T4G Day 2...

I'm going to keep this one short, as I am tired and feel as if my brain is about to melt. The day started off with a talk by Thabiti Anyabwile, in which he talked about the new culture that is created in Christ, and how we as Christians are called to more identify ourselves with this new culture over against our earthly culture of origin. The thought-provoking statement from his lecture was that the people of God are multiethnic but not multicultural. This talk was prededed by another great session of worship, and one moment in particular stood out to me. As we were singing "How Deep The Father's Love For Us", we came to the line 'I know that it is finished', and much of the room erupted in cheers and applause. I hope I don't soon forget the power there is in seeing scores of individuals rejoice in unison over the fact that their very real sins, the lusts of their flesh, their pride in selflessness, their mistreatment of their family... all of their sins were once and for all in one moment of time completely accounted for on the cross of Christ. It was unreal to see a group that large collectively rejoice in the once-and-for-all forgiveness of mountains of sin. This is the power of the gospel of Christ. After Anyabwile, John MacArther taught out of Mark 4 about the work of God in salvation, that as the seed-sower plants the seed and then sleeps, it is the power of God that makes the seed grow. In the afternoon I went to a break-out session, in which Brian Habig talked about the fears of the minister, and man did this one hit home. He expounded on the people-pleasing and self-doubting tendencies of the minister, how these desires to live for men and make our name known can distort true proclamation of the gospel, and how our justification in Christ alleviates this malady. I think everyone in that room went away convicted and refreshed. After dinner with the Christ Our Redeemer boys and a discussion about mentoring and the church, we came back to the auditorium for some more worship and a sermon from John Piper. I thank the Lord for that man. He preached from Luke 18 about justification by faith alone as seen in the parable of the pharisee and tax collector praying in the temple, and the implications of this doctrine. This again is one of those sermons that I highly recommend everyone listen to when it becomes available, I promise you will not regret the investment of time. The night was capped off for me by having a brew and talking theology with Chris Smith and Jason Pancheau; an excellent way to finish a day. And of course, we got more books. I think I'll be taking about 25 home with me from Louisville, and that makes me a happy boy. Well I said this would be short and I failed, but there was quite a bit packed in to the day. I'm looking forward to hearing from Ligon Duncan, Matt Chandler, and C.J. Mahaney tomorrow.