|
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Reflections on Hosea, Pt.1
It has been three weeks since we began the series on Hosea. I have been doing some reflecting this week on the messages and trying to apply them to my life today.
I think that the first thing I am pondering is the temptation to forsake God in the midst of prosperity. Isn’t it interesting that we “run to God” in adversity, but in prosperity “we think we did this.” Our selfish, sinful nature leads us to believe that we have accomplished everything we have in life by our own hands or “connections.”
We must not fall into this trap that the Israelites did with Yahweh. We must always acknowledge God’s wonderful provision and plan for our lives. We must see and confess that everything is from the Lord.
I think the song by Matt Redmond helps us in applying this to our lives. His song “Blessed be the Name of the Lord” keeps us humble while we are “in the land that is plentiful, where the streams of abundance flow.” When we sing this song we are declaring to God that it is all from Him. When we sing this song we declare to the Lord His goodness and mercy. When we sing this song we are aware that at any moment “He gives and takes away.” When we sing this song we declare that, no matter what happens in our lives, we will say in our hearts “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
May we not be like the children of Israel who forgot where their blessings came from, and who has been kind to them. Their blessings came from the LORD!
Phil Courson
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Together for the Gospel – final thought…
This will be my last post pertaining to the T4G Conference. Just a reminder that the conference was a memorable one for all. To make it even more enriching the leaders of the conference put together a statement called “Together for the Gospel.” It is a list of 18 affirmations and denials and then each of the have signed the document.
What made this memorable was that John MacArthur, John Piper and RC Sproul wanted to sign their names onto the document as well. I would encourage each of you to read over this document and see how it applies to your life and whether you would sign off on it! I trust you would!
http://www.togetherforthegospel.org/T4TG-statement.pdf
Enjoy!
Phil Courson
Friday, May 12, 2006
Thankful for the Local Church
Having experienced the recent “Together For the Gospel” conference (and having really enjoyed Phil’s posts on this blog about the event) I came back home from Louisville with a fresh appreciation and gratefulness in my heart for my own home church - Abundant Grace Community Church.
One of the main benefits that the conference attendees received from the four key leaders (Dever, Mahaney, Duncan and Mohler) was the opportunity to see these men relate together, and the kind of biblical fellowship they enjoy, even though each would be from a different background.
These men exemplify the kind of friendships that I have enjoyed from Sovereign Grace Ministries since 1987, and even before that with my longtime friend Danny Jones. How good of God to give us the Gospel. How good of God to give us a context to walk out all that we receive and inherit from the Gospel. How good of God to give us the local church, wherein we can know freedom and truth, and wherein we can be known. A place where we can nurture good friendships and biblical fellowship, and where we can be nurtured and cared for.
Watching the men relate at T4G was great, and a wonderful example to all. How fortunate are we who could return from the conference, coming home to such godly relationships.
In the words often quoted from CJ, such a reality makes it clear that I am doing “better than I deserve.”
Mike Gilland
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Reflections from T4G (Part 4)
Friday morning is here! We have had a action packed day on Thursday, and now we have two sessions and a panel discussion left. Today is CJ Mahaney and John MacArthur.
CJ speaks on the topic of “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” It was a wonderful message and a fresh challenge to make sure my life and doctrine are not only watched but that they match! It was refreshing to see some application to what we have been hearing over the past couple of days. God used this to impact many who have never heard CJ before. It was a joy to watch God use this man to bring glory to Him and see the impact of the message on the listeners.
The final session was John MacArthur, a pastor and one of the best Bible expositors in the church today. He spoke on the topic of “40 years of Gospel Ministry.” This man has pastored his church for over 30+ years in Los Angles and God has given him much fruit because of his faithful preaching of the Word of God.
I was grateful to be a part of this conference, one which I believe to be historical in nature. But the underlying truth that the conference represents is that the Gospel is what draws us together. No matter the theological background or what church we attend, it is the gospel that binds us together.
The Gospel will always be primary at AGCC and it will be the truth that sets people free and gives grace for believers to live their lives in the midst of a darkening culture. God will manifest His power through the gospel!
Please pray for me as I process all that was taught at the conference.
I love each of you!
Phil Courson
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Reflections from T4G (Part 3)
Thursday was the beginning of a wonderful day as we were able to receive some wonderful messages from men whom I respect and for whom I am grateful to God for their love for the Savior and His Holy Word.
The first session that morning opened up with Ligon Duncan, a Presbyterian pastor, who spoke on the importance of preaching from the Old Testament. It was the best message I have ever heard on the topic and glad that we as a church were already planned to enter into Hosea and felt God’s pleasure as this message unfolded.
The second session was given by Al Mohler, a Baptist pastor and Seminary president, who spoke on the importance of being aware of the culture. It was very good and Al is probably one of the better men who is able to discern the current trends in our culture.
It was the next two sessions that really impacted me and let me know that we are on the right track and by God’s grace given the joy of preaching for the glory of God.
RC Sproul, a Presbyterian pastor and president of Ligonier Ministries, preached on the importance of justification by faith alone. He just wowed us with the importance of this doctrine and its impact on Christianity. I was once again grateful to God for the leadership of Sovereign Grace Ministries as they have walked us through many heresies that have influenced our culture. Justification by faith alone will always be a pillar of truth for AGCC.
The last session for the evening was John Piper, a Baptist pastor, and he preached on “Why expository preaching is God glorifying.” He was outstanding and preached about preaching. It was a wonderful message for me and reminded me of the importance of the sacred responsibility to bring God’s Word to His people. May God give me (or whoever preaches at AGCC) that sacred anointing as I (or we) enter the pulpit.
It was a banner day and God was at work in my heart. I look forward to the days ahead to see the fruit of this conference.
Phil Courson
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Reflections from T4G (Part 2)
Reflections from T4G
What a week! The week began with a flight from Gainesville to Louisville. Leaving early Tuesday morning we arrive around 10:45am and headed to the hotel. We had lunch and then prepared for our Sovereign Grace Pastors meeting that was held before the T4G conference. It was a great time to catch up with our friends in other cities and see all that God is doing through Sovereign Grace in the US and abroad. Thanks so much for your prayers and financial support to SGM and AGCC.
Wednesday came with meetings with Brent from 9am – 4pm and then I was off to a meeting from 5pm – 6:30pm concerning the upcoming New Attitude Conference. Then we headed straight for a seat for the T4G conference beginning at 7pm.
First on the schedule was Mark Dever. He is the pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington DC and has written numerous books. He spoke on “Three Marks of a Faithful Pastor” from 1 Corinthians 4 and it was outstanding. Here are the three marks: 1) A Cross-Centered Message (v1-7) 2) A Cross-Centered Life (v.8-13) and 3) Cross-Centered Followers (v.14-21).
I felt like God used this message to remind me of the importance of the cross in all aspects of ministry. I want to make sure that the cross is being preached and applied daily in my own personal life. As I do that my message will be a reflection of my life and by His grace those he has called me to lead will “follow my example”
(v.16).
After each session, there was a panel discussion and this aspect of the conference I really enjoyed because it gave us an opportunity to see these men interact with each other and to see the friendship up close and personal.
When the time was over it had been a long day and I was ready for bed! I was preparing for a longer day on Thursday as our schedule was packed!
Talk tomorrow about Thursday at T4G!
Phil Courson
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Reflections from T4G
This week, I want to blog on my thoughts concerning the “Together for the Gospel” Conference. The conference will further be known as T4G.
T4G has been in the works for over 2 years and has now come and gone. There are plans for another conference in 2008. I have been a part of Sovereign Grace Ministries for over 17 years now and in many ways this conference was a dream come true. We have always been (and still are) a small movement of churches that have strived to please God in all we do, to do what we can to serve those who God faithfully gives us to care for and to walk in humility through the process. As we have watched ‘our lives and doctrines closely’ God has graciously blessed us and those who lead Sovereign Grace Ministries and in particular CJ Mahaney. It has been nothing short of a miracle to see God open doors through relationships with those from different backgrounds and beliefs. But one thing we all shared was a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Through the gospel, humble men decided to build relationally together so that the greater good might go forth. Through their relationship T4G was birthed. What I experienced this week was nothing but the grace of God and something I think brought glory to His name.
People before the conference asked me “what was I expecting from this conference?” My response was “I don’t know!” I didn’t have a category for this type of conference because it was so unique in its scope. I believe this was an HISTORICAL event and one that I pray will bring great fruit in the days ahead. It truly was a highlight in my Christian life!
I want to thank all those that prayed for me during the conference and I will share what God did in my life as a result of my time at T4G!
See you tomorrow!
Phil Courson
|
