospel itself. One such instance is how we can confuse the worldview implications of the gospel with the gospel. Is being pro-life part of the gospel? No, and it was this very point that Mark was trying to make to be sure that when the gospel is proclaimed we don't attempt to confuse on gospel fundamentals.

R.C. Sproul On the Curse Endured By Jesus

By far the best talk was done by R.C. Sproul. He spoke of the often left out truth that Jesus was cursed by God while enduring the cross from Galatians 3. How often we forget that Jesus was cursed of and by his father for the sake of his people. R.C. lead us through the historical and theological meaning and importance of what it meant for Christ to become a curse so that we might become sons of God. In typical redemptive-historical fashion by R.C. he illuminated and clarified this glorious truth. You could sense how much everyone in the room was effected, and the panel afterwards showed how other great men of the faith were left speechless after such a talk.

Al Mohler On Christian Hatred of Penal Substitution

It's amazing how glorious truths are so hated by so many that profess to be evangelicals. Only Al could've delivered the talk the way he did weaving historical, practical, and cultural theology into an expose of modern hatred of penal substitution. He surveys modern writings that openly deny that Jesus died a substitutionary death and was punished (penal) by God on our behalf. It was amazing to hear what some so called "evangelicals" were saying about the glorious truth of penal substitution. It is quite obvious that a gospel without penal substitution is in fact no gospel at all.

John Piper On Christian Sacrifice

Only John Piper can talk about Christian sacrifice in a way that convicts you in such a deep and profound way. He talked primarily from various texts in Hebrews that speak of the promise of Christian suffering. It is amazing to hear the gifting that God has given that man to convict believers through his preaching. In dramatic fashion he talked about how we as Americans live comfortably without much suffering. It's so encouraging to be called to faithful Christian witness, not just in spite of, but because of suffering. John convicts in a way that very few can.

C.J. Mahaney On the Pastor's Soul

It is very apparent how much C.J. cares about other pastors, and it was reiterated in his final talk on caring for the pastor's soul. What was especially encouraging was how he challenged the pastors in the audience to check whether they are joyful doing what they do. He challenged them specifically to ask our family and fellow laborers if they give off a sense of joy and anticipation in their work of ministering the gospel. The thing that struck me was how practical the words were that came from C.J. He consistently felt it necessary to describe himself as the "average pastor" compared to the other men speaking, but he surely spoke in a way that was more personal than the others. His demeanor and attitude were well received and appreciated in such a diverse group.

In Review

It was an encouraging time to be there with my brother, father, and many friends. To be encouraged to faithfully witness and teach the gospel is always a welcome admonition, and it is reassuring that God is pulling me in the direction of pastoral work.

The men that spoke had different personal and theological backgrounds. All had differing opinions on issues of ecclessiology, eschatology, and so on; but what was so encouraging was their shared devotion to the Gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord. They truly came together for the sake of the gospel.