The Gospel Coalition-- Tim Keller

Here is the video from Tim Keller's session. A very helpful sermon on the Exodus 14

Getting Out


Getting Out - Tim Keller - TGC 2011 from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Share your thoughts on this sermon below.

The Preacher's Task

I have been reminding myself of the vital necessity of proclaiming God's Word, not my word. Here is a quote that I have found helpful.

“Your task [as a preacher] is not to send people away from church saying, ‘That was a lovely sermon’ or ‘What an eloquent appeal!’ The one question is: Did they, or did they not, meet God today?
There will always be some who have no desire for that, some who rather than be confronted with the living Christ would actually prefer what G. K. Chesterton described as ‘one solid and polished cataract of platitudes flowing forever and ever.’ But when St. Peter finished his first great sermon in Jerusalem, reported in the book of Acts, I do not read that ‘when they heard this, they were intrigued by his eloquence’ . . . or ‘bored and impassive and contemptuous’; what I do read is, ‘When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart.’
The heart of man has a whole armor of escapist devices to hold off the danger when reality comes too near. But I would remind you that Peter’s theme that day – Jesus crucified and risen – is your basic message still, still as dynamic, as ‘mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds,’ as moving and heart-piercing as when men heard it preached in Jerusalem long ago.”
James S. Stewart, Heralds of God (New York, 1946), pages 31-32. Italics added.

What do you see as the task of the sermon?

The Gospel Coalition-- Albert Mohler

The Gospel Coalition just posted the videos for the plenary sessions. I will begin posting them here so you can watch and here some of the better gospel preachers of today proclaim Christ from the Old Testament.
The first session actually begins with the Gospel of John as Al Mohler sets the agenda for the conference.

John 5:31-47
Studying the Scriptures and Finding Jesus

Studying The Scriptures and Finding Jesus - Albert Mohler - TGC 2011 from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Post your thoughts below.

"While High on Heroin, I Started Reading the Bible"

Consider how God powerfully uses his Word. 
What a testimony!

(HT CB)

The Heavens Declare ...

Awesome time-lapse video of the sky over the highest mountain in Spain, El Teide. Read the write up that the photographer included with the video. Part of the scene from around 30 seconds was shot through a sandstorm from the Sahara Desert. This provided some spectacular views. Well worth your time to watch.

As I watched I was in awe of the beauty that our Creator God has shared with us in this world.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
(Psalm 19:1-6 ESV)

(HT Abraham Piper)

The Gospel Coalition

Tuesday through Thursday I will be attending the Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago.
I am looking forward to this opportunity. If you would like to hear the Plenary Sessions you can listen to the live stream . I am grateful that Desiring God is offering this service.

Revenge Against My Sin

As I have been meditating on the death of Christ in our concluding messages in the book of John, I came across this hymn by Isaac Watts and found it helpful.

From Book II Hymn 106
Isaac Watts 

Oh, if my soul were formed for woe,

How would I vent my sighs!

Repentance should like rivers flow

From both my streaming eyes.

Twas for my sins my dearest Lord

Hung on the cursed tree,

And groaned away a dying life

For thee, my soul, for thee.

Oh how I hate those lusts of mine

That crucified my God!

Those sins that pierced and nailed his flesh

Fast to the fatal wood!

Yes, my Redeemer, they shall die,

My heart has so decreed;

Nor will I spare the guilty things

That made my Savior bleed.

Whilst, with a melting, broken heart,

My murdered Lord I view,

I’ll raise revenge against my sins,

And slay the murderers too.