Centering Life and Marriage on God's Glory

In today's reflection, I explored the profound absence of God in our culture and how this absence should take our breath away. We live in a world where God is often marginalized, and His glory is not central to our lives. This absence is not just a cultural issue but a spiritual one that affects our marriages and personal lives. The glory of God should be the sun in the solar system of our lives, holding everything in orbit. Without this centrality, our marriages and lives cannot truly reflect His glory.

I emphasized the need for a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's glory. Our young people often lack a substantial view of God, which affects their ability to live for His glory. We must fill our pulpits with the particularities of God's glory, making Him irresistibly attractive. This understanding is crucial for marriages to be lived for the glory of God. It's not enough to speak in generalities; we must delve into the specifics of God's attributes and His supremacy.

The key to a marriage lived for the glory of God is a superior satisfaction in God. When we are most satisfied in Him, He is most glorified in us. This satisfaction provides the strength to love sacrificially, as Christ loves the church. Our roles in marriage, whether as husbands or wives, are costly and require a deep satisfaction in God to sustain them. Without this, our efforts may glorify ourselves rather than God.

I shared a personal story about writing a letter to my son, urging him to keep God as the central focus of his life. This centrality is crucial for maintaining the right order in our lives and marriages. I concluded with a poem written for my son's wedding, encapsulating the message of loving our spouses deeply but always less than God. This balance ensures that our love is rooted in the right source, allowing us to give our best to our spouses.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The absence of God in our culture should be breathtaking, highlighting the need for His centrality in our lives. Without God as the focal point, our lives and marriages cannot truly reflect His glory. [14:05]
• 2. A deep understanding of God's glory is essential for living a life that honors Him. We must move beyond generalities and explore the specific attributes of God to make Him irresistibly attractive. [17:04]
• 3. True satisfaction in God is the key to sustaining the costly roles of husbands and wives in marriage. When we are most satisfied in Him, He is most glorified in us, providing the strength to love sacrificially. [28:17]
• 4. Keeping God as the central focus of our lives ensures that all aspects, including marriage, are held in the right order. This centrality prevents anything else from usurping His place. [25:43]
• 5. Loving our spouses deeply but always less than God ensures that our love is rooted in the right source. This balance allows us to give our best to our spouses while keeping God as the ultimate priority. [40:12]
  ** [40:12]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [13:26] - The Absence of God in Culture
• [14:22] - The Breathtaking Reality of God's Absence
• [15:08] - The Small View of God Among Youth
• [16:17] - Exploring and Extolling Jesus Christ
• [17:04] - The Particularities of God's Glory
• [18:38] - The Glory of God's Attributes
• [20:05] - Preaching the Supremacy of God
• [21:31] - The Mission of Spreading God's Supremacy
• [22:43] - Marriage and the Glory of God
• [23:49] - A Letter to My Son
• [25:22] - The Centrality of God in Marriage
• [26:06] - Satisfaction in God Above All
• [28:17] - The Costly Roles in Marriage
• [31:13] - Superior Satisfaction in God
• [35:13] - Poem: Love Her More and Love Her Less

1. Ephesians 5:22-25
2. Philippians 3:8
3. Psalm 63:3

1. According to the sermon, how does the absence of God in our culture manifest itself in everyday life? [13:26]
2. What specific attributes of God were highlighted in the sermon as essential for understanding His glory? [17:04]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of satisfaction in God in sustaining the roles of husbands and wives in marriage? [28:17]
4. What was the significance of the letter the pastor wrote to his son, and how did it relate to the centrality of God in one's life? [23:49]

1. How might the absence of God in culture impact the way young people perceive marriage and relationships? [15:08]
2. In what ways does a deeper understanding of God's specific attributes make Him "irresistibly attractive," according to the sermon? [20:05]
3. How does the concept of being "most satisfied in Him" relate to the idea of glorifying God in marriage? [26:24]
4. What does the pastor mean by loving one's spouse "more and less" than God, and how does this balance affect marital relationships? [40:12]

1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there areas where God is marginalized in your life? How can you make His presence more central? [13:26]
2. Consider the specific attributes of God mentioned in the sermon. Which attribute do you find most challenging to understand or appreciate, and why? [17:04]
3. In your marriage or relationships, how can you cultivate a deeper satisfaction in God to sustain your role as a partner? [28:17]
4. Think about a time when you prioritized something over God. How did it affect your relationships, and what steps can you take to realign your priorities? [25:43]
5. How can you practically demonstrate to your spouse or loved ones that your love for them is rooted in your love for God? [40:12]
6. Identify one specific way you can explore and extol the glory of God in your daily life. How can this practice influence your relationships? [16:17]
7. Reflect on the pastor's story about writing a letter to his son. Is there someone in your life who might benefit from a similar message about the centrality of God? How can you communicate this to them? [23:49]