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This morning, I spent several hours working through some notes from The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference from this past June.  It's far more information than I could ever hope to share in one blog; in fact, it would probably take 10+ posts to even scratch the surface of the life-changing information that was shared.  I do want, however, to share with you a few perspectives of the gospel that were shared.

Sitting under teachers like D.A. Carson, Elyse Fitzpatrick, John Piper, Tim Keller, etc brings into full view the depths of the gospel that I have yet to understand or even begin to scratch the surface of.  The gospel of Christ is so rich, so deep, so full that it would take an eternity to begin to wrap our minds around it.  The taste we get during our short time here is simply the first-fruits; it creates in us a craving to go deeper, keep searching, keep learning, and to never be satisfied with the little bit we know.  Ultimately, it gives us an insatiable desire to not just learn information, but to know our Savior.  (Philippians 3:8)  For a few days at this conference, my mama and I sat under these faithful teachers, soaking up the massive amount of information they offered while our own passions for the gospel of Christ were being fanned.

Here are a few points from some of the sessions I'm excited to share!  (and these are only from the first three sessions we attended…)

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"Preserving the Gospel" by D.A. Carson / 2 Timothy 1:1-2:2 (Click to watch or listen) 

"Made in the image of God, but in rebellion against him.  Standing under his wrath – his righteous wrath – threatened with eternal destruction in hell, yet forgiven; reconciled with God, our maker.  Given the gift of the Holy Spirit as the downpayment of the promised inheritance.  United with brothers and sisters in Christ in the context of the local church, tasting already of the age to come.  Regenerated, somehow transformed within, so that there is a newness to my heart and my life that was not there before.  The things I cherished, I no longer cherish; the things I abominated, I now love.  And with the hope and prospect of resurrection existence with no more sorrow or pain or loneliness or death or persecution or violence or selfishness or jealousy or rage (those are just the negative things); in a context in which we love God with heart and soul and mind and strength and our neighbors as ourselves.  In perfect union with Christ with work and service and hope and consummated joy – all secured by someone else, Christ Jesus.  And we have to be encouraged to keep that in view??"

Paul was not bothered by those who deserted him or turned away from him as long as the gospel was being proclaimed.  — Main focus is always to be the advancement of the gospel, not our personal comfort or acceptance.  Fairness, justice, etc pale in comparison with the ultimate gift of knowing Christ and making Him known!

"The Search for Joy & Supremacy of God in the Gospel" by John Piper  (Click to watch or listen) 

The great work of God through the death and resurrection of Jesus is one in which he destroys every obstacle to your joy and his glory!

1- The wrath of God has been removed!!  Rom. 5:9, Gal. 3:3, Rom. 3:25  (propitiation)
2- We were alienated and far away from him, but through Christ we're brought close.  Eph 2:13, Rom. 5:10  (reconciliation)
3- Very real guilt, real burden of sin exists, but is removed by Christ.  Eph 1:7, Rom. 5:10  {if we allow it to continue to be a burden, we are practically denying Christ's death on our behalf}
4- Absence of righteousness, but through Christ, we are now counted righteous!  Rom 3:10, 2 Cor 5:21, Rom. 5:19 (justification)
5- Physical death awaits us all, but we are promised life eternal because of the physical death of Christ.  Heb 9:27, Rom 8:11  (glorification)
6-Spiritual deadness in the soul, but our soul's raised to life through Christ.  Eph 2:4-6 
7- Satan hates joy – his weapons are removed when we find our ultimate joy and satisfaction in Christ!!  Col 2:15, Heb 2:14

This removal of wrath, forgiveness of sins, etc.  is not the goal of the gospel… it's merely the means.  The goal of the gospel is to enjoy him, savor him, walk with him, to know him.  It's ALL about HIM!!!!!

The life that drinks most deeply at the well of the gospel is the life of unremitting pursuit of Jesus as your all-satisfying treasure.

In the removal of obstacles, he displays the greatest glory of our joy.  Christ did not die to make our joy possible; he died to become our supreme joy.  (The gospel of the glory of Christ  2 Cor 4:4-6 — "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of the darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.")

"On the Mountain: The Terrifying & Beckoning God"  Tim Keller / Exodus 19 (Click to watch or listen) 

vv 1-8 – History & Order of Grace

[History]
-God often meets us in a place that's further from where we expect and in situations worse than we expect.
-The way to the Promised Land is through the desert.

[Order] vv 4-6
1- Saving acts of grace
2- Our response of obedience
3- Blessing our acts of obedience brings

"On eagle's wings" (v 4) = sheer grace, no effort of ours.

"I obey, therefore I'm accepted" = operating out of fear
"I'm accepted, therefore I obey" = operating out of love and gratitude, obeying to get God!

"It is always shocking to meet life where we thought we were alone. 'Look out!' we cry, it's alive'. And therefore this is the very point at which so many draw back—I would never have done so myself if I could—and proceed no further with Christianity. An 'impersonal God'—well and good. A subjective God of beauty, truth and goodness, inside our own heads—better still. A formless life-force surging through us, a vast power which we can tap—best of all. But God Himself, alive, pulling at the other end of the cord, perhaps approaching at an infinite speed, the hunter, king, husband—that is quite another matter. There comes a moment when the children who have been playing at burglars hush suddenly: was that a real footstep in the hall? There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion ('Man's search for God!') suddenly draw back. Supposing we really found Him? We never meant it to come to that!  Worse still, supposing He had found us?"
-C.S. Lewis
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…these are the first-fruits, family! Amazing, isn't it?

"Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." 
Psalm 25:5