Beholding God: The Call to Honor Life
Summary
The highest calling and most profound promise in Scripture is the vision of seeing God face to face. In this life, we serve an invisible God, but the promise of eternity is that we will behold Him in His full glory. Augustine reminds us that our hearts are restless until they find rest in God, and this rest will be complete when we see Him face to face. This is the ultimate goal of the Christian life.
As we gather at Ligonier's National Conference, we are reminded of the importance of understanding and upholding the sanctity of life. The sanctity of life is not just a phrase but a profound truth rooted in the holiness and dignity that God assigns to human beings. Unlike animals, which are given for our stewardship, human life is sacred because we are made in the image of God. This inherent dignity is not self-derived but bestowed by God, and it calls us to a higher standard of care and respect for one another.
Psalm 8 beautifully captures the awe of God's creation and the special place humanity holds within it. Despite our sinfulness, God is mindful of us, crowning us with glory and honor. This honor is not inherent but a divine gift, reminding us of our responsibility to reflect God's image in how we treat others.
The laws given in the Old Testament, such as those in Exodus and Leviticus, provide principles for preserving life and ensuring justice. These laws emphasize the importance of honoring parents, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring fair treatment for all. They remind us that our actions should reflect the dignity of every human being, regardless of their status or background.
In the New Testament, Jesus expands on these principles, teaching us to love our neighbors and care for the least among us. The parable of the Good Samaritan and the call to care for the hungry, thirsty, and imprisoned are powerful reminders of our duty to embody God's love and justice in the world.
Ultimately, while our good deeds are essential, they are not the means of transforming society. True transformation comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, which empowers us to live out our faith in tangible ways. As we fight for the rights of the most defenseless, including the unborn, we do so with the hope that they too will one day join us in glorifying God.
Key Takeaways:
- The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to see God face to face, fulfilling the deepest longing of our hearts. This vision of God is the culmination of our faith and the promise of eternal rest. [30:51]
- Human dignity is not inherent but assigned by God, as we are made in His image. This divine dignity calls us to treat every person with respect and honor, reflecting God's holiness in our interactions. [50:49]
- The Old Testament laws provide principles for preserving life and ensuring justice, emphasizing the importance of honoring parents, protecting the vulnerable, and treating others fairly. These principles guide us in living out our faith in a way that honors God. [59:02]
- Jesus' teachings in the New Testament call us to love our neighbors and care for the least among us, demonstrating God's love and justice through our actions. The parable of the Good Samaritan and the call to care for the hungry and imprisoned are powerful reminders of our duty to embody God's love. [21:59]
- While good deeds are essential, true transformation comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our actions should be an expression of our faith, pointing others to the hope and life found in Christ. As we fight for the rights of the defenseless, we do so with the hope that they too will join us in glorifying God. [24:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [30:17] - The Promise of Seeing God
- [31:05] - Augustine's Restlessness
- [31:36] - The Highest Goal
- [37:05] - Psalm 8: Majesty of God
- [39:22] - Understanding Sanctity of Life
- [40:01] - Holiness and Sacredness
- [45:10] - Unique Value of Human Life
- [46:12] - David's Awe of Creation
- [50:17] - Dignity Assigned by God
- [59:02] - Old Testament Laws and Justice
- [01:06:04] - Loving Our Neighbor
- [01:20:55] - The Good Samaritan
- [01:24:50] - Transformation Through the Gospel
- [01:29:32] - Fighting for the Defenseless
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 8
2. Exodus 21:15-17
3. Matthew 25:31-40
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Observation Questions:
1. In Psalm 8, how does David describe humanity's place in creation, and what does this imply about our relationship with God? [37:05]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the promise that we will see God face to face, and how does this relate to Augustine's idea of restlessness? [31:05]
3. What principles from the Old Testament laws in Exodus 21 are highlighted in the sermon, and how do they emphasize the importance of honoring parents and protecting the vulnerable? [59:02]
4. How does Jesus' teaching in Matthew 25:31-40 expand on the Old Testament principles of justice and care for others? [21:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of human dignity being assigned by God, as discussed in the sermon, challenge or affirm your understanding of human worth? [50:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the laws in Exodus and Leviticus guide us in living out our faith today? How might these principles be applied in modern contexts? [59:02]
3. How does the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrate Jesus' call to love our neighbors, and what does this mean for how we should treat those who are different from us? [21:59]
4. The sermon emphasizes that true transformation comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. How does this perspective influence the way we approach social justice and good deeds? [24:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt restless in your spiritual journey. How might the promise of seeing God face to face provide comfort or motivation in your current walk with God? [31:05]
2. Consider how you view the dignity of others. Are there specific groups or individuals you struggle to see as made in the image of God? How can you work to change this perspective? [50:49]
3. Think about the principles of justice and care for others found in the Old Testament laws. How can you incorporate these principles into your daily interactions and decisions? [59:02]
4. Jesus calls us to care for the least among us. Identify one practical way you can demonstrate this care in your community this week. [21:59]
5. The sermon discusses the importance of fighting for the rights of the defenseless. What is one specific action you can take to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves? [29:32]
6. Reflect on the role of good deeds in your life. How can you ensure that your actions are an expression of your faith and not just a checklist of good works? [24:50]
7. Identify a situation where you can be a Good Samaritan in your life. What steps will you take to show love and care to someone in need, even if it requires going beyond what is comfortable? [21:59]
Devotional
Day 1: The Ultimate Vision of God
The ultimate goal of the Christian life is to see God face to face, fulfilling the deepest longing of our hearts. This vision of God is the culmination of our faith and the promise of eternal rest. In this life, we serve an invisible God, but the promise of eternity is that we will behold Him in His full glory. Augustine reminds us that our hearts are restless until they find rest in God, and this rest will be complete when we see Him face to face. This is the ultimate goal of the Christian life. [30:51]
1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV): "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."
Reflection: How does the promise of seeing God face to face influence your daily walk with Him? What steps can you take today to prepare your heart for this ultimate vision?
Day 2: Divine Dignity and Human Worth
Human dignity is not inherent but assigned by God, as we are made in His image. This divine dignity calls us to treat every person with respect and honor, reflecting God's holiness in our interactions. The sanctity of life is not just a phrase but a profound truth rooted in the holiness and dignity that God assigns to human beings. Unlike animals, which are given for our stewardship, human life is sacred because we are made in the image of God. This inherent dignity is not self-derived but bestowed by God, and it calls us to a higher standard of care and respect for one another. [50:49]
Genesis 1:27 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."
Reflection: Consider someone you find difficult to respect. How can you intentionally honor their God-given dignity today in your thoughts, words, or actions?
Day 3: Justice and Mercy in the Law
The Old Testament laws provide principles for preserving life and ensuring justice, emphasizing the importance of honoring parents, protecting the vulnerable, and treating others fairly. These laws remind us that our actions should reflect the dignity of every human being, regardless of their status or background. They guide us in living out our faith in a way that honors God. The laws given in the Old Testament, such as those in Exodus and Leviticus, provide principles for preserving life and ensuring justice. [59:02]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: In what ways can you actively pursue justice and mercy in your community today? Identify one specific action you can take to reflect God's justice.
Day 4: Embodying Christ's Love
Jesus' teachings in the New Testament call us to love our neighbors and care for the least among us, demonstrating God's love and justice through our actions. The parable of the Good Samaritan and the call to care for the hungry and imprisoned are powerful reminders of our duty to embody God's love. Jesus expands on these principles, teaching us to love our neighbors and care for the least among us. [21:59]
Matthew 25:40 (ESV): "And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Reflection: Who is your "neighbor" that God is calling you to love today? How can you practically show them the love of Christ in a tangible way?
Day 5: Transformation Through the Gospel
While good deeds are essential, true transformation comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our actions should be an expression of our faith, pointing others to the hope and life found in Christ. As we fight for the rights of the most defenseless, including the unborn, we do so with the hope that they too will one day join us in glorifying God. True transformation comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ, which empowers us to live out our faith in tangible ways. [24:50]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What area of your life needs transformation through the gospel today? How can you invite Christ into this area to bring about change?
Quotes
isn't that the highest vocation the greatest desire and the most marvelous promise that god gives in sacred scripture the thing that is denied every christian in this world is to be able to look directly on the face of god the god we serve the god we worship the god we praise the god we seek to obey is invisible and yet he promises that at the end of the road we're going to be able to not only hear the voice of god who is broadcasting behind a curtain but we're going to be able to sneak behind the curtain and see his face [00:30:05]
augustine said centuries ago oh lord thou hast created us for thyself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee augustine said we'll be plagued with that restlessness until we find our rest in thee and that rest will not reach its fullest expression until we see god face to face that's the highest goal of the christian life is to behold the face of god [00:31:08]
when we speak of the sanctity of life we have to ask the question well what life are we talking about that's an important question because depending on the context depending on where we live and what culture we're in or what religion we're surrounded by if we're in india and you say i believe in the sanctity of life many hindus are going to think that you may very well be thinking about their sacred or should i say holy cow [00:40:28]
because all of humanity understands that there is something significant about human life whatever their religion might be whatever they might invent whatever they might create to defend their inventions and their religions every human being understands naturally innately that there is something unique and sacred and special about human life [00:45:04]
you have enshrouded encompassed and surrounded man with glory and with honor that word honor is used elsewhere in the old testament most notably in proverbs 31 king lemuel the words that his mother taught him about a good godly virtuous woman defined as a wife and one of those virtues is that her clothing is is dignified she she wears honor she wears dignity she drapes herself in honor [00:48:37]
the dignity we possess doesn't come from within the dignity we have comes from the only place it can possibly come from namely from the only one who is set apart the only one who is dignified the only one who is holy and sacred god himself our holiness our sacredness our dignity is given to us it is assigned to us by god [00:50:49]
and throughout the old testament the lord gave his people laws and we today look at those laws and we we glean from those laws principles as we strive to understand how we can please and obey the lord according to what he has commanded us in order to glorify him [00:56:29]
we are actually to work to preserve and care for life why because human life is special because humans have dignity and sanctity and so god gave us laws and we glean from those laws principles for conduct in all of life so that we as humanity don't kill each other off the face of the earth [00:58:39]
god calls us to preserve life and protect life and he gives us very particular laws for how we can go about that in exodus 21 we're going to look at some of these passages very quickly as we move to the new testament in a few minutes or so in exodus 21 and we're just going to look at a few different verses here and there [01:00:38]
we see jesus in luke chapter 10 tell us the story the parable of the good samaritan we all know that story i trust and it's a beautiful story and he's really answering the question if you recall who's my neighbor and jesus tells them a story about a good samaritan and the jews despised the samaritan the samaritans despised the jews [01:20:55]
jesus says in matthew chapter 5 very plainly you're the light of the world you're the salt of the earth do your good deeds your good works before men so that they might see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven but in matthew 6 1 he warns them don't do your good deeds in order to be seen by men because then you'll have no reward [01:24:50]
our good deeds are an expression of our resting in the good news and the gospel of jesus christ as we look to the one who did the good deeds who fulfilled all the righteous demands of the god law of god so that we might through his substitutionary life and death might have life abundant and in that life abundant we are able to care for the least of these [01:29:32]
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