Experiencing God's Love: Creation, Salvation, and Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Created for God's Glory

Our existence is not a mere accident or a random occurrence; it is a deliberate act of God's sovereign love. We are created for His glory, and our lives are meant to reflect and magnify His divine nature. This foundational truth calls us to live in a way that honors God, recognizing that our purpose is intertwined with His divine plan. Our lives are not our own, and every aspect of our being is designed to glorify Him. This understanding should transform how we view our daily actions, relationships, and decisions, as we strive to live in a manner that reflects His glory. [15:22]

Isaiah 43:6-7 (ESV): "I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you align your daily actions to reflect God's glory more intentionally today?

Day 2: The Savior's Love

The sending of Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God's profound love for humanity. This act of divine love is not only about our salvation but also about bringing glory to God. The birth of Christ is a celebration of good news and great joy, highlighting the reciprocal nature of our salvation and God's glory. It invites us to respond with gratitude and worship, recognizing that our redemption is part of a cosmic celebration of God's goodness and grace. As we reflect on the Savior's love, we are called to live lives of thankfulness and praise, acknowledging the depth of God's love for us. [16:54]

Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: How can you express gratitude and worship for the Savior's love in a tangible way today?

Day 3: Compelled by Christ's Love

The love of Christ is a compelling force that transforms our lives and priorities. It urges us to live not for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised. This compelling love reshapes our identity and mission, calling us to live selflessly and purposefully for the sake of Christ. As we are compelled by His love, we find our lives being transformed, our priorities realigned, and our mission clarified. This love is a driving force that urges us to live in a way that reflects His glory and advances His kingdom. [18:13]

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can allow Christ's love to compel you to live more selflessly today?

Day 4: Spiritual Resurrection

God's great love makes us spiritually alive, emphasizing the grace that saves us. This resurrection from spiritual death is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God's love. It is a love that resurrects us from spiritual death, emphasizing that our salvation is entirely a work of grace. As we reflect on this spiritual resurrection, we are called to live in the newness of life, embracing the transformative power of God's love and grace. This new life is marked by a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to living in a way that honors God. [21:47]

Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: How can you embrace the newness of life that comes from being spiritually resurrected by God's love today?

Day 5: Intercessory Love of Christ

Jesus' prayer for us to see His glory is the ultimate expression of being loved. This intercessory love assures us of our place in God's eternal plan, inviting us to anticipate the fullness of joy and glory in His presence. It is a love that makes much of us, not for our sake alone, but for the glory of His name. As we reflect on this intercessory love, we are invited to live with a sense of anticipation and hope, knowing that we are part of God's eternal plan and that we will one day see His glory in its fullness. [27:01]

John 17:24 (ESV): "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."

Reflection: How can you live today with a greater sense of anticipation and hope, knowing that you are part of God's eternal plan?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound and multifaceted love of God, emphasizing how it is intricately woven into the fabric of our existence and salvation. We began by acknowledging that God, in His sovereign love, created us for His glory. Our very existence is a testament to His desire for us to experience the fullness of His blessings. This creation is not an end in itself but a means to glorify God, as stated in Isaiah 43:6-7.

We then delved into the manifestation of God's love through the sending of a Savior, Jesus Christ. This act of divine love is not just about our salvation but also about bringing glory to God. The birth of Christ is a celebration of good news and great joy, accompanied by angelic praise, highlighting the reciprocal nature of our salvation and God's glory.

The love of Christ compels us, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, to live not for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised. This compelling love is transformative, urging us to live lives that reflect His glory. It is a love that secures us, sustains us, and makes ministry possible.

Furthermore, God's love is demonstrated in making us spiritually alive, as described in Ephesians 2:4-7. This great love, unique in its mention in the New Testament, is a testament to God's mercy and grace. It is a love that resurrects us from spiritual death, emphasizing that our salvation is entirely a work of grace.

Finally, we considered the intercessory love of Christ, who prays for us to be with Him and see His glory, as expressed in John 17:24. This ultimate gift of being loved is about seeing, savoring, and showing the glory of Jesus. It is a love that makes much of us, not for our sake alone, but for the glory of His name.

Key Takeaways

1. Creation for Glory: Our existence is an act of sovereign love, created for God's glory. This foundational truth reminds us that our lives are not our own but are meant to reflect and magnify the glory of God. Our purpose is intertwined with His divine plan, calling us to live in a way that honors Him. [15:22]
2. The Savior's Love: The sending of Jesus is a profound expression of God's love, bringing salvation and glory to God. This act of love is not just about our redemption but also about the cosmic celebration of God's goodness and grace. It invites us to respond with gratitude and worship. [16:54]
3. Compelled by Love: The love of Christ compels us to live for His glory, transforming our lives and priorities. This compelling love is a driving force that reshapes our identity and mission, urging us to live selflessly and purposefully for the sake of Christ. [18:13]
4. Spiritual Resurrection: God's great love makes us spiritually alive, emphasizing the grace that saves us. This resurrection from spiritual death is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of God's love, calling us to live in the newness of life. [21:47]
5. Intercessory Love: Jesus' prayer for us to see His glory is the ultimate expression of being loved. This intercessory love assures us of our place in God's eternal plan, inviting us to anticipate the fullness of joy and glory in His presence. [27:01]
** [27:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[15:04] - Created in Love for Glory
[16:12] - The Savior's Arrival
[17:49] - Christ's Compelling Love
[20:48] - Made Spiritually Alive
[26:37] - Jesus' Intercessory Prayer
[28:34] - Understanding God's Love
[30:29] - God's Love Makes Much of Us
[31:27] - Pleased and Commended by God
[33:16] - Fellow Heirs with Christ
[35:03] - Served by Christ
[36:04] - Judging Angels
[36:58] - God's Rejoicing Over Us
[38:25] - Seated with Christ on His Throne

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 43:6-7
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Ephesians 2:4-7
John 17:24

---

Observation Questions:

According to Isaiah 43:6-7, what is the purpose of our creation, and how does it relate to God's glory? [15:22]
In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, what does it mean that the love of Christ compels us? How does this compelling love influence our lives? [18:13]
Ephesians 2:4-7 describes God's love as "great." What actions does this great love lead to, according to the passage? [21:47]
In John 17:24, what is Jesus' prayer for us, and how does it reflect His love for us? [27:01]

---

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of being created for God's glory in Isaiah 43:6-7 challenge or affirm your understanding of your life's purpose? [15:22]
What does it mean to live for Christ's glory as described in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15? How might this look different from living for oneself? [18:13]
Ephesians 2:4-7 speaks of being made spiritually alive. How does this transformation impact a believer's daily life and relationship with God? [21:47]
Jesus' intercessory prayer in John 17:24 emphasizes seeing His glory. How does this ultimate expression of love shape our anticipation of eternal life? [27:01]

---

Application Questions:

Reflect on the idea that your existence is an act of sovereign love created for God's glory. How can you intentionally live out this purpose in your daily activities? [15:22]
The sermon mentioned that the love of Christ compels us to live for His glory. Identify one area of your life where you can shift your focus from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness. [18:13]
Consider the transformative power of God's love that makes us spiritually alive. What is one habit or mindset you need to change to fully embrace this newness of life? [21:47]
Jesus prays for us to see His glory. How can you cultivate a deeper desire to experience and reflect His glory in your personal and communal worship? [27:01]
The sermon highlighted the reciprocal nature of our salvation and God's glory. How can you express gratitude and worship in response to the Savior's love in your life? [16:54]
Think about the intercessory love of Christ. How can you incorporate praying for others to see and savor the glory of Jesus into your prayer life? [27:01]
The sermon emphasized that God's love makes much of us for His name's sake. How can you find joy and purpose in being made much of by God, and how does this influence your interactions with others? [30:29]

Sermon Clips

God shows his love for us by sending us a savior Luke 2:10-14 fear not behold I bring you good news of great joy for unto you this day in the city of David has been born a savior who is Christ the lord and this will be a sign for you you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. [00:16:19]

The love of Christ controls us compels us in our title the love of Christ compels us controls us because we have concluded this that one died for all therefore all have died and he died for all that those who are living might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sakes died and was raised. [00:18:02]

The love of Christ holds us compels us drives us sustains us secures us makes Ministry possible for us and then he thinks it out how did he show that love that is so compelling to us he died for me and when he died I died to all that stuff the world sin Satan hell I died my judgment is passed and I came alive. [00:18:54]

God being rich in Mercy because of the great love with which he loved us now just pause there that phrase great love doesn't occur anywhere else in the New Testament and and that's why it feels to me really great here the love of God is called great here why what's it doing God being rich in Mercy because of the great love which with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive. [00:20:59]

God shows his love for us by making us spiritually alive Ephesians chapter 2 verses 4-7 God being rich in Mercy because of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead in our trespasses made us alive that's what it's doing together with Christ by by Grace you have been saved and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. [00:21:45]

Jesus had said in verse 9 of John 17 that he's not praying for the world n of this particular great love that he has for you his chosen ones the ones that the father has given to the son I'm praying for them these campus Outreach Disciples of mine that they might see my glory That's The Ultimate Gift of being loved being loved being saved is ultimately being able to see and Savor and show the glory of Jesus. [00:27:04]

God makes much of us by being pleased with us and commending our lives CS Lewis sermon the weight of Glory one of the most important sermons I ever read in that sermon the weight of Glory is Jesus looking you in the face and saying well done good and faithful servant he says that is a weight of Glory that is scarcely imaginable to Bear. [00:31:27]

God makes much of us by making us his fellow heires fellow heirs with his son who owns everything fellow heirs with the son who owns the universe and everything in it Matthew 5:5 blessed are the meek they will inherit the earth so don't hasten the day you're going to get it all you don't need Prosperity theology you get it all it's just a matter of time very short time in fact. [00:33:16]

God makes much of us by having us sit at table when Christ returns serving us as though we were the Masters and he were the slave Luke 12:37 truly truly I say to you he will dress himself for service and have you sit at table and he will come and serve you the most amazing picture of the second coming in the Bible. [00:35:03]

God makes much of us by ascribing value to us and rejoicing over us as his treasured possession Matthew 10:29 are not Two Sparrows sold for a penny not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father fear not therefore you are of more value than many sparrows Z anah 3:17 the Lord your God Will Rejoice over you with gladness he will quiet you by his love he will exalt over you with loud singing. [00:36:58]

God makes much of us by giving us a glorious body like Jesus resurrection body Philippians 3:21 he will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious Body by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself or Matthew 13:43 the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their father. [00:38:25]

Most amazingly of all most incomprehensibly of all is that we are made much of by God granting us to sit with Christ on his throne whatever that means but here's the verse to the one who conquers I will grant him to sit with me on my Throne as I conquered and sat down with my father on his throne. [00:38:34]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?

Experiencing God's Love: Creation, Salvation, and Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Created for God's Glory

Day 2: The Savior's Love

Day 3: Compelled by Christ's Love

Day 4: Spiritual Resurrection

Day 5: Intercessory Love of Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Experiencing God's Love: Creation, Salvation, and Glory

Share