Deeper Conference 2009

This past weekend, September 10^th- 13^th we headed out to the Deeper Conference in Atlanta Georgia. While Travis and Ken had the luxury of flying down, Kevin Ford, Kevin Hauk, Josh Anderson and Jimmy Bartner drove the 10 hour trip in Josh’s car. We were blessed to be able to stop and have lunch with brother Jim McClarty of Grace Christian Assembly in Smyrna, Tennessee, who we listen to on a weekly basis through podcast. His website is www.salvationbygrace.org. We sat for 2 hours learning more about the sovereignty of God. We also learned that Ecclesiastes, says something…but Kevin Ford wasn’t quite sure what!! After that it was on to Atlanta. The drive down, was also a blessing, for reasons of fellowship. Just about everything we talked about was Christ centered. On Friday morning we went down to see a taping of Wretched with Todd Friel, who was having Christian artist Scott Krippayne to do some singing. Then we were off to the conference, where Ray Comfort started off with teaching about the eternality of God and the Atheists Sixth Sense. I like Rays comments on witnessing to the lost. “How much do we have to hate someone, not to warn them of the fate of Hell”? And what he said about the norm of Christian prosperity teaching today, hit it right on the mark: “It is a poor sermon that gives no offense”. Then Emeal Zwayne, spoke about the way our country is headed down the same road as Europe in leaving our Christianity behind.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Tim 3:1-5

He ended up his sermon about how we should live to pass on Godly lives to our children.

After EZ, Johnny Hunt spoke about the Forebearance of God. Psalm 103:10- He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. Why didn’t God slay Adam and Eve when they first sin? Why does he not slay us? God is longsuffering. 2Peter 3:9.

Mark Cahill was next teaching about the Holiness of God. Holiness demands justice. And He demands Holiness in the lives of His people. Eph. 5:8-For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. And we should all realize, we should not get pleasure out of the things Jesus died for. 2Cor. 7:1-Therefore, having these promises beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Kirk Cameron spoke about Keeping the foundations Sure in your marriage. Our focus should be Jesus Christ, but if we fail at home, we fail altogether. Our order of importance should be:

1. 
   
   Jesus Christ
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Wives
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Children
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Christians
   
   
   
5. 
   
   The world(unsaved)
   
   
   

We also learned the 3 principles to strengthening a marriage.

1. 
   
   The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Is it my way or Gods way?
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Learn to burn bridges and build altars.
   
   
   

Ravi Zacharias finished out the night on the Veracity of God. Ravi’s teaching is very thought provoking. I would spend the rest of this page just trying to explain one sentence of his. So, let me just say, he was a blessing!!

Scott Krippayne finished the night with great worship, with Kirk reading scripture in between each song.

Friday night after we got back to the hotel, Josh went and played “Maverick” and went to the college across the street and witnessed to some college kids. Ken witnessed to a guy at the gas station, and Kevin Ford witnessed to the lady behind the counter at the gas station. We pray that all that heard the gospel that night, will repent, and turn to God.

Saturday started off with praise and worship with Scott Krippayne, and then Todd Friel preached on the Kindness of God. Speaking of the common grace God has provided for all of creation, we also need to realize, that our main purpose of our existence is for Gods glory. Hell is reasonable, when we realize our sin, and our sin is great, but the Cross of Jesus Christ is greater.

Greg Koukl spoke next on Evil, Suffering and the Goodness of God. Why is there evil, and where did it come from? The presence of evil in the world is one of the best proofs for the existence of God, not against Him.

We finished up with a “breakout” session with Mark Spence, the Dean of the School of Biblical Evangelism. Mark was great, he gave his testimony, and we all could really relate. He also spoke on Gods sovereignty in all things. I like his quote” God is not done with you, because your still alive”.

After Deeper concluded, we went out with “The 500”. They are a group that goes out street evangelizing. Our group went to mid town Atlanta, a predominately Gay part of town. We were able to share the gospel with a number of people. Travis actually got up and did some “open air preaching”. It was a great night, and Gods name was glorified.

Sunday, it was back to the airport for Travis and Ken, and the rest of us got back on the road, and made a stop back in Smyrna Tennessee, to catch a service at Jim McClartys church. It was truly a blessing to see him preach in person, sing the hymns, and meet the majority of people in his congregation.

So what did we learn through all of this? There are brethren out there. Sometimes we can get a prophet like syndrome where we think we are all alone. Gathering like this helps us to see how God is moving in many places and not just in our town. God is not done as Christ has not come back, so we need to press on until He returns. This weekend was such a blessing to see God's Word proclaimed in such a way that glorified Him. The worship truly was a blessing as all of the voices lifted up praise to the only One who is worthy. The witnessing was humbling once again. As we saw the Spirit move around us all weekend, it is still humbling to be granted the opportunity to share the Gospel and possibly be used in the salvation of someone. We pray for all who heard the gospel, that God would grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim 2:25.

May God receive all the glory honor and praise until our last breaths.

Humbly,

St. Louis Evangelism Team.