Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas, esteemed teaching pastor of historic First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, and John R. Richards professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary was seen “walking downtown with his hat turned sideways and his pants on the ground.”

Day 2 of T4G was full of sound teaching and great singing. The day kicked off with Thabiti Anyabwile, pastor of First Baptist, Grand Cayman, speaking on the gospel and its relationship to culture. He introduced himself by saying that his names were rich in meaning. “Thabiti” means “Who did I tick off to get the 8 a.m. slot?” and “Anyabwile” means “Thank God for early morning free coffee.”

The talk itself was a plea for pastors not to let the gospel become enculturated. All cultures are essentially apostate, and we must not make the church captive to any one culture, but rather emphasize that the gospel creates a new race, a new culture of Christ-followers. The church, he says, must not be lulled into thinking the culture is a tool that can be molded or shaped to serve gospel ends –when pushed, the culture always pushes back, and inevitably warps (or adjusts) the gospel. He reminded the hearers of the Van Tillian doctrine of antithesis: that truly, friendship with the world is enmity towards God.

Next up with John MacArthur, who, now in his fortieth year of gospel ministry, attacked the text in his classic style, mining the depths of God’s word for its riches. The topic today was a theology of sleep, drawn from Mark 4. The sower of the seed sows, then sleeps. He doesn’t make the seed grow, God does. As always, MacArthur said some provocative things in provocative ways: not least of which that he always preaches to the mind, and consciously not to the heart or the will.

The afternoon was given over to rest and smaller breakout sessions, including upcoming luminaries like the prolific young pastor of University Reformed in E. Lansing, MI, Kevin De Young, who tackled the difficult topic of the impassibility of God with clarity and gusto. Other speakers included PCA pastor Brian Habig of Greenville, SC, on the topic “Fears of the Minister.”

The evening session saw John Piper take the stage to exposit the Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, preaching to mind, heart, will, and affections with power and authority. Piper’s basic contention was that this parable frames the entirety of the gospels –understanding an alien righteousness requires us to abandon both our sins and our own inherent goodness. We don’t look to the fruits of God’s work in our lives, or our gifts, or any other things, but rather to Christ and his all-sufficiency. To invest ourselves in our justification by our obedience or any other thing robs Christ of glory for doing all the work.

Before Piper took the pulpit, the gathered audience was treated to Reformed Christian Hip Hop by Capitol Hill Baptist intern Shai Linne. Afterwards, the Rev. Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas, esteemed teaching pastor of historic First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, and John R. Richards professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary was seen “walking downtown with his hat turned sideways and his pants on the ground.”

Some of the most productive times come in the various public conversations among the speakers held for the benefit of the audience. It is a rare gift to have men of such ability, humility, godliness and experience gather together to discuss ministry challenges, joys, and advice.

Tomorrow morning with bring on the venerable Ligon Duncan speaking about the church fathers and the gospel, then the vibrant C. J. Mahaney, who will interview Pastor Matt Chandler, who is currently wrestling against a brain tumor. Then, the good “gospel men” (as Anyabwile described us) will head home to their own beds, studies, and pulpits. .

Ken Pierce is Senior Minister at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Jackson, MS. Ken will be providing regular updates on this conference for The Aquila Report.