The theme of the 2018 G3 Conference, which was once again held in Atlanta, GA, was “A Biblical Understanding of Discipleship.” In this article I will share some of my reflections from the conference. This article will include both bullet-point text and narratives.
While I took a lot of notes, what follows is in no way an exhaustive collection. In fact, there were a couple of sessions during which I didn’t take any notes.
Most of the conference sessions left me feeling like I was trying to drink water from a fire hydrant. The teaching throughout was exceptional, which means it was biblical and often practical.
I’ve written it in such a way that it can be read in part or in whole. My hope is that the following reflections will provide the reader with helpful apologetic, evangelistic, and discipleship information. I hope the article proves to be a resource the reader can return to often and share with others.
Road Trip!
I attended the G3 Conference for the second time this year. I was blessed to be joined by my daughter, Michelle. Together, we join a dozen of our closest friends–members of our Grace Fellowship Church family. My church attends the G3 Conference every year. Rumor has it that our church brought the largest contingent of people the last two years. Where’s my participation trophy?
The Cunningham Family, who did not attend this year, gave us the use of their family transit bus for the journey. Corey and Sarah Cunningham are blessed with eight children, which makes such a large vehicle a necessity.
Pastor Mike and Brother Ryan shared the driving duties. They got us to the conference and back home safely. I have no dramatic stories about their driving to report. My two brothers drove over 1,600 miles and for some 30 hours.
Sister Brenda made sure we were well-stocked with food and drink.
The road trip was a wonderful time of fellowship and discipleship. The conversations were edifying. We watched Gratia Mediae’s biography about Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the way to Atlanta. During quieter times, we listened to sermons, read books, and studied our bibles.
We checked into our hotel near the Atlanta Airport, grabbed something to eat, and made our way to the Convention Center. The first activity we attended was a pre-conference debate.
Dr. James White vs. Adnan Rashid
The question to be answered in the pre-conference debate was this: “Do we need the cross for salvation?” Arguing in the affirmative was Dr. James White. Arguing in the negative of Adnan Rashid.
Most of you who read my blog are likely familiar with Dr. James White. But for those of you who are not familiar with him, Dr. James White “is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization based in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the author of more than twenty books, a professor, an accomplished debater, and an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church.”
Adnan Rashid “is a historian with a speciality in the history of Islamic civilisation, comparative religion and Quran/Hadith sciences. He also takes a keen interest in lslamic numismatics, ancient manuscripts and antiquities. He has debated many high profile figures in the field of politics, history, Muslim/Christian theology.”
My View of the Debate from 30,000′
My 30,000′ view of the debate revealed two things:
- Dr. James White beautifully preached the gospel to his opponent and to everyone in attendance.
- Adnan Rashid affirmed what I already believe, based on Scripture. There are only two existing worldviews: biblical Christianity, and everything else lumped into a putrid pile of Christ-hating, sin-loving delusion.
Reflections from the Debate: Rashid
As explained by Rashid, Muslims believe the apostle Paul created the theology of atonement by human sacrifice. Rashid argued that Jesus’ focus was not on human sacrifice, but rather keeping the law of God. He believes the apostle Paul “broke away from the Jews and Christians” with his blood atonement theory. So, it would appear that Rashid does not believe the apostle Paul was either a Jew or a Christian, even though Scripture quite frequently tells us he was both–a Jew by physical birth and a Christian (a completed Jew) by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rashid has deceived himself into believing Muhammad was more like Jesus than the apostle Paul.
Muslims misinterpret Psalm 91, Luke 4, and Matthew 4 to support their blasphemous belief that Jesus did not die on the cross. Rashid argued that the before-mentioned biblical texts support the Muslim idea that Jesus was saved from death on the cross and, therefore, did not die on the cross to save others.
Muslims erroneously believe Isaiah 42 is a prophecy about Muhammad. Note: a detailed response to this Muslim claim can be found, here: LINK*
Rashid argued in favor of the erroneous interpretation of James 2, which asserts James articulated a “faith + works” soteriology. Rashid’s argument was as weakly and incoherently formed and articulated as the argument a Christian might hear from Roman Catholics, JWs, Mormons, some Pentecostals, or Pelagians.
Reflections from the Debate: Dr. White
Muslims view the worship of Jesus Christ and His work on the cross as kafir (an act of unbelief) and shirk (an act of idolatry).
Dr. White stated his case from Scripture, in support of the necessity of the cross in salvation.
New Testament Witness
- Acts 2:22-24
- Acts 4:9-10
- 1 Corinthians 1:17-18, 22-24
- 1 Corinthians 2:7-8
- Ephesians 2:14-18
- Colossians 1:19-20
- Colossians 2:13-14
- Hebrews 12:1-2
The Voice of Prophesy
- Luke 24:44
- Psalm 22:1ff
- Isaiah 53:3ff
In his first rebuttal, Dr. White explained that the right understanding of James 2 is found in Ephesians 2:8-10.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
While making his argument against the cross of Christ, Rashid tried to argue from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that Paul’s theology made it impossible for anyone to go to heaven.
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
During a rebuttal, Dr. White asked Rashid why he didn’t continue to reading through verse 11.
“And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
This is a common tactic of unbelievers of every stripe (and sadly, some believers): to rip Scripture out of its context and force one’s desired meaning upon the text, instead of taking God at His Word.
The White/Rashid debate was a profitable time. A heart-felt presentation of the gospel was given. I saw a Christian love his neighbor as himself. I was allowed to take a look into the mind of a Muslim apologist, by hearing him speak for himself, which will help me in future gospel conversations with Muslims.
Reflections from Session One
Josh Buice, pastor of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church and founder/director of the G3 Conference, opened the conference proper. His message: “The Church is Ground Zero for Discipleship.” The Scripture text for his message: Titus 2:1-8.
Discipleship is Not:
- Fellowship
- Attending Church
- Just for Professionals (staff)
- Service
The Role of the Pulpit
“Whatever direction the pulpit goes, the church goes.”
“It’s not legalism to pursue holiness.” Note: there is great confusion in American Evangelicalism, in this area. The visible American Church has become so worldly that many professing Christians mistake holiness for legalism, and worldliness for liberty.
Pastor Buice shared a very touching testimony of the home-going of an elderly saint, in his church family. The question he asked himself, which testified to the deep love Pastor Buice has for his people and discipling them, was this: “Did I help her follow Jesus and did I prepare her to meet Him?”
Reflections from Session Two
Tim Challies, a prolific blogger and an elder at Grace Fellowship Church (Toronto, CAN), was the Session Two speaker. His message: “Discipleship in Adversity.” His text: Ephesians 2:11-12.
Threats to Unity
- Self-Love
- Equating Cultural Preferences with Biblical Principles
- The cure: a good dose of the Book of Romans
Being Easily Offended
- “A culture of easy offense leads to suspicion.”
Lessons Learned about Diversity
- Remember your history as a Christian.
- “Diversity is the natural state of Christ’s church.”
- Be a Student of Other Cultures
- Emphasize Hospitality
- Stop making an idol of comfort.
- Deepen your definition of diversity.
- Be Patient
- God works at His own pace.
- Speak Truth an Act in Love
- “Truth attracts diversity; love maintains diversity.”
- Remember Your Future as a Christian
Reflections from Session Three
Evangelist David Miller, member of Tumbling Shoals Baptist Church (Heber Springs, AR) and founder of Line By Line Ministries, was the Session Three speaker. His message: “Present Tense Salvation.” His Scripture text: Romans 7:14-25.
The Meaning Ascribed to Sanctification
- Positional
- Personal
- Practical
- Progressive
The Difficulty of Sanctification
- The Law of Sin in My Members
- “Residual Depravity”
The Means of Sanctification
- The Savior
- Learn His names; study His attributes
- The Spirit
- 2 Peter 1:3-11
- The Scriptures
- John 17:17
- The Songs/Hymns
- The Saints
- Hebrews 6
Reflections from Session Five
Dr. Voddie Baucham, dean of the seminary at African Christian University (Lusaka, Zambia), was the Session Five speaker. His message: “Making Disciple-making Disciples (Part 1).” His Scripture text: selected verses from 2 Timothy.
“We must preserve the right gospel because people matter to God.”
While I took few notes during this session (the same was true for Session Ten, Part 2 of this message), Dr. Baucham’s message was very edifying.
I particularly enjoyed how he traced the two-pronged theme of the letter, throughout the text: 1) Preserve/Proclaim; 2) Endure.
My most significant takeaway from the message was a personal commitment to memorize 2 Timothy in its entirety.
Reflections from Session Six
This session was a conversation between Dr. James White and Dr. Michael Kruger. Kruger is “President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, NC. In addition, he is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as an Associate Pastor (part-time) at his home church, Uptown PCA.” The topic of their conversation: “The Canon of Scripture.”
“The Canon is an artifact of revelation” (White).
“Instead of asking what books did men recognize, we should ask what books did God give to the Church” (Kruger).
Definitions of Canon
There are three primary definitions for the formation of the Canon of Scripture:
- Ontological – “Canon as defined by God. ‘What the canon is in and of itself, namely the authoritative books that God gave his corporate church.’ This view sees the canon as existing as soon as it is written.”
- Exclusive – “‘Canon as a fixed, final and closed list of books.’ This view puts the canon’s formation in the fourth century.”
- Functional (not mentioned during the session) – “‘The term canon need not be restricted to a final, closed list but can “encompass the entire process by which the formation of the church’s sacred writings took place.”‘ This view puts the canon’s formation in the second century.”
“The Canon is first and foremost a theological issue” (White).
None of the New Testament era apocryphal books are dated from the First Century, while the four canonical gospels are reliably dated in the First Century.
Reflections from Session Seven
Dr. Paul Tripp–a pastor, event speaker, and a best-selling and award-winning author–was the Session Seven speaker. His Message: “It Takes a Parent to Disciple a Child.”
“Our children need the holy, heart-exposing law of God . . . but the law is powerless to rescue, transform, and redeem the hearts of our children.”
“You have to give up the hope that you [have the] power to change your child, in order to buy into God’s power to change your child. You are not a change agent. You are an ambassador of the One who is the Change Agent.”
“Grace never calls wrong right. Grace is a way of dealing with wrong.”
“Confession is owning personal responsibility for words and actions without excuse or shifting blame.”
“Your child cannot confess what they haven’t grieved. Your child cannot grieve what he/she hasn’t seen. Your child cannot repent of what he/she hasn’t confessed.”
“Spiritually blind people are blind to their blindness.”
“How much of my anger in the last month, [or at any moment], had anything to do with the kingdom of God.”
Reflections from Session Nine
Dr. Derek Thomas, the senior minister of First Presbyterian Church (Columbia, SC), was the Session Nine speaker. His message: “Your Mind Matters.” His Scripture text: Romans 12:1-2).
Four Signs that Characterize the Christian’s Response to the Gospel
- Sacrifice
- Total Commitment
- Reasonable
- Transformational
- The same Greek word is used to describe the transfiguration of Jesus.
The result of a Christian’s biblical response to the gospel is that he/she will understand what the will of God is. While the mind of the Lord is unknowable, in any perfect or complete sense of the word, it is possible for the Christian to discern what the will of God is.
The question “What is the will of God for my life?” is 20th/21st Century question that is born out of the ignorance of today’s Christians concerning the Word of God. These days, Christians are not renewing their minds.
Reflections from Session Eleven
Dr. Steve Lawson, President and Founder of OnePassion Ministries, was the Session Eleven speaker.
My favorite preachers/teachers are rightly the elders in my church. This does not mean they are the best preachers/teachers in the world. They would never claim to be the best. They are my favorite preachers/teachers because together we are members of the same local assembly. They are the undershepherds the Lord has placed in my life. They love me; they know me. Our hearts are knit together. We live and serve together in the context of the local church. Presently, there are three men who serve as elders in our church. These are three men from whom I most want to hear, study, and learn the Word of God.
With the above in mind, Dr. Steve Lawson has significantly ministered to me from afar, since February 1993.
On February 6, 1993, I was involved in a shooting while serving as a Los Angeles County deputy sheriff. For a short time following that critical event, being a relatively young Christian at the time (just five years in the faith), I struggled to understand the spiritual implications and purposes associated with the shooting.
One day, several months later, I was perusing the shelves of our local Christian book store. I was hoping to find a book that might help teach me what the Bible had to say about the shooting and the questions still running through my mind. The title on the spine of a book caught my attention. The book, published at about the time I saw it on the shelf, was titled: “When All Hell Breaks Loose: You May be Doing Something Right: Surprising Insights from the Life of Job.” The author was Steven J. Lawson–someone about whom I had never heard before I lifted the book from the shelf.
I purchased the book based on the title alone. I consumed it as fast as a meal on the hood of my radio car between calls. On March 11, 2011, Steve Lawson preached during chapel at The Master’s University. Before chapel began, I was able to have him sign the book and express to him how much the book ministered to me, during an important moment in my life.
In 2013, Steve Lawson was kind enough to provide a chapter for my book, “Should She Preach: Biblical Evangelism for Women.”
I once asked Steve Lawson if he would like to join me on the streets for some open-air preaching. He smiled, took me by the shoulders, and said, “Tony, while I won’t preach on the streets, I will gladly go with you and wipe your blood off the street.” While he no longer recalls making the statement, I do.
Dr. Lawson’s message title: “Show Me Your Glory.” The Scripture text: Exodus 33:18-34:8.
- The Daring Request (33:18)
- Intrinsic Glory
- The sum and substance of all God is
- Ascribed Glory
- Man’s recognition of God’s glory resulting in worship
- Intrinsic Glory
- The Divine Response (33:19)
- God was favorable
- God exposited/exegeted Himself
- By sovereign grace, God makes Himself known to man
- Romans 9:15 (sovereign election)
- Romans 3:10ff (no one seeks God)
- The Definite Restrictions (33:20-34:4)
- “You cannot see My face”
- Revelation 21 (blot out sin)
- “Put you in the cleft of the rock”
- “I will cover you with My hand”
- Moses was only allowed to see God’s back, and even then it was merely His afterglow
- “No one who is casual with God will ever grow to know Him more deeply” (Lawson).
- “You cannot see My face”
- The Detailed Revelation (34:5-7)
- The ACTUAL “glory cloud”
- “The LORD (YHWH), the Lord God (El)
- Appears only here in Scripture
- The Aseity of God (self-sufficiency)
- God preaches His name; His Nature
- Seven Attributes
- Compassionate
- Hebrew root–“womb”
- The warm, protective care found in a mother’s womb
- Hebrew root–“womb”
- Gracious
- Hebrew root–“to bend or stoop down”
- Philippians 2:5-11
- Hebrew root–“to bend or stoop down”
- Slow to Anger
- Patient
- Abounding in Lovingkindness
- unconditional; unwavering; unchanging; agape
- Lovingkindness for Thousands
- Not thousands of people, but rather thousands of generations
- Forgiveness
- Hebrew root–“to lift off a heavy burden”
- Iniquity–turning away from the straight and narrow
- Transgression–rebellion against authority
- Sin–missing the mark
- Hebrew root–“to lift off a heavy burden”
- Righteous Judge
- He will not leave the guilty unpunished
- Compassionate
- Seven Attributes
- The Devoted Reverence
- Moses hit the deck; face down
- Moses worshiped
- “High theology produces high doxology” (Lawson).
- Moses worshiped
- Moses hit the deck; face down
“If you don’t live for the glory of God, then you live for nothing” (Lawson).
Reflections from Session Twelve
Dr. Tom Ascol, the pastor of Grace Baptist Church (Cape Coral, FL), was the Session Twelve speaker. His message: “The Fear of the Lord in Discipleship.” His Scripture text: Selected Verses.
Marcionism — “the [belief that] the ways of Jesus are incompatible with the ways of the God of the Old Testament.”
“The fear of God is the soul of godliness” (John Murray).
In What Ways Should Christians Fear God?
- The fear a son has toward his powerful father. This type of fear results from the type of relationship between the one to be feared and the one who is fearful.
- Servile Fear — the fear an unregenerate person should have, like the fear of a slave for a taskmaster (see Revelation 6:15-17); the fear of rebellious people.
- Gospel Fear — the fear of a son for his father; a fear that draws the one who is fearful toward the one whom he fears; terror is transferred or translated into deep awe, respect, and love.
- Psalm 130:1ff
What is the Relationship Between the Fear of the Lord and Discipleship?
- “In evangelism, [the Christian] should never feel any compulsion to apologize for who God is.”
- True discipleship is nurtured out of a fear of the Lord.
- See Philippians 2:12
- Godly fear promotes holiness.
- 1 Peter 1:17
- Colossians 3:22
- Ephesians 5:21
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:4
- Nehemiah 5:15
- “When I fear God, God will change the way I live my life.”
- Godly fear stirs up worship.
- Hebrews 12:20-29
- Godly fear motivates missions
- Revelation 14:6-7
- 2 Corinthians 5:11
How is Fear of the Lord Cultivated?
- Every genuine believer has the fear of the Lord in him/her?
- Jeremiah 32:38-40
- Psalm 86:11
- Study God’s works and His character.
- Jeremiah 5:21-25
- Isaiah 40
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
- Matthew 10:28
- Luke 12:4-5
- Study the grace of God as found and seen in Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5
- Psalm 130:3-4
Reflections from Session 14
Dr. Steve Lawson was the Session Fourteen speaker. His message: “High Theology Produces High Doxology.” His Scripture text: Revelation 4:1-11.
“This chapter is about the Father who, in a sense, has become the forgotten member of the Trinity.”
The first voice heard in this chapter is the voice of Jesus Christ the Lord.
“High views of God lead to high views of holy living. Low views of God lead to fleshly living.”
Six Attributes of God
- God’s Sovereignty (vv. 2-4)
- What first struck John was seeing the throne of God, which represents God’s absolute sovereignty.
- The throne of God is unshakable, unmovable, unchangeable, standing.
- The throne is occupied. God is presiding, ruling, in-session.
- It is possible that the 24 elders represent 12 Old Testament and 12 New Testament saints.
- Psalm 90:12
- Strong disciples have a grasp of God’s sovereignty.
- What first struck John was seeing the throne of God, which represents God’s absolute sovereignty.
- The wrath of God (v. 5)
- A violent storm gathering in heaven; a storm of divine judgment.
- Hebrews 10:27, 31
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7
- Jude 1:7
- Nahum 2
- “The Holy Spirit is the war torch of God.”
- Revelation 19:11
- A war horse with Jesus riding on it
- In righteousness He judges and wages war.
- Jesus is first into battle.
- Revelation 19:11
- “We must know from what and from whom we have been saved.”
- “Disciples of Christ are sober-minded because they know something of the wrath of God.”
- A violent storm gathering in heaven; a storm of divine judgment.
- The Holiness of God (vv. 6-7)
- Isaiah 6:3
- “He is holy, holier, holiest.”
- Isaiah 6:3
- The Omnipotence of God (v. 8a)
- “The Lord God, the Almighty”
- There can be no resistance, power, or pushback because God has all power.
- Satan’s power is delegated by God; it is on-loan.
- John 15:5
- Satan’s power is delegated by God; it is on-loan.
- There can be no resistance, power, or pushback because God has all power.
- “The Lord God, the Almighty”
- God’s Eternality and Immutability of God (vv. 8b-10)
- “who was, and is, and is to come.”
- Psalm 90:2
- God never learns.
- Romans 11
- The Worthship of God
- “Right and wrong never changes because God never changes.”
Reflections on the Fellowship
The G3 Conference provided me with wonderful opportunities to fellowship with friends–old and new.
The Lord blessed me with several opportunities to provide encouragement, counsel and discipleship to friends and acquaintances.
I look forward to returning to G3 next year.
Jill Baxter says
I just want to say thank you Tony for your articulate synopsis of the conference. Several of people from my church went including my pastor (Joe Jacowitz) and I really wanted to go but couldn’t. I really appreciate you taking the time to do a very thorough examination of all that was taught. I will probably reread this article . Thank you!
Nick Jackson says
I noticed there is no mention of Paul Washer in your review. He was there, I started listening to his sermon yesterday.
Tony Miano says
Paul Washer was not a speaker at this year’s G3 Conference.