The John 3:16 Conference- Audio Files Posted

November 12, 2008
UPDATE: Since the question of legality has been raised I want to once more confer with people who know better than I on the subject of distribution in order to make sure that what I post here is in perfect alignment with American laws (and thus the Word of God).  Therefore, I will temporarily be suspending access to the audio recordings of The John 3:16 Conference.  Please check back to see the future status of these messages.  Thank you.
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As some of you may have realized by now, this past weekend I was able to attend the highly anticipated, highly controversial John 3.16 Conference at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, GA, sponsored by Jerry Vines Ministries. What you may not know is that I also obtained recordings of all the messages and the Q&A session on my personal recording device.

I had initially remarked on various sites about making these available by email, but after finding the file size was too large to transfer I decided that I would make them available here on my blog instead. So, if you are interested in hearing what exactly was said at the conference you will find all sessions ready for download located under the ‘Resources’ tab on the header. Granted, these are not the greatest quality mp3 you will ever encounter, but I would say that most of you will find them perfectly sufficient.

For those of you who may be concerned, the conference made no comments about prohibitions on recording media of any sort, nor were there signs posted, and after conferring with the tech guy at my church we determined that it is perfectly legal to distribute these recordings under standard copyright laws. So please, take a listen and help us to keep the leadership of the SBC accountable for what is being said while this hotly contested issue continues to boil. Enjoy!

PS- If you tried to download these earlier and found Dr. Keathley’s message unavailable, please know that I have fixed the problem and you should now be download it at your convenience.

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Posted by Todd Burus

How Many Rootless Trees in Our Orchard?- A Sermon on True Christianity from Matthew 13.3-23

November 3, 2008

“And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.’” -Matthew 13.3-9

60 million Americans claim to be evangelicals. 6 out of every 10 Americans say they have had a born-again experience with God. Do you believe that? Really, do you buy into those numbers? I don’t either. Yet, what can we do? Can we say these people aren’t saved? Can we say that what they think they experienced they didn’t? No, I wouldn’t encourage that. Then what?

Well, I think we must examine what the problem is. To me, and to many other American Christians, the problem is clear: to “be born-again” requires little more than an emotional response and an intellectual exercise in the vast majority of American churches. People pray a prayer, sign a card, walk an aisle, and splash around in a baptismal. But, at the end of the day, they still live however the hell they want to without the slightest change.

A few weeks ago JD Greear of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC preached a sermon on this covering the parable of the sower and the seeds. Here is a snippet of what he had to say:

See, here is what is troubling to me: our evangelical culture . . . really emphasizes a moment of conversion. . . . But did you notice, in this parable, these are all people who have made that initial response to Jesus? . . . Jesus’ warning is, these people though aren’t really followers of mine.

That’s right. Christ himself knew that there would be people who would show initial signs of conversion, a good start, and yet after a period of time (usually 8 weeks in the American church) they had fallen away. Now, this is not that they have been saved and then lost that salvation, but that they were never saved in the first place (Christ says that they “have no root” and “[prove] unfruitful“).

If this is the case, then why is it that we focus so much on simply getting an initial “conversion” and emphasizing our free grace theology? Well, the first reason, I think, is because it increases numbers a lot faster than the type of conversion and discipleship needed to grow solid followers of Christ, much in the same way that a healthy, fruitful tree requires more care than one that is withered and dead, with no root and fruitless. Second, it is much less confrontational. If all a person need do is sign a card and then that serves as their assurance for the rest of their life, that is certainly easier to promote than the radical repentance and accountability that true believers are called to. There are sure to be others, but I will stop and let you brainstorm the rest.

Also, while you ponder this issue, please take a listen to the sermon I noted above. JD Greear has a very easy to follow and yet profoundly deep style of teaching which I think really makes the prevalency and severity of this issue clear to see. Enjoy!

JD Greear- Why the Jesus Thing Never Takes with Some People; Matthew 13.3-23

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Posted by Todd Burus

More than Just a Ghost- Al Mohler on the Holy Spirit

October 24, 2008

“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” -John 14.25-26

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.” -John 15.26

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” -John 16.7-8

Growing up I did not have much church exposure, but, what exposure I did have came at services and camps which fell under the pentecostal denomination. Because of this, I had a strong initial presentation to belief in the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Now some 12-15 years later, and 7 years since joining a Southern Baptist church, a strong view of the Spirit is still a part of my faith (though with certain necessary orthodox changes from the pentecostal beliefs in spirit baptism, etc). However, as a Southern Baptist denominationally and a Calvinist soteriologically, I would have to say that the view portrayed of the Spirit in typical SBC life leaves something to be desired.

A couple of weeks ago Dr. Albert Mohler, president of Southern seminary, gave legs to this complaint. As one who shares the same reformed convictions as myself, Dr. Mohler knows all to well the necessity of a strong view of the Spirit in the work of regeneration and the inner testimony of assurance of salvation. He also knows the propensity of Baptists to avoid the idea of an active Spirit for fear of placing too much emphasis on seeking signs and gifts among the body of believers. Therefore, when approaching the topic of the Holy Spirit as spoken of in the Apostles Creed, Dr. Mohler delivered a thorough explication of the him as revealed to us by the words of Christ in John chapters 14 through 16, without going overboard into the more murky waters of the involvement of the Spirit in the life of the church a la the book of Acts.

I think his message, which was part of Southern seminary’s Heritage Week, is a must listen, particularly for those among us who err too frequently on the side of a passive, unimportant Spirit. As Dr. Mohler points out, the Spirit does not come to testify about himself (John 16.13), yet without his presence the church would be lost in the world (John 14.18).

Dr. Albert Mohler- The Apostles Creed: The Holy Spirit

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Posted by Todd Burus

You Didn’t Really Mean That, Did You?- Answering the Hell Question, Wrap-Up

October 13, 2008

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” -Titus 1.9

I just wanted to thank all of you who have taken the time to read this series of posts on the question of “If God is loving/good, how can he send someone to hell?” As I mentioned in the posts, and as I have stated before in various comments (here and here), this doctrine of hell is one of the most contentious points for evangelical Christianity today. It is being attacked from all sides and as such we need to have a strong, well-formed, and biblical position on it.

To close us out I would like to post a sermon by JD Greear from The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC that he gave a few weeks ago dealing with this question. In it I think he does a great job of answering the objections as well as using the doctrine of hell to give way to the Gospel. Please take the time to listen to this and to begin formulating your own response for the next time this question is asked to you.

JD Greear- How Could a Loving God Send Someone to Hell?

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Posted by Todd Burus

The Power of Words and the Wonder of God- A Look Back at the 2008 DG Conference

September 29, 2008

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.” -James 3.9

This past weekend I had the blessing of being in Minneapolis, MN for the 2008 version of John Piper’s Desiring God National Conference. This years topic was The Power of Words and the Wonder of God and included as speakers John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Sinclair Ferguson, and Paul David Tripp. There was also musical worship and a couple of Panel Discussions, alongside massive Christian fellowship, which all added up to a supremely joyous three days.

On a personal note, by an act of providence, though I was traveling by myself, I wound up encountering a couple of guys from my hometown that I had served in church with and was able to spend a great deal of time over the weekend with them. I was also able to meet up with several other Christians, particularly some who roam around in the blogosphere.

The message shared in the conference itself was fantastic. All of the speakers really challenged us on how we use words in our life, if we are using them in effect to focus people on the Gospel or if our use of words is more likely to lead people to sin. Dr. Sinclair Ferguson looked at how difficult mastering the tongue is through the passage in James 3, giving the illustration that what comes out the mouth reveals what’s inside the heart. Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Ministries shared how music can biblically accentuate our words. Mark Driscoll addressed using hard words and sometimes controversial words. Paul Tripp explored the use of words and how no words are neutral, they either give life or give death. And Pastor Piper closed it all up with a look at how words can be used in a biblically eloquent way and practically what doing this may accomplish.

To me, the biggest takeaway that I got was my need to work on being less harsh in the words I use, something which appears more in my day-to-day vocal interactions with people around me than it does here on the net, and so I want to be more conscious of that.

I have composed a review of Mark Driscoll’s message which should be available shortly as a guest write-in on the Ignite UK Pastor’s Blog. As well, all of the conference messages are available in various media formats at the Desiring God website.

I would highly recommend trying to attend a Desiring God conference in the future. I know that in listening to past conferences I had become aware of how impactful they could be and the experience of being there certainly did not disappoint. The title of next years conference is With Calvin in the Theater of God, which I’m sure will have an all-star lineup of speakers. Check it out if you can.

(UPDATE: Here is the link to the review posted on the Ignite UK Pastor’s Blog.)

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Posted by Todd Burus

Calvinism in the SBC- A Better Response

September 25, 2008

Last week I wrote about the current climate of some pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention who are rising up against the increasing popularity of Reformed theology these days. I talked specifically about Drs. Johnny Hunt and Jerry Vines upcoming John 3:16 Conference which is being billed as “a biblical and theological assessment of and response to 5-point Calvinism.” I also spoke about a conference that went on last fall called Building Bridges at Southeastern seminary.

In light of the fact that The John 3:16 Conference is not hosting any Calvinists as speakers one is left to assume that the tenor of this conference will be one pitted solely against the increasing influence of Reformed theology in SBC life (and I have already spoken at length about why I think that is a bad decision). However, looking back at Southeastern’s Building Bridges conference we can call to mind one particular speech which stands out as the response that I would hope to see offered by the John 3:16 participants. That would be the speech by Southeastern president, and admitted non-Calvinist, Dr. Danny Akin.

In this lecture Dr. Akin provides a multi-level argument for why we should seek a co-existence of Calvinism and non-Calvinism in the SBC, instead of carrying on the fight in hopes that one side will eventually win out. Speaking uniquely from his experiences working alongside both Al Mohler and Paige Patterson, Dr. Akin speaks about Calvinism without the necessity for the “gloom-and-doom” type outlook that I’ve seen expressed in past addresses by Drs. Hunt and Vines. Overall, I think this is the most adequate response that could come from a compassionate non-supporter, and unless the speakers at The John 3:16 Conference build on this message I do not believe their conference can be seen as anything but a step back from where we’ve already been.

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Posted by Todd Burus

The Future of the Church- David Dockery on Leadership Profiles

September 19, 2008

“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you- if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” -Titus 1.5-9

As you may know already, and if you don’t I’m about to tell you, I am very interested/concerned in the quality and commitment of the current strand of young adults in the Christian church. I have spoken numerous times on the failure of young adults to rise up into leadership and the problem of so many young adult leaders choosing to be avant-garde instead of orthodox with their theology (see posts in the Throwing Out Jesus with the Bathwater series). I have also spent a considerable amount of time discussing the importance of reestablishing the church as a light unto the world and a gathering which is held in high esteem (see my writings on The Laodicean Project and Rebuilding the City).

It is in light of this focus that I want to link you guys to a message delivered this past week at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary by Dr. David S. Dockery, the President of Union University. The message is a short 35-minute look into what the next generation of Baptist leadership needs to be focused on in order to further the mission of the Gospel in our post-Christian culture.  In it he discusses the need for young pastors to rise up both in spiritually dark urban areas as well as in historically strong but increasingly neglected rural churches. He also introduces a term that I kind of liked (and will probably repeat in future posts), that being apatheist, or “apathetic theist,” which is someone who is apathetic, or showing a disregard, or lack of interest towards belief in God.  Over all I find this to be a pertinent message which anyone who is interested in what the Bible tells us about leadership today should listen to.  Enjoy!

David S. Dockery - A Profile of the Next Generation of Baptist Leaders

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Posted by Todd Burus

Jesus Got What He Had Coming- Understanding the Prophecy of Isaiah 53

August 23, 2008

“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned-every one-to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.” -Isaiah 53.4-6

“Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’” -Luke 24.44

Two thousand years after his death people still debate why it was that Jesus came to the earth. Was it to be a great teacher? To die for sins? To save Christians? To feed the poor? Just why did this “humble Galilean peasant” rise up from Nazareth (where surely nothing good comes from; John 1.46), go about performing miracles, enter into Jerusalem, and then, when at the height of popularity, subject himself to being executed on a Roman cross? And then, three days later, if you really by into this part, why did he raise out of the grave and reveal himself to his mourning followers? These questions are variously answered and debated everywhere, from churches to coffeehouses to blogs and even in the jungles of South America, and the convictions on such drive the lives of millions of people still today.

One place to search for answers to these questions is in the Old Testament scriptures. As it says in the Gospel of Luke, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to [the disciples on the road to Emmaus] in all the [Old Testament] the things concerning himself” (24.27). Similarly in Luke 24.44 and Acts 8.35.

Particularly with the Acts 8.35 verse we see that one key passage of prophecy which spoke of Christ was Isaiah 53. I personally refer to Isaiah 53 quite frequently when expounded on my feelings about the necessity of the cross, God’s intentions in it, and what was accomplished. I am not alone in this either, and so, because I don’t think I have nearly enough time myself to talk about the amazing contents of this passage, I thought I would point you guys to someone who I think does it better than I could anyways. That someone is John Piper and what I want to post is a series of three sermons which he delivered over Isaiah 53 some time ago in his church in Minneapolis. I hope that you can take the time to listen to them, each one is about 35 minutes in length, and that through listening to them you can further appreciate and understand what Christ came to this earth to accomplish, and that this accomplishment was the intention of the Father all along.

Please feel free to comment as well, as I think the discussions that can arise from Isaiah 53 are ones that really get to the heart of what it truly means to be a Christian and be saved and forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ.

John Piper- Jesus Christ in Isaiah 53, part 1, part 2, part 3

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Posted by Todd Burus

The Vanity of Hope- A Pertinent Word from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

August 19, 2008

“And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’” -Revelation 21.5a

With the 2008 Presidential election bearing down on us, their is one candidate who has staked their campaign on a single word: Hope. They have even written books talking about hope in the title. And across the country millions of people are buying into this message of a hopeful future to be brought about by the election of this candidate to office.

But on New Year’s Day 1956, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, speaking from his pulpit at London’s Westminster Chapel, gave a warning about the human fondness for hope which is as relevant today as it was 52 years ago. He speaks of how hope is an admission of the failure of man in his evolution and advancement, how it belies an utter vanity and folly, and how what this persistence of hope is most readily attributed to is man’s refusal to recognize that the whole trouble lies within himself and not society or circumstances. Below I have placed links to this sermon (which is 45 minutes spread into two parts) and would highly encourage you to listen to it, regardless of which candidate you are considering supporting this November.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones - The Failure of Hope (part 1) (part 2)

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Posted by Todd Burus

How Are We to Respond to the Glory We Have Seen?- Messages from 2008 NYC Dwell Conference

July 13, 2008

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1.14

I have to admit, I am addicted to listening to sermons and conference messages through my iTunes. However, with so many great resources available (and certainly a number of not so great ones as well) it would be a shame if Christians in the 21st century did not take advantage of this wonderful blessing.

That said, the most recent conference I listened to was the 2008 NYC Dwell Conference which was put on this past April by the Acts 29 church planting network featuring the likes of Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, D.A. Carson, and others. In my opinion, each one of the messages presented was a home run. Because of this I wanted to share with you guys the link to where you may download the lectures yourselves, so that hopefully you can be as blessed by it as I was.

Two messages in particular which I would recommend are the one by Eric Mason of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA, entitled “Dwelling Incarnationally,” and the one by Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City, entitled “Dwelling in the Gospel.” Both of these presentations cover very important and pertinent topics, especially with keeping in mind the popular movements making their way through emerging church culture right now. These two guys give solid, biblical arguments for their positions and offer intelligent criticism and commentary on ways that we are dealing with these topics incorrectly in the church right now.

Please, if you can make the time I would strongly suggest listening to what was said at this conference and has been recorded for our further edification.

2008 NYC Dwell Conference Multimedia

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Posted by Todd Burus

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