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Weekend Recap on Ministry…

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Yesterday’s sermon from Colossians 1:25 is now online–entitled Ministry: From, To, For. This sermon greatly affected my heart by allowing me to see afresh how ministry is from God, to us as individuals and for the benefit of others. It also affected me in showing me how arrogant I often function in ministry. As God’s Word called me to humble service, I could find grace.

In small group last night we talked about different kinds of righteousness that we use to inflate our position before God. These performance driven righteousnesses easily get us from centering all that we are on Jesus and His Work for us. One they didn’t mention might be:

MINISTRY RIGHTEOUSNESS — “I’m serving in the church, doing what God has gifted me to do. Surely my obedience in this area and care for others establishes my position before God.” Nope! It doesn’t replace the cross and my need for it daily. I hope you are encouraged, then, to serve in the strength that God supplies, so that HE is glorified.

The Pastor’s Heart

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This coming Lord’s Day, we will be looking at a sermon entitled Gospel Ministry from Colossians 1:25. I am going to conclude saying something like:

Recently, when I was at the DGPC, Paul Tripp did the pre-conference on the pastor’s heart and said, “The greatest danger [facing the church] is not outside of the church or a weakening theology, but in the heart of the one who stands in the pulpit.” Recently, I’ve noticed that my heart craves a desire to be served or I want people to agree with me because “I am the pastor.” I feel fragile knowing I need to “guard my heart with all diligence” for the good of this body. I want to lead our church well. Tripp mentioned praying 3 prayers each morning, “1) God, I’m a man in desperate need of help, 2) In grace, send helpers my way, 3) Give me humility to receive help when it comes.” I want to be this kind of man, a man who ministers in a God-centered humble way.

In the coming weeks, I plan to post some things related to how we can guard our hearts. But all of this happens because of the amazing truth of the Gospel illuminating the indwelling sin remaining in me. May God use this to make me holy!

On Negativity…

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…from Matt Perman…

Negativity is all a matter of perspective. Negative people can make any situation, no matter how great, seem like the end of the world. And positive people can make any situation, no matter how bad, seem great.

Well said and the post gives an incredible example of what being positive can do.

Recap of Gospel Suffering

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Today’s sermon, Gospel Suffering from Colossians 1:24 is now online. Thought we had a good morning. I was really stirred by the passage and the call to join Christ in suffering. Like I confessed this AM, I have a hard time embracing suffering for the Gospel because I don’t want the negative. This running after convenience is missing what the NT says is the norm for believers. Any applications stick out to you?

Pastor’s Conference Wrap Up…

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We are in KC today. We left the conference yesterday and drove in here. Ate some nice BBQ and visited with some old friends. Here’s the recap from yesterday:

We got up for a session called “Morning Devotions” with Paul Tripp. He masterfully encouraged us to be ambassadors for Christ in our families and churches (from 2 Corinthians 5:14-21).

The AM session featured the US Director of Frontiers, Bob Blincoe (Notes, Audio, Video). This session was a highlight for us. What stuck out was his phrase (borrowed from Dawson Trotman): “If you can’t see far ahead, go as far as you can see.” He related this to God calling him to serve in a missions context. Oh that we would have faith to go where we can see and beyond.

The conference wrapped up with a Q & A (Notes, Audio). There was some amazing interaction between the panel. Good stuff, really.

Our hearts are full and we look forward to getting back later today.

DG Pastor’s Conference – Day 2

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Today was the busy day at the conference. I started off with a breakout session featuring David Michael of Children Desiring God, which helped reaffirm my passion for training the next generation. I had a chance to visit with David and he was encouraging about things our church is doing to help children prize Jesus.

The 1st AM session featured Eric Mason from Epiphany Fellowship in Philly. (Notes, Audio, Video) His message was to pastors on having joy in suffering, especially as it relates to sanctification. It was a compelling call to this end.

The 2nd AM session was Sam Storms giving the foundations of Christian Hedonism (Notes, Audio, Video) I think what stuck out to me there was the reminder of God being the fountain of all joy.

After lunch, Piper gave his biography of C.S. Lewis (Manuscript, Audio). There were lots of zingers in this talk. Piper showed why he appreciated Lewis so much in his summary: he had an awesome experiential joy and a determined hold on objective truth.

After Piper’s talk, I was able to sit down with Matt Perman, Director of Strategy for Desiring God, and talk about vision planning, BHAG’s, and other things related to being organized and leading in terms of big picture direction. There were lots of practical helps in this time.

Finally, after supper, we were back for Sam Storms final session: Killing Sin with Christian Hedonism (Notes, Audio). This session got practical, again encouraging us to have joy in suffering. The session ended with Bethlehem’s Elders and Pastors praying for individual needs of the pastors present. Very meaningful.

Back at hotel, we are working to prep to leave tomorrow.

Session 1 – Sam Storms

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The conference kicked off with a video of a old guy playing with toys in a little kids play room with the quote from C.S. Lewis’ Weight of Glory about how we are satisfied with childish things while infinite joys await us.

From this, we sang about God being our Rock and Savior. We declared in song how Jesus is our Joy.

Sam Storms came and brought us a message from 2 Corinthians 1:23-24. The thrust? At the heart of pastoral ministry should be a passion to glorify God by shepherding others to find their joy in Him. This is the path that brings God the greatest glory. This message laid the foundations for Storms’ messages to us tomorrow. It was a deep way to begin, but helpful for establishing a foundation.

Check out notes taken or download the audio.