Category Archives: Conference

Day Two (Wed.) at Banner – AM

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It’s always a good thing to awaken before your alarm and feel rested (thank you Lord). This Wednesday, the second day of the Banner Conference was a full day. After a brisk walk to breakfast (eaten with the infamous Kyle Sims of SC), Andrew and I attended the morning prayer time in the chapel.

THE PERFECT SACRIFICE
The 9 AM session today was by Richard Phillips from Hebrews 7:26-28, on the supremacy of Christ Jesus as our Sacrifice and our High Priest. His direct, almost business-like style of address meant that we got directly into the text, and got a lot out of it! He laid out four general questions to be considered when one speaks of a sacrifice: (1) what is offered? (2) to whom? (3) by whom? (4) for whom? With clear and compelling words, Rick opened the OT and the NT to answer these questions, and to show forth the person and work of Christ. I particularly profited from the material presented from Genesis (originally drawn from JM Boice) on “Where is the lamb” The answer is Christ. He is fit to be our saving sacrifice, our High Priest — and the object of our worship through to eternity! Amen.

During the morning coffee break, we talked with an old friend from New England days (John VanMeerbeke) who now pastors in Gettysburg, PA. I’m so glad Andrew could get to know him a bit.

THE MINISTER’S CALLING
At the 10:45 AM session, Scotsman Ian Hamilton spoke on the minister’s calling from the famous doxology at the end of Romans 11 [see below]. Ian preaches with a clear sense of the gravity of his task. He pointed us to three notes about our preaching sounded by Paul in this passage: (1) it must pulse with the note of breathless wonder, (2) it must be impregnated with grace constrained humility, and, (3) it must include adoring exaltation. Each of these points rang in my soul, as I sat under the word being preached. One of his concluding applications was (paraphrasing) “do not strive to be a certain kind of preacher, but be a certain kind of man.”

Both morning sessions are well worth listening to again. After lunch, Andrew and I spent a little time helping a brother get his Mac laptop up and running, but it did not revive.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Day One (Tuesday) at Banner

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After a long 6 hour drive, Andrew and I arrived at Messiah College (south of Harrisburg, PA), for the Banner of Truth Ministers’ Conference. As we checked-in I met a few old friends, and the faithful staffers from the local BT office. What joy it is to renew friendships in Christ.

FOLLOW ME
The first session featured Rev. Iain H. Murray speaking from John 21:19-21. This is called the “conference sermon” as it sets the tone and theme for the gathering. Iain presented the 250+ pastors here with an encouraging picture of Christ, the Head of the church. Jesus’ words to Peter
tell us of the Christian’s primary duty: “Follow Me!” We are to live with Christ, lean on Chirst and be (as the first Christians were called) “people of the way.”

During the break After Iain spoke, I was able to greet my good friend — and to my surprise he had a copy of his newest book (on D. Martin Lloyd-Jones), already signed and inscribed to me. A precious gift from a dear brother in the Lord!

1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. — 2 Timothy ESV

FAN INTO FLAME
After a fine meal, the Tuesday evening session featured someone new to me, Pastor Craig Troxel of Wheaton, IL. Speaking from 2 Timothy 1:6-7 he very effectively reminded us pastors about the gift of grace that we have from our Lord. We do not need a new gift. What we have can be neglected and (God forbid) extinguished. So we need to fan into flame that which we have received. We must draw near to Him to do so. Strength does not come from within, but from God. As Paul wrote to the Ephesians (6:10), Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. With many other helpful words Pastor Troxel spoke to me in ways I truly needed to hear. (Thank you, Lord, for this helpful message!).

After a walk through the bookstore, and then back to the dormitories, I enjoyed a quick call home and a brief chat with Andrew. It was ‘early’ so I tried to do some reading stretched out on the bed. I don’t really how many times I nodded off, then regrouped! I finally set the books aside and got some much needed sleep.

pdb