It’s been a few weeks now since T4G, and I finally have the opportunity to sit quietly and share my thoughts. First let me say that T4G is by far my favorite conference. Most of my living heroes in the same room! Concentration in the Word and Doctrine, not in the latest hip methodology! Theologically-informed, lyric-driven worship! Sound God-centered theology!

I don’t attend T4G to get “pumped up.” I don’t attend T4G to acquire the latest cutting-edge, innovative strategies. I go to be fed, and I leave stuffed!

I can summarize my recent experience at T4G in three words.

1. Edification. I was built-up in the faith and in heart at T4G. First, it was a delight to share this event with some guys that I really love. My father, brother, and brother-in-law attended with me. I spent time with a few of my friends in ministry who I seldom have a chance to see. What really made my day though was that 6 men from our church attended with me! Second, the worship was spiritually-nourishing. Its an amazing thing to watch applause continually break out not because of loud rocking music, praise of talented performance, or appreciation of great vocals, but simply because the words which have been sung have moved people to praise the Lord! That was incredible! Third, I was taught from the Word. Particularly enriching to me were the sermons and panel discussions of John MacArthur and John Piper. Those men dwell in the Word, and you can tell it!
2. Direction. The theme of the conference was “The Unadjusted Gospel,” however, as with every conference, a few underlying themes appeared as well. One such theme was the unity of the church and how important it is to keep unity in diversity and not separate the congregation into different ages and gender and groups. The world’s system is “birds of a feather flock together,” but that’s not the picture of the NT church! The unmistakable unity in diversity of the NT church magnifies the Gospel! The Lord gently chided and directed me back to this crucial portrait of the church.
3. Conviction. Somewhere in Piper’s sermon about the sufficiency of Christ, singing “All I Have is Christ,” hearing Matt Chandler share about his cancer, listening to CJ Mahaney encourage preparation for suffering, hearing Matt pray for his children, Piper praying for Matt, and singing “It is Well,” the Lord opened up my heart and revealed to me that I have much labor in prayer and meditation before I can honestly say “All I Have is Christ!” It was a refreshing conviction. It was good to see the depths of my heart that is open and clear before the Lord at all times!