It has been more than a month, Thursday night, April 23, that I heard Drs. D. A. Carson and John Piper give hour long lectures on their life and ministry at Park Community Church in Chicago. Carson and Piper have impacted many, including me, through their preaching and books that focus on a passionate proclamation of the Gospel for the glory of God. I have have been blessed to sit under the teaching these humble servants whether at Bible conference or at my church.
Tonight these brothers shared their hearts what God has taught them during their life and ministry. Here are some "nuggets" I took away from the time.
D. A. Carson: 12 Lessons Learned
1. Take steps from being a mere quarter master. In other words, one who brings supplies to the frontlines.
2. Beware of the seduction of applause.
3. It’s more important to be learned than to learn. Keep in mind that on the last day of my life I ultimately stand before Jesus Christ and will give an account to Him alone.
4. Fight with every part of my being the objective study of Scripture and devotion to God through His Word.
5. Be worshipful and devout in the most critical exegesis of the text. Never develop an upstairs objective thought and downstairs devotion.
6. Never forget that there are people out there. People for whom Christ has died.
7. Recognize the giftedness in others. Avoid pride at all costs. Apostle Paul wrote, “I am what I am by the grace of God" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
8. Recognize that students don’t learn everything I teach. What do they learn? What I am most excited about.
9. Keep the main thing “the main thing”. Be more than a master of the New Testament, but mastered by the New Testament.
Pray and work for a scholarly vision beyond a publisher’s vision. (Probably doesn't apply to most of us since we do not write books, but maybe we will.) Where is my vision beyond what a publisher asks me to write?
10. Love the church!
11. Avoid “Lone Ranger scholarship”.
Sir Francis Bacon: “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.”
12. Take the work seriously, but not myself. Laugh at yourself regularly.
D. A. Carson: 12 Lessons Learned
1. Take steps from being a mere quarter master. In other words, one who brings supplies to the frontlines.
2. Beware of the seduction of applause.
3. It’s more important to be learned than to learn. Keep in mind that on the last day of my life I ultimately stand before Jesus Christ and will give an account to Him alone.
4. Fight with every part of my being the objective study of Scripture and devotion to God through His Word.
5. Be worshipful and devout in the most critical exegesis of the text. Never develop an upstairs objective thought and downstairs devotion.
6. Never forget that there are people out there. People for whom Christ has died.
7. Recognize the giftedness in others. Avoid pride at all costs. Apostle Paul wrote, “I am what I am by the grace of God" (1 Corinthians 15:10).
8. Recognize that students don’t learn everything I teach. What do they learn? What I am most excited about.
9. Keep the main thing “the main thing”. Be more than a master of the New Testament, but mastered by the New Testament.
Pray and work for a scholarly vision beyond a publisher’s vision. (Probably doesn't apply to most of us since we do not write books, but maybe we will.) Where is my vision beyond what a publisher asks me to write?
10. Love the church!
11. Avoid “Lone Ranger scholarship”.
Sir Francis Bacon: “Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.”
12. Take the work seriously, but not myself. Laugh at yourself regularly.
