I’m writing these summaries as a way to talk about and rehash for myself some of the things that happened while I was at CrossCon early this year. While I initially planned to write a summary for every session that I took notes on (which was almost every session I heard), I realized after beginning that this was a huge task that I wasn’t all that motivated to finish. So here instead are the first few sessions I heard while I was there, closed with one of the most influential sessions I experienced at CrossCon. Here we go.

One Hope: The Gospel

Garrett Kell. Luke 18:18-30

The focus of this sermon by Garrett Kell was the rich young ruler, the ways he fell, and how we are similar to him. The ultimate point he wanted to drive home is that Jesus is worth giving up whatever it takes to gain Him.

He notes several things about the Rich Young Ruler:

  • He wants eternal life.
  • He is a moral person.
  • He is held in high esteem (by everyone except Jesus).
  • He is required to give away everything to follow Jesus.
  • He walks away from the offer because he is extremely rich.

An interesting note that Kell made is that the Rich Young Ruler claimed to have kept the whole law, but that his interaction with Jesus made it obvious that he was guilty of breaking the first commandment: Have no other gods before Me.

It must’ve felt like an impossible task for the Rich Young Ruler to give away all that he owned. He is unwilling to surrender to Jesus, and is instead content to merely appreciate Him instead of giving the adoration that is owed. So now, Kell spent time comparing us to the Rich Young Ruler. What are some possible stumbling blocks that would keep us from walking away just as the Rich Young Ruler did?

  1. Prosperity

Kell was sure to point out that money itself isn’t evil, but that the love of money is. The problem is when you’re money owns you, as it did with the Rich Young Ruler. I also found it interesting when he implied that one can love money even when they don’t have very much. He recommended that giving money away helps you trust God more and can help overcome this stumbling block.

2. Popularity

Caring what people think and longing to be liked will keep you from Jesus. You should be willing to look foolish to the world for the sake of sharing the gospel.

‘How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? ‘ John 5:44

3. Pleasure

One must be willing to put natural desires to death for the sake of the kingdom. This can be very difficult, but it is required to follow Christ. I don’t think Kell mentioned this verse, but it seems relevant:

‘For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ‘ Romans 8:13

4. Pain

Suffering is guaranteed in life, making it a sure temptation. Interestingly, Kell pointed out that pain will always push you in a direction, and it is up to you to decide what direction that will be. It can either push you closer to God in trust or further from Him in disdain. Pain can be used as a powerful tool to draw closer to God, if used properly.

5. Persecution

I didn’t have as many notes on this final point, but it seems to me to be a mix of the popularity and pain problems mentioned above. This is another point that could prove precarious, and it is promised to us, just as pain is. We must therefore be ready to fight temptation when persecution comes, prepared to put to death the sinful thoughts of doubt that may arise.

The main point Garrett Kell was trying to drive home in the end is that Jesus is worth more than all of these things. He is worthy of your devotion and the struggle it will take to overcome obstacles in your way. If the Rich Young Ruler could talk to us now, he would say that it is worth it to give all you have to follow Christ, for ““Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers  or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”” (Luke 18:29-30).

Perhaps it would be profitable to take the time and think about which of the 5 things Kell mentioned you would be most likely to fall into.

This was a good way to open CrossCon 25, a very solid sermon.

A Gospel-Fueled, Gouge-Out-Your-Eye Call to Holiness

Panel: Kevin DeYoung, Rosaria Butterfield, Garrett Kell

The focus of the members in this panel was driving home the point to do whatever it takes to kill your sin. This type of dedication is required of Christians, but it does not earn salvation. This is something they mentioned early on, so that the listeners do not have improper motives. The type of hatred for sin that the Christian life requires only comes with growing love for God. Love for God leads to hatred for sin.

There were several helpful quotes in the first several minutes that I noted down, such as:

“Worldviews shape people. Bad doctrine will kill you.”

“Repentance is hard work.”

“I learned how to hate sin without hating myself.”

and,

“Love never says to do anything that hurts [someone’s] relationship with God.”

The fight with sin is a violent fight. It requires much. It often includes changing in your own mind what you are fine with, as well as changing of acquaintances if they are encouraging you in your sinful actions. I found Rosaria Butterfield’s thoughts on repentance interesting: (I’m pulling this from another of her talks over the weekend. She didn’t seem to finish her thoughts completely the first time, although some of it was the same).

  1. Sight of sin
  2. Sorrow for sin
  3. Confession of sin
  4. Shame for sin
  5. Hatred for sin
  6. Turning from sin -> This requires fighting sin at its point of origin, which is often in one’s own mind. This will be much easier than waiting until it gives birth to an action. Repenting for “small”1 sins before they become bigger is the path to success.

Another thought I found helpful was that a person’s sinful nature can cause curiosity. Such curiosity should not be treated with gentleness.

And finally, a word of encouragement. Repentance is an act that proclaims Jesus as your personal Lord. Turning from your sin to him is a proclamation that he is Lord over all of you. This is a very glorious thing.

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7

One Ambition: The Glory of Jesus

John Musyimi. 1 Kings 10:1-9

Here, the ultimate point Musyimi concluded with, the main point he wanted to drive home, is that Jesus is greater than Solomon. We are to be like the Queen of Sheba who was impressed by Solomon’s wealth and greatness, but even more so because Jesus is infinitely greater than Solomon.

He defined impressed as capturing or transforming one’s heart, transforming them. Literally making an impression on them. After this definition, we must find someone impressive enough to change us completely for the better: King Jesus.

Musyimi had four main points:

  1. She came

  2. She saw

  3. He conquered

  4. Jesus is greater than him.

  5. She came

A ruler from a distant land comes bringing gifts to a kingly son of David. She has heard the stories of Solomon’s greatness, and it says she “heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord.” (1 Kings 10:1). She is coming not only with gifts but also with questions, wanting to discover if the stories she’d heard about Solomon were true.

2. She saw

Upon arriving, she sees the glory of Solomon, his riches, wisdom, culture, and worship. She is confronted by magnificence of every kind. He answers all her questions.

3. He conquered

The greatness of Solomon’s kingdom quite literally takes her breath away (1 Kings 10:5). She breaks forth into praise for Solomon and his kingdom, expressing her enjoyment (1 Kings 10: 6-9). His kingdom was even better than she had imagined (1 Kings 10:7).

4. Jesus is greater than him

“The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.” (Matthew 12:42)

Here we have the application. Jesus is worthy of much greater awe than Solomon! His kingdom is greater, His servants are greater, His knowledge and wisdom are greater, He receives His gifts earlier, His kingdom has a better end, His name is greater, He was more righteous, He dies for his servants, He was not defeated by death, He is the true Son of David, He is more impressive and more famous.

The impressiveness of Jesus will draw His followers away from everything else. However, His followers are different from the Queen of Sheba in that she came to see Solomon’s glory, but not only do we come to see, but also go out to the ends of the earth to proclaim this glory.

We should be like the Queen of Sheba. We must pursue this superior glory daily. We must share this glory daily.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” -Helen Lemmel

Hearing Without Doing: The Danger of Our Information Age

David Platt. James 1
The point of this talk was to emphasize the importance of God’s Word. Platt begins by explaining the importance of oxygen to the body. He asks the audience to inhale and exhale deeply, and explains everything that happens when you inhale. (He also adds in that your body would reject anything hazardous to inhale, like smoke). He goes on to say that the Bible is infinitely more important to us than oxygen. Not only can it give life, but it can also save your soul. James 1 is his source for most of this session.

Platt says that a few centuries ago, it would’ve been common for the average Christian to have five or six times for studying the Bible in one day, starting before dawn and ending before bed. He says that our phones (the world) have taken this role in recent days, where we look at it as soon as we wake up, right before going to bed, and throughout the day (the average person checks their phone once every 10 minutes). He emphasizes that there is a better way! A way that leads to life. Orienting your life around God’s Word. He gives 3 points on how to do this, and closes by asking us to think on ways to deepen God’s Word in our lives.

  1. Receive God’s Word Humbly and Wholeheartedly

Being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19) apply in all of life, but even more so when it comes to the Word of God. They imply meekness (James 1:21) and humility, accepting God’s Word and listening eagerly. Platt gave the helpful analogy of when he would receive letters from his wife before they were married, and how he would be so excited and obsessed to analyze everything she wrote to him, looking for deeper meaning.2 How much more should we do that with the Word of God? Even the fact that he speaks to us should inspire awe.

2. Remember God’s Word Intentionally and Continually

Receiving God’s word is the first step. However, it will do little good if it’s immediately forgotten. Looking closely in James 1 implies taking time and meditating on God’s Word. Platt says that we ought to continue looking at God’s Word throughout the day after initial devotions. Memorizing the Bible is another key to fulfilling this step. Memorize as much of it as you can. In order to do this well, you’ll need an intentional plan to make it as easy and consistent as possible. Platt gave several acronyms on how to meditate on the Word of God and how to pray. MAPS and PRAY:

Meditate and memorize. What does this passage mean?

Apply. How can I act on this passage?

PRAY through the passage. Use the acronym below as an outline.

Share the passage and your takeaway. Intentionally think through how you can help someone else with this passage. This will also help with remembering what you’ve read.

And the PRAY acronym:

Praise God.

Repent.

Ask God for help.

Yield to God and His will.

3. Obey God’s Word Immediately and Gladly

Along the lines of yielding to God’s Word, you have Platt’s third point. He opened this section with the frightening thought that it is possible to read and hear God’s Word every day and still be deceiving yourself if you aren’t acting on it. Contrast this with a doer who acts, and he will be blessed while the other is deceived. Acting is the key difference between these polar opposites. He said this is not works-based salvation, but rather obeying Jesus as His follower. And conversely, hearing without doing accustoms your heart to this habit, which will only help this bad fruit (or lack of fruit?) to grow. If you’re still struggling, let the promises of Psalm 1 act as further motivation. Be the one who is blessed, not the one who perishes. Meditate day and night.

Takeaways:

To close his talk, Platt asked the listeners to think and pray over what they are being called to do in response to his message and their previous failings, writing down two or three habits they were going to implement. Here are the ones I wrote down:

  • Being deliberate with devotions. They ought to be a much bigger part of my life than they currently are, and shouldn’t be shrugged off so lightly when I fail.
  • Memorize consistently and intentionally. This is something I feel I do pretty well already, but I want to keep doing and build into a better habit.
  • Read continually. This is an area that I am not good in, and would like to improve. The fact that I always have a Bible in my pocket isn’t often remembered, and I’d like to spend more time consuming it instead of other things that I currently do. This doesn’t have to be a super deliberate thing like I want devotions to be, but rather something that I turn to when I’m trying to fill time.

How can these things be implemented immediately and gladly? Here are some of my ideas (each aimed at its matching bullet point above). I’d be glad to hear any suggestions you have as well.

  • I should schedule time to actually do devotions, not scheduling times when I would like to do devotions but often fail in. If that means doing it before lunch instead of 6AM, then that’s fine. I should schedule them for a time that I would actually want to do them, not when I feel like I should. Another idea is to implement more friction in devotions and the rest of the day, so that the time feels more set apart. Often, even if I succeed in waking up on time to do devotions, I’ll fail to actually do them either because I feel too tired, actually fall back asleep, or end up on my phone. Making it an important time with rituals3 to distinguish it from regular life.
  • This is something I’ve already been trying to implement with an iOS app called Streaks. The idea is to start a streak and keep it alive as long as you can, to offer extra motivation to build good habits. It has been helpful. Another app I’ve used for this is called Versify. It does some things well, but the more I use it the more I think it shouldn’t be the only method used for memorization, at least for me. I find that I’m using rote memorization to memorize, instead of past methods where I had more of a feel for the outline of the passage and the line of thinking, which would help me in memorizing. I’d like to implement a strategy that includes analyzing the passage to pick up on the train of thought behind it, and then learn the more minute details with Versify. Something to think about.
  • Being more deliberate with what app I use when I open my phone is one way to implement this. I often open up entertainment apps by default when I unlock my phone. If I can change this habit to opening Bible instead (or Versify), that would work me a long way towards my goal. An app I’ve been using to help with part of this recently is called One Sec. Without diving into details, it has something that might be helpful for this purpose, but it would cost me $20 per year. I’d love to hear your thoughts, dear reader, on if I should buy that or try to implement this myself. I could go into more detail on its functionality in the comments as well, if requested. Regardless, building habits is what I want here.4

This session was probably one of my biggest takeaways looking back on CrossCon. Now I actually need to act on the things that I feel because of this session. If you’re one of the people reading who see me in person often, feel free to ask me how these bullet points are going. Accountability is a big reason I included them here.

As always, thanks for reading.

  1. Of course, there are no truly small sins because every sin condemns the sinner to hell, but relatively speaking some sins are smaller than others. ↩︎
  2. It was very funny. ↩︎
  3. Or, “routines.” ↩︎
  4. A thought just entered my mind that I could also try to build the habit of listening to the Bible as well. That could be something to consider, but I won’t commit to anything yet. I want to build habits because I want to, not because I feel like I should. ↩︎

Edit: Fixing incorrect number issues with the footnotes.