This is a number three of a continuing series of some student reflections from the T4G conference they were able to attend in April. Click on the following numbers to access the previous posts. Post 1, Post 2, Post 3.

If you want to read all you can click here and enjoy.

Tim Aney’s Reflections on T4G:

Reflection 1: Jack Handey is not as funny as Dana makes him out to be (Dana: This is the only lie Tim offers in his reflections).

Reflection 2: One of the most experientially amazing and encouraging times at the conference was the 8,000 men choir. What I mean by this is through the leadership of Bob Kauflin, 8,000 people lifted up praises to God with the singing of hymns. These hymns were theologically sound and Gospel-centered. The very first song we sung was “Come Thou Fount.” The moment we began to sing, it was as if I was standing amidst all the saints in Heaven singing praises before the throne of God. It was a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience. This time of musical worship enabled me to focus my attention on the words being sung, and to listen to my fellow brothers and sisters singing to the same God. Our voices, the hymns, and the unity were truly gifts from God.

Reflection 3: Albert Mohler was one of the nine general session speakers at the conference. His sermon revolved around the necessity to wield words in order to effectively proclaim the Gospel. The title of his message was, “The Power of the Articulated Gospel.” The gist of this homily was that without words, the Gospel itself could not be communicated- gestures or unspoken deeds of service will not suffice. These works are instead the evidence of the power of the Gospel. Mohler’s address encouraged me to be confident in the power of the Gospel that I speak. It also prompted me to proclaim the Gospel more frequently and more persuasively. However, I need not worry if I convert the unbeliever’s heart because as Martin Luther said, “Our responsibility is to get the words from our lips to their ears. The Spirit gets it from their ears to their hearts.”

Reflection 4: The breakout session that Jeff, Nick, and I attended involved the historical trustworthiness of the Gospels. The speakers at this event were Dr. Peter Williams and Dr. Simon Gathercole, who are professors at the University of Cambridge. It was incredible to see that the Gospels could be proven reliable simply by diving into the text itself. The names, geographic locations, and botany were just three ways in which one could prove the validity of the Gospels. Also, compared to the apocryphal Gospels of Judas, Thomas, Peter, and Mary, the contradictions between the names and geographic location and the current time it was written are replete within the texts. This session equipped me with more apologetic information in order to help prove the reliability of the Gospels.

Reflection 5: A time in which the conference blessed and encouraged me took place on the morning of the first day. Mark Dever came up to the podium and conducted a consensus of who was at the conference. At the end of this age count, he called for all the eighty year olds to stand where they were. As soon as he said this, a fair portion of the audience stood up. This encouraged me because it showed the persistence, dedication, and love they had toward God. Being that old, I cannot imagine how many trials and blessings they must have received throughout their lives as Christians. Those old men invigorated me to remain strong and diligent in my faith, and to trust in God’s preservation throughout my life.

Reflection 6: By simply adding extra vowels, you can easily create the hill billy version of your name. Example: Jeff = Jayuff.

Reflection 7: My favorite sermon was spoken by David Platt who is the senior pastor at The Church of Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. His topic concerned the necessity of global missions. He articulated it in such a way that the audience did not feel guilt driven to preach the Gospel, but glory driven- and that for our King. Even though God is sovereign over all, He involves us in this mission, not because He needs us, but because he loves us. David Platt encouraged me to pray for missionaries, give sacrificially to missionaries, possibly become a missionary, and to die willingly as a missionary- whether here or across the world. He closed with this paraphrased line: “Since Christ has not returned, the task is not yet done. So let’s get busy!” This is just one of the mottos that I will live by from here on out.

This is the sermon by David Platt Tim spoke about in Reflection 6.

This is a number four of a continuing series of some student reflections from the T4G conference they were able to attend in April. Click on the following numbers to access the previous posts. Post 1, Post 2.

Here are Jeff Sholar’s reflections from the conference:

First off I’d like to say that the conference was honestly phenomenal. When I think about how I would improve the conference, nothing comes to mind because everything was done extremely well. When we got there the first thing we did was go to the book store and we received 19 solid books that were not just given to us as if they needed to get rid of them, but the 9 pastors there got together and hand-picked these 19 to give to us because they were all blessings to them. Instantly we knew that this was going to be a spectacular 3 days.

The first highlight that I would like to reflect on was the singing. The worship blew me away. I loved how there was no loud band, but merely a piano. I also enjoyed how the worship leader, Bob Kauflin, was very quick to back off the mike. The voices of 8,000 men in a stadium like that was an amazing thing to witness, and also to partake in. The songs that we sang were also very gospel-centered and full of truth. The songs alone really communicated the gospel and there were no lyrics that were sung in which I could not help but joyfully sing from the depths of my soul. I walked away from the conference blown away from the worship at the conference, and I also walk away with a journal full of new songs to learn on guitar!

Another thing that was great was the preaching. I know that you would expect that when you take a look at the all-star lineup of who is going to be preaching at the conference, but my expectations could not have been high enough. The pastors were able to truly communicate the gospel and its power over the three days. In particular I found the sermon of David Platt to be mind-blowing and I would say the best sermon I had ever heard. I was also extremely blessed by the other pastors such as Kevin DeYoung and Mark Dever.

Lastly, I just loved being with my closest brothers all week and being with my family that I hadn’t seen in a long time. I was able to grow in my relationship with Jesus as well as my relationships with Tim, Nick, Charlie, and Dana. The whole trip was a huge blessing to me as it greatly increased my affections for Jesus and the great news that He brings. As I reflect on this conference I am simply in awe of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory.

Here is the Kevin DeYoung sermon Jeff mentioned. Well worth your time: