Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 378

The Christian Position is a Very Definite One

There are certain things that are always present in the typical, characteristic, Christian experience, and you will find them described everywhere. Take, for instance, the Bible itself: there is a common pattern to all the cases that are described in the Bible, there are certain things that are present in all, and those are the things in which we are interested. Or if you take up the biographies of Christian people or read the lives of saints, you cannot do so without discovering this common...

The Underestimated God: God's Ruthless, Compassionate Grace in the Pursuit of His Own Glory and His Ministers' Joy #T4G12

My notes on Ligon Duncan's message on 1 Kings 19 (paraphrased)

Discouragement is no stranger to the lives of faithful pastors and faithful Christians. And today, I want to give special encouragement to discouraged faithful pastors and Christians.

There are things we are meant to learn in our disappointment. Some of you start out in Christian ministry thinking, "If I am faithful to God, doing his bidding, trusting his grace, empowered by his Spirit, I will not have the crushing darkness as part ...

Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions #T4G12

My notes from David Platt's session (paraphrased)

I have one overarching truth that I want to communicate as clearly and as biblically as possible: A high view of God's sovereignty fuels death-defying devotion to global missions. Another way to put it, pastors who believe that God is sovereign over all things will lead Christians to die for the sake of all peoples.

I want to show you this in Revelation chapter 5. And I want to be clear on a few underlying premises so you can understand where...

Spirit-Powered, Gospel-Driven, Faith-Fueled Effort #T4G12

My notes on Kevin DeYoung's message on 1 Corinthians 15:10 (paraphrased)

In my perception, I believe all the good we see in this new resurgence—and there is much that is good that ought to be celebrated—we are known, I hope, by our commitment to the Scriptures, to biblical manhood and womanhood, to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, to the doctrine of justification by faith and to the centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ. These ought to be celebrated.

But there are two areas in which I...

Will Your Gospel Transform a Terrorist? #T4G12

My notes from Thabiti Anyabwile's session on 1 Timothy 1:12-17 (paraphrased)

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that...

False Conversions: The Suicide of the Church #T4G12

My notes on Mark Dever's session on the importance of a healthy local church (paraphrased):

Why should you as a pastor be concerned about your local church beyond the obvious ways that you would be in your day-to-day life? Why should this topic matter to you? Tonight, I want to bring a message on this topic to you—False conversions: the suicide of the church

Our text for tonight is 1 Tim. 4:16:

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save...

The Power of the Articulated Gospel #T4G12

My notes on Albert Mohler's message on Romans 10 (all notes are paraphrased):

I don't know what it would be like to do this ministry without friends. I know there are some men who are called to preach and teach alone, I don't know how you do it, but God bless you. But in ministry we desperately need friends who are with us for the long haul.

The theme of our meeting is the Underestimated Gospel. We want to be together for the gospel, but we do not want to underestimate it—or to use a term...

When a Pastor Loses Heart #T4G12

CJ Mahaney's opening session on 2 Corinthians 4 (all notes are paraphrased):

Because this conference exists to serve pastors, each of us who have the priveliege to address you have to choose what we believe will bless you . . . and I pray that this would be helpful to you.

Through his profound letter, we come to know Paul in a profound way . . . so let us consider what we can learn from a portion, found in 2 Cor. 4:1-18.

There is much for the Pastor in 2 Corinthians, but in the fourth chapter...

Hopes and Concerns About the Gospel-Centered Movement #T4G2012

Monday night, Russell Moore hosted a panel discussion featuring JD Greear, Carl Trueman, Josh Harris, Jefferson Bethke, and Matt Pinson to discussion Christ-centered theology and ministry. One of the most helpful portions for me was listening to their hopes and concerns about the YRR/gospel-centered movement. Below are my notes from each speaker on this subject (paraphrased, of course):

Matt Pinson

What's hopeful to me is an interest in the Bible for starters. A real interest in the authority...

5 Things Everyone Needs When Going to a Conference (#T4G Edition)

This morning I'm on the road to Louisville to take part in the Together for the Gospel 2012 conference. I'm very much looking forward to hearing the speakers, learning lots and spending time with a number of friends, old and new, who will be there. As I've become more of a regular attendee at these sorts of things, I've found that there are a few things that every person should really have on hand at a conference:

A Kindle (or other ereading device)

This just makes the travel-time go so much...