Expositors' Conference 2012

This week I had the privilege of attending the sixth annual Expositors' Conference at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.  I've attended five out of the six conferences, missing only last year's event, as I was in my first month of ministry at Webster Bible Church and didn't feel right leaving for a conference just then.

The first Expositors' Conference in 2007 and this year's conference featured two of my favorite preachers:  John MacArthur and Steve Lawson.  You can read their individual biographical sketches on  several websites, including their own respective churches (Grace Community Church and Christ Fellowship Baptist Church).  But I want to share just a word about how each of these men have ministered to me personally.

I first became exposed to John MacArthur's ministry when someone gave me his landmark book The Gospel According to Jesus.  I was in Bible college when this was published, and it rocked my world.  I came to see from Scripture the implications of Jesus' lordship over my life -- what Jesus really meant when He said, "Follow me."  Since reading that book, I've come to appreciate just about every other book and commentary written by John MacArthur.  He is a faithful, accurate, uncompromising teacher of God's truth.  My guess is that, if the Lord tarries, John MacArthur will be one of the leading figures of church history in this generation (along with R. C. Sproul and John Piper).  I truly thank God for the impact this man has had on my life.  All things considered, John MacArthur is probably my favorite living Bible teacher.

Steve Lawson was the other keynote speaker of the 2012 Expositors' Conference.  In fact, Steve Lawson is always one of the two keynote speakers at this conference, for he is the host pastor and a very popular preacher himself, speaking at major events such as the Shepherds' Conference and the Ligonier Conference, which are attended by thousands each year.  I first met Steve at the 2006 Shepherds' Conference.  I'll never forget his sermon on Nehemiah 8.  After hearing it, I turned to one of my friends and said, "I've never  preached a sermon in my life."  That's how I felt after listening to the passionate preaching of Dr. Lawson.  In the spring of 2007 he visited New England to speak at a conference and to do research on George Whitefield.  I was blessed to spend several days with Steve and to have him preach at First Baptist Church in Weymouth, where I pastored (1999-2011).  Since then we have enjoyed a friendship built on our love for the Lord, our commitment to his truth, our passion for preaching, and our heart for the local church (plus a common sense of humor!).

At conferences such as this, relationships are formed with like-minded brothers and sisters in Christ -- friendships that will last throughout eternity.  The idea of worshiping God together free from any taint of sin, and full of sincere love for God and one another, keeps me encouraged on the more mundane and doleful days of ministry.  It also reminds me of how important it is to keep sharing the Good News, so that others can join the ranks of the redeemed, and bask in the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.