Delighting in God: The Excellency of the Soul

In our exploration of the worth and excellency of a soul, we delve into the profound truth that the essence of a soul is measured by the object of its love. This concept is not only applicable to humanity but also reflects the nature of God. The human soul finds its highest excellency when its affections are directed towards God, as He is the ultimate source of beauty and excellence. This love for God is not merely a duty but a passionate delight, a wholehearted desire to please Him and find joy in communion with Him. This is the essence of a well-placed affection, where the soul's pleasures are unsurpassed, and its true quality is revealed.

The same principle applies to God. God's excellency is revealed in His love for His Son, Jesus Christ, and the delight He finds in His own glory. God's happiness is rooted in His self-sufficiency and the joy He experiences within the Trinity. This divine joy is not self-centered but overflows into creation, inviting us to share in His happiness. Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, as our joy is made complete in Him. This is not a contradiction to God's glory but a fulfillment of it, as God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

The implications of this truth are profound. Our desire for happiness and our passion to glorify God are not at odds but are deeply intertwined. As we behold God's glory and delight in His excellency, we are transformed into His likeness, reflecting His beauty to the world. This transformation is a lifelong journey, fueled by our pursuit of knowing God more deeply and loving Him more passionately. In this pursuit, we find our true joy and fulfillment, as we enter into the joy of our Master and experience the infinite delight that the Father and Son have in each other.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The excellency of a soul is measured by the object of its love. When our affections are directed towards God, we find our highest joy and fulfillment. This love is not a mere duty but a passionate delight in God's beauty and excellence. [18:18]
• 2. God's excellency is revealed in His love for His Son and His delight in His own glory. This divine joy is rooted in the self-sufficiency of the Trinity and overflows into creation, inviting us to share in His happiness. [22:16]
• 3. Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is not a contradiction to God's glory but a fulfillment of it, as God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. [21:53]
• 4. As we behold God's glory and delight in His excellency, we are transformed into His likeness. This transformation is a lifelong journey, fueled by our pursuit of knowing God more deeply and loving Him more passionately. [32:25]
• 5. Our desire for happiness and our passion to glorify God are deeply intertwined. In pursuing God's glory, we find our true joy and fulfillment, as we enter into the joy of our Master and experience the infinite delight of the Trinity. [29:28]
  ** [29:28]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:12] - The Worth and Excellency of a Soul
• [16:03] - The Role of Passion in Determining Excellency
• [18:18] - Love and Delight in Divine Perfections
• [21:03] - The Excellency of Man's Soul in God
• [22:16] - God's Love and Divine Joy
• [23:31] - Knowing God Through His Delights
• [24:55] - Entering into the Joy of the Master
• [27:22] - The Infinite Capacity for Joy
• [29:28] - Passion for Joy and Glorifying God
• [31:25] - Becoming Like What We Worship
• [33:18] - The Purpose of the Universe
• [35:16] - True Knowledge of God's Glory
• [37:38] - God's Delight in Himself
• [39:19] - The Gospel of the Happy God

1. Matthew 25:23 - "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'"
2. John 15:11 - "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."
3. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

1. According to the sermon, how is the excellency of a soul measured? What role does the object of love play in this measurement? [18:18]
2. What does the sermon suggest about God's happiness and its relationship to the Trinity? [22:16]
3. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when we behold God's glory? [32:25]
4. What is the ultimate purpose of humanity as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to God's glory? [21:53]

1. How does the concept of a "well-placed affection" for God challenge or affirm your current understanding of love and devotion? [19:38]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's joy is not self-centered but rather an invitation for us to share in it? [22:16]
3. How does the idea that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him" impact your view of personal fulfillment and purpose? [21:53]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between our desire for happiness and our pursuit of glorifying God? [29:28]

1. Reflect on a time when your affections were not directed towards God. How did that affect your sense of joy and fulfillment? What changes can you make to redirect your affections? [18:18]
2. The sermon mentions that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. What practical steps can you take this week to align your daily activities with this purpose? [21:53]
3. Consider the idea that beholding God's glory transforms us into His likeness. What specific practices can you incorporate into your life to help you behold God's glory more consistently? [32:25]
4. How can you cultivate a deeper passion for knowing and loving God in your current season of life? Identify one specific action you can take to pursue this passion. [29:28]
5. The sermon suggests that God's joy overflows into creation, inviting us to share in it. How can you actively participate in this divine joy in your community or family this week? [22:16]
6. Reflect on the statement that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." What areas of your life are currently unsatisfying, and how can you seek satisfaction in God instead? [21:53]
7. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from understanding the joy and excellency found in a relationship with God. How can you share this message with them in a meaningful way? [29:28]