Elevating God: The Heart of Preaching

Devotional

Day 1: Elevating God Above All Else

Our preaching should elevate God above all else, not merely to make Him relevant but to allow our lives to be consumed by His greatness. This approach transforms our sermons into divine encounters that fill us with God’s presence and send us back into the world as His ambassadors. When God is the central focus, our lives become a reflection of His glory, and our words carry the weight of His truth. This transformation is not just for the preacher but for the entire congregation, as they are invited to experience the fullness of a life centered on God. [02:44]

Isaiah 40:25-26 (ESV): "To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally elevate God in your daily conversations and interactions this week?

Day 2: God as the Primary Actor in Redemption

In the narrative of redemption, God is the primary actor. From choosing Israel to raising Jesus from the dead, His hand is evident in every event. This emphasizes His sovereignty and active role in the unfolding of His divine plan. By recognizing God as the central figure in the story of redemption, we acknowledge His ultimate authority and purpose in our lives. This understanding shifts our perspective from self-centeredness to God-centeredness, allowing us to see His hand at work in every aspect of our lives. [17:18]

Acts 17:24-25 (ESV): "The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."

Reflection: How can you recognize and celebrate God's active role in your personal story of redemption today?

Day 3: The Unique Calling of Preachers

Our mission is to declare God's greatness and make His deeds known among the peoples. This is not a task that can be left to others; it is the unique calling of those who preach the Word. Preachers are entrusted with the responsibility of proclaiming the truth of God’s Word, inviting others to encounter His greatness. This calling requires a deep commitment to understanding and communicating the heart of God, as well as a willingness to be used as His vessel in the world. [05:35]

Jeremiah 1:7-8 (ESV): "But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: What steps can you take to embrace your unique calling to share God's greatness with those around you?

Day 4: God's Passion for His Glory

God is passionately committed to His own glory, as seen in Isaiah 48:9. Our preaching should reflect this passion, aligning ourselves with His desire to be known and glorified. When we align our hearts with God’s passion for His glory, we become conduits of His presence and power. This alignment transforms our preaching and our lives, as we seek to glorify God in all that we do and say. [03:47]

Isaiah 48:9-11 (ESV): "For my name's sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another."

Reflection: How can you align your daily actions and decisions with God's passion for His glory?

Day 5: Transformative Power of God-Centered Preaching

By making God the center of our sermons, we invite our congregations to experience the transformative power of a God-saturated life, leading to a community that reverberates with His presence. This transformation is not just about individual change but about creating a community that reflects the character and love of God. When God is at the center, our lives and our communities become a testament to His power and grace. [19:22]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: What specific changes can you make in your life to foster a God-centered community around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound importance of making God the central focus of our preaching and our lives. The question we tackled was why God should be the supreme subject of our sermons. The answer lies in the fact that God is central in the Bible and in His own affections and purposes. We are called to elevate God above all else, not just to make Him relevant to our lives, but to allow our lives to be consumed by His greatness. This approach transforms our preaching from mere advice-giving to a divine encounter that fills us with God’s presence and sends us back into the world as His ambassadors.

We delved into the book of Acts, specifically chapter 13, where Paul’s sermon in Antioch serves as a model for God-centered preaching. Paul narrates the history of redemption, emphasizing that God is the primary actor in the story of Israel and the world. From choosing Israel to raising Jesus from the dead, God’s hand is evident in every event. This narrative style is not just a recounting of history but a declaration of God’s sovereignty and His active role in the unfolding of His divine plan.

The takeaway is clear: God desires to be known and glorified through our preaching. Our mission is to declare His greatness and make His deeds known among the peoples. This is not a task that can be left to others; it is the unique calling of those who preach the Word. By making God the center of our sermons, we align ourselves with His passion for His own glory and invite our congregations to experience the transformative power of a God-saturated life.

Key Takeaways

1. Centered Preaching:** By making God the center of our sermons, we invite our congregations to experience the transformative power of a God-saturated life, leading to a community that reverberates with His presence. [19:22]
** [19:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - The Purpose of Preaching
[00:45] - Why God’s Supremacy Matters
[01:30] - Unique Calling of Preachers
[02:07] - Elevating God in Everyday Life
[02:57] - God’s Centrality in the Bible
[03:30] - God’s Passion for His Glory
[04:16] - Declaring God’s Greatness
[05:35] - Our Unique Mission
[06:44] - How to Preach God-Centered Sermons
[07:48] - Paul’s Sermon in Antioch
[08:33] - God’s Role in History
[10:07] - God’s Sovereignty in Battles
[12:26] - Fulfillment of God’s Promises
[17:18] - God’s Power in Resurrection
[19:22] - Transformative Power of Preaching

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Acts 13:17-30
Isaiah 48:9-11
Psalm 96:1-4

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Observation Questions:

In Acts 13, how does Paul emphasize God's role in the history of Israel? What specific actions does he attribute to God? [08:18]
According to the sermon, what is the significance of God being the central actor in the narrative of redemption? [17:33]
How does Isaiah 48:9-11 illustrate God's passion for His own glory? What does this passage reveal about God's motivations? [03:30]
In Psalm 96:1-4, what are the specific actions that the psalmist encourages believers to take in response to God's greatness?

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Interpretation Questions:

Why does the sermon suggest that making God the central focus of preaching transforms it from advice-giving to a divine encounter? How does this align with the examples given in Acts 13? [02:44]
How does the concept of God being passionately committed to His own glory, as seen in Isaiah 48, challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character? [03:47]
What does the sermon imply about the unique calling of preachers in declaring God's greatness? How does this relate to the broader mission of the church? [05:35]
How does the narrative style of Paul's sermon in Acts 13 serve as a model for God-centered preaching? What elements make it effective in conveying God's sovereignty? [08:18]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your own life: In what ways can you make God the central focus of your daily activities and decisions? How might this change your perspective or actions? [02:07]
Consider a recent sermon you heard. Was God the central focus? How did it impact your understanding or relationship with Him? What can you do to seek out or encourage more God-centered preaching? [18:18]
How can you, in your personal life, declare God's greatness and make His deeds known among the people you interact with daily? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [04:16]
Think about a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How might focusing on God's sovereignty and active role in your life, as illustrated in Acts 13, provide comfort or guidance? [08:18]
In what ways can you align your passions with God's passion for His own glory? What practical steps can you take to ensure your actions reflect this alignment? [03:47]
How can you encourage others in your community to experience the transformative power of a God-saturated life? What role can you play in fostering a community that reverberates with His presence? [19:22]
Identify one area of your life where you struggle to see God's hand at work. How can you apply the lessons from Paul's sermon in Acts 13 to recognize God's sovereignty in that area? [17:33]

Sermon Clips

"Why should the supremacy of God, the glory of God, the greatness of God, the Majesty of God, the reality of God, all the godness of God be the substance of every sermon? Please don't misunderstand me now... You should preach about marriage and divorce and drugs, eating disorders, and how to get along in the workplace, but the difference is this: everybody else is doing that too. What unique thing do you bring to bear? You bring to bear God, and you don't bring God down and say he's relevant. You take these things up and let them get consumed up there in God." [00:49:50]

"The reason we should preach that way and make God Central is because God is Central in the Bible, and God is Central in God's Own affections and purposes. I learned this from Jonathan Edwards and the Bible, that most recent book, God's passion for his glory, is my tribute to what I owe to Jonathan Edwards and his book The End for which God created the world which is the glory of God." [00:57:10]

"God created the world for the glory of God. God is passionately committed to God and His glory. For example, Isaiah 48:9, 'For my name's sake,' God says, 'I defer my anger for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you that I may not cut you off. Behold I have refined you but not like silver I have tried you in the furnace of Affliction for my own sake, for my own sake I do it but how should my name be profane my glory I will not give to another.'" [00:59:00]

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, Proclaim that his name is exalted. What are you to Proclaim? That his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord all the Earth, sing to the Lord and bless his name, tell him his salvation from day to day, declare his glory among the Nations and His Marvelous Works among all the peoples." [01:04:16]

"Declare God is great. Tell me who else in the world is doing it besides preachers? I mean if there were 10,000 other occupations that gave themselves to this, I might come here and say, just write how-to books preachers. I might say that. Nobody's doing this. This is our job. This is why we exist." [01:07:38]

"All who love your salvation say continually, 'Great is the Lord,' not 'Great is your salvation.' That's true, but those who love the salvation of God know that they are saved for God. Salvation is an overcoming of our sin by the blood of Jesus that we might be freed to come to God. Jesus is our access to God and so we say, 'Great is the Lord, the Lord be magnified.' That's our vocation." [01:10:07]

"God gave Israel judges; they didn't just pop up. God gave Israel judges. God gave to Israel her first King Saul, and God removed Saul. God did that. We've read about that in Daniel, haven't we? God changes times and Seasons, he removes Kings and sets up Kings. So he gave Saul and he removed Saul. That wasn't just a political maneuvering, that wasn't just Samuel savvy. God did this." [01:13:06]

"God brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. God brought to Israel a savior. This wasn't some impersonal force that made the time ripe. God saw the time was right and he did it. It says as he had promised. You see that little phrase as he had promised in verse 23 meaning this is not an afterthought. Way back then God thought of it, he planned it, he promised it, and now he's doing it because he said he was going to do it." [01:21:22]

"Paul goes out of his way to show that even those who do not know God are doing what God planned. This is an amazing way to word this. It says, for those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers because they did not recognize him or understand the utterances of the prophets, fulfilled these by condemning. What in the world does that mean? You didn't mean to say that, Paul. You meant to say they recognized and they read and they knew in the prophets what was supposed to happen so that they joined their Wills with his will to bring about his purposes. That's what you meant to say. That's not what he said." [01:27:27]

"This sermon has got a point. God is the point. God is doing this thing called history of redemption. That's the point of telling us that those who fulfill the promises didn't know what they were doing. Everything written of him, everything was written by whom? By God through inspiration and they were just fulfilling God's designs as Acts 2:23, this Jesus was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God." [01:31:54]

"God raised him from the dead, gave him life. So now step back from that sermon would you and just think about it for closing two three minutes here. What's the point? Why? I mean when you narrate something that happens in your life pick out any 10 days or any 10 years and tell the story of your life do you say God did, God did, God did, God did, God did, God did, God did, God did?" [01:38:36]

"If you understand that God is to be Supreme in everything, including how your kids spell and why they spell the way they spell, then you might get it, and then God might make his way into your preaching with such centrality and such passion and such Supremacy that your congregation would be transformed into radical, god-saturated, god-oriented people so that the city would reverberate from their presence." [01:55:56]

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Elevating God: The Heart of Preaching

Devotional

Day 1: Elevating God Above All Else

Day 2: God as the Primary Actor in Redemption

Day 3: The Unique Calling of Preachers

Day 4: God's Passion for His Glory

Day 5: Transformative Power of God-Centered Preaching

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Elevating God: The Heart of Preaching

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