As the doors opened this morning at 8:45am for the 9am general session, there was what can only be described as a mad dash from the 13 different entrances to the worship center for the front pews. And I was guilty as the next guy speeding down the aisles and hurling my body across a pew to hold a seat for my brothers. Next year, I gotta get Tim Challies’ special treatment and get entrance before the session doors open for everyone. =-) Here is the fruit of my labors:

This morning is the last day of the conference, and it feels like all I can take. Not only because I’ve been blogging like crazy, but also because we’ve just been so blessed with the Word and worship, that I want to take some time to reflect; but there’s scarcely a moment I’ve had to do so. As soon as I head back to the hotel, catch up with e-mail and chat with my wife… I’m ready to hit the sack.

However, there’s no question this conference has been a blessing. Waiting outside the doors this morning, we chatted up with a young man from the Modesto, CA area. Not only is this his first conference, he’s also a new believer; and according to him this was the best experience of His life. It’s so great to hear that kind of enthusiasm and love for God’s Word. May God bless him and all the others who are here at this conference, to be reminded by example and exhortation of the importance of God’s Word and bring that back to all their local churches.

The I-5 nearby was shut down, so the initial session was delayed by 30 minutes to allow time for more conferees to arrive. As Bill Brandenstein put it, “Welcome to Southern California!” This allowed folks a bit of a breather to enjoy fellowship, and for me to clean up some of the previous posts from this conference.  A couple of pews worth of men toward the front, about 10 men, gave their best shot at starting a musical “wave,” loudly and boldly singing together a number of great hymns and hoping to get the rest of the room hooked. It didn’t happen so much…. Folks enjoyed the downtime, I suspect; and were already anticipating some great singing with the whole room in just a few minutes. But we did enjoy hearing them; lots of folks wondering whether there was a soundtrack playing in the worship center in the background. Here’s a photo of this enthusiastic group (standing and seated to the left of the photo):

As things were about to finally commence at 9:30am, a band including a bass guitarist, pianist, electric guitarist and synth keyboardist played a instrumental prelude of “Be Unto Your Name.”

Bill Brandenstein then called us to worship from Scripture, as we as a congregation stood to sing a medley of praise to God with the song team, including “Holy Is the Lord God Almighty,” “See, What a Morning,” and “How Deep the Father’s Love.”

As has been the case throughout this conference, the corporate singing was powerful!. We were then ministered to in praise by a soloist singing a song titled, “Creation Song” along with the other singers on stage.

John MacArthur then introduced Steve Lawson as an “alien” preacher preaching an “alien” message, and joked that there are a few other things about Steve that are “alien.” Steve is willing to preach a message that is alien to the desires of the unregenerate, and John reminded us that we talk to people to whom God gives ear to hear. Apart from God’s intervention, we’re talking to the blind and the deaf. But once God opens the heart, that message becomes the most cherished of all. Steve has for years preached faithfully the Word of God without hesitation. Steve has begun a five-volume set which John suggests will define his life, “A Long Line of Godly Men,” tracing the doctrines of grace throughout Biblical through modern history.

[Personal note: this was, for me, the most powerfully preached message of the conference thus far. As thorough as the below notes/transcript is, it fails to convey the power of the actual preaching of it.]

(The remainder of this comes from the speaker’s perspective)

Thank you, John, for those alien remarks (laughter). It is such a joy to be here if I was thinking on the front row if I could just preach just one sermon to one group of men it would be to you men this morning. And to be able to stand in this pulpit, which to me is the most dignified & sacred pulpit in the world, is quite a humbling experience. There is a cloud of witnesses who have surrounded me and influenced me; John has been the Moses of that cloud. I thank the Lord for how he has used John not only to shape what I believe, but the character of my life. And I’m thankful for what this pulpit has stood for the last 40 years. So in our lifetime that we will ever experience with a more distinguished expository pulpit than this one.

Open to Hebrews 4:12-13, I want to bring a message titled, “The Preacher’s Invincible Weapon.” May God open the echoes within our own heart and soul as we consider the weapon God has placed in our hands as we minister His Word.

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Somewhat hidden below street level in Geneva, there is a monument that pays lasting tribute to the dramatic change in world history that occurred there 500 years ago. It’s known as the “reformation wall,” Over 30ft long and 300 ft long, the wall visually portrays the four key figures, leading influencers of the Reformation in Geneva. They stand together as one because of their singular commitment to the word of God. First is William Farel, then Theodore Beza and John Knox on the right. But in the center is the great expositor, the chief influencer himself, he whose ministry was the heartbeat of this movement: John Calvin. Calvin stands dominantly slightly taller, leaning forward, poised, erect, ready. Both hands are on the Bible, in the Bible. One hand is the Old Testament, the other in the New. And he’s ready to turn to the appointed text, to preach the whole counsel of God. Where are men like this today, whose hands are in the book, ready to open it and bring it to their generation. It was the Bible which marked Calvin’s stay in Geneva. He had no weapon but the Bible. From the first, his emphasis was on Biblical preaching and Biblical teaching. He taught from it nearly every day. Geneva was transformed, Reformation ignited, Western civ altered. The Bible is an invincible weapon in the hands of God’s servant. When ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit, it brings life-changing and history-altering effects. This passage is what we read in Heb. 4:12-13. It’s the supernatural weapon put into our hands. The author of Hebrews gives us one of the most dramatic & graphic pictures of the power of the Word of God that is found anywhere in Scripture. Here he likens the Word of God to a sword, a sharp-two-edged sword. One that is living, active, that cuts, pierces, divides, exposes, judges, saves. This is the preacher’s invincible weapon. We must not sheath it, we must wield it, we must use it.

I want to give 7 distinguishing marks of the sword of the Lord that has been put in our hand, this superior, supernatural weapon.

First, it is the divine Word (v. 12): “For the word of God”. The word that we preach is of God. This is God’s book, God’s message that we bring. We say rightly that there is dual authorship of Scripture, but there is only one primary Author. There are over 40+ secondary authors, the human instruments God used to record it. But standing behind them, there is only one primary Author, God Himself. Hundreds of time in the OT, it says “Thus says the Lord.” That’s what the word of God is. When the prophets wrote the Scriptures, they were claiming to be dispatched messengers of the Lord, bringing the Word to those who would hear them.

Six times David in Psalm 19 refers to the written word as “the law, the testimony, the precepts, the commandment, the judgment, the fear of the Lord.” Each claims that it’s the word of God. Jesus asserted the divine authorship of the word we ministry. Matthew 4, “Man shall live… by every word that proceeeds out of the mouth of God.” Paul in 1 Th 2:13, “… you accepted it not as the word of men, but what it really is the word of God.” Romans 3:2 - “the oracles of God.” Mark 7:8, ‘the commandment of God”, Revelation “the oracle of God.” It speaks to the divine authority of this book.

This first truth begs me to say because the Bible is the word of God and not merely a collection of the wisdom of the world, it requires things of us who pick up this sword. it requires humility. Our ministry must be under the authority of Scripture. We have nothing to say apart from the word of God. We say, speak, warn, promise of what Scripture warns. We go no further. Not only sola Scriptura, but tota Scriptura: all of Scripture is proclaimed.

It also speaks to the dignity that is required of us, because it’s the divine Word. We’ve been commissioned by the High King of heaven to minister His word, and we must do so in a manner befitting of the one who has issued the word, and we must stand in congruence with the one who has given us His word. We are not free to be court jesters; there is a dignity that is required. It also requires an authority when we speak. We are to speak the truth in love, but nevertheless as we speak, we are to do so in an imperative manner. “Let no one disregard you” (2 Tim). This is because we minister the divine word. May God raise up a generation of men who will minister the divine word. How greatly this is needed.

Second, it is the living Word (v 12): “the word of God is living.” It is not merely a natural book, but a supernatural book. this book alone has the life of God in it. this word “living” is in the emphatic position of v.12. It’s the finger of God pointing at the word “living.” Literally, “Living, for the word of God is.” All other ancient books are dead manuscripts, but this book is alive. This book pleads me, it has power to save, has power to sanctify. This book is after us. Moses said, “Take to your heart all the words I am warning for it is not an idle word. Indeed, it is your life.” It’s not an idle word, it’s a living word! It has life, and it imparts life. Jesus said in John 6:63, The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and are life!” Acts 7:38, Stephen referred to “living oracles.” 1 Pe 1:23, “For you have been born again not of seed that is perishable but imperishable that is through the living and enduring word of God.” Spurgeon said this book was alive! I’ve read other books, this is the only book that has ever read me! No book is more relevant, up to date, fresh contemporary than this book. Some pastors are wanting to have a contemporary service. Great: be an expositor of the Word of God! If you preach trends and current events, you are old news before the words come out of your mouth. But when you preach this book, you’re more up-to-date than tomorrow’s newspaper.

I was in England not long ago and mentioned that on Wednesdays I am preaching through Ezekiel. A man came up afterwards and said, “How are you going to make Ezekiel relevant?” I waited 20 years for that question! (laughter) “I do not have to make the Bible relevant, it is relevant. My responsibility is to explain its relevance to those who are there.” I often enter into the pulpit empty or tired, but this book never is! It’s alive. This is the preacher’s invincible weapon.

Third, it is the powerful Word (v. 12): It is active and therefore dynamic, “the word of God is living and active.” It’s a Greek word energeis from which we get energy. This book is energetic, dynamic, powerful. It’s not only that it has life, but has all the essentials of life and the power of God to convict, convert, conform, console. This book is active and energizing in its effect. Full of life-changing power. It’s unceasingly active and relentlessly effective. It’s fully able to carry out all of God’s saving purposes as it’s accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 55:10 says as much. It is a triumphant word that will carry out and fulfill all of God’s sovereign purposes. It’s undefeatable book. It has power to save, does it not (1 Pe 1:23). It has power to sanctify (John 17:17). It has power to satisfy (Psalm 119:103). It has power to strengthen (Joshua 1:8). It has power to steer (Psalm 119:105). It has power to sustain (Matthew 4:4). If you want a dynamic ministry in which the power of God is unleashed in your efforts, in which God will carry out His sovereign purposes here on earth, then pull forth the sharp two-edged sword that is active.

Fourth, it is the razor-sharp Word. No instrument is sharp as this sacred tool. “… and sharper than any two-edged sword.” It’s sharper than the sharpest instrument in this world. No surgeon’s scalpel can compare with the razor-like edge of this sword. That it’s two-edged means it’s all edge. Every way this book cuts, it cuts with razor-like precision. there are no dull verses in the Bible. Every book, chapter, verse, word, jot and tittle is razor sharp. The word for sword is the chief offensive weapon of the Roman soldier, small sword in close hand-to-hand combat; used with razor-like precision. Any passage of this book ministered rightly cuts deeply into the soul of man. Eph. 6:17 calls it the sword of the Spirit. As a two-edged sword, it cuts both ways. It comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. It both convicts and converts; saves and damns; softens and hardens; justifies and judges; it’s law & grace; exposes sin by conviction and covers up sin by forgiveness. In Acts 2, Peter wielded this sword. He quotes Joel 2, Psalm 16, Psalm 132, Psalm 16 again, Psalm 110. With each of these citations, Peter thrusts the sharp sword into the conscience & soul of those who were listening. The result? They were “pierce to the heart,” as being stabbed with a knife. Then 3 chapters later in Acts 5, Peter and John standing before the Sanhedrin, Peter preached the Lord Jesus Christ, even after being told to stop. In v. 33 the Sanhedrin “were cut to the quick.” It cuts both ways. You can be both the most loved man in town and the most hated at the same time. You can walk into a room and either duck or pucker (laughter).

Fifth, it is the piercing Word. Because it’s so razor-sharp, it pierces and penetrates into the depths of the inner man. In v. 12, we see “piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit.” It penetrates the outward facade of the hearer and plunges deeply into the heart. The Word of God gets through to us, to the very depths of our being; it penetrates all the way down to the hidden recesses of the heart. When he speaks of soul and spirit, he’s referring to one’s innermost heart. If you do not preach the Bible, you will have a very superficial ministry. All you’ll be able to do is massage egos and tickle ears. But when you minister the Word rightly, it cuts, it penetrates, it pierces. So often people set up barriers against God and remain aloof from the truth. There’s a “do not disturb” sign around their neck. They try to cover themselves with a thin veneer of religion, fig leaves of self-righteousness and hypocrisy. But the Word penetrates the outer facade and cuts down all the way in: not to harm but to heal. The phrase is a figurative way of saying “to the very core of your being, to the very innermost being of who & what you are on the inside.” It’s only the Word of God that can get down to the bottom of one’s life. It alone can discriminate the division of soul & spirit. He then adds “joints and marrow” referring figuratively to the inner parts of the body as a picture of the soul. This parallels “soul & spirit.” It’s saying when this book is ministered in your hand, it cuts into the depth of a person and exposes secret thoughts, unveils base motives, reveals inner attitudes, and it is only the Word of God that can do this: performing open heart surgery, brain surgery. No mere flesh wounds or surface cuts; but comes with penetrating precision to the depths of joint & marrow. This is the preacher’s invincible weapon.

Sixth, it is the judging Word. At the end of v. 12 and into v. 13, once the heart is pierced, once the soul is laid bare; then it begins to judge. What is exposed within a man? The context here is addressing many religious Hebrews with a non-saving faith. They are under the Word, and in the midst of the fellowship of believers. But many have not come all the way to Christ. Their hearts are uncircumcised. The hardest person to reach with the gospel is someone who is religious and lost. The only way they can be saved is for God’s Word to pierece to their soul and administer judgment. And them to sense their own condemnation before a holy God. No one can be saved until they know they’re lost; and that’s the ministry of the Word of God, to show them their lostness and drive them to Jesus and His saving arms. Only the Word of God that can reveal to a blind person and expose them for who they truly are before their own eyes, and to see they’re lost and in need of a Savior. This is the ministry of the Word of God. It’s in this context, we read that once the Word penetrates, then it is able to judge. It is fully sufficient and entirely capable to judge (kritikos). It’s fully capable of rendering God’s judgment to the heart; you’ve been found weighed in the balances and found wanting, under His wrath; but there is a Savior who can save you. But it must first bring about the sentence of condemnation; the word of God is to sit in judgment as a “critic.”

Liberal critics want to sit in judgment on the Bible. But the Bible is not on trial — we are. It’s the Word of God that is able to judge… notice “the thoughts & intentions of the heart.” It judges and exposes and renders God’s verdict on the secret thoughts, inner desires, personal ambitions, the driving motives. It gets behind, deeper than just outward actions. It alone is able to judge the heart, thoughts and intentions that stand behind our evil actions.

V. 13: “and there is no creature hidden from his sight.” The word “and” shows it’s a a continuation. It’s saying it’s the Word of God that uncovers everything and the secret thoughts of the unbelievers. It’s the Word of God that opens us up and allows us to see what God sees when He looks into the inner person. That’s what v. 13 is saying. “All things”: every attitude, motive, action… “are open” out in the open exposed, made visible. The word “open” comes from the root word where we get “gymnasium,” where the athlete goes to work out. He would strip down so there would be no hindrance from his clothing. Same word used here. It tells us the Word strips the conscience and exposes the inner heart. We stand naked and uncovered before a holy God with no place to hide behind. We stand stark naked before God because the ministry of the Word of God because the ministry of God’s Word has made us open and transparent before God. And we realize how God sees us, that we are sinners an fallen short. Then he says, “and laid bare.” Once the word of God strips us down, we are then “laid bare,” from which we derive “trachea.” It refers to the neck. Laid bare, conveys the idea of seizing by the neck, to expose a victim’s neck for killing. To pull back whatever would be covering the neck; in opening the neck of a sacrifice; or a wrestling opponent held back to the point of choking the neck. The Word of God is able to bring a man under a deep conviction of sin because their heart is exposed before God. How many times has someone come up to me after a service in a quiet tone, “You’ve been talking to my wife, haven’t you?” What has happened is the sharp two-edged sword has laid him bare and for the first time in his life he begins to see himself as God sees him.

Notice end of v. 13 “… to whom we must give an account.” The Word of God heightens our sense of accountability before a holy God; to the One who is speaking to me in and through His Word. This is the effect when the Word is ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit. The sinner will be stripped naked, completely exposed and see himself as God sees him. No longer hiding under rags of self-righteousness, but his head will be pushed up and neck laid bare. And the sharp sword is pressed to the neck, and the throat slit, heart pierced, conscience smitten. The sinner is naked before a holy God is hopeless, helpless, exposed & ready to give account to God; and ready to agree that he stands before the holy throne of God.

Only the word of God can convince sinners that they are sinners; only it can bring them to the end of themselves, stripping off self-righteousness and leave them naked before almighty God and under a sense of guilt before Him who has sent the Holy Spirit into the world to convince men of sin & self-righteousness and judgment.

Finally, it is the saving Word. We need to see this final word. It doesn’t just judge, it judges for a higher purpose: to bring sinners to Christ that they might receive His forgiveness and mercy. Notice the “for” at beginning of v. 12, which connects this verse with what immediately preceded. And what precedes? One of the great evangelistic pleas of the Word of God, to hesitant Hebrews. In chapter 3, he is pleading with those who are still unwilling to fully commit themselves to Christ. Look at v. 7: “therefore just as the Holy Spirit says” and quotes Psalm 95:7. Even in this 1st century he was speaking through His Word to compel them to come all the way to God through faith. How it provokes God for men to hear the gospel and halt between two opinions and not come all the way to Christ. In 3:15, 4:2, “the word they heard didn’t profit them… it was not united by faith.” It’s not enough to be a hearer, but you must respond by faith and be a doer of the Word and to come all the way to Christ. It’s God pleading sinners to come to the grace of God in the Lord Jesus. In v. 4:7, let us be diligent to enter that rest; not by our own religious routines, efforts, traditions. Let us be diligent to enter into the rest of the Lord Jesus Christ… and the next verse “for the Word of God is active.” That is why you must hear his voice, why you must respond in faith, why you must repent of your sins, why you must humble yourself and surrender your life to him today. This is the saving word. That is why it’s our greatest joy to say, “Come let us reason together…” We stand before sinners and say, “Ho everyone who thirsts, come to the water…” We stand before sinners and say, “Enter by the narrow gate… few are those that find it.” And “Truly, truly he who hears my words.. is like the wise man who built his house upon a rock…. he who hears and doesn’t act upon [my words] is like a man who built his house on the sand… great was its fall.” We preach this saving Word: “if any man thirsts, let him come and drink and out of his inner being shall come rivers of living water.” “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” When that seed is poured on soul prepared by God, God causes it to germinate and bear fruit.

This word cuts in judgment but also salvation; and brings sinners into the glorious state of no condemnation before God. You must be a man of one book. O preacher man, unsheath the sword. No battle was ever won when the sword was not pulled out. Take this book: open it,read it, study it, preach it, proclaim it. Put down all other blades, they are all dull & blunt. Too many preachers have taken up battle with a butter knife & plastic utensils. Pick up the sharp two-edged sword of the Word of God! Wield the sword confidently; no armor is thick enough to repel its thrusts. No heart too hard to resist it when accompanied by the power of God. Take up the sword it, wield it, let it do its work. Be a minister of death unto death and life unto life; for we have nothing to say apart from the Word of God.

[Our DSL service was down for much of this afternoon and evening, and therefore this site. Sorry to those of you who attempted to visit, and thanks for your perseverance in doing so! Hopefully we don’t have any more such outages in the near future…]

It’s been a longer day, so to speak, today, with 2 general sessions in the morning in addition to two full seminar sessions. And tonight looks to be no less intense, with the respected Al Mohler bringing the keynote. This is my first time hearing him in person, and I’m looking forward to his insights (from Scripture); I always appreciate his exhortations for Christians to be in the world, yet not of it.

My goal, by the way, in including notes on the music is to help provide the sense that conferees have expressed over and over; that the glory of these sessions isn’t just from the excellent preaching, but the musical offerings and corporate praise as well.

The session began with an organ prelude of “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise.” It’s interesting that the organ doesn’t sound so nearly as antiquated when played by a gifted organist. Clayton Erb then called us to worship with an exhortation to sing to the Lord. We opened with “Come Thou, Almighty King.” We were then blessed with a musical offering from The Master’s Chorale, singing the gospel spiritual, “I Woke Up This Morning with My Mind Stayed on Jesus.”

They then sang, a cappella, another beautiful meditation, “You are the light we seek,” highlighting the centrality of God as the one we adore, seek, glorify, sing to, pray to, and honor. Wow, how lovely was that. Can I just say, I love a cappella ensemble music? =-)

This was followed by yet another piece, with piano accompaniment, the hymn “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” whose lyrics, as sung, were:

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever.

This was done with a subtle, light piano between verses, but a cappella for the actual verses. Beautifully sung, almost a lullaby. It really conveyed the peace that comes with having the King of love as our tender shepherd. It didn’t hurt that the song is set to the same beautiful tune (St. Columba) as my favorite hymn, “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place.” I’ll definitely have to add this one to our church’s repertoire.

John MacArthur stepped up to the podium, greeted the choir, and then offered praise for the beauty of the music, and led us in the reading of God’s Word in Revelation 1:9-20 before leading us in corporate prayer.

The Master’s Chorale then sang a song in Swahili. Josh Maseko, a student studying biology at TMC and yearning to be a doctor so he could go back to his home of Uganda in Africa to plant hospitals, gave some context on his country’s situation. He came to the U.S. which is unusual for a Ugandan boy, and even more unusual going to the Master’s College. He’s learned the wonders of God’s grace esp. since coming to TMC, and seeing so many at the conference who love the Lord excites His heart. It’s very exciting to see that we see a very big God. The chorale then commenced to sing “All Creatures of Our God and King” in Swahili, with an African responsive chant style.

Clayton Erb then took to the pulpit and thanked the chorale for their music, and Dr. Plew, the director, for the beautiful music; and then invited us to sing together “All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” based on Psalm 100.

John MacArthur then came up and expressed his joy at his privilege at serving as president of The Master’s College (among whose students he’s known as “Johnny Mac”), and the chance to influence the students there for the cause of the kingdom and the cause of the gospel. He then introduced Al Mohler, who has ministered at this conference and to Grace Church over the years. Mohler’s story is amazing, and per MacArthur has lived a full and influential and impactful life. At age 32, he became president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He encouraged conferees to tune into Al Mohler’s radio program, and to read his blog; you’ll have someone who articulates the issues we face today better than anyone he knows. Mohler’s finishing a book, He Is Not Silent, which is a theology of preaching. He’s finished the book, except for one chapter, which will be done after tonight — which will be the first chapter of that book.

(The remainder is from the speaker’s perspective)

What an honor to be here with you, with Dr. MacArthur. Listening to that marvelous chorale, and I thought how many have heard what has been preached from this pulpit (which disappears at times!). But there is no time when Dr. MacArthur’s voice is not heard somewhere around the world. We are drawn here because of the ministry of John and GCC and all that is represented here. Some of you have said you make it through the year to get here once again. I know as I look out at you, I see a lot of preachers who find tremendous encouragement from being here, in the company of so many other preachers. This is one of the few places where you don’t have to explain what you do for a living, or defend preaching, or when faces light up when they learn you’re a preacher (laughter).

We are living in strange times. One of the hallmarks of our time is a crisis in preaching, something we have to admit (unless we want to exercise mass delusion). How likely to you believe one is, or you would be, to hear an expository sermon when you go in and sit in an evangelical church? An honest answer says you really don’t have an assured expectation that you’ll hear the exposition of the Word of God. When you visit an evangelical church, what is your real expectation? When you consider your answer to that question, do you believe that as time goes forward that it’s more likely or less so that you’ll hear an expository message?

Look at the literature, resources, websites published in the Christian world. See how little exposition is there displayed. By God’s grace and mercy it’s not true here, or among us. But it’s increasingly true in the church at large. So we have to ask why this is the case. It seems as if there has been the unilateral disarmament of the evangelical church, exposition should be the easiest thing to understand. You have to be clever to mess it up! In Neh. 8, we see the display of what preaching is all about. It’s simple to conceive:

1 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it before the square which was in front of the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD the great God. And all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, explained the law to the people while the people remained in their place. 8 They read from the book, from the law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.

I didn’t say exposition was an easy thing to do, just an easy thing to understand. Look at v. 8. Just how possible is it to misunderstand verse 8?!!! What is it in those few words we are capable of misunderstanding. It’s simple: read the book and explain it. Here’s the pattern, write it down; there’s nothing hidden here: re-explain, re-explain, re-explain.

Here’s the thing about preaching & exposition: you read the text, and explain it. You go home, come back, and do the same. What don’t we understand? Instructions are really important. I’ve decided instructions aren’t really important, I don’t have the patience to read instructions. I go to Toys R Us and pay them to assemble the bicycle for me. And sometimes the instructions aren’t adequate anyway. One of my students went and bought a crib for their soon to be born baby. He committed to putting it together that night. And he did. But he missed something. He put together the crib only to discover one missing instruction: put it together in the room to be used. But there’s nothing missing from our instruction: you read the book and you explain it.

Now there’s a little bit more to it than that. But think of preaching today. How can it be so pervasively missed? There is one more thing, a calling. Turn to Ezra 7:6: ” This Ezra went up from Babylon, and he was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all he requested because the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.” Not just anyone is assigned to do this, to take up this instruction and give the Word. Calling is very important, indispensable. Even Artaxerxes recognized this. We understand the evidence of the call as well. In 7:10 we see “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.” Calling and study were both very much a part of what made Ezra a preacher.

Then we look at v. 11: ” Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, learned in the words of the commandments of the LORD and His statutes to Israel.” A preacher is one called by God, a man in whom the congregation recognizes the hand of the Lord is upon him, they see his preparation, his study. Then it’s simple: read, explain, repeat.

2 Tim 4:1-2: “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” Again I ask you, how clever do yo have to be to misunderstand this? Paul used straightforward words. The English translation uses simple words, no polysyllabic constructions here: “preach the word, in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort with great patience and instruction.” Lather, rinse, repeat. Again and again.

So why is it not happening? Why is the exposition of Scriptures so evacuated, missing, alien from so many of our pulpits & preachers. Mark Twain once commented, “There’s no preacher happier than a writer not writing.” I think I may know one, because there are so many. We add to this problem by discussing expository preaching as the superior mode of preaching. When we add to that pattern, we do injury to it. Because according to the Bible, exposition is preaching. If it isn’t exposition, it isn’t preaching! You may speak, you may talk, but if you do not read the text and preach it, reproving, rebuking, exhorting from the text, you’re not preaching! We have to stop saying, I prefer expository preaching. We should say, “I’m a preacher, this is what I do. I read the text and explain it. Then I go home and study. And then I come back and do the same.” It’s simple, which makes it tragically absent. The problem is not faulty technique, but faulty theology. It’s not that preaching as an art is in eclipse. It’s a deeply theological problem.

I want to center our thoughts on Deut. 4:32-40. I want us to see what is at stake, and a means of recovery, and to feel the urgency of this text as it applies to the exposition of the Word of God.

32 “Indeed, ask now concerning the former days which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and inquire from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it? 33 “Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard it, and survived? 34 “Or has a god tried to go to take for himself a nation from within another nation by trials, by signs and wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and by great terrors, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 35 “To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. 36 “Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire. 37 “Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power, 38 driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in and to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today. 39 “Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the LORD, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. 40 “So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may live long on the land which the LORD your God is giving you for all time.”

The Lord here is speaking through Moses. Moses is a prophet through whom God is speaking to His people, the first person is God speaking through Moses, and then Moses gives a commentary. Deuteronomy is so intensely theological that scholars refer to a deuteronomic theology. It’s the 3rd most quoted book in the NT behind Psalms and Isaiah. Moses is preparing them to enter the promised land, and behind them is all sorts of history. This is the generation that shall enter the land of promises, without Moses. In the great sermons of Deut, the Lord is speaking to His people that they may be prepared for the challenge before them. It is the 2nd giving of the law, because even as Moses as once again speaks the 10 commandments and the law of God; this is the 2nd time for them to be faithful unlike those who died in the wilderness. Now how will they be ready, prepared? The book of Deut is not primarily a military or geographical briefing. It’s about the Word of God. It’s about the gift that God has spoken, and the necessity of hearing when God speaks, and the regularity of hearing when God speaks, and the mandate of doing what God says. After the introductory word of the first 3 chapters, he begins chapter 4, “Now, O Israel, listen.” Deut is a word-centered theology. What Moses says here is hearing His word is not a matter of success, but of survival, of life and death. The entire logic of Deut is hearing & obeying is life, refusing to hear and disobeying is death. Moses wants them to know that life & death hang in the balance of the Word. The Word will constitute who they are because God has called them and He has spoken. I want to submit that the central problem in our crisis in preaching is somehow we believe this has changed. Somehow we must believe that in the wilderness it’s life & death; but something less in our churches. The only diagnosis I can offer that expos. preaching is in decline, is that we lost the belief that the Word of God is a matter of life and death. But it always has been, and always will be, and woe to the preacher that forgets this.

I want you to see that the true & living God is the one who speaks. We didn’t entice God to reveal himself, but out of His love & mercy He speaks to us. The true and living God is the one who speaks. Schaeffer wrote a powerful book, He Is There and He Is Not Silent. Those two phrases express the starting point for Christian theology. I’ve taken the second half of that as the title of my theology of preaching. Why are we preaching? Because He is not silent. What is our confidence in our preaching? Because He still speaks. This is the miracle of revelation, it’s God’s mercy & grace manifested. In Deut 4:10-19, this is clear:

10 “Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, `Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’ 11 “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, and the mountain burned with fire to the very heart of the heavens: darkness, cloud and thick gloom. 12 “Then the LORD spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words, but you saw no form–only a voice. 13 “So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone. 14 “The LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might perform them in the land where you are going over to possess it. 15 “So watch yourselves carefully, since you did not see any form on the day the LORD spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, 16 so that you do not act corruptly and make a graven image for yourselves in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water below the earth. 19 “And beware not to lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, and be drawn away and worship them and serve them, those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.

Note how he lovingly reminds him that they were at the foot of the mountain.

[At this point, I’m wondering if Al Mohler has a manuscript I could sneak up and photocopy! *grin*]

Notice the language: “you were there at Horeb.” Remember, many of those who are listening weren’t there because they weren’t born. But they were there in their fathers, and because God loved their forefathers, they were there. This is the sense in Christian preaching, this is living Word, and we too were there because by God’s gift of revelation we are there. This Word is for us, because He chose us and we were there. “You heard His voice,” Moses said, “and you saw no form. You did not see a likeness, you heard a voice.” The great danger here is idolatry. We haven’t moved past this ourselves, we’ve just become more sophisticated in our idolatry. That’s the distinction of the OT: the pagans speak to the idols, whereas the true & living God speaks to His people. Elijah would use this when he confronts the pagan priests of Baal in 1 Kings. The priests raved, but there was no voice, no one answered. Think about where we would be if God had not spoken. We’d be in the same place as those pagan priests. We could draw a crowd, but if God had not spoken we are just as damned, dead and lost. Jeremiah 10:5 compares idols to scarecrows in a field. You’ve either got the Word of God or scarecrows in a cucumber field. The scarecrow can’t speak. Paul in 1 Cor 12 tells them when they were pagans they followed mute idols. This has to be a chastening. This is different from Moses in Deut 4. Moses said remember when God spoke. Here Paul is saying the opposite. This again demonstrates to us the gift of revelation.

One of my theological mentors is Carl Henry, who said God forfeits his own personal privacy that His creatures may know Him. God is infinite in perfections, sovereign in majesty. Wow. Wouldn’t you think people who are recipients of that gift would live by it? Nourished by it? Cling to it? Wouldn’t you think that those who were called to preach that word would read the text and explain it.

Again in Deut 4, the gift of revelation, there is a revelation given to all peoples everywhere, as Paul alludes to in Romans 1 of creation. There isn’t a single human being made in God’s image who doesn’t have a conscience that cries out the knowledge of a creator and a moral sensibility that one has violated the law. But Paul also says in Romans 1, the problem is perpetually idolatry. And also that the consequence of the fall who by general revelation is going to come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. this is where we are dependent on special revelation. And we know this comes as God speaks.

I fear that there are many evangelicals, pulpits that think that God spoke (past tense only!). But if you think that God’s speaking is all in the past, then resign. If you do not believe that God now speaks, what are you doing? If you haven’t the confidence that God is speaking through because God is speaking through His word, then quit. We are completely dependent on spiritual revelation. Even as God spoke in the past, we have this God-breathed revelation, we have in Scripture God speaking to His people now even as in time past. This is inspired Scripture, the inerrant and infallible Word of God. If you believe anything less, you believe that God speaks haltingly. That His voice is “somewhere,” rather than in every word of Scripture. But Hebrews 1 makes it clear that God has spoken to us in His Son. That’s why we are here as Christian preachers. It is a matter of life & death. We have to ask, “What if God had not spoken? What if He hadn’t called Moses from the burning bush? What if God had not spoken at the mountain, through the Law, through the Prophets, and finally through His Son?” We would lost in a meaningless nihilistic cosmos. If God does not speak, eat drink & be merry for tomorrow we die.

Let’s admit there is no middle ground between these two positions. Let’s have nothing to do with those who are trying to come up with meaningful messages that are not true: if not true, the only meaning is diabolical. But God has spoken and it makes all the difference. Let us see clearly that if God has spoken it is life to those who hear, and death to those who do.

The second point you should see is that God speaks to His people. Have you noticed that hearing is tied directly to election? That God spoke to Israel is indicative of their election: “You’re the people to whom God spoke!” If not physically there, you were the seed. He didn’t speak to everyone, He spoke to you. Not to produce an arrogant, self-confident people; but a humble people who know it’s only by grace and mercy that God chose to speak to Israel and not the rest of the nations. That’s exactly the thrust of vv. 32ff.

32 “Indeed, ask now concerning the former days which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and inquire from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything been done like this great thing, or has anything been heard like it?

No, there hasn’t! No, Israel is along among the nations.

33 “Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard it, and survived? 34 “Or has a god tried to go to take for himself a nation from within another nation by trials, by signs and wonders and by war and by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm and by great terrors, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

How did Israel become captive? Because God intended to redeem them!

God intended to show His mighty arm to them and to the nations. Later on, we’re going to see that when their sons ask them, “What do these things mean?” In Josh 4 he tells his sons that the stones show us that God brought us out that we come in.

The primary focus is v. 33: “Has any people heard the voice of God speaking from the midst of the fire, as you have heard it, and survived?” How does Israel know that it’s God’s people? How do they know they’ve been chosen, that they are His? It’s because God spoke to them, and they’re alive to talk about it! No other people get to hear God speak through the fire, the omnipotent God, and survive.

This is where Calvin reminds us that it’s a good thing that God lowers His voice when He speaks to us so we’re not annihilated. Remember the sweet, “God spoke to us as a father to His children.” We see in the OT that Israel got to see its privilege, its place in God’s economy & covenants. But it’s also in the New Testament.

In Matthew 13, Jesus says, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” Not so the disciples would be arrogant, or because they were so sharp. How do you know you’re Mine, Jesus asks. Because it has been granted to know! What does he say later? “Blessed are your eyes because they see, blessed are you ears because they hear!” In Deut 4, Moses makes clear that God’s purpose for speaking to His people (v. 35): “To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. Out of the heavens He let you hear His voice to discipline you; and on earth He let you see His great fire, and you heard His words from the midst of the fire.” How do you know you’re a believer? It’s all of grace. And how does that happen? Because it’s by grace you heard! It has been granted to you to know, but not them. That’s hard to hear. It’s no different than when God spoke to Israel. It’s not about Israel’s power, their glory, their wisdom, their talents, their potential. God chose this tiny little people who couldn’t even draw a straight line through the wilderness in order to show His glory as the redeeming saving God who is faithful to His promises.

Why did God choose us? Why the grace of revelation to us? Paul says God chose the weak, the foolish things to shame the strong, the wise. It’s all about the grace and mercy of God. We find out who God’s people are because they hear his voice and obey. This shouldn’t lead to arrogance but humility. And it should lead to witness as well. Deut 4:6-8 says “So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, `Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? 8 “Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?” It’s not about you, it’s about my glory what I’m going to do through you. When you follow my statutes, the other nations are going to say, “What’s going on there? What nation has a God so gracious as to give them such just laws, that has heard from the one true and living God and survives?”

God’s saving, electing purpose is to create a people by the blood of His Son for His glory, and we in parallel with Israel are identified by the fact that we hear.

Third, see that God’s people hear and survive by hearing His Word. We see this in Deut. 30:11ff:

11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. 12 “It is not in heaven, that you should say, `Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 13 “Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, `Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ 14 “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.

Israel didn’t find the Word. It was given to them. Preacher doesn’t say, “Guess what I found!” The Word is near.

15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. 19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

For Israel the Word was like manna. Had to have it every day, fresh every day to survive. Every day they lived as God’s people by His Word. This word became health & life & blessing & identity. That’s why if we had time we’d look at Psalm 19, 119:89-112. How do I survive? By the Word of God! Israel cannot survive without the constant presence of God’s Word. And we again see that this is NT as well! Paul in Romans 10 that saving faith comes by hearing, and that by the word of Christ. In 2 Tim. 3:16-17, we have an eloquent testimony that the man of God is equipped for every good work by the Word of God. This is a testimony not only to the excellency of the Word but to its sufficiency. We have to live by the Word as much as Israel. That’s how we know who we are, who God is, who Christ is. Jesus himself testified to the lasting perfect nature of Scripture: “Not a stroke shall pass from the law til all is accomplished.”

How are we going to know who we are, we are His, how we are to live, that crucial life & death issue of obedience? How are we going to grow in grace? Only through the ministry of the Word.

Fourthly, preaching is always a matter of life & death. Therefore preaching had better be the exposition of Scriptures. Not just how are we going to grow our churches, ins pire our people; it’s a question of whether they’re going to live or they’re going to die. I believe it’s the entire logic of Scripture. It is a matter of life and death, blessing and curse. So it is always with Christian preaching. If the Bible is the perfect Word of God, it comes to the question of who’s going to speak: the preacher, or God? But when it’s the Word of God speaking through the preacher, then it is God who speaks, and that’s the difference between life & death. Do we arrogantly think that God’s people can live on our words? Obviously not. Life is only found in the Word of God. We live only because He is there and He is not silent. We have been called to this, and this is what we do. We obey the call, we study it, we get in front of God’s people, then we explain it. We preach, we reprove, rebuke, exhort & patiently teach and do it again until Jesus comes or we die.

Here’s what we hope for. This is what happens when God speaks. Here’s what we yearn for. When people leave a service and they walk out the door until they come back again; and as they walk out saying to one another, “Did we really hear the voice of God speaking through the midst of the fire and survive?”

This seminar, subtitled “an interactive forum on elder rule,” will be led by Rob Iverson. There are approximately 250 part-time employees. The majority of the workforce are our seminary students, we pay them a bit, and we work them like dogs and call it “ministry.” And they don’t dare complain. =-)

We are more staff-run, than elder-run. We expect the staff to manage day-to-day operation. When the elders come together, they think long-term. That’s their general mode of operation at Grace Church.

* Rob Iverson is the chairman of the elder board.
* John Bates, elder since 1971.
* Rich Haricek, been at Grace Church since 1979
* Chris Hamilton at church since 1972

Q: If John MacArthur were going to retire tomorrow, what would be the process for finding a replacement look like?

A: Jokingly, Rob Iverson said he would simply take over, as the chair of the board. =-) Our bylaws indicate that 75% of the congregation has to vote for the subsequent pastor. So they’re looking at changing that by-law. We don’t really think about this much. The reality is John will be probably like his dad, who preached til 80+, couldn’t get up the steps to preach. Retirement has never crossed his mind. He’s 68 now, so he takes more time off than he did when younger; which is trend will probably continue. When he dies, we’ll have to deal with it. There are probably no more than a handful of people in the U.S. that we could consider. It’s complicated, we have a seminary, a church, etc. It would be nice if we had one guy to take over both.

Q: How do elders make a decision? Start at top? Start at bottom? What are expectations for elders?

A: We have both pastor-elders and lay-elders. We work very hard to bring men on staff who have established character equal to the job we’re going to give them. We do believe in hiring men and getting out of the way. But there’s accountability between the broader board of elders and the pastor-elders. That comes out of relationship, not just position. It’s all about trust, holding together our leadership team. Are lay-elders organized over ministries? No, but it happens to work that we’re usually paired up with staff guys in ministry. We had a staff retreat a few years ago, and we got a laid out history of the trust between elder board and staff. There’s been an increasing level of trust. A lot can get done when you have a lot of trust get done.

Q: Our church recently moved to an eldership model. What’s the relationship between lay-elders and teaching/vocational-elders?

A: We believe that the elders are equal, but how? In the sense that we all get one vote. All our skills & gifts are different. We use them wherever we find opportunity. But we clearly see John as our primary leader. No point in hiring him as senior pastor and not expecting/demanding vision & leadership from him. In what sense does he attempt to lead & guide? He spends little time in day-to-day operation of the church. He’s generally present one day a week on campus, for staff meetings. So we operate andmake decisions with John not here, and we keep in touch with him, but mostly expect him to provide long-term direction & vision. He scarcely dominates an elder meeting, most of the time says nothing. But in terms of ministry direction and changes, he weighs in with principles and strategy.

A plurality of elders doesn’t mean you don’t have someone in the eldership with a special role. Note that John has never made a motion in an elder meeting that might create tension. He influences in other ways.

Q: Does the elder board have a formal process for risk assessment, esp. in strategic decisions?

A: Generally, we have an annual staff retreat, sometimes elders as well. We talk about SWOT: “strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats,” from which comes a strategic plan, and 4-5 key initiatives for the coming year. That becomes a grid by which you measure new decisions.

Q: How do you identify & develop potential new elders?

A: We’re consistently inconsistent. Chris describes that growing up in Grace Church, aspiring to be like one of the other men on the panel, who was an elder. He learned to love the church through that. The answer is, discipleship, discipleship, discipleship. What has built Grace Church is the process of discipleship. Ultimately that’s the role of an elder (cf. Acts 20). It answers how you interact with the pastoral staff, and you pour into their life with their now agenda. He meets with several guys right now who have an aspiration to being a lay elder at Grace Church years down the road. You can pour yourself into pastors, but what keeps the elders/church going is the next generation of (lay) eldership.

Three key principles from John’s book on leadership: availability, loyalty (to Scripture, to fellow elders/staff) and leadership (setting the standard from Scripture that others will follow, setting the vision that others will follow).

Also we operate on the process of unanimous agreement. Been there since day one. We live and die on this; we defer on decisions until we’re in full agreement.

Also a warning, don’t make an elder too quickly. Better not to do it, than suffer from poorly qualified men on leadership.

Q: What’s the dynamic between elder board & deacon board?

A: We don’t have a deacon board. We have no boards other than elder board. Deacons serve (GCC has 800). How do we involve them? They’re underneath various ministries, they’re not a “board.”

Q: Are all elders involved in some kind of ministry consisting of shepherding/teaching? Or are some involved in just oversight?

A: Generally, yes. There could be some older shepherds who are having trouble with finding time & energy to do it. You have to be shepherding/teaching or we’re going to wonder why you’re an elder. We’ve had that come up.

Q: How do you interpret “having children who believe?”

A: We have a high standard, which is that to be in leadership your children have to believe. If your child at any point in life abandons the faith in an obvious way, you should step off the elder board and minister to your kids. We’d rather walk away from higher principle in favor of lifting up the integrity of the office. If you know your kid is getting into trouble, you should raise your hand and take a year off from being an elder; and many times doesn’t come back.

If you have very small children, you wouldn’t be an elder. You could be on staff, young and ordained, but they wouldn’t be elders.

Q: What’s the church’s philosophy toward debt? How much cash on hand?

A: We have $4.3M of debt. In the last five years we’ve been growing our debt by fixing up bathrooms and other renovations (while interest is low, etc.). We’re not anti-debt. Neither are we “step out in faith.” We have healthy arguments on elder board. We capped out debt at $5M, because we felt our budget could handle it without hurting ministry.

Q: How do you resolve issues of trouble finding unanimity?

A: Usually issues come because things are “sprung” on the board. So it’s usually for lack of careful preparation. Most things aren’t critical, so we push it off for a week or a month. It’s usually clear, though, that we make a decision the next time. Those who are opposed, usually become the committee to resolve it. It’s not a free pass to say, I don’t like it; we make resolution happen.

Q: Are meetings public?

A: Yes. We don’t publish our minutes, but we’re not terribly good at publishing the decisions. We could do a better job. There’s a public part of the meeting, then private where non-elders are excused (e.g., discipline, issues we’re wrestling over) and then lay-elder only portion of meeting. We spend 5% on finance, of the remainder 50% on ministry updates and 50% of the time on discipline issues.

Q: On elder qualification, and “one wife,” if a person has been divorced prior to conversion what do we say?

A: We pass, usually because people won’t understand.

Q: What are things you’ve discussed at your level?

A: We sent out a pastor recently, we asked is it the right place to send, etc. Our former high school pastor just took a church in Indianapolis. One of the lay-elders traveled to meet with that church. It was an involved, collaborative process, part of shepherding our pastors. In the context of church discipline, restoring two people. John MacArthur gives reports on what’s on his agenda, ministry plans. Note that we’re a very mature church here, so a lot of the big battles were fought twenty years ago; the current eldership benefits from that now.

Trust issues are often dealt with among individual elders, which might previously have been dealt with by the entire board.

Q: What would you do for a situation where there is only one elder/pastor?

A: Your first priority is developing at least one other man. Find someone else to help be seen as a leader in the church. You’re vulnerable because you’ve got nobody but you. You have to work as quickly as possible to nurture someone into leadership.

Q: Thoughts on balancing between ministry and home, esp. lay elders?

A: It’s a huge problem here, there’s so much to do, you could lose your family in a heartbeat. We have to hold each other accountable. We’re usually paired up with a staff guy for that. You have to learn to say “no.” If you don’t make your family a priority, they won’t be. You don’t want your kid saying, “Why do you always have time for everyone else, but not for me?” We say ministry is your fifth priority after the Lord, your wife, your kids and your job. You do not have a ministry if those four aren’t functional.

Q: Qualifications for deaconnesses? Is a deaconness required to be married?

A: No.

One of the highlights of the conference for conferees is the distribution of “book bags” (previously noted here). When we broke for lunch today, the thousands of conferees got in a long line not only for lunch but for books:

After we each got a book bag, we were treated to a very SoCal-style lunch: catered burgers from In-N-Out Burger!

We actually waited nearly an hour for the line to dissipate before we got our lunch. Gives you a sense of the scale of the feeding effort going on here.

Bill Brandenstein (photo to the right below), assistant minister of music, and Clayton Erb, minister of music, introduced themselves as they commenced the seminar on Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs: The Changing Sound of Corporate Worship Music.

General purposes of music (Clayton Erb)

Dr. Erb then started by presenting the important foundation: a theology of worship. Quoting various authors/pastors, he presented some definitions. Worship ascribes eternal worth to God alone. Here are some comparisons of worship in Old vs. New Testament:

Music by divine mandate: Psalms & musical poetry is the only condition for doing music in the church. Be aware that after this life, all evangelism, preaching will be over. But we will continue to use music in the hereafter. So musicians we have a little longer ministry ahead of us. God’s eternal truths need to be in our music of course, i.e. in our lyrics, needing to be Biblical and meaningful.

Erb has pages & pages of Scriptures in the back of his music book talking about music (searched on “song,” “music” on biblegateway.com). Scriptural purposes for music evident from the Bible:

Ps. 27:6 – for vocal music

Ps. 150:3-4 – instrumental music

When he started almost no instruments were used except piano & organ. But he’s since used orchestra for many years.

Eph 5:18-19 – We can encourage one another through the singing & music that we have.

Col. 3:15-17 – Aids us in being thankful, amidst an especially self-centered thankless generation

Ps. 32:7-8 – Instruction, learning spiritual truths through music

Is. 55:11 – If our lyrics are excellent (Scriptural) it brings this verse into play

James 5:13 – Lifts the emotions of the heart

Ps. 43 – Even evangelism can be accomplished through the music

Spiritual music comes through spiritual people. The Levites, for example, were consecrated to God for service. They were set apart to be leaders in worship. OT priestly musicians were very skilled. Congregationally everyone can sing; but if they’re going to be put aside & presented to the congregation so the enjoyment of their music is not clouded by poor musicianship. There were many musicians in OT worship (4000+ musicians for King David). The greatness of many people worshiping God together; they were sanctified & unified. Be aware, though, that music offended God Himself on occasion (Amos 2:3) if their hearts were far from Him. Often when pastors join a church, the music ministry is utterly interested in being under the pastoral oversight of the church.

Every activity in Scripture that is pertinent to NT church for corporate worship (Bill B)

1. Praise and adoration based on the nature and work of God revealed in His Word (Ps 33). Praise is to reveal the attributes of God & doctrines of the Word (Ps 59, 89:1, 119)
2. Thanksgiving is commanded, to give thanks in all things (1 Th 5:18, Heb 13:15). Offering a sacrifice of praise.
3. Confession (Neh 9:12, Acts 19:18).
4. Public prayer (Acts 6:4; Mt 21:13; Col 4:2).
5. Intercession on behalf of each other (2 Cor. 1:11; 1 Th 5:25; Ja 5:14-16)
6. Ordinance of baptism (Matthew 19; Acts 2; Eph. 4)
7. Communion (1 Cor 11:23-26; Acts 2:42)
8. Giving (Acts 2:45; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor 9:5-7): don’t minimize that giving is an act of worship
9. Public reading of Scripture. Do not neglect reading it outside of the sermon time. (Neh. 8; 1 Tim 4:13)
10. Instruct in the Word (Acts 6:1-4; 1 Tim 4:14ff)
11. Application of the Word (Neh. 8:8)
12. Fellowship. Not fellowship hall dinner, but the exercise of spiritual gifts, where 1-1 we’re interacting & exhorting & encouraging one another (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor 12:7)
13. Church discipline. It’s necessary for the purifying of the body of Christ, for those who are claiming to be Christian but unrepentant of sin, with a view toward restoration (1 Cor 5:13)

Note that singing isn’t on our list. This is because many of these things can be accomplished through singing. We can praise, adore, and even confess through music. But we have all these things that are unchanging.

There are important things to apply as we consider the changing sound of corporate music. What are some unchanging Scriptural principles that apply to music in any age, any culture?

• Content-driven worship (Col. 3; Eph. 5). Our music is to be informed by a rich knowledge of the Word. The greatest value in music should be found in what it says. Equipping, so the flock can sing to one another in psalms, hymns & spiritual songs.
• The skillful example of the artisans of the OT. We are under grace, and though all are to edify, does that mean there’s no credibility to the OT example? No. There’s a respect and honor shown to him by careful craftmanship. We do the best we can, and the greatly skilled perhaps should have a place of ministry. There’s something to be said for “good art” that ministers at a deep level. At Grace, we have both participatory for everyone, and music of a higher complexity, e.g., for the choir. We hope the congregation participates by listening to the choir and thinking about what’s said, otherwise it’s just a performance. Pastors spend time & years preparing to preach, shouldn’t we aim for excellence in our corporate music as well? Some churches can offer musical training. One more note: extremely skillful music making transcends style in many instances. Not everyone loves classical music, but skillful music transcends the style.
• Let all be done to edify (1 Cor 14:26). At a musical level, personal preference is pushed aside to a certain extent. Things are to be done in order (not like some supposed religious services seen on TV that are utter bedlam).
• Do not use “worldly music.” Can’t define that, cuz the Bible doesn’t tell us. But you must define for your church in your community in your time what is worldly and what is appropriate. From a group perspective, there is a conflict of interest if they confuse what we do on Sunday with what they see in the world. If our brother hears in music that from which he was delivered in this age, how does it edify? When he was growing up there were popular music forms that represented everything raised up against God (society, stability, morality, etc.) and now those forms are all over the church. Perceptions can vary widely, so you have to lead wisely; there are some for whom, for example, rock music holds no worldly connotations whatsoever because that’s what they grew up with in a Christian home!
• Do not offend your brother/sister. Romans 14, “destroy with your food he for whom Christ died.” We are to be known by our love for one another. In many cases, music is a discipleship issue; you may need to work with a weaker brother to teach them were the Scripture delineates these issues.
• Include the mature & elderly in the life of the church (1 Jn 2:12-14, greetings of 2Jn and 3Jn). It’s important to have seasoned believers mentoring & discipling younger believers. If a church caters only to young people, how can that happen? So we feel a “balanced” music ministry with multiple musical styles is appropriate.
• Show reverence and awe in corporate worship. He appreciated Dr. MacArthur’s explanation of why he wears a tie & coat. We feel the same about the music. We often prefer hymns & traditional symphonic sounds, it’s an easy way to differentiate ourselves from the world to show awe. You may do it differently, but that’s how we’ve done it in our main morning services. Heb. 12:28-29 are not directly concerned with corporate worship, but personal; yet if personal doesn’t affect corporate, then what are we worshiping. Also consider Is. 6 and Rev. 5, what do you see there? Emphasis on God’s holiness & loftiness that is so profound. Our worship should be conceived not to dumb down the loftiness/transcendence of God. We see a lot of emphasis on personal intimacy with god in a lot of the choruses, which is good; but it should be balanced.

How do you deal with choosing contemporary music? When you evaluate the music, ask these questions:

• Is it memorable and singable? If you are able to examine the structure… is it sophisticated enough that it creates interest, but accessible enough that everyone can sing it. Songs that stick tend to be substantial and interesting. A lot of music today is uninteresting melodically.
• Is the music well-crafted? Is it a short idea repeated many ideas with few chords, or is there some measure of skill that creates interest, taking you somewhere?
• Does the sound & style of the music appropriately support the lyrics? If it doesn’t, the music will fight or obscure the message of the song.
• Is the style of music able to be appreciated by many in the church family? Or is it transient, resulting in fleeting interest.
• Is it crafted well so it doesn’t sound trite or cheap?

How do you evaluate the lyrics? A bit easier cuz you can look at theology. Examine the content of every lyric in your service, so the whole package presents a sound theology.

• Use lyrics that say something unique.
• Check the lyrics for charismatic and experience-driven theology, e.g., “Holy Spirit rain down on us,” “more of your presence,” etc. Feelings have a place but there are more important things.
• Look for a balance between subjective and objective realities.
• Pursue emotion-filled worship instead of emotion-driven worship. Psalms are full of emotions (”shout for joy to the Lord”) but we are responding to the truths of God, not just coming to “get an experience” we are coming to give Him reverence. A right understanding of the word shows emotions is a response to Biblical truth.
• Have a right understanding of God’s presence. Getting good music, experience doesn’t mean suddenly God was present (1 Cor 2:12; John 3:34), He was always there!
• Avoid misrepresentation of spiritual warfare
• Avoid materials created for seeker services. We don’t want vague songs that don’t talk in details about God, about Christ.
• Avoid vain repetition. Someone has coined “7-11″ (seven words repeated eleven times). We can’t really use those songs a whole lot.

How to Fill Your Services with Meaningful Things (Clayton Erb)

If you’re working with children, teaching them songs, make sure they’re Biblically correct. Don’t give them metaphors, give them direct “God is love,” “Jesus is our Savior.” Don’t use songs like “Deep and wide” unless you’re going to spend time explaining what you’re talking about!

Creative worship services:

• Pre-service options: live music or CDs. Silent prayer, meditation
• Call to worship: if you don’t have a choir, have a Scripture or other call to worship
• Special music: choirs, solos, duets, quartets, instrumentals
• Never call them “announcements,” call them ministry opportunities. Only announce things that are relevant for everyone, other things people can read
• Giving
• Message time: multimedia, whatever
• Close of service: sing a hymn, say a prayer, have an invitation (not aisle, but availability of prayer room)
• Instrumental postlude: live or pre-recorded

The whole concept of special music needs to go away. Does that mean the congregation isn’t special? No we call it an anthem, a trio, etc. It’s a musical offering. To demean the rest of the ministry is not our intent, but we probably do.

Erb went to a church nearby for a few weeks and they sang a bunch of songs he didn’t know. Then they sang “Great Is They Faithfulness” and everyone sang, then returned to songs where no one sang!

The changing sound of corporate worship involves transitioning different instrumental combinations & styles of music. You’ve heard acoustic & classical, and that’s good. What’s interesting is that the way that music is produced is rather different. Traditional music has to be careful scored out; contemporary music is much more improvisatory which is a tremendous advantage for a smaller church.

Make sure you have one excellent accompanist, even a high schooler who can play well. You should have one skilled accompanist who can play piano or synthesizer. Then you can add an electric bass. Then add an acoustic guitar. Finally, you can add drums. But you don’t do everything with the same instrumentation. If you do a lead sheet, have it come and go, piano only, a cappella, etc. Why not a pianist & a drummer? It’s a bad sound, you need an electric bass for the bottom. Don’t put instruments together that don’t work well.

You need to have a sanctified drummer. If not available, it’s all over. If volume is so loud that it covers up everything else, there’s no point to it. We now have dummy (electric) drums, which are a blessing, but no drummer likes to use them. Plexiglass cage can also help (and can shield them from the bullets, ha ha).

Q&A

Points made during Q&A:

• The use of unbelieving musicians is an issue for the elders. They’ve seen it work — though not those who are leaders/vocalists, but instrumentalists, etc.
• It’s better to have group singing than an individual. Also, choirs are a good thing.
• My job as a music minister is to protect the congregation from bad musicians (slight joke).
• Ill qualified musicians? Implement change slowly. Encourage folks to get training in singing, etc. What about choir members who can’t sing? A tone-deaf person is like someone who’s color blind, we suggest they not go on to the bomb squad for their job; so if you can’t sing, don’t join the choir.
• Introducing a new song: make sure it’s singable, have it sung by a group, or instrumentally. Words are in the handout. Maybe a week later have the congregation sing it.
• Is music moral or amoral? You can’t compare it that way. Does it directly connote something with moral meaning? Not usually. But over a certain volume, adrenaline kicks in, there are physiological responses to sound, we can use it, but don’t abuse it.
• Regarding practice of music. Is it mandatory? Can I sing on Sunday if I miss it? We send MP3 files to our musicians; we’ll use original CD or bang out their part & email them their music. We can do it for the first time and nail it, because they practiced by themselves. If you can send out original CD tracks, you need copyright permissions.
• Regarding improvisation, it seems counterintuitive to corporate music? Bill supports improvisation from a lead sheet (reading chords, figuring out the lines from the sheet, fill in, etc.); in contrast to detailed instrumentation. But that’s not the same as soloing off, if it’s too wild, we draw that in. Bill doesn’t like long instrumental breaks.

With Clayton Erb on piano, John MacArthur led us in singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place.” Then we were ministered in song by Aubrey Seibert (?) singing, “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.”

She sang it in the familiar tune but with much more jazzy styling than I’ve heard it before:

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

John MacArthur then again stepped up to start the Q&A session with encouraging folks to visit the Grace To You website for more complete answers to questions.

(The remainder from the perspective of the speaker)

For the past few months, I’ve been doing a series on doctrines, particularly the Doctrines of Grace. So there are a lot of resources on the GTY website, including questions like, “How do I respond to the problem of evil?” Before opening the floor for questions, I wanted to address a couple of questions that came up from his sermons.

The first is regarding my strong statements regarding contextualization. I believe that byword has become a curse. “We have to change the way we dress, look, sing, in order to ‘contextualize,’ to connect with people at the level of their exposure to broader culture.” This isn’t anything really now. I can think of just 15 or so years ago, when a prominent pastor in the U.S. took his whole staff into a X-rated movie so they could experience what their people were experiencing; and this was advocated in a national magazine. That’s actually 15 years ago, the first time I’d seen something like that, and it seemed very extreme. But it’s become a symbol of where the church growth movement was going to go.

But the way to have an impact in ministry is not to have great stories, but the way is to help people to understand the Bible. If an illustration helps with their understanding, that’s great, but remember you’re trying to get people into the Scripture. The authority & impact can’t reside with you, your cleverness, etc. They must understand that the message you preach transcends you. The authority is the Word of God, and they have to be brought under it. They have to see that God is holy, God is angry with the wicked every day, and He has a right to be angry. That God has a severe aversion to sin. I’m going to preach on the garden on Gethsemane on Sunday, because that’s where we see the wrath of God played out. The agony is so great in the garden because he’s abandon His righteousness and embrace sin and its consequences. This is an agony beyond comprehension. People wonder why Jesus agonized; but this is the most normal thing for Holy God to do. These are simple thoughts that we can convey to anyone. You don’t have to wear certain clothes, act a certain way, be cool; to communicate that.

All ministry is mind to mind. The sooner you can learn to leapfrog the culture, the better.  We’re after how people think, and how they think about truth and God and sin and salvation. In any context, all you’re endeavoring to do is to help them understand the authoritative Word of God. You start from where they are, sometimes you have to show them the Bible is the Word of God. Compare Acts when preaching to Jews, you start with the Old Testament. You start where they are, but eventually you have to tell them, the God you identify as unknown, is the God who made heaven and earth… and commands all men everywhere to repent, because He is going to judge the world by the man Jesus Christ. You want to get to the gospel in the Word of God as soon as you can. You want to bind people’s fear & conscience to the Scripture. And you have an ally in the heart because God has written His law in their hearts (Romans). All we’re trying to do is bringing to bear on people the truth of Scripture about man, judgment, forgiveness, heaven, hell. The explanation in the end is what the Scripture says, not trying to get people to tremble under your preaching per se, but under the weight of divine authority.

I say this because we have people coming into our church and joining. And 85% of them are in their 30’s and under, and they’re the very people that the church growth movement says we can’t reach. And they’re from all cultures, languages. And yet all we’re doing is striving to help people understand what the Bible says and its indication in their lives. Some people ask, why do I wear a tie? Because I have respect for this responsibility. I wear a suit because this is a more elevated experience for people. I’m trying to convey what people convey at a wedding: this is more serious than any normal activity. This is the most serious occasion anyone will attend in their life: the preaching of the Word of God. I don’t want to join with our culture in sinking into the casual. We have a generation that’s never been to anything formal. And if my dress goes down, the people at the bottom go down, and then we gym shorts!

All I’m saying is, it doesn’t matter. It’s the ability to convey the meaning of Scripture. Superficial things aren’t the issue. I never use an illustration from a movie or song or a TV program, because I really don’t want to affirm anything in that culture. I am largely clueless about that. People ask if I read things to get in touch with culture. Are you kidding, you can’t avoid it! But I understand that culture changes, but the human heart never changes! There’s this new trend to get away from the law, because the law doesn’t recognize the need for contextualization. We have to shift away and talk about idols of the heart, because people don’t believe in absolutes. Which they understand, because everyone worships, etc. I understand the significance of idolatry, but the themes of NT are all about bringing the law of God to bear on the sinner, so the sinner is driven to the ground under the full weight of his guilt! I’ve been here at Grace Church for 40 years, on the radio for a long time on GTY, and there’s a sermon on GTY radio that may be 6 months old, or 32 years old. And the people listening to it wouldn’t know the difference. Because all I’m trying to do is explain the meaning of the Word of God. And you want to use any avenue to do so short of affirming the culture. I don’t need to borrow or certainly not to accredit the culture by being overly familiar with it. Becoming all things to all men means looking into the situation and seeing where they are in their religious thinking, to find a starting point to move them into Scripture.

Another question came, what verses do advocates of the church growth movement use to justify their movement? I don’t know of any. The only exception I can think of is Rick Warren referring to unbelievers coming into the church in 1 Cor 14, that if unbelievers are present, we have to change what we do. That’s not what that is talking about, it’s saying “don’t ever do that because people think you’re crazy.” But in terms of serious exposition/defense, I haven’t seen anything like that. Tomorrow, Phil Johnson will preach on Acts 17, talking about tweaking/contextualizing your message.

Another question, how do I shepherd my people with respect to the upcoming presidential election, esp. with no clearly pro-life candidate? My answer is it has nothing to do with the kingdom of God! He then made some deprecatory quips about Jimmy Carter taking the office of president too seriously [sorry, past my historical familiarity to go into detail]. In all seriousness, you do what your conscience tells you to do. But one thing: if you’re going to have your brain operated on, you might like to have a Christian. But I’d rather have someone in there who knew what a brain was, and had done it before. This subject of presidential politics, really, though, is really nowhere on my priority list. I voted for Huckabee in the primary, that was my best shot based on other’s thoughts; but the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world are entirely separate entities. I think we’re experiencing Romans 1 wrath in the church (I have a message on Focus on the Family about this) right now. When God turns a nation over, there’s a sexual revolution, then a homosexual revolution, then the minds stop working… and you vote those realities into law. I’m not surprised this nation has the kind of interest in the kind of leaders it has. But to clarify, I’m not indifferent: whenever I can actively vote for something that is righteous I do that.

Next question: there’s been a lot of movement toward home churches, please comment. I’m wondering, Is this coming out of Barna’s book? Barna has an aversion to preaching and it shows up in his writing. He says we gotta get the pontificating monologues out. I don’t think the church and the home are the same thing. I think the church can meet anywhere, in a home included; but they’re not the same thing. It’s the idea that we’re going to rescue the church, only by shutting down traditional Christianity and get into homes and have dialogue and personal touch and hear from everybody, and this is exactly what the emergent church is saying. My assessment is that movement is insignificant in the picture of the true church, and it will die. The more you fragment Christianity into little things, the more it tends to disappear. There’s always going to be a zillion forms of false churches. But if Christ builds His church, it will be built around the proclamation and application of the Bible. I don’t get too exercised about where these anti-church meets; it’s their theology & eccelesiology that’s aberrant; and the seed for their destruction is already built in. If you want to guarantee the obsolescence of your ministry, then over-define yourself by the culture, and you’ll be obsolete. It took Willow Creek 15 years to say we’re doing it all wrong? They’re done! if you never want to be obsolete, you’ve got to stay on track doing what the Word of God says to do! Stay in a ministry that’s Biblically defined.

Now taking questions from the aisles:

Q: Could you give us some advice to a young pastor/elder on balancing work of the ministry with being a godly husband & father in his home?

A: You probably want to ask my wife on how I did all these years. I think, first of all and critically, you need to love your wife. Cultivate that, in your own mind, in your own heart. Don’t let any other women get your attention. Don’t get drawn into any prolonged counseling with women, who are likely to look at you as the paragon of Christian virtue, etc. I don’t see marriage as complicated. If I know something that will bring my wife joy & benefit, I do it! Is it sacrifice? Yeah, sometimes. But I do it. It’s that simple. It’s not a question of time & hours. It’s simple things. I just think that’s where it starts where you really work at cultivating your relationship with your wife. Same goes for your children. I love being with my children, even more than any other children. Invest in their lives, so they know you love them, you will sacrifice for them. It’s an adventure as you try to work it out; but you’ve got to cultivate that affection in your own heart for your wife.

Really important: you need to continually convey to your wife your profound love for your ministry and the church. Because if you don’t, and she turns on the church, the conflict will never end. You need to convey the most thankful, satisfying attitude toward your church. You need to show them the most positive, because if they don’t love what you do, they will have a hard time letting you do it.

And of course, you’ve been given the mission field of your children. And when they come to know Christ, which is the most joyful thing in the world (and I’ve baptized about four deep generatoinally), there’s a commonality in our family. Instead of “Why is dad doing this or that?” it transcends it because of the cultivated love relationships.

Practically, I used to say, “I’ll come to your games if you come to my sermons.” Take advantage of the flexibility you have with your ministry. If you can take your children with you, and love what you do, and know that people love what you do, that’s for the best. Your children, if they know that people love what you do, they will love those people as well.

And have fun with your family. Don’t be so somber that life loses its joy. Kids need to have fun. But again, it starts with cultivating relationship with your wife.

Q: How important is it that a wife be on the same page with her husband in ministry? Can a man be an elder if his wife isn’t even in the same church?

A: No!!! Dead giveaway that you can’t manage your own household.

Q: I understand you have a writing pen collection. Can you talk about it?

A: I don’t use a computer. Trying to get me on a computer is ridiculous. They tried in the past with a huge computer. So I write everything with a pen, from rough drafts to final. “Man Writes Study Bible by Hand” was an article in the L.A. times about me. I don’t own a computer, so people give me pens. I think have 20-some pens. I get them as gifts, when I go places. They all have some relationship connected to them. They’re kind of a history for me. But please note: I do not need more pens!

Q: Regarding justification, the idea of Christ’s righteousness, does that include his active obedience in life or only in death?

A: It includes the righteousness of Christ which includes both. It’s an artificial bifurcation. How can you say Christ granted his active righteousness and not his passive, or vice versa. There’s only one righteousness in Christ, and it’s that which is granted to us. When He told John the Baptist, “I must fulfill all righteousness,” there was no other righteousness left to fulfill.

Q: Give us a clear definition of the difference between inerrancy and infallibility.

A: Inerrancy takes it down to the words. Infallibility goes up to the totality. An inerrant text is one without errors in the original autographs, therefore all it says is infallible. That’s the way theologians refer to these words. Infallible is broader. Some folks seem to use the word ‘infallible’ as an excuse to say it’s not ‘inerrant.’ But they just don’t want to deal with the purity of the Word, but they want to maintain the totality. You can’t do that.

Q: Is there a reason you’ve recently begun to more commonly refer to yourself as a Calvinist? Why use that term?

A: I don’t define myself as a Calvinist openly, typically on radio or TV. Here with you in this setting I’ll do that, at Ligonier conference I would; because there’s an accurate understanding of what that means. But in the open, you’d have to deal with all kinds of misconceptions. Truth is, I’m really not a Calvinist, I’m a “biblicist.” I think Calvin would feel sick if he knew folks were identifying themselves as Calvinists.

The reason I haven’t done it historically is for the very reason you identified, that people misunderstand or get hostile toward Arminians or Calvinists. I simply go in and teach the Word of God, and let it do its work, and they see the sovereignty of God in salvation (the light goes on), they see it everywhere. But I think it’s a lot better to sneak up on ‘em! I really don’t use labels, because I think they tend to play to misconceptions. People want to overidentify people. People used to ask, am I dispensationalist or not. I try to avoid labels, and just try to explain the Word of God and explain it. Eventually if you study the Word, you end up with the things we affirm as the true Biblical doctrines of salvation.

Q: Given that God saves only the elect, and that He desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 4a), does He desire that the non-elect to be saved; and if so what prevents that desire from being met?

A: That goes to the question of is God not willing that any should perish. Who are the ‘any,’ it can be shown is the elect. Who are the “all” in 1 Tim 4, you have to qualify it in context. In both 1 Tim & 2 Peter you can define those clearly in a context that indicates that our Lord has a desire for the salvation of all who have been chosen, and all who have been chosen will be saved. And you have to understand those passages in the broader context of Scripture. My commentary on 2 Peter has some morethoughts on that.

Q: If we join a church and suddenly discover they’re emerging, should we continue to stay?

A: Find out their view of Scripture, and if they reject the perspecuity and inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, you got to go. What’s their view of Jesus Christ and the gospel? If any deviation, you have to go.

With all due respect to the keynote speakers and the preaching of God’s Word, it seems inadequate to simple title these general session posts by the speaker name alone. This is more than just a classroom, or a sermon; it’s a genuine corporate worship experience. I came in Wednesday morning already feeling “full” from the rich fare of Bible teaching and corporate worship I experienced all day yesterday (from 10am until 8:30pm)! I feel like I could hardly take in more, and yet am excited at the prospect of more of the same.

We arrived this morning about an hour before the general session started to get our bearings and appreciate more of the hospitality of the church, mostly provided by volunteers who are members of Grace Community Church. This includes the conference bookstore, gift store, and various food tables:

The session began with a small band leading us in worship with piano, bass, guitar, and drums; singing “Indescribable,” the beautiful hymn “I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous),” and the moving “The Power of the Cross.” I was choked up by these beautiful meditations on the cross, surrounded by so many others in love with Christ!

John Martin, who played at the piano and led the congregational singing, then shared a song with us called “Were It Not for Grace.”

Terrific voice, terrific reflection on the powerful grace of God. Here are the lyrics:

Time measured out my days
Life carried me along
In my soul I yearned to follow God
But knew Id never be so strong
I looked hard at this world
To learn how heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began
Where human effort is all in vain

Chorus
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where Id be
Wandering down some pointless road to nowhere
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace

So here is all my praise
Expressed with all my heart
Offered to the Friend who took my place
And ran a course I could not start
And when He saw in full
Just how much His would cost
He still went the final mile between me and heaven
So I would not be lost

(repeat chorus)

This was followed by a video promoting the upcoming Resolved conference in June 2008 at Palm Springs. The video highlighted several clips of preachers (including C.J. Mahaney, John MacArthur, Rick Holland, Steve Lawson, John Piper) proclaiming the reality and aspects of Christ’s death.

John MacArthur then again took to the pulpit with a joke about the massive thunderous bass from the Resolved video (yes, we all felt it). He then proceeded to introduce the keynote speaker for this session, Rick Holland. Rick was recently moved into the role of senior associate pastor after years of overseeing the student ministries of Grace Church.

(Here begins Rick’s message)

It is an immense privilege to minister at Grace Church… though I have the daunting task of having to preach after John MacArthur every Sunday!