Over the years, various pastors in Sovereign Grace Ministries have visited Cuba to teach and build relationships with a group of churches (Sovereign Grace Pentecostal churches) that are led by our friend, Manolito, and his son, Ruben. This Sovereign Grace work is led by Al Pino, Senior Pastor of Palm Vista Community Church in Miami Lakes, Florida.  On May 8–10, Corey Schmatjen and Bentley Crawford visited Cuba to teach a group of 17 pastors how to conduct an inductive Bible study so they might be better equipped to do the same in their churches.

To get a glimpse into what the trip was like, read this excerpt from the update Corey Schmatjen shared with Palm Vista Community Church:

We basically went there to give them what we call “The Grow Course,” an inductive Bible study on Ephesians that we did at Palm Vista Community Church in 2010–11 (charts and all). But instead of doing it over ten months, we did it in three days. Intense.

There was Ernesto who had traveled 16 hours by bus with severe back pain to get to Matanzas. There was Omar with his bloodshot eyes and smile. We spent hours sitting on hard, wooden pew benches and no AC, pouring over God’s Word. We gave them notebooks, we gave them charts, we gave them highlighters, and they gave us hours of focused attention, study, and interaction.

Bentley and I weren’t the first to come along and teach these pastors. In fact, we came in a long line of Sovereign Grace pastors like us who have been traveling to Cuba over the past many years. But what was most rewarding was not just teaching them, but studying the Bible inductively with them; seeing how God was giving them eyes to see Scripture more and more for themselves, building their faith to observe God’s Word and properly interpret it.

But something else was also clear from our time in Cuba. Our mission is not just to teach, but to relate; to give not just our money or our teaching, but our lives.

The first night, Manolito’s wife, Blanquita, fixed us one of her amazing meals, capped off with her flan and mango marmalade. Ruben and his wife, Ruth, along with their two children, Claudia and Gabriel, were gathered with us.

The whole extended family was there, telling riddles, laughing, and enjoying one another. Not only were Bentley and I present but we were with a man named Felipe, a Dominican brother. Felipe was our interpreter for the week. He is also an elder from the same church which Rolando Espinal (current Pastors College student) came from (Iglesia Bautistia Internacional) of which Miguel Núñez is the lead pastor.

Felipe saw the family laughing and lovingly relating to their children, and he said, “This isn’t normal. I so rarely see this, not only in the DR, but in my trips to Cuba as well.”

Ruben was quick to tell Felipe that this wasn’t always how it was with his children. His family has been changed. Changed by the gospel. Changed by the lives he had seen. He was quick to thank Al Pino, not out of obligation, but as a matter of integrity (as he would say). Al’s many trips and the trips many of you from Palm Vista Community Church have made, including the youth, have made a huge impact on this one family—and are having a trickle-down effect to others in their churches.

There was discernible hope for the church and for the future as we spent time with our friends in Cuba.

Perhaps the greatest evidence of that hope is that they’re still dreaming and still planning of doing great things and exploits for the Lord. Our first full day, we traveled to see the 80-plus acres of land we and Sovereign Grace have helped the Sovereign Grace Pentecostal Churches of Cuba purchase on the outskirts of Matanzas.

This is farmland with a deep river that runs through it for irrigation. They are currently growing corn on the land to feed the 100 pigs they are about to acquire along with the fourteen cattle already on the property. But this farm is just a means to a greater end: to one day be able to build a large campsite (what we would call a conference center) and even a Pastors College on this land.

And they are quite serious. Ruben brought out the 3-D architectural plan on his laptop of this conference facility. Of course being the numbers guy that I am, I asked Manolito what he thought the cost would be. Without batting an eye, he said, about a million dollars. Then Ruben quietly told me, “that’s just for phase one.” Church, that is faith, sanctified dreaming that I believe pleases the Lord.

And that inspires me. They have few resources monetarily, yet there is a faith fueled by a godly ambition to teach people God’s Word and train up pastors—and do whatever it takes.

Not only are plans being made, but new relationships are also being forged as we look to the future. Remember Felipe, our interpreter? He was able to personally invite Ruben and Ruth to the next Por Su Causa Conference in the Dominican Republic this September. This was the conference that Al attended this past year at which C.J. Mahaney, Dave Harvey, and Jeff Purswell of Sovereign Grace Ministries spoke. This conference is hosted by Felipe’s church. And Ruben and Ruth will be staying at Felipe’s home. Wow. And were they excited. If you could have seen Ruben and Ruth’s eyes brighten!

Church, this is our mission: proclaiming the gospel with our teaching and with our lives as we live out the gospel in community.

As a ministry, we’re grateful for the partnership we share with Manolito, Ruben, and the churches in Cuba, and for the way we are able to work together in accomplishing the mission that we both value. To learn more about our work in Cuba in the past, watch last year’s Mission Video.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Jeff Purswell, Jared Mellinger, Ian McConnell, Kevin DeYoung, Matt Chandler, and C.J. Mahaney all spoke at this weekend’s NEXT conference in Orlando. Here’s all the general-session audio, for streaming or download.

---

Jeff Purswell, “The Church and the Purpose of God”

Jeff Purswell is dean of our Pastors College (Gaithersburg, MD).

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

Jared Mellinger, “The Church and Membership”

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

Ian McConnell, “The Church and Sunday”

Ian McConnell leads Grace Bible Church (northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

Kevin DeYoung, “The Church and Friendship”

Kevin DeYoung is senior pastor of University Reformed Church (East Lansing, MI).

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

Kevin DeYoung, “The Church and Holiness”

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

C.J. Mahaney and Kevin DeYoung, “A Conversation Between Friends”

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

Matt Chandler, “The Church and Culture”

Matt Chandler is a lead pastor of The Village Church (Flower Mound, TX).

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

C.J. Mahaney and Matt Chandler, “A Conversation Between Friends”

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

---

C.J. Mahaney, “The Church and Disappointment”

C.J. Mahaney leads Sovereign Grace Ministries in their mission to establish and support local churches.

Download (right-click and select “Save link as” or “Save target as”)

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP

Nail My Glory (from Looked Upon)

Let Your Kingdom Come (from Valley of Vision)

Our Song from Age to Age (from From Age to Age)

Shine into Our Night (from The Gathering)

Bob shared: Someone came up to me earlier in the conference and told me they thought they had a prophetic word for a certain group of people here, so I’d like to share it with you all:

“There are those here who are disappointed. We’ve had an incredible three days, but you are disappointed in something, maybe friendship, church, lack of marriage, or even in this conference itself. Whatever it is, you have put your hope in it and it is disappointing you and distracting you. God says come, taste and see that He is good and fully satisfying. In Him you lack no good thing.”

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." Psalm 34:8-10

Bob then sang a prophetic song in response to the word that was shared:

Am I not enough for you? Is what I’ve done not enough for you? What are you seeking besides Me?

Don’t you think I can fill your heart? Does it seem painful and very hard, To give up the things that fade away, For the One who loved you for all time, For the One who died to make you Mine?

There is nothing that this world can give you, That’s better than My love for you, And I would have you turn your eyes on Me, From all that can never satisfy

For your heart was made for Me, Your life was made to be, A reflection of My glory and grace

So come and drink your fill, Come and know My will, Come and be still before your God, And know that though you search for all your life, That you are never going to find a love like Mine

“I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:2-3 

My Redeemer’s Love (from From Age to Age)

My Hope Is Built

After worship, C.J. took time to thank everyone for coming:

The only appropriate way to end the conference is to thank you all again for coming to this conference. Thank you for your attentiveness and responsiveness to the preached Word.

Announcement from C.J. about future conferences:

Please pray for me and all who will be involved in deciding the future of conferences for Sovereign Grace Ministries. The future is unclear, but here’s what’s clear to me: I love pastors. And I want to serve pastors. I’m fiercely committed to pastors. And I love you and your generation and I’m fiercely committed to you and want to serve you.

Though this is the very last NEXT conference, it’s not the very last conference. And we need wisdom. Please pray for wisdom. I have the privilege of serving on a board of godly, humble men (the Sovereign Grace Board) and in a few weeks I will be meeting with them to talk about how we will proceed into the future in regards to conferences. And though I can’t make any commitments to you publicly now, I would suggest you keep these dates open on your calendar.

C.J. took time to thank specific people who served at NEXT:

Brittany Kauflin – lyrics, typed up the recaps of the sessions

Darryl Wenger – headed up the audio and visual for the sessions

Bob and Margie Merryman – head ushers

Mindy Gasca and Karen Ballinger – ran the bookstore

Larry and Nora Earles – served in numerous ways, never stop serving.

Angela Borghi – took the bulk of administration responsibility for this conference

Paul Medler – had the responsibility of running the conference

* Honored Bob and Marge Merryman, Larry and Nora Earles, and Darryl Wenger who have all served at every New Attitude/Na/Next conference.

BOOK REVIEW

Nathan reviewed: Trusting God by Jerry Bridges: “Last night, during the conversation between Matt and C.J., we reflected on the fact that we need to prepare theologically for suffering. There are a lot of doctrines that sustain Christians through suffering. One of those key doctrines is the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Now, a lot of my suffering is self-inflicted (my sin and stupid choices), but I rejoice that even that self-inflicted suffering is under the sovereignty of God. If you have any questions about God’s sovereignty, you need to read this book. Jerry will straighten you out.”

Jared Mellinger introduced C.J.:

It’s not only on Ian’s and my heart to thank God for the gift C.J. is to us, I believe it’s on the heart of all of you all to thank God for C.J. One of the things we have benefited most from is C.J.’s love for the gospel. He is a gospel man. I have an early memory of sitting in a main session at Celebration and hearing him preach on Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and the effect that that message had on my love for Jesus. Another memory: I have a distinct memory of picking C.J. up from the hotel room driving him to a location 5 minutes away, and during that 5 minute car ride he shared the gospel with me. I came away from that conversation freshly amazed—I could not believe that Christ would die for me. C.J. is a man who not only speaks Christ and him crucified publically (in sermons), but privately as well (in conversation).

He also loves the local church. C.J. has spent his life loving the church and instilling in others a love for the church. I can’t tell you how excited we are, C.J., that you are planting a local church in Louisville this year.

Lastly, he is a man who has a heart for the next generation. He is pouring his energies into the next generation. Investing in guys like me, Ian, Kevin, and Matt. There are thousands who have been influenced and who love Christ more because of Him.

MESSAGE | C.J. MAHANEY | Church and Disappointment: When Expectations Collide with Reality

When Carolyn and I went on our honeymoon I had high expectations, but, due to various unfortunate circumstances and events (Carolyn got sick, our accommodations were a bit more rustic than they appeared in the brochure, it poured down rain the entire time, we had our first conflict) my expectations quickly collided with some harsh realities.

This would be a common experience of someone in the church as well.

Unrealistic expectations always result in disappointment because they always collide with the harsh realities of real life, trials, and sin. The question is not if you’ll be disappointed with the church, it’s when you’ll be disappointed with the church and how you’ll respond.

You are very vulnerable at this moment to returning from this conference to your local church with high expectations, potentially unrealistic expectations, and I want to prepare you for that return and protect you from the collision between expectations and real life.

What should you do when you encounter the inevitable disappointment that comes from unrealistic expectations about the local church?

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain." Philippians 2:12-16

Context of this passage:

Verses 5-11 form a hymn of praise celebrating the humility and death and exaltation of Jesus Christ. One commentator said, “Because of the splendor of the preceding passage, it’s easy to forget its aim that comes into view in verse 12.” There’s a purpose of all that’s revealed in verses 5-11. This hymn is to be applied to real life.

1. Remember the sovereign activity of God.

"For it is God who works in you."  v. 13

The God who initially converted you is presently sustaining you and will bring His work to completion in you. His purpose for you cannot be frustrated.

This fact is also true for your church, if it is a Gospel-preaching church. God is effectually and ceaselessly at work in your church.

We should all return to our local churches more aware of how God is at work in our local churches than we are of its deficiencies.

Listen—if Paul can identify evidences of God’s grace at work in the Corinthian church, we can do it for our church.

Don’t think that discernment is being able to find deficiencies in your church. That doesn’t require discernment. It takes discernment to point out where God is at work in your church.

So how do you find these evidences? Consider the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, and look for them in your church.

Your pastors sermons are much more important than any message you’ve heard at this conference. When you hear a sermon from one of these guys, it’s a “Best of” sermon. They’re not delivering similar sermons like these every Sunday.

Don’t compare the preaching. Don’t return to your church and think “What’s up with my guy?” Your guy has a much harder job, it’s much more difficult to preach to the same people every week. You should have a  deeper appreciation for your pastor and the hard work he’s invested.

Don’t compare the fellowship. It’s easy to care for one another when we’re together the entire time at a conference for 4 days. But when you return home you won’t be together all the time. You need to return home with realistic expectations. Your pastor and CG leader aren’t omniscient. If you want their care, you need to inform them of your need. You’re going to return home to people who will sin against you. And if you don’t devote yourself to identifying evidences of grace you will be more aware of deficiencies in your church.

Can you list and rehearse evidences of grace of your church as quickly as you can list areas of deficiency? Which list is more readily on your heart and mind?

God is most aware of the countless ways He’s at work in your church than He is aware of the deficiencies in your church.

God takes notice of and tenderly cherishes the smallest measures of grace in the hearts of His people. – Christopher Love

Do you take notice of the smallest measures of grace in the hearts of God’s people? Or do you tend to take notice of the smallest measures of sin and deficiency?

2. Avoid the temptation to complain

"Do all things without grumbling and complaining." v. 14

All of church life should be transformed by the Gospel.

We can’t be sure about what the Philippians were grumbling about, but we can be sure of the danger of grumbling and the adverse effect it has on the unity of the church.

That voice in your head that keeps rehearsing the disappointments and flaws of your church is not from the Lord. It is the Accuser. - Jared Wilson

Grumbling about your church is a common temptation. Complaining is the common language of the human race. When we’re disappointed we tend to grumble. And the opportunities for grumbling are endless: sermons, music, leadership, administration.

Grumblers express disagreement in unbiblical ways.

Tony Payne once told a story:

The five-word antidote to grumbling: A well-known English preacher was approached by a complaining congregation member. He replied to the complaint with five words: “It’s not about you, stupid,” and walked away.

…That was a stunningly rude response, but it exactly expresses what is wrong with grumbling in the church: it is idiocy to think that the church is about me! The church is about God and Christ and loving other people!

There is to be a distinct difference between the church and the world. We are to express gratefulness that edifies, protects, and builds the unity of the church and, most importantly pleases and glorifies God for the marvelous work He has done in the church.

3. Hold fast to the Word of Life

"Holding fast to the Word of life." v. 16

Why hold fast? Because it is only the Gospel that can fully address our disappointment. It puts our lives and disappointments into perspective.

[The early church in Acts] wasn’t all romance and righteousness. - John Stott

What do we do when we are aware of disappointments and failures in our church? We hold fast the Gospel.

Hold fast means to hold firmly, maintain a grasp on something. Preach the gospel to yourself each and every day. I would argue there is no more important activity for your soul each day than preaching the gospel to yourself.

We are to be a proclaiming church, not a complaining church.

The church is to have a unique sound of the gratefulness of men and women who have been humbled by the Gospel. They are aware that they richly deserve God’s full, furious, righteous wrath for the sins they have committed, but that God, in His mercy, sent His Son and crushed Him for the punishment they deserve.

The Christian is someone who is increasingly aware that they are doing so much better than they deserve. This Gospel category transcends and transforms those disappointment categories.

When we hold the gospel fast and firm…why do we grumble, complain, argue, and attack? It’s a complete contradiction! The Gospel should leave us repulsed by grumbling and quick to confess it when we are convicted.

The flawless Son’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins leaves us humbled and grateful. When we do not hold fast to the Gospel we become self-righteous, self-satisfied people. Unbelievers should be offended by the Gospel, but they shouldn’t be offended by our obnoxiousness.

I’ve never met someone who is holding fast to the Gospel who is a chronic complainer.

Conclusion

Here’s the effect of all of this:

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27

May God produce those kind of churches.

CLOSING WORSHIP

Now Why This Fear (from The Gathering)

            Jesus, all my trust is in Your blood

            Jesus, You’ve rescued us through Your great love

CJ closed the conference:

Here’s how you can tell what you’re holding fast to. You hold fast to whatever you’re most passionate about. I was in a conversation recently where I was passionate about the topic, but I realized my passion for the subject was disproportionate to the subject because it wasn’t the Gospel.

If you’re not most passionate about the Gospel, I would encourage you to restrict your spiritual diet to the Gospel. Pastors, we get the opportunity to help our people rehearse the Gospel this Sunday! 

            On Christ the solid Rock I stand

            All other ground is sinking sand

            All other ground is sinking sand

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP

Greater Than We Can Imagine (from The Gathering)

Mighty Fortress (from From Age to Age)

God Over All (from Looked Upon)

Bob exhorted us: It’s not true that music is required in our worship of God. Listen to Psalm 40:9-10:

“I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation. Behold I have not restrained my lips. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart. I have spoken of your faithfulness and salvation. I have not concealed your steadfast love and faithfulness in the great congregation.”

You don’t need a big band to proclaim the greatness of God. You can declare it. That’s what churches have been doing for thousands of years. So, we’re going to declare the Apostles’ Creed with as much passion as we were just singing with:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, deed, and buried; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

All these truths have been made possible by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the glorious One.

Glorious Christ (from From Age to Age)

Now Why This Fear (from The Gathering)

Before the Throne of God Above (from Songs for the Cross Centered Life)

The Power of the Cross (from Keith and Kristyn Getty)

BOOK REVIEW

Nathan reviewed Christ and Culture Revisited by D.A. Carson:

“Whenever Carson weighs in on a topic, you do well to listen up. So, what is the question of Christ and Culture? Outside the confines of your church there is a world of human endeavor which is exhilarating and exciting, a world of people discovering things in technology, making beautiful art, etc. and you think “That is good!” But everything that fallen human beings do is warped by their sin. People are pursuing these God-given activities in rebellion of God. How can I be a Christian and participate in these endeavors? The answer from Abraham Kuyper: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: 'Mine!'" But that’s still so general. How do you get specifics? Well, there are three things you need to do to find the answer to this question: 1) buy this book, 2) take very good notes on this message coming up, 3) and register for The Clash!”

SPEAKER INTRODUCTION

C.J. honored Josh Patterson: He has accompanied Matt on this trip. This represents their friendship and their functional relationship. Josh is one of the lead pastors at the Village Church. I have been able to study this man. So much of what Matt is able to do is because of all that Josh does.

C.J. introduced Matt Chandler: Matt leads the Village Church, which numbers around 11,000 people. His preaching gift is pronounced in measure. But neither of those are the reasons I’ve invited him. I’m grateful for all God is doing in and through the Village church, but I would have invited Matt if the Village was 200 people. Matt is theologically driven and theologically discerning. He is Gospel-centered. He has written a book titled The Explicit Gospel. I have invited him to this conference because he loves the local church and because he’s committed to church planting. He is now the president of the Acts 29. I have sat at his dinner table watched how he has related to his wife and kids and I have loved what I’ve seen. It’s a pure joy to have him here tonight. 

MESSAGE | Matt Chandler “Church and Culture” | Matthew 5

I want you to know I was on the losing end of the series of basketball games. However, C.J. put the teams together. This was the first time in my life experience when an open gym basketball game was arranged and teams were decided by the oldest guy in the room. But C.J. didn’t score a basket on me. Instead, he put Ian McConnell on me, who I believe played on the NBA, and we lost.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

These verse are very popular verses when we get to talking about our interaction with the world. I want to take out of your minds pretty incessant ideas that might be in your head already about these verses, so let’s look at Matthew 5:10-12:

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." 

There is an insidious lie that we can present the message of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to our culture in some way that they will think He’s cool. If you are able to do that you no longer have the Jesus of the Bible, but a Jesus that you have created.

My fear is that we will sacrifice orthodoxy for relevance. I believe in removing every offense except the cross of Jesus Christ. Having said that, I will not mock the world’s shortcomings. They are blinded, just like I was.

Christians are now painted in the media as something they’re not—as the bigots, persecutors, idiots. And that’s not stopping anytime soon. In spite of this reality of sheep among wolves, Jesus tells us to go. After the haunting text of verses 10-12, Jesus gives us verses 13-16. Definition of “culture”, that which is considered, by in large, excellent in arts and in manners. Or in other words, that which is considered excellent and that which is considered good manners in the area you live.

Bible commentaries take different attributes of salt and apply them to you. But I would simplify it to: being salt in the earth is an act of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. As a disciple of Christ, you are motivated by the reality that God is the just, righteous Judge who has declared you holy and justified and calls you His child. This reality leads to a pursuit of the Father that transforms our lives. My concern is that in lots of places there’s a type of cultural Christianity that acknowledges what is right but is not transformed by it at all. There’s no Christian practice, submission to authority, and no acknowledgement of the centrality of the Word of God. I sometimes wonder if we, in cultural Christianity, even believe this message.

Five reasons we don’t see the type of transformation we long to see:

1. An overemphasis on width rather than depth.

It appears that there’s an insatiable appetite for more and more information that we have no intention of applying to our lives. What’s happened to us that so many of us have become collectors of information?

One of the great joys of my life has been getting to know the heart of my wife, and not just facts about my wife.

I have a pervasive fear that so many of you know about Jesus, but don’t actually know Him. You know Jesus like you know some faces on People Magazine. You simply like him, like what He says, and know facts about Him.

2. A strong lack of community

On any given week I need encouragement and rebuke. Most of us don’t handle either one of those well because no one truly knows us.

Encouragement and rebuke work beautifully where you’re known well and where you’re safe. Without encouragement and rebuke, few of us grow into all that we should be.

Deep, authentic fellowship is difficult because we must be willing to expose the nastiness within us.

It’s easy for us to know everyone and no one simultaneously. It’s easy to project all of our strengths and none of our weaknesses.

If we’re going to become salt, we need to walk in a community of faith that’s very serious about the pursuit of Christ.

Now, I know I didn’t just blow your mind with that point. You know you need community. But if that’s true of you are you also walking in that, cultivating that, and taking the point to be the weak one?

3. Lack of submission to authority

So many people treat the church like an ecclesiological buffet. You go to church in different places for different reasons, but you don’t belong to a church.

The church is a really messy, beautiful thing. You will never find a perfect one, and if you do, you will have shown up and ruined it.

I’m gonna speak to you, 20-25 year olds: You are your own authority and you are inadequate as your own authority. You talk about life with your peers, but you will look back on those conversations and think you were morons.

How does God protect us from our limited view of life? He gives us elders in the church! You must believe that when God commands men to be your shepherds He is protecting you.

So many of you are floating from church to church and don’t put down roots in a church where there are men who are for the Word of God and are for you.

4. Over-emphasis on light

The great thing about the Great Commission is what it actually says. Jesus says, “Go into all nations, baptizing them to make DISCIPLES” – not converts. We’re after those who obey what He commands.

When you set your goals on converts and not disciples, all sorts of God-belittling absurdity follows. You justify unbiblical means to get a guy who says “Yeah, I’ll take Jesus.”

It is good and right, but light without salt is bland, obnoxious, and not life-changing at all.

5. The Collision: culture of speed vs. the slow uphill crawl of sanctification

We want things instantaneously. We’re not far off from The Jetsons. We have popcorn buttons on microwaves. We have all of the information of the world on our phones!!

The problem is that this culture of speed collides with the usually slow nature of sanctification. This collision makes many tap out before they’ve even started to walk.

Spiritual growth is like watching your kids grow. You can’t see their growth, but you can measure it. Likewise, sanctification is hard to feel but easy to measure. Have you ever been in a conversation when you start to counsel someone and you’re surprising yourself with what you’re saying? Those little baby steps of obedience are being fleshed out into your soul to stir up another brother into love and good deeds.

It’s tempting to get into these niche theologies, promises of steroid shots, to help you get holy faster. But you were never promised to get there quickly you were just promised that Jesus will get you there. You’re gonna get banged up along the way, but He’ll get you there. One day at a time.

 Most of my days following Jesus Christ are not sensational. I wrestle with my flesh. I have to work with wicked things in my heart. I have to ask for grace one moment at a time. Today has been hundreds of acts of obedience. And my plan is to do that day after day after day for the rest of my life until the day I die. And then I get to rest.

When salt gets put on the backdrop on the darkness of this world, it shines brightly. Light is not just the proclamation of the Gospel, though it is the proclamation of the Gospel.

Here’s what I know: Psalm 139 “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

God has knit you together:

- your unformed substance (your personality, drive, natural aptitudes, inclinations) – God did that.

- your frame (loud voice, tall, energetic, etc) – God did that.

- the boundaries and times of our habitation – God did that.

All these things about you, God designed so that men might seek God and find Him.

God has uniquely wired and uniquely placed us in all the domains of society in order to engage the gospel message and be light in a dark world. We are not responsible the direction where culture goes, we simply take a stand and be salt and light and take a beating for it at times. But we know we will be redeemed and saved.

Here’s where we are confident as we engage culture: unless something spectacularly powerful happens it will begin to look more and more like we are losing – but we are not losing. You must resist the urge to cool. You must. What does that get you?

Work where you are in your life knowing that God has placed you there to make known the glory of Jesus Christ.

I’m well aware of mortality. I can eat spinach and work cardio, but I know how it ends. I die!

See every area of your life this way. This is what you’ve been wired, gifted, and placed to do. Isn’t that exciting?! There’s no place where you are that you should be bored with. God’s work is all around us all the time! If you just go to work and go home, doesn’t that rob you and rob them?

May God embolden you for the task. And may you believe that He’s a God who saves. He doesn’t need you to be awesome and to keep that going. Just open your mouth. For you to be fearless is in itself a witness, even if you’re afraid. Be light and salt in the world around you.

Question: Where are you in rebellion against God’s revealed will for you to be salt and light? Think through sins of omission and sins of commission.

C.J. Closed:

I think it would be wise to anticipate the return home and the opportunities that await. Let’s break down into groups of 2-4 and ask God for mercy in the form of compassion, boldness, and appropriate humility to communicate the Gospel.

CLOSING SONG:

All I Have Is Christ (from The Gathering)

• 
• 
• 
• 

Watch this page to see what people are talking about at NEXT 2012.

(RSS and email subscribers: you may have to visit our blog in your browser to view this post in it's entirety.)

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP

Our time of singing opened with reflecting on and praising Jesus, the friend of sinners.

His Forever (from Worship God Live)

Jesus, friend of sinners

Loved me ere I knew Him

Drew me with His cords of love

And tightly bound me to Him

…

Not death, nor life, nor anything

Can ever separate me

Oh, love that will not let me go

Yes, I am His forever

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (from Together for the Gospel Live)

We read the third article from Luther’s Smaller Catechism:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all my sins and the sins of all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead, and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Nail My Glory (from Looked Upon)

All of the works of my own hands

I dare not bring before Your throne

My faith responds to Your demands

By pleading what my Lord has done

Shine into Our Night (from The Gathering)

Bob shared: "Earlier in the conference we sang 'My redeemer’s love will lead me through the deepest valley here' And I had the sense that some of you here today are in that deepest valley and need Jesus to shine into this valley, this night. Now, nothing will ever affect us more than the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God living a perfect life in our place and dying as our substitute on Calvary, but God also has a myriad of ways He gives us comfort. One of those ways is through the gift of prophecy, so I’m going to sing a prophetic song. I believe God wants to specifically speak to those who are going through the hardest time in their lives."

This is not the darkest time

This is not the lowest place

Though you feel that you’re lost

And you can’t find My grace

...

This is not your darkest hour

This is not your lowest point

At one time, you were without hope

At one time, you were without life

At one time, you were without Me

...

My son went through the darkest hour

When he hung upon the cross

Endured the agony, suffered your loss

When He was cut off from me

Hanging in your place to set you free

That was the darkest hour that you will never know

Because My Son hung there in your place

...

And there is no place that’s without my reach

There is no darkness that’s darker than my light

There is no valley that’s deeper than my love for you

It’s true.

...

There is no pathway that you are walking on

That my hand is not leading you each and every step

And though you can’t see the future, I’m holding it in my hands

And it leads you straight to me

...

So, trust Me in your darkest hour

For there has been a darker hour still

When you were lost and without Me

But I brought you to myself

Your sins are all forgiven

And you know My will is to trust me

...

I am with you in the darkness

And I will bring you to the light

And you’ll know that I’m a God

Who always does what is right

And though you can’t see Me now

Though you can’t find your place

One day you will see My face

One day you will see My face

Before the Throne of God Above (from Songs for the Cross Centered Life)

Be Thou My Vision

MEMORIAL DAY

C.J. took time to recognize Memorial Day by asking those who have served in the military, are serving in the military, or are parents of someone serving in the military to stand so we could thank them with applause.

BOOK REVIEW

 

Nathan recommended two books:

Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp: “Written by Paul Tripp, edited by his mustache. We’ve talked a lot about the hard work of studying theology. I think the only thing harder than studying theology is in applying it to our lives. This book is not just for helping other people; it’s really for you. It’s a primer on the Lord’s sanctification in your own life.”

What Is the Mission of the Church: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert: “Here’s the thing about Kevin DeYoung. If Kevin puts out a book on an issue, it’s a good indication that a lot of people in our age group are really screwing it up. So, you want to read these books to make sure you’re not a part of the crowd he’s talking to. If you have questions about social justice, shalom, or the Great Commission you should read this book.”

MESSAGE | KEVIN DEYOUNG | “CONSCIENCE”

I want to take this time to express my deep appreciation and love for the pastors and students here from Sovereign Grace Churches. I see your deep love for the gospel and the cross. You need to know that that love spread over so many and with such enthusiasm and doctrinal understanding and affection of the heart is not common. I also want to thank my faithful friend, C.J. I can tell you many ways in which my life is different and remarkably blessed because he took it upon himself to reach out to me, email me, call me, invite me into his life, and I am grateful and count it a privilege to be your friend.

In the Nicene Creed there is this confession:

 We confess that we believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic church.

We confess that we believe in a holy church – not as holy as she ought to be or will be, but nonetheless holy, set apart for God and consecrated to Him.

I want to focus this morning on holiness, and more specifically, the biblical concept of a conscience.

In April of 1521 there was an assembly called the Diet of Worms. Martin Luther was summoned to defend his beliefs, but at this moment he did not come confidently. On the first day, he was so intimidated that his statements could not be understood. His life could be over if he did not recant his books. The counsel went on for days, but at the conclusion, Martin Luther said: “My conscience is captive to the Word of God, thus I cannot and will not recant. For going against my conscience is neither safe nor salutary. I can do no other. Here I stand. God help me. Amen.”

Luther was willing to risk his life for the sake of conscience. And the history of the Reformation changed because this German monk refused to do and say what he knew in his head and in his heart was wrong.

How important is your conscience?

"For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you." 2 Corinthians 1:12

Paul is under accusations for being a liar, fickle, and fake for not coming to the Corinthian church when he had said he would. Paul does not over-apologize just to get them off his back. He, instead, responds with the defense that he was simple (no ulterior motives), acting in godly sincerity, and was acting for the sake of his conscience.

When we are accused, we should hear our accusers out and be quicker to judge ourselves than our neighbor, but, at times, it is ok to say like Paul, “As far as I can tell you my conscience is completely clear.”

More than a dozen times in the New Testament we see a testimony of conscience:

"And looking intently at the council, Paul said, 'Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.'” Acts 23:1

"I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit." Romans 9:1

"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day." 2 Timothy 1:3

"Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things." Hebrews 13:18

Note, the conscience is not the final judge and jury (that is God), but it is a witness to bring to the stand when you are accused.

Definition of “conscience”: The faculty within human beings that assesses what is good and what is bad in us.

"They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them." Romans 2:15

Every single one of us still retains a conscience to accuse us or excuse us.

I’ve never met someone who thinks they’re perfect. If you press a little bit, everyone has something for which they feel bad. The conscience is both your prosecuting attorney and defense attorney.

I have a blog. I get blog comments. You could write a blog post that says, “I love dogs and chocolate and my mom.” And I’d get a comment like, “Why do you hate women?” This is where my clear conscience comes into play and that comment doesn’t affect me.

Having a conscience is a mark of being an adult. The conscience is what separates us from animals. There is more in Pinocchio than meets the eye. Gepetto makes a puppet, the blue fairy comes and makes the puppet a real boy. Jiminy Cricket is assigned to be Pinocchio’s conscience. Pinocchio eventually starts dismissing Jiminy Cricket, and as he dismisses him, Pinocchio turns into an animal. 

How the Conscience Goes Wrong

1) You start with an evil conscience.

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22

An evil conscience is one that accuses you of wrong and the wrong is not dealt with. You sin and you don’t deal with it.

The more you ignore your evil conscience, the more you’re endangered of it becoming:

2) A seared conscience

"Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared." 1 Timothy 4:2

A seared conscience cannot feel. It’s like frostbite. You go out into the cold and your nerves start sensing pain, but as you stay out in the cold, the nerves die and stop sensing the pain and you think that now you are out of danger, but don’t you know that your limbs will fall off?

A seared conscience is like scar tissue. There’s no feeling. It no longer operates as it should.

3) A defiled conscience

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled." Titus 1:15

This is when right and wrong are completely scrambled. It tells you to celebrate what is wicked and pure and to denigrate what is good and righteous.

You will come to say, “Yeah, I know that’s wrong, but I don’t really care.” What is going on? You know what is right, but you don’t feel bad about it. It is very hard, almost impossible to pastor those whose consciences are defiled.

4) A weak conscience

"However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

A weak conscience is one that accuses you of things that are not inherently blame-worthy.

A stumbling block is not putting something before others that they don’t like. That’s life.

Telling someone with a weak conscience to “loosen up” is training him to suppress his conscience. We are never to do anything to encourage a brother to violate his conscience.

A weak conscience is found in many Christians. Here are some signs of a weak conscience:

You get married and you feel very dirty with sex.

You have a vague nagging sense of guilt all the time and you don’t know why.

You’ve grown up with certain things being taboo.

You’ve grown up with well-meaning Christians holding up an example as a rule for everyone else.

Your weak conscience needs to be trained by the Word of God.

5) A good (or clean) conscience

"So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man." Acts 24:16

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." 1 Timothy 1:5

"But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." Titus 3:9

"Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." 1 Peter 3:16

Over and over we see the importance of God’s people pursuing and fighting for a conscience that defends them and does not accuse them.

What do we do to have a good, clean conscience?

1) Turn from sin when your conscience tells you that what you’re about to do or what you are in the middle of doing is wrong.

Media:

A good gauge for evaluating media: “Can I, after I’m done with this, thank God for it?”

Some of you are so steeped in media that it would do you well to step away from it for a few weeks and then come back to it to evaluate what you intake.

Relationships:

How far is too far? Whatever violates your conscience is too far.

Jokes, Conversation, Gossip:

Whenever you conscience gives you that little prick “This is not pleasing to the Lord” turn away from it.

2) Turn to Christ when your conscience tells you that what you’ve already done is wrong.

The puritans had a high view of conscience:

O man, examine yourself. What does conscience say? Does it begin to accuse? Does it not pierce you as you go? Is this your judgment, and this your choice, and this your way, that we have described? If so, then it is well. But does your heart condemn you, and tell you of a certain sin you are living in against your conscience? Does it not tell you there is such and such a secret way of wickedness that you wish to pursue; such and such a duty that you make no conscience of? …O conscience! Do your duty. In the name of the living God, I command you, discharge your office. Lay hold upon this sinner, fall upon him, arrest him, apprehend him, undeceive him. What! Will you flatter and soothe him while he lives in his sins? Awake, O conscience!  - Joseph Alleine, A Sure Guide to Heaven (original title: An Alarm to the Unconverted)

Friends, is your conscience ringing a loud alarm to your unconverted soul? Unless you heed the voice of your conscience you will not be cleansed.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Here’s the paradox : we are at the same time too easy on ourselves and too hard on ourselves.

Too hard on ourselves: introspection, we think we’re a failure

Too easy on ourselves: we want to tell others “you’re not that bad. I love you! I’ve sinned in the same way.” No, you need to put your arm around their shoulder and tell them, “You’re right. You are that bad, but the Savior is better.”

The regular state of the Christian should be that of a clean conscience. If you go through life with your conscience always telling you that you have sinned, either your conscience is not working as it should or you are not living as you ought.

"For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:4

You are probably aware of 100 things against yourself. So, how can Paul say that? He’s learned to pursue with the utmost vigor a clean conscience. When your conscience accuses you, you are to repent to God and ask for forgiveness – and you’re clean!

Conscience is either your greatest friend or your greatest enemy in the world. - Richard Sibbes

Throughout the life you are turning to God and saying, “Here’s another sin, nail it to the cross. Here’s another sin, nail it to the cross.” –And you’re clean!!

We live in a church culture where everyone thinks they should be feeling a low-grade sense of guilt all the time. You, Christian, are not to feel guilt when you are clean!

Your conscience is meant to be clean because the forgiveness of your sins was an act of supreme justice. Everything in you that says “This sin ought to be paid for. It stinks up to the Heavens.” God says, “You’re absolutely right. And it was paid for.”

You must understand that your sin is forgiven, not because God happened to have a good day, but because His justice against your sin was fulfilled in Jesus’ death on the cross. Because of that you can go to bed with a clean conscience.

Turn from your sin, turn to Christ, be clean, and boast in your conscience.

CLOSING WORSHIP

Following Kevin’s message, C.J. prayed for two groups of people: the unconverted and those who have confessed, but find themselves paralyzed by guilt that they are meant to be free from.

Bob sang a spontaneous song:

You were not made for temporary joys

No idol can ever satisfy you like hearing My voice

You were not created for things that bring you death

You were made to worship Me instead

I alone can give you all that you’re longing for

So, turn away from idols, they’re lies and nothing more

O Great God (from Valley of Vision)

C.J. closed: “May this be a turning point for all of us. A point when we cease presenting a carefully edited version of ourselves, and instead humble ourselves, acknowledge our sin and live in the glorious grace of God.

“To my non-Christian friends, I, sadly, am very familiar with the sins you are participating in. I was a complete fool. But God sent a friend to preach the Gospel to me. And God has brought you here and sent you a friend in the form of Kevin and others to preach the Gospel to you. I pray that you will respond.”

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP
Following Jared and Ian’s messages this morning on the privilege and wonder of God’s gift to us of the church, it was appropriate to respond tonight with praising and glorifying our God and marveling at how wonderful the Father’s love is for us. From there we moved into praising the glorious person of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator, with spontaneous applause breaking out during the first verse of “My Hope Is Built”:

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

Come Praise and Glorify (from The Gathering)

The Father’s Love (from Sons & Daughters)

Bob pointed everyone to the reminder that the Church is much bigger than our local church: “We have been connected through Jesus Christ with the universal church. This faith has been passed on from generation to generation to generation. One of the ways our faith has been passed on is through catechisms.” We read the first question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism:

Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and death?

Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

Glorious Christ (from From Age to Age)

My Hope Is Built

Now Why This Fear (from The Gathering)

The chorus “Jesus, all my trust is in Your blood / Jesus, You’ve rescued us through Your great love” was followed by everyone singing a spontaneous song:

All I need is You

All I have is You

All I want is You

Because You’re all I need

We then transitioned into rejoicing: “Hallelujah! All I have is Christ / Hallelujah! Jesus is my life”

All I Have Is Christ (from The Gathering) 

BOOK REVIEW

Nathan reviewed two books:

1. Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “After the shellshock of Reformed Dogmatics, I like to think this slim, friendly, inviting volume is the sweet and sour of the menu. A combination that makes us think, ‘Hm, I didn’t expect those things to be put together.’ Bonhoeffer has a fresh way of couching ideas.”

2. Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck: “Kevin is at once theologically sound and rich, and, at the same time, very funny.”

Nathan also plugged The Clash: Forging a Mind to Engage the World, a conference being held at Messiah College in Grantham, PA from July 29-August 4, 2012.

“At the Clash we will have an entire week of teaching that lays out the Christian worldview, the Christian perspective on the cosmos. Our speakers will be Ian Duguid (Christianity and Science), Wayne Grudem (Politics, Economics, etc), David Powlison (Christianity and Psychology, a Biblical approach to the human person). If you have any interest in psychology, you need to be here to hear David Powlison. Jeff Purswell will be there bringing the Bible to bear on our lives. And I’ll be there giving books away.

“So, why plug a conference on worldview at a conference on the local church? A lot of people think worldview and the church are in tension. That is not the case whatsoever. The Clash is a conference which affirms that Christ is Lord of the Church and that the Church is the center of God’s saving purpose in the world. However, Christ is also King of the cosmos, Lord over all areas of the world.”

C.J. introduced Kevin DeYoung: “I read Kevin’s books. He quickly became one of my favorite authors. Then I heard him preach, and he quickly became one of my favorite preachers. Then he became one of my friends. And I have brought him here to serve you.”

MESSAGE | Kevin DeYoung “The Church and Friendship”

This is the fourth time I’ve had the privilege to speak to many of you. I do not know of a conference where I have been more warmly welcomed, loved, and ridiculed all at the same time.

I too was on the basketball team Ian and C.J. were on…must’ve slipped CJ’s mind. I was the tallest member on the team. My play was responsible for many points that were scored. Not gonna tell you which team I scored for…

It’s curious that of all the relationships around us, friendship is the one that is most common and yet the one we hear so little about in our churches. You don’t hear pastors advertising for a retreat for friends, where you can attend with your friend and do a trust fall and cry and hug.

Your greatest joys have to do with your friends. Good friendships can be a sweet balm to your soul. Bad friendships can bring great sorrow to your soul. Almost anything bad can be wonderful with friends and almost anything good can be terrible without friends.

You often measure a church by 1) the quality of teaching in the church and 2) the quality of relationships.

Friendship is wonderful when you get it, but it is getting increasingly hard to come by. This is true partly because of the role of technology in our lives. I am not opposed to technology. There is a real sense in which technology can foster friendship, and yet, you must realize that when technology is your method of friendship, people you cannot see, touch, share with, or concentrate with are not true friends. The danger today is that we have friends everywhere and friends no where. Each of us has the possibility to be a mini-celebrity within our technological world and yet have no friends.

Friends: always there for you because they want to even if they don’t have to.

1. Are you a fake friend?

There is one over-riding characteristic in the Proverbs of a fake friend: he uses people who can get him things.

"The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends" Proverbs 14:20

"Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them." Proverbs 19:6-7

There is a warning in Scripture about wealth entangling your friendships. If you are rich in some way—good-looking, athletic, intelligent, gifted, famous—you wonder “Do people like me or do they like what being my friend says about them when they’re around me?” There is a great danger of using people for self-promotion. Do we have friends or just have mutual admiration societies to drive up our traffic?

In all seriousness, those who are most desperate for friends usually have the hardest time finding them because they might be a fake friend. Often, we are lonely because we present ourselves as so desperate to find a friend who will fill all sorts of needs we have. You’ll find a friend when you learn to be yourself and when you learn to be genuinely interested in other people. Maybe you haven’t learned to be an outward-focused person, not just looking for someone to fill up your life, but someone you can pour into.

2. Are you a foul friend?

Three characteristics of a foul friend:

1) Quick to criticize

When you exude criticism, complaints, and intimidation, you are not being a friend.

You are giving your opinion on stuff constantly through social media, which begs you to publish your opinion.

Sometimes, it is the better part of valor to just be quiet and keep an opinion to yourself.

 “A Christian is someone who has learned to put his hand over his mouth and be silent.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent." Proverbs 11:12,

Often we share everything as a means of self-expression. Self-expression is not the highest form of godliness. It is not in the middle. You can be an authentic, but really messed up person. Self-expression, by itself, is not virtuous to God.

"Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm." Proverbs 3:30

We can make a friendship awkward for no reason when we judge others.

It is better to get to heaven and realize you were just a little bit gullible than to realize you were too cynical.

 2) Are annoying

A foul friend has a choice to not be annoying, but continues to choose to be annoying. Rude, annoying people are not aware of or don’t care about social customs, cultural norms, and common courtesy.

"Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing." Proverbs 27:14

The bible cares about you being insufferably obnoxious. And there is no special clause for teenagers.

"Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you." Proverbs 25:17

A foul friend has no boundaries, is presumptuous, does not say “please” and “thank you” and does not remember that he is a guest. “Love is not rude.”

3) Cannot be trusted

This could be a blatant liar:

"Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you." Proverbs 23:10-11

Or, it can be subtle:"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you." Proverbs 3:27-28

A foul friend does not keep his end of the bargain, does not return favors or give back what they borrowed, and cannot be trusted to keep their word. Foul friends are careless with their words.

"Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I am only joking!'" Proverbs 26:18-19

Foul friends do not care how and where their words land. If you love people you do not just launch out funny, witty, bright words, knowing that sometimes the words will fall and stick people in the back and you say “man, I’m just joking!” They have been pierced with your words! 

3. Are you a faithful friend?

1) You are there in times of trouble

"Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away." Proverbs 27:10

Don’t overlook your friends. They will be there for you as much as your family will.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

You’ve gotta understand love. Love is not unconditional affirmation. Love is being with you in your triumphs, with you in your trials, and with you when you screw up.

Social networking can be valuable, having contacts is good, racking up friends on facebook is fine, but real friendship is true in adversity. And it is more than posting a status update, “Hey man, I’m praying for you.”

"For riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?" Proverbs 27:24

Who do you have in your life who you know will be with you and for you and available to you at any point in your life?

Some of you are in the midst of very real suffering. And you’re trying to figure out “What is God doing? Why would He do this?” God is probably doing many things, but one thing God is certainly doing is helping make your real friendships stronger and sweeter. He is blessing you with your friends.

2) Knows how to handle conflict

A faithful friend doesn’t hold a record of wrongs. If you have a long list of wrongs your friend has done to you, you’re building a friendship with a revolver under your coat.

"Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'" Proverbs 24:28-29

Quick to cover offenses: "Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends." Proverbs 17:9

Are you the person who uncovers secrets or thinks “I bet he didn’t mean it that way.”

Are you slow to speak of the faults of others?

Are you the type who understands when to speak and when to be silent?

It’s amazing how many people we talk with rather than talk to.

"Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end." Proverbs 25:9-10

3) Make each other better

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" 1 Corinthians 15:33

 Faithful friends drive you deeper into the Gospel, not away from it.

"Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel." Proverbs 27:9

If you have a great friend with you, it would be pleasing to God for you to go to him/her and tell them they have been a faithful friend.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

You can be a sponge friend: soft, wonderful, not offensive, doesn’t hurt anyone, but their usefulness is rather limited.

You can be a sword friend: really powerful at cutting and destroying

Or you can be a stone friend: make your friends sharper, better, more effective, more Christ-like. You’re not beating them up, but you’re rounding off some of their rough points.

4. The best friend.

There is no greater gift nor better friend than the Lord Jesus.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:13-15

Jesus is SO much more than a friend. He is our sovereign and our King and our Savior—and yet, it is precious beyond measure that Jesus would say to His ragtag disciples, “You’re my friends.”

He’s never a fake friend – he always wants what is best for you.

He’s never a foul friend – he is slow to anger, He is thoughtful and tender, He is always trustworthy.

He is always a faithful friend – there for you in trouble, not just to comfort you, but in your deepest distress and utter sin and rebellion, He saved you.

He doesn’t just make us better, He makes us new.

Our problems are deeper than we think, and Jesus is a better friend than you ever dared dream.

Jesus has the worst kickball team ever. He picks the wimpiest kids, but that’s how He rolls. He chooses wimpy kids to be saved, redeemed, and made to bear fruit.

Two dangers when you hear about Jesus:

- You hear it with a hard heart “I don’t need Jesus to be my friend.”

- You hear it with a bored heart: “eh, Jesus.” And He ceases to be precious to you. –God in the flesh is your friend! Don’t get bored with that!

The people who will party with you are not your real friends. If you live long enough, you will find yourself in a desperate moment when you say “I need a real friend.” God always holds out to you the friendship and lordship of His own dear beloved Son through salvation.

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP

How Great Is Your Faithfulness (by Matt Redman)

BOOK REVIEW

Nathan recommended that everyone get a copy of Christ Centered Worship by Brian Chapel because, “Corporate worship is at the core of God’s purpose of the cosmos.”

C.J. introduced Ian:

“Ian is easier to experience than he is to describe. He is passion personified. Last week Ian and I were at a conference together. Half the time I didn’t understand what was being talked about, but during it I organized a basketball game. Ian and I played on the same team. We put on display God’s glory through athletic ability that was a gift from God. Ian is a beast on the court. We represented Sovereign Grace well. We may not be smart, but we have game.”

MESSAGE | Ian McConnell “The Church and Sunday” | Hebrews 10:19-25

Ian’s story: I was a teenager in a rough Irish Catholic home, the oldest of six boys. I was a bad boy. Met a youth pastor at a church across the street from an arcade, went to his church and did not expect what I experienced. I began to see the love of Jesus put on display through the people who follow Jesus. People loving me like Jesus loved them. I love the church because within the walls of the church I encountered the love of God through the people of God and my life has never been the same.

We’re going to HEAVEN! If you’ve got in your mind that Heaven is boring, you need to repent. Heaven will not be boring. “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9

We will be forever amazed by the absence of sin. Everything that is messed up down here won’t be up there. No more sorrow. No more destruction, decay, or death.

We will be forever amazed by the presence of God. We’re going to see God face to face!

“God’s glory will fill and permeate the entire new Heaven, not just one centralized place.  Thus, wherever we go in Heaven, we will be in the immediate presence of the full glory of God.  Wherever we go, we will enjoy the complete manifestation of God’s presence.  Throughout all eternity, we will never be separated from direct, unhindered fellowship with God.” - Steven Lawson, Heaven Help Us

“We will constantly be more amazed with God, more in love with God, and thus ever more relishing his presence and our relationship with him.  Our experience of God will never reach its consummation.  We will never finally arrive, as if upon reaching a peak we discover there is nothing beyond.  Our experience of God will never become stale.  It will deepen and develop, intensify and amplify, unfold and increase, broaden and balloon.”  - Sam Storms, Heaven: The Eternal Increase of Joy

“The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.  To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here.” - Jonathan Edwards

“And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.' Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!' And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!' And the four living creatures said, 'Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.'” - Revelation 5:9-14

We will be forever amazed by the unique accomplishments of the One who enabled us to be there.

So why talk about Heaven when the topic of this conference is the local church?

Do we have to wait until we die to go to heaven? Is there an “already, not yet” experience of heaven on this earth? Yes. We can experience a taste of heaven on earth every time we gather with our local church. Because of Jesus, when the church gathers, we can draw near to God’s presence with God’s people and experience a life-transforming, soul satisfying taste of heaven here on earth. Do not neglect meeting with your church on Sunday. 

We Must Not Neglect Gathering with Our Church Because:

 1. We Have Great Privileges

These privileges come to us by God’s grace at our local church. They do not come to you because your church is big, your pastor is famous, or the music at your church is high quality. They come to your church because of the grace of God.

Privilege 1: We encounter God’s presence.

Heaven is not a place on earth…yet. Right now heaven is up there and we are down here, but as we gather with the church down here we get to enter God’s presence up there.

“Believers have no need to ask ‘Who shall ascend into heaven?’ when it is a question of their approaching God; here upon earth they may enter his heavenly abode and know direct communion with him ‘by the blood of Jesus.’” - F.F. Bruce

Jesus has made us ready for heaven with His blood.

What are you most thankful for about your church? Do you know who attends your local church? God does.

Privilege 2: We experience God’s care.

Jesus identifies with our needs. He sympathizes with us, not empathizes. He’s not just there. He’s there to care, help, assist, provide for us, protect us, guide us, and direct us. God is not there taking up a seat. He is there to take care of our needs! And who better to care for you than the One who made you, saved you, and will one day receive you into His presence with “Enter into the joy of your Master.”

When you go to church you should expect a very personal manifestation of care in relationship to your need and to the needs of those you care for. Do you think no one cares for you? Not true. There is one who cares for you and is infinitely rich in care for you. What a Savior!

2. We Have Great Responsibilities

It is our responsibility to go after and take hold of the privileges God gives us when we gather.

Responsibility 1: We draw near to God.

 - We draw near to offer sacrifices to God.

 “Animal sacrifices has been rendered forever obsolete by the sacrifice of Christ, but the sacrifice of thanksgiving might still be offered to God, and indeed should be offered to him by all who appreciated the perfect sacrifice of Christ.”  - F.F. Bruce

 - We draw near to get grace from God.

We have confidence to draw near and get grace from God because of the blood of Jesus. Gather with your church with specific needs on your lips, drawing near in petition.

“As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought of me.  You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”  Psalm 40:17

Responsibility 2: Get a grip on the gospel.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” v. 23

The Gospel is good news! And life and death and heaven and hell hang in the balance of this good news. The church gathers to get a grip on the gospel.

Responsibility 3: Look for ways to serve.

Position yourself to receive the care of God through the people of God and position yourself to serve the people of God. God will use your pastors, leaders, worship leaders, but get this: God intends to use you as well. Take responsibility to care for your church.

Don’t you look forward to going to Heaven? 

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP

Sunday’s first morning session opened with a resounding anthem rejoicing in Jesus’ reigning power:

He shall reign in glory, crowned with grace and might

Bless His name and praise our sovereign King

He shall reign forever with His chosen bride

And all the earth shall sing that Jesus is the King

Jesus Shall Reign (by Enfield)

Our Song from Age to Age (from From Age to Age)

Bob read from Psalm 46 as we meditated on the mighty fortress that our God is for us. “Because God dwells in us, He dwells in us to protect us.”

Mighty Fortress (from From Age to Age)

His Forever (from Worship God Live)

My Redeemer’s Love (from From Age to Age)

Jesus Paid It All (by Kristian Stanfill)

BOOK REVIEW

Nathan Sasser recommended that everyone read What Is A Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile:

“This book is the cake pop of the theological menu. It is a sweet morsel that will immediately gratify you. This book will make you want to be a holier brick in the temple of God.”

MESSAGE INTRODUCTION

C.J. introduced Jared Mellinger and Ian McConnell (speaking in this morning’s second session) with these words:

“Having them preach is giving you a glimpse of the future. And it’s a sweet future. And it brings me great joy. Both guys are theologically driven, theologically discerning, gospel-centered, devoted to the preaching task, devoted to expositional preaching. They love the people of their local church, and yet they are passionately committed to church planting as well.

“When I was a young man so very long ago, with long hair, searching for a father in the faith, my search was unsuccessful. So I began to pear out into the future and began to pray about a future generation. I wanted to do some small contribution so that young men could be identified and trained and would have fathers in the faith. God in His kindness has allowed me to live long enough to see this day. To see young men like this flourish in pastoral ministry. So, I marvel at the faithfulness of God. These men are gifts from God.”

MESSAGE | Jared Mellinger “The Church and Membership” | Acts 2:42-47

I have a memory of arguing with some friends about different views about the local church. I was arguing that church membership is important, but really having no idea why it was important.

I am so excited to be speaking on this exhilarating topic of church membership. I doubt you get an adrenaline rush through you when you hear the words “church membership”. I think that’s because we haven’t considered the beauty and glory of this theme of church membership.

If Satan, the prince of darkness, were to launch an all out attack on our generation what would that look like? Would it look like everyone running around, demon possessed? No, that wouldn’t be subtle enough for Satan. First, he would be blind people to the glory of Christ in the gospel. To have people singing the praises of Jesus in a room like this and to have a heart that is cold because it is closed to the glory of Jesus. Second, I am convinced that Satan would work to undermine a biblical understanding of the local church. He would seek to have us think

Satan works to belittle the bride for whom Christ. He’s fine with you being church members, provided you take it for granted and don’t think much of it. We need people with courage to fight for the biblical value and importance of church membership.

“Church membership is the biggest honor that can come a man’s way in this world.” -Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Do you believe that?

1. The Blessing of Church Membership

You can experience fellowship with any believer, but committed fellowship, devotion to life together is something we only experience in its fullness through membership.

Church membership provides us with the context to live out the “one anothers” in scripture.

The church is described in 1 Timothy 3:15 as “the household of God”. The church is a family.

2. The Blessing of Greater Growth

God, in His sovereign wisdom and mercy, has chosen to shape us in community. He intends us to grow through the godly examples in the church.

It’s not only about personal growth. We can participate in a growth that is much greater than ourselves. Jesus is passionate about building mature local churches.

3. The Blessing of Experiencing Spiritual Gifts

Each person that is found in Christ has been given spiritual gifts. And these gifts that you have belong to other people. You don’t own your gifts, God and other people own them.

The image of the body means that each part has a function that has been given for the benefit of the whole body. And God intends to bless you through the gifts He has given to other believers. Each one of us should have a sense of ownership of his church. And church membership enables us to fully benefit from the diverse gifts God has given to His people.

4. The Blessing of Spiritual Protection

How will your soul be protected as you journey through a fallen world with a sinful heart? Church membership protects us from our ability to wander. If you are not a member of a church you are in danger of falling into sin. If you are in college, this is especially important. Who is going to lovingly get in your face and challenge and help you and tell you that you are not living in reflection of your faith?

This is why God has given pastors to the church. They carry out the protection of His people. I plead with you for the sake of your soul: don’t place yourself outside of the care and protection of the leaders of your local church!

5. The Blessing of Promoting the Power of Godly Leadership

Do not underestimate the power you can have in promoting godly leadership in the church or in increasing the joy you can bring your pastors who are watching over you.

There is blessing to be found in being under authority.

6. The Blessing of a Powerful Witness

One of the reasons God calls the church to be separate from the world is for the power of her witness. If you blur the separation line between the church and the world, the witness of the church will be weakened.

Love and holiness, beauty and truth shine out and echo the glory of God in the world through the joined candles of the members of a church. Joined together, we have enough light to pierce the darkness of the powers of this earth.

Church membership is our joyful echo of Christ’s commitment for the church for whom He died. If Christ chose the church, I must choose the church.

Until we have a sturdy biblical conviction about the importance of church membership, our generation will not mature in godliness, be a strong witness to the lost, or glorify God in our walks with God.

Jesus died to purchase for us a glorious salvation and the privilege of membership with the people of God.

Let us thank God for the glorious privileges and protection that come from church membership.

• 
• 
• 
• 

WORSHIP

The first session of the Very Last NEXT Conference was filled with reminders that we do not worship alone. We join the men, women, and children from every age who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ's all-sufficient blood. We gather as they did, to exalt our great God.

Led by Bob Kauflin and the Na Band, we lifted our voices to proclaim God’s greatness, faithfulness, and worthiness in song.

How Great Is Your Faithfulness (by Matt Redman)

Greater Than We Can Imagine (from The Gathering)

Our Song from Age to Age (from From Age to Age)

Behold Our God (from Risen)

Name Above All Names (From Risen)

In Christ Alone (by Keith & Kristyn Getty)

C.J. Mahaney welcomed the attendees: “It is my privilege to welcome you to Next and to communicate to you our deep gratefulness that you would come. We are humbled that you are here. We are grateful that you made this a priority.”

We welcomed internationals, first-time attendees, those who attended NEXT in all four locations (Orlando, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Louisville), those who attended every single NEXT/New Attitude conference, and pastors - “These are the men we respect the most. These are the men we encourage you to esteem most highly. Those who are your pastors. We who lead this conference reap because of what they’ve sowed.”

“There’s one neat element that won’t be a part of this conference will be creativity. I’m not particularly creative and I’m old. But the most important elements remain:

1. Preaching – in and through preaching, God Himself addresses us. There is nothing more important that is happening here than the preaching.
2. Worship – we will address God by singing theologically informed, Gospel-centered songs.
3. Fellowship – we will address and seek to edify each other with the Gospel.

The theme of this conference has been carefully and intentionally chosen because: 

- The church is central in Scripture

- This is where it all began. Loooong ago in a galaxy far, far away. The year was 1977. After our conversion a few of us were captured by a vision of the local church that emerged from reading Acts and Hebrews. And from that year on our lives were never the same. We want to transfer that passion for the church to you so that you will take it with you into a future that I won’t see. It’s not about transferring a passion for Sovereign Grace Churches. It’s never been about that. It’s about transferring a passion for the Church."

BOOK REVIEW

Nathan Sasser recommended everyone get Reformed Dogmatics, Vol. 4: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation by Herman Bavinck.

“This book is meaty. Write down the title and author and at sometime in your life when you feel like you’re getting tired of milk in your diet and want some meat, you’ll know where to go. This is the filet mignon of the theological menu. The title of this book is Reformed Dogmatics. …You can’t get much more unappealing than that. I vote we rename it The Symphony of the Saving Acts of God in Jesus Christ. This is your encyclopedia of the saving acts of God in Christ.”

MESSAGE | Jeff Purswell: “The Church and the Purpose of God”

“Google Earth takes what is familiar and transforms your perspective on it. I don’t just live in a house on a street. I occupy a particular place on a planet. I pray that tonight we will have a theological Google Earth moment; a perspective broadening exercise on the church.”

What is God’s perspective on your church? Where does He locate it in terms of His plans and purposes? 

God’s eternal purpose is to dwell among a people He has made His own.

“In our world we are wired to focus on the superficial and temporal, but your church is more glorious, more precious, and more important than you think.”

Five images in the storyline of the Bible that each unveil a new dimension of God’s purpose for His people:

Image #1: A Garden           

“The Bible in its structure tells the progressive story of God’s initiatives toward and interactions with His creation (in general) and His people (in particular).”

Safety – think of a lush, enclosed park.

Provision – God gave them plentiful food.

Relational Harmony – a one-flesh relationship of the most intimate kind.

Divine Companionship – this is the most important aspect. This is a sanctuary, a sacred place.

This is not just a garden. It’s a garden temple. The place where God and man meet.

“What does it tell us? Here in the foundational stage of redemptive history, we see a picture for God’s very purpose for mankind: unhindered, unshielded fellowship with God in a perfect, unspoiled environment. God present with His people. That’s the purpose of Creation. This is not a children’s story. This is what we were made for. You were not made for fame or popularity; you were made for God!”

“The Bible is not man’s search for God. The Bible is about God’s pursuit of man.”

Then, the harmony of Eden is shattered by the fall of man. When you get to Genesis 3 in your Bible reading, don’t yawn. You should be weeping. This was the purpose of Creation devastated.

But God reveals Himself to a moon-worshipping Mesopotamian named Abram. He promises a people will come from him. This people is forged into a nation to represent the people that God dwells with.

Image #2: A Dwelling 

“And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst.” 

In addition to God’s law, Israel is promised God’s presence. This people will be marked not by a flag or national anthem but by God’s presence.

Israel builds a temple for God where He takes up residence in their very midst. It’s incredible. Never before did God live with His people.

“God is in their midst, but it is certainly not Eden. Access to God’s presence is not open to everyone. A holy God cannot dwell among a sinful people. There can be no temple without some provision for sin. So, God grants them the sacrificial system and animals are sacrificed over and over again because God’s people sin against Him over and over again. The people were familiar with the squealing of animal after animal as they were killed because of their sins. This repetition of sacrifice branded into the Israelites that even though they were God’s people they were in need of a mediator. They knew that for us to be with God, death has to take place. The shadow of Eden hangs over these dwellings. In the temple, God is near, but He is also transcendent.”

The story moves on. Soon after the glorious dedication of the temple by Solomon, seeds are sown for the nation’s destruction by Israel’s sin. And the very place of God’s dwelling is destroyed. The people of God are then vomited out of the land that was to be the dwelling place of God among man. They are exiled and taken into dirty pagan lands.

But it’s not over. Through the prophets God kindles sparks of hope:

“I will forgive you”

“Though your sins be like scarlet they shall be white as snow”

“Behold I am going to send my messenger. He will prepare the way before me and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come into His temple.”

Image #3: A Person

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14

 The word “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled”. He set up a tent among us. God was once again dwelling with man.

At Jesus’ death, the rending of His flesh and spilling of His blood, the veil of the temple was torn in two and the access into God’s presence that was once shielded is now open, through the flesh and blood of this sacrifice. 

Never before has God dwelt with His people more authentically, powerfully, or personally than in Jesus Christ.

Image #4: A People

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:13-16

The Holy Spirit came, united us with Christ, and became the divine sanctuary where God’s presence dwells. God no longer dwells in a sanctuary built by His people, He dwells in His people.

“I will make my dwelling among them. I will be their God and they shall be my people.” 2 corinthians 6

“Corporately, the Christian community is the new divine sanctuary, the place where the living God most fully expresses His presence.” – Murray J. Harris

The church is that created entity which is nearest and dearest to God’s heart.

Being God’s people means something. Being God’s people demands separation from all that is unholy.

Holiness in the church is the standard because it is here that God’s holiness dwells. Your church, the very dwelling place of God on earth, with all our sin, weakness, and mistakes, is where God dwells.

Our existence as the people of God is pointing to something coming.

Image #5: A City

Here is the climax of everything that preceded it.

“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:22-23 ESV

“There’s a surprise at the end of the book. In the wake of the destruction of Israel, their hope was in a new temple. Salvation keeps unfolding and we get to the end of the Bible and what do we find? No temple. Why? Because the Lord God the Almighty is the temple. His immediate presence fills the city. The measure of the city is a cube. There’s only one other cube in the Bible—the Holy of Holies. The entire city will be the dwelling place of God. And there are no walls in the city because all people will have access to the immediacy and intensity of God like never before, an ever-increasing, ever-intensifying experience of God. And there is no altar in the city because the Lamb who was slain is at the center being worshipped.”

Mankind returns to paradise: face to face fellowship with God.

“Here is the astonishing truth: For the church of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ, this is a reality now. Through the cross God has demolished the impenetrable barrier between Him and ourselves. Through the Holy Spirit God has come and taken residence with us now. Here is your church: the place on earth where the living God most fully makes known His presence.

If you treasure God you will treasure the church, for that is where God uniquely dwells.

If you hunger for God, you will hunger for the church for that is where He makes Himself known.

If you love God, you will love the church for she is made of the ones for whom Christ died.

If you long for heaven, you’ll long for the church because that’s where we get a taste, in part, of what we will experience in fullness forever.”

My prayer for us is that this truth will invade every area of our lives.

CLOSING SONG

Come Praise and Glorify (from The Gathering)

C.J. closed the night with a word to unbelievers:

“This conference exists not only to edify Christians, but to evangelize as well. And it would be unwise for me to assume, given the size of this conference, that there are not a number here tonight who are still enemies of God. Oh, we pray that this conference will date the conversions of many.” 

• 
• 
• 
•