This week Cathy and I had the privilege of attending the Gospel Coalition in Orlando. Cathy enjoyed the woman’s version of this conference last summer and upon returning from it determined that she would be a volunteer at the next one. Well, she followed through on her determination and in keeping with her gracious spirit she served conference guests at the information desk.
The theme for the conference was “His Mission: Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.” The plenary sessions were expositions of the gospel of Luke delivered by some of the best pastors and Bible teachers of our day. The workshops were, to quote the program guide, “rich and diverse.” The music was provided by Keith and Kristin Getty.
When you come to a conference of this type and size, you have the joy of meeting and reconnecting with ministry friends as well as former and current students. This was the joy Cathy and I experienced. Instead of boring you with ministries, names, and places, rejoice with me in the power of the Gospel and the fruit that it bears. It is encouraging to remember that the work of ministry, according to Paul, is a fruitful labor (Philippians 1:22). It includes things like repentance (Matthew 3:8) and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), manifested in attitudes and actions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. Conversations that introduce, that update, and that reconnect us are really gospel narratives of how we moved through the various seasons of life. They can be moments of darkness filled with envy, pride, or jealousy, but, by God’s grace, we can say no to that.
So, in a very small way, Cathy and I saw the conference theme, “His Mission: Jesus in the Gospel of Luke” fleshed out in our conversations. The mission of Christ lives on. The Gospel is the power of God. The fruit of the gospel is clearly observable in life and ministry.