T4G 2010, Free Books, and A Giveaway For You...

T4G:
From Tuesday - Thursday of this week I had the opportunity to attend the "Together For The Gospel Conference" here in Louisville. What is T4G? "T4G began as a friendship between four pastors. These friends differed on a number of theological issues, like baptism and the charismatic gifts. But they were committed to standing together for the main thing - the gospel of Jesus Christ. So they began a conference which occurs every two years and aims principally at encouraging other pastors to do the same - to stand together for the gospel. T4G is convinced that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been misrepresented, misunderstood, and marginalized in many churches among those who proclaim the name of Christ. The four long-time friends, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, C.J. Mahaney, and Albert Mohler, also asked their friends Thabiti Anyabwile, John MacArthur, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul to join them for these conferences." (courtesy www.t4g.org)

Hi my name is:

I had planned to go to this conference for a while. They gave a great discount to seminary

students. Several weeks ago I went to sign up and it was sold out. I was really disappointed, but I had some school work to complete so it was just as well. Then I got a call from John the Canadian, who I've blogged about before. He was coming down for the conference but w

as in the same predicament that I was in. He started making some phone calls. He was able to get 2 tickets from some friends of his at his former church. The tickets had already been registered in other people's names. So this week John was "Robbie Sagers" (who is actually Dr. Moore's personal assistant) and I was Glen Evans (I have no idea who he is). So thanks to Glen for backing out. It worked out well because in the registration line the line for last names beginning with "E" was considerably shorter than the one beginning with "S."

All of the sessions were amazing. The theme this year was "The (Unadjusted) Gospel." What does that mean? The gospel is Christ alone, by faith alone. Jesus plus nothing. Jesus doesn't need to be adjusted. The speakers that were my favorite were C.J. Mahaney's session with Matt Chandler, Joshua Harris' breakout session, and John Piper. Mahaney and Chandler spoke on the gospel and suffering and how to prepare your congregation for suffering because suffering WILL happen. Harris spoke about the foundation of the gospel. Piper addressed the question, "Did Jesus preach the same gospel as Paul." It was about justification. It was also one of the best messages I've ever heard. I will post the video soon. You should watch it when I post it. Or go to the T4G website.

At one point during the conference, Bob Kauflin from Sovereign Grace Ministries, was leading worship and I got a little awe struck. I try not to get struck by celebrity, especially in the Christian world. But during one of the worship times I had the privilege of sitting on the front row. Not front row-center, but one section to the right. I looked over to the center and from right to left I saw MacArthur, Duncan, Mohler, Chandler, Piper, Thabiti, Mahaney, and Dever. I was awe struck to think that all of these men, who are just men used by God, but are all men that have influenced me and thousands of others for the gospel. They are the men who I will want my kids and grandkids to know about and read. I was blessed to be there.

One of the best takeaways were all of the free books. 20 to be exact. A few I already had, but you can see by the picture how quality the books are. Some are classics some are brand new. All are beneficial.

GIVEAWAY:

If you don't have an ESV Study Bible you'll want to enter. Here's what you get: A brand new, hard cover, ESV Study Bible. This Bible is the best Bible I own. That's weird to say, but the ESV is a great translation and the study notes and online features are fantastic.

Here's how you get it: Leave a comment on this blog post. After a few days I'll take all of the names that have entered and do a drawing. So, just leave a comment with your name and you might win.

Don't enter if you already have one! They gave us some books that they knew we already have so we could give them away.