Backtracking: The Last Two Days of Next

I decided to go back in time a little bit and briefly cover the final two days of the Next conference. I have already covered the first two days so you can scroll down to see them both if you would like.

May 28, 2012

This day began with a great sermon by Kevin DeYoung (titled The Church + Holiness) on our conscience. He talked about how our conscience "is the mark of being an adult" and "separates us from animals." However, out conscience can, and does, go wrong; we can have an evil conscience, a seared conscience, or even a defiled or weak conscience. What we want to have is a good/clean conscience. He also stated that, "God means for your conscience to be your friend." It can show us the wrong in our lives that we need to deal with, and it can show us when we are forgiven and clean. Another of his statements was that, "God forgives you, in Christ, as an act of justice. It has been paid for."

After this we broke for another free lunch! It was raining so we had to eat inside, but Suzanne, Lindsay, and I chose a seat on the floor near some glass doors so we could at least see outside.

The second sermon of the day was by Matt Chandler on "The Church + Culture." He spoke about how we need to be salt and light in the culture around us. He stated, "God has uniquely placed you where you are" and asked if we saw our college, neighborhood, etc in this way.

These were the only two sermons of the day. There were some breakout type sessions for pastors and worship leaders (which I did not attend). In addition, that evening (as well as the evening before) C.J. Mahaney sat down with one of the speakers and talked with them about their lives. This night it was Matt Chandler and the night before it was with Kevin DeYoung.

May 29, 2012

The last day of the conference. C.J. Mahaney spoke that morning on "The Church + Disappointment" and how we should react when we are disappointed with one's church.  We ought to remember God's sovereignty, avoid complaining, and remember that it is not about us, but about God, and Christ, and loving other people. We also need to remember to hold fast to the gospel because it can ultimately satisfy, but no church can.

After this message ended, we said some goodbyes, and then Lindsay, Suzanne, and I waited until our shuttle arrived to transport us to the Orlando airport. The three of us were on the same flight, but we had quite a bit of time to wait in the airport. 


We split up in Atlanta with Suzanne heading home on a different flight from Lindsay and I (who were together). Flights home are never quite as exciting, and I think we were all tired from the great weekend. I know I slept part of the time! It was a wonderful weekend, but it was also good to return home.

 

These and all the other messages from Next 2012 (as well as previous Next/New Attitude conferences) are available for free at www.thisisnext.org