Notes on Dr. Danny Akin's Founders Breakfast Sermon (6/23/09)

Sermon text: 3 John. Sermon focused on the necessity of both “creeds and deeds” in the Christian life. Dr. Akin examined three persons mentioned in the text: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. Focus of the text is the Great Commission (i.e., the spread of the gospel in making disciples) as related to the lives of these three individuals. Key recurring words in this text are “truth” and “love.” Dr. Akin spent some time exhorting us from 3 John 2 in which the elder prays that Gaius may be just as physically healthy as he is spiritually healthy; if someone prayed that for us as individuals, as a ministry, or as a Convention, how would our physical health fare? Dr. Akin spoke of the reputation of the individuals in this book; what is our reputation as individuals, as a ministry or as a Convention– what do others think of us– what are we most known by? Excellent exegesis and exhortation was given from 3 John.

Dr. Akin closed by noting 10 things that he appreciated about Founders Ministries and by giving 7 warnings to Founders Ministries. The list of things Dr. Akin appreciated about Founders Ministries included items such as: the fact that the vision statement for Founders Ministries detailed clear commitment to the idea of “creeds and deeds” Dr. Akin had been exploring from 3 John and the long-standing commitment of Founders Ministries to regenerate church membership. Warnings that Dr. Akin issued mostly involved admonitions that we should not be unnecessarily combative, that we should focus on Christ Himself rather than Calvinism, and that we should be always passionate for missions and evangelism. Dr. Akin’s appreciation for Founders Ministries seemed sincere, and his warnings were given with utmost respect– for these reasons and because of the excellence with which he had handled the biblical text, he seemed very well received by everyone in the room.