The Satisfying Gospel, session 3
While session 2 focused on how Christ died for the sinner, session 3 focused on the fact that Christ died for God (Romans 1:4-7), for His name's sake. Again, keep in mind that I am posting based on my notes; listen to the sessions to fully benefit.

Salvation is for the glory of God (Romans 11:33-36; 1 Corinthians 15) .
Absolutely everything is for the glory of God.
Consequent behavior by the saved sinner is in Romans chapter 12 and following.
All is about divine glory (John 17:11).
In Romans 3:25b-31 we see how God is is satisfied and glorified.
The cross of Christ...
1. declares God's righteousness.
On what basis does God forgive?  See Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 78:38; Micah 7:18; Acts 17:30 for the answer.
Romans 3:26 frames the issue; the death of Christ answers; the cross reaches back to cover sin once hidden and now revealed; God was vindicated at the cross; the justice of God was on display.
2. demonstrates His grace (Romans 3:26-28); Christ the Infinite Person therefore able in three hours to bear the wrath of God for the sins of all who will ever believe.
3. reveals God's consistency (Romans 3:29-30; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 16:19; Ephesians 4); God is one and is God of all--Deuteronomy 6:4.
4. confirms God's law (Romans 3:31; Galatians 3); we cannot break God's law without activating God's wrath.

The Satisfying Gospel, session 2
Keep in mind that these posts are of my notes from the Truth Matters conference; you would profit from listening to the messages for yourself.  They are posted online.

Sessions 2 and 3 were both about the satisfying gospel, but from different perspectives.  In session 2, the emphasis was on how the gospel satisfies sinners needs because Christ died for sinners.  The key word is "righteousness" because the gospel is about righteousness.
Job asked the right question in Job 9:1-20: How can I be right with such a God?
All religions seek to answer such a question.
The religions of human achievement say they are the only way.
But we turn to Romans 1:18-3:20, which shows that no one can be righteous in the basis of human effort; no one is justified by the works of the law.  Not even the Jews are (see Micah 6:7-8; Romans 3:19-20--no defense).
Romans 3:21--the light breaks in full hope, but now it is in the righteousness of God, as it was for Paul (see Philippians 3).
The essence of the gospel is God to the rescue.
The only acceptable righteousness is the righteousness of God (see Isaiah 45:8).
The heart of the gospel is the righteousness of God.
Jesus lived a perfect life and therefore could provide a substitutionary death.
The burnt offering of Leviticus 1 included the essential features of atonement:
1. the innocent for the guilty
2. all the weight leaned upon the lamb in the transfer of guilt indicates faith
3. death at the hand of the offender indicates a personal connection
4. blood shed as death is the penalty for sin
5. the entire sacrifice burned
6. God was pleased, His wrath placated.
But this was temporary.
We can see the provision of everlasting righteousness in Isaiah 9:12 and Romans 3:21-26.
Components of this righteousness are:
1. it is apart from the law; law produces transgression
2. it is based on revelation (Isaiah 55; Romans 4:2-3, 5-9)
3. it is acquired by faith (Romans 3:22; 4:5; Ephesians 2:29)
4. it is provided for all who believe (Isaiah 43:7; Acts 13:29; Romans 2 and 3)
5. it is given through grace (Romans 3:24-25)
6. it is accomplished by redemption (also Romans 3:24-25)
7. it satisfies the sinner's need

Today is Tuesday, September 20.  18 years ago, my parents celebrated their 46th and last anniversary.  WE had no idea it would be that.  My dad died 6 days later in his sleep, going to sleep in Sioux Falls SD and waking in heaven.  Every year this time, my thoughts go back to those days and my gratitude for my parents, their faith lived out as a model for my sister and me.  Mom turned 91 last month and continues to be a blessing.

From September 1-4, Grace to You hosted a conference called Truth Matters: The Gospel According to Paul at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA (L.A. area).  This included 9 sessions plus those on Sunday morning and evening.  Posts today and for the next weeks will include my notes from most of the sessions.

Thursday, September 1, in the opening session, John MacArthur preached on The Glorious Gospel.
He drew on several passages from 2 Corinthians and elsewhere.  These were his main points, according to the notes I took:

(1) The superiority of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6, 8, 9)

(2) Ministry as a mercy (2 Corinthians 4:1; 1 Timothy 1:12)

(3) The necessity of a pure heart (2 Corinthians 4:2); no hidden life (2 Corinthians 1:12--clear conscience); Acts chapters 23 and 24

(4) Be committed to preach the Scripture accurately (2 Corinthians 4:2, "truth has a self-evidencing power")

(5) Remember, results depend on God (2 Corinthians 4:3-4, the problem is the heart; verses 5-6, creation is the model for salvation because in both cases God provides the light by calling it into existence)

(6) Personal insignificance (1 Corinthians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:20)

(7) The benefits of suffering (2 Corinthians 4:8-12, with verse 12 key; James 1; see also 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

(8) The necessity of conviction (2 Corinthians 4:13, integrity mandate)

(9) Remember to put future reward over present difficulty (2 Corinthians 4:14-18)

Having read this, I hope you will download the messages from the conference when they become available @ gty.org.