The final session of the spring conference (aka: “The Kingdom of God Three-Day Event” :)) began at 7:00 on April 4 at Thompson Road Baptist Church.

After singing “He Hideth My Soul,” Bro. Dave Parks reminded us of a quote from William Carey, the father of modern missions. “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” Bro. Parks added one more line, “Ask great things of God.”

Bro. J. Anthony Vance, Associate Pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, was the final speaker at the conference. His wife Becky sang “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed” before he preached.

Bro. Vance’s sermon was about “The Sufficency of Scripture” as seen in Psalm 19:7-11. The Bible reveals God to us, therefore it should be valuable to us. We need a renewed conviction that the Bible is sufficient for knwing God well. We can know God’s heart and His character through His Word.

The sufficiency of Scripture is the vital key to the future and hope of Baptist Faith Missions for any lasting success. What is the sufficiency of Scripture? The fact that the Bible contains everything we need regarding the truth it declares. Nothing else is necessary for the life of faith. “Scripture contains all the words of God we need for salvation, for trusting Him perfectly, and for obeying Him perfectly.” (Wayne Grudem)

All faith springs from the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Everything God wants us to know about a relationship with Him is in the Holy Scriptures. (2 Timothy 3:14-15) There is no good work that God desires or requires of us that the Bible does not address.

God’s Word is sufficient for the believer in every generation in every culture in every country on the planet.

The Bible gives us clear instructions on how to live for the glory of God in every circumstance in life. Bro. Vance works as a barber and while the Bible does not tell him specifically how to cut someone’s hair, it does tell him how to do his job. For example, it tells him the attitude to have when cutting one’s hair, how to work with integrity, how to treat customers in his shop, and how to view and manage his income. The Bible is as sufficient for a barber and man changing the oil in his car as it is for a pastor or theologian. He has given us all we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

The Bible is sufficient for nourishing, sustaining, and growing the Lord’s work and His church. It is enough for the church to accomplish her mission to make disciples in all nations. God’s strategy for church growth is to preach the Word! (2 Timothy 4:1-4) If we neglect the Scriptures, we neglect the Head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Sufficiency of the Scriptures demands the following:
1) That we value the Scripture as precious beyond measure.
     -Hear it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it.
2) That we not elevate our tradition and/or our preferences to the level of the Scriptures.
      -Scripture stands alone.
3) That we not neglect anything in Scripture.
4) That we test everything by the truth of Scripture.
      -Scripture is the standard by which we judge every other thing. If it contradicts God’s Word, it is not of God.
5) That we be content with the content of Scripture.
     -Be thankful for the substance of the Scripture. (Deuteronomy 29:29) Rely on and rejoice in its sufficiency.
6)That we labor to bring it to every people group on the planet.
     -If it’s sufficient, we must get it out to all nations in their language and tongue.

Therefore, pray. Give. Go. Share the living words of life to sinners who are dead in sins and need the Gospel of Christ.

The conference concluded with a congregational hymn: “How Firm a Foundation.” How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent word! What more can He say than to you He hath said— To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

To read a recap of previous conference services, click here.