Duncan, Mohler, and Dever Discuss Covenant Theology

During this year's Together for the Gospel conference, Ligon Duncan, Mark Dever, and Albert Mohler discussed Covenant Theology. This panel discussion was the most talked about moment during the conference, which this is more edifying than any of the Baptism debates you will see on Twitter. The conversation begins after the three minute mark following some announcements for those who were livestreaming the conference.  

A Discussion on Multisite Churches

As far as I can remember, the issue of multisite churches has been a hot topic. For those not familiar with this topic, a multisite church is where one church has a worship service happening in more than one location at the same time. Most of these churches with have the preacher on a livestream preaching the sermon at one campus while he preaches in the main campus.

There are several churches that have gone with this model. We have one here in our city even though we are not a metropolitan area. Jonathan Leeman's new book, One Assembly, addresses this issue.

In these videos, Leeman talks with Mark Dever on why he wrote the book and what is the Biblical case against multisite churches:

Mark Dever on How The Old Testament Saints Were Saved

Mark Dever's Sermon from T4G 2012 on False Conversions

Recommended Reading:

Conversion: How God Creates a People by Michael Lawrence

The Gospel Call and True Conversion by Paul Washer

Mark Dever's Expositional Series on Romans 3

Romans 3 shows us the depravity of man and the hope of the gospel all in one chapter. Other than chapter 8, it is one of the most read and preached texts in the book of Romans. Earlier this year, Mark Dever began an expositional series on Romans 3 at his church, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, which he just completed a few weeks ago:

The Defendants: Romans 3:1-4

The Judge: Romans 3:5-8

The Charges: Romans 3:9-18

The Law: Romans 3:19-20

The Surprising Verdict: Romans 3:21-25

The Verdict: Romans 3:25-26

The Life of the Forgiven: Romans 3:27-31

A Message and Panel Discussion on Expository Preaching

There are many Christians that do not know or even understand what expository preaching is. Even some church leaders fail to grasp what it is as well. One pastor called it cheating because that is not how you make people grow.

These two videos from the 9 Marks Conference at Midwestern Seminary are for those who have yet to comprehend what expository preaching is and encourage for those who do expository preaching as well.

The first video is Mark Dever's message on expository preaching:



This next video is a panel discussion at it relates to Mark's message:



Recommended Reading:

Expositional Preaching: How We Speak God's Word Today by David R Helm

What To Do If You Are Doubting Your Salvation

Ever struggle with assurance of your salvation? I know I have done that before. As we go through the Bible and see what the Lord expects out of His people, it is easy to wonder if we are saved because we see where we fall short and all of us fall short.

Salvation is by grace yet we act as if we can lost it. We will all face doubts especially with our salvation in this life. If you are doubting your salvation, I hope these words from Mark Dever in this video will encourage you:

Mark Dever on Conversion

Recommended Reading:

Conversion: How God Creates a People by Michael Lawrence

The Gospel Call and True Conversion by Paul Washer

Mark Dever's Message on Leadership from 9 Marks at Southeastern 2017

This is the best message on leadership I have ever heard.

Mark Dever On How To Cultivate a Gospel-Centered Church

Mark Dever on the Importance of Baptism

Recommended Reading:

Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ

Going Public: Why Baptism Is Required for Church Membership by Bobby Jamieson

Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman Talk About Marks of a Healthy Church

Nathan W Bingham chats with Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman on what are marks of a healthy church and why the church still needs to be reformed.

Cultivating a Culture of Discipling

I have been enjoying Mark Dever's latest book, Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus. This book shows us how we are to be invested in the lives of other believers. There are churches that think that discipling comes in the form of Sunday School or a Discipleship Training class, which are all good, but there is hardly any one-on-one interaction.

Recently, Dever preached to pastors and church leaders on how to cultivate a culture of discipling during the First Five Years conference that took place in Ft. Worth, Texas last week:

Mark Dever's Sermon from T4G 2016 - Endurance Needed: Strength for a Slow Reformation and the Dangerous Allure of Speed

Matt Chandler was quoted saying, "This Is One of the Best Sermons on Pastoral Ministry I Have Ever Heard." I would have to agree with him on this one.

Where Does The Church Still Need Reform In?

In this panel discussion from Together for the Gospel 2016, John MacArthur, Albert Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and Mark Dever discuss where the church needs reforming:

Should Baptisms Be Spontaneous?

There were times in church history that before people were baptized, there was a period of instruction. Many churches will require a new convert to take a class before being baptized so they understand what this means. Other churches just do it on the same Sunday they get saved. I visited a church that just had a Disciple Now weekend for their youth and they baptized every individual that made professions of faith.

This has been a great debate in the church for the past few years and I don't think its going away anytime soon. In this video, Matt Chandler, Matt Dever, and Darrin Patrick talk about this very issue.

Should The Church Be Multi-ethnic and What Does A Church Look Like?

When people think of a church, they normally think of the building. We associate the church with a location, not a people. So when you ask someone what should a church look like, most don't have a clue because of what they see in the media or experienced in attending a church service.

In the video below, we have John Piper talking with Stephen Um and Trip Lee asking the question if every church should be multi-ethnic.



Next we have (audio only) Mark Dever, Crawford Loritts, and Tim Keller discussing, what a church should look like.

Recommended Reading:

9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever

Center Church by Tim Keller

The Church: The Gospel Made Visible by Mark Dever

What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert

Around The Web-December 4, 2015

What is Doctrine? by Scott Swain

Seven Reasons to Celebrate Advent by Ryan Shelton

How to Pray the News by Joe Carter

6 Principles for Student Ministry by Jonathan Leeman

In case you have not heard, all ESV Bibles from Crossway are 50% off through the month of December

Mark Dever and Tim Keller discuss why Martyn Lloyd-Jones matters today.



Be sure to check out this post on who was Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

If you are on Christian Mingle, they will send an inspector.

Teaching is Everything

Teaching is everything. I do not mean that teaching is the only thing that a pastor should do. Nor do I advocate some lifeless orthodoxy. What I mean is that everything that happens up front in a corporate worship gathering is part of the teaching ministry of the church. Everything teaches, whether you intend to or not. The songs teach people doctrine and proper affections for God. Your prayers (or lack of them) teach people how to pray themselves. The kinds of prayers you pray (or don't pray) teach people about the important difference between prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. The way you administer the ordinances teaches people about their meaning, and even the very meaning of the Gospel. Your preaching teaches people how to study and use the Bible appropriately. Everything from the call of worship to the benediction counts as teaching. Teaching is everything.

Mark Dever and Paul Alexander, The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel

If the Gospel Isn’t Shaping Your Church, What Is?

The Gospel Coalition:

Mark Dever, J. D. Greear, and John Onwuchekwa on Being Truly Gospel-Centered.