On his blog, Matt Schmucker gave his three favorite quotes from John MacArthur at Together For The Gospel
“1. “Soft preaching makes for hard people.”
2. “Preachers are the only ones in the world who can take no credit for everything we do (except the mistakes).”
3. “It’s not about how cool you are, but how clear you are.”
If I remember correctly, MacArthur also pointed out that “Hard preaching makes for soft hearts/people.”
I had privilege of attending Together For The Gospel again this year. Its hard to put into words all the Lord said/did in my heart. Of course others have blogged much and since one can download the sessions, I’d suggest you do that. Do not forget to download the panel discussions when they become available. Much of value is found there.
It was refreshing to hear these Evangelical heavy-weights in their group discussion, especially when they opened up to admit they too struggle with issues such as having to work oneself up to witness to a lost person. (John Piper)
Thabiti Anyawabile’s sermon was powerful and opened our eyes to the necessity of seeing those people who look/act/talk/dress/etc differently as fundamentally being just like us…..sinners in the need of God’s grace.
While the messages and flow of things at T4G ’06 was wonderful and meaningful, there was something of a different spiritual plane in ’08. I know that topics were assigned and arranged. But the hand of God was powerfully moving as these men went through their sermon preparation. It was as if all eight got together, looked over one another’s sermons, made some adjustments, and then preached one deep, powerful, connected, inspiring, convicting 8 hour sermon. It was clear from some of the comments made during panel discussions that they were taken aback at how God fine tuned this one.
I do have one, personal observation to make regarding this or any other conference of this nature one might attend. I went to T4G a bit tired, worn-out, and physically unprepared. It’s always good to get away to refresh. I certainly was moved by the Spirit throughout. However, I know I did not get all I could from T4G this year because of my worn-out condition leading up to the conference. From time to time, my attention lagged and I had to work to keep up. I look back realizing that had I made sure that I was well rested before my arrival, the blessings would have been all the more.
So, what did I learn from this?
Don’t just show up with packed bags, money to buy books, and a hotel reservation.
Prepare for the conference itself.
Pray. Meditate. Get plenty of sleep BEFORE you go.
(Hmmmmm, perhaps Sundays would be all the more if I made sure that my Saturday schedule was conducive to rest and preparation for His Day.)
To my fellow gospel ministers:
If you had 13 weeks to train a young man for ministry (knowing he will get more training later) what things would you be sure to cover? And what resources would you use?
It is all in my head and heart somewhere…I am having difficulty mapping it out and making it organized. I would hate the first 3 weeks being spent on me trying to figure out where we are going.
Here is what I have so far. I am wanting to sum it up as best I can. I have found five broad categories of ministry. Lead. Plead. Read. Bleed. And for lack of a better rhyming term…Breed. I want to teach a few principles of leadership–mostly that we are called to be a servant (Mt. 20:20-28). Here is a list so far:
Lead with gentleness (1 Pet. 3:16)
Lead with courage (Joshua 1)
Lead with humility (Phil. 2:3, 1 Pet. 5:5)
Lead with your life, authenticity (1 Thess. 2:8, 2 Tim. 3:10-11)
Lead with holiness, example (2 Tim. 2:22-26)
Lead with labor, suffering (2 Tim. 2:3)
Lead with passion, fervency (1 Pet. 5:1-5)
Lead with appropriate patience (1 Thess. 5:14)
There needs to be some teaching about where leadership comes from; this will probably be covered in our discussion of Matthew 20.
What would you add? What resources would you use? How would you teach these things? Obviously modeling them in my own life. How would you put this young man in situations where these graces would be brought out and cultivated?
Later I will discuss–Plead, Read, Bleed, and….Oh, I really need another name for this…Breed.
UPDATE: I think I have figured out how to avoid the word “breed” as a category. The concept of reproducing can fall under a category in leadership. One of the categories will now be “lead to be replaced”.
In contentment “there is a compound of all graces”. It is not merely an exercise of a natural quietness, nor a sturdy resolution. Neither is it from natural (unsanctified) reason. This grace is truly spiritual. It is a grace. Burroughs will expound more on this grace when dealing with the Mystery of Contentment. For now, he only wants to show the difference. He explains it thus:
“Those who are content in a natural way overcome themselves when outward afflictions befall them and are content. They are just as content when they commit sin against God. When they have outward crosses or when God is dishonoured, it is all one to them; whether they themselves are crossed or whether God is crossed.”
Admonishment: Be broken for sin, joyous for trials.
For Your Consideration: Does your emotion and “contentment” match the situation. Are you always joyful, even in the midst of sin–or does it cause you to mourn? Are you mourning under affliction and refusing to look to Christ? We must pursue brokenness for sin and joy in the midst of trials.