God's love is demonstrated through His choice of us, not based on our merit but out of His eternal love. This choice, made before the foundation of the world, underscores the unconditional nature of His love. It is a reminder that our worth is not in ourselves but in His gracious decision to love us. God's choice is a profound expression of His sovereignty and grace, highlighting that our relationship with Him is initiated by His will and not our own efforts. This eternal choice assures us of our value in His eyes and invites us to rest in the security of His unchanging love. [09:00]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Reflection: Consider a time when you felt unworthy or inadequate. How does knowing that God chose you before the foundation of the world change your perspective on your worth and identity today?
Day 2: The Power of God's Call
God's call is powerful and life-giving, awakening us from spiritual death to see Christ as our wisdom and power. This call is not merely an invitation but an effectual summons that brings about the very response it commands. It is a testament to God's sovereign grace in our lives, transforming us from within and enabling us to live in the fullness of His purpose. The transformative nature of God's call assures us that He is actively working in our lives, drawing us closer to Him and equipping us to fulfill His will. [14:16]
2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV): "Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began."
Reflection: Reflect on a moment when you felt a strong sense of God's calling in your life. How did it change your direction or priorities, and what steps can you take today to respond more fully to His call?
Day 3: Union with Christ
Being placed in Christ is a profound expression of God's love, where we find our identity and completeness. In Christ, we receive wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, making us whole and secure in Him. This union is the foundation of our spiritual life, providing us with everything we need to grow and thrive in our faith. It is through this union that we experience the fullness of God's love and grace, empowering us to live lives that reflect His character and glory. [08:14]
Colossians 2:9-10 (ESV): "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to find your identity in Christ? How can you intentionally seek to deepen your union with Him and rely on His wisdom and strength?
Day 4: Boasting in the Lord
The purpose of God's love is to eliminate self-boasting and direct all glory to Him. By loving us in these ways, God ensures that our lives become a testament to His grace, compelling us to boast in His deeds and find joy in His works. This divine love transforms our perspective and priorities, shifting our focus from ourselves to the greatness of God. It invites us to live lives that are centered on His glory, finding our ultimate satisfaction and purpose in Him alone. [06:17]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Identify a recent achievement or success in your life. How can you shift your focus from self-boasting to boasting in the Lord, acknowledging His role in your accomplishments?
Day 5: The Great Love of God
God's love is described as great and is the driving force behind our spiritual awakening and regeneration. This love is not just a feeling but an active force that brings us to life in Christ. It is a reminder of the depth and power of God's affection for us, compelling us to respond with gratitude and devotion. The greatness of God's love assures us of His commitment to our growth and transformation, inviting us to live in the light of His love and share it with others. [16:13]
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience the love of God. How can you be a vessel of His great love to them today, demonstrating His compassion and grace in practical ways?
Sermon Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound ways God loves us, as expounded in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. This passage reveals four distinct expressions of God's love and a dual purpose behind this divine affection. The first aspect of God's love is His choice. God chose us, not based on our merit, but out of His unconditional love. This choice was made before the foundation of the world, highlighting the eternal nature of His love. The second expression is His calling. God calls us in a way that is powerful and transformative, awakening us from spiritual slumber to see Christ as our wisdom and power.
The third way God loves us is by placing us in Christ. This union with Christ is the source of our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is through this union that we are made whole and complete in Him. Lastly, God loves us by making Christ our all. In Christ, we find everything we need for life and godliness. These expressions of love are not just abstract concepts but are deeply personal and transformative.
The dual purpose of God's love is to eliminate any grounds for boasting in ourselves and to direct all our boasting towards Him. By loving us in these ways, God ensures that we cannot take credit for our salvation or spiritual growth. Instead, our lives become a testament to His grace and power. This divine love compels us to boast in the Lord, to speak of His deeds, and to find joy in His works.
As we reflect on these truths, may we be drawn into a deeper understanding of God's love and be inspired to live lives that glorify Him.
Key Takeaways
1. n1asSCAY&t=540s'>[09:00] 2. The Transformative Call: God's call is powerful and life-giving, awakening us from spiritual death to see Christ as our wisdom and power. This call is not merely an invitation but an effectual summons that brings about the very response it commands. It is a testament to God's sovereign grace in our lives.
3. Union with Christ: Being placed in Christ is a profound expression of God's love, where we find our identity and completeness. In Christ, we receive wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, making us whole and secure in Him. This union is the foundation of our spiritual life.
4. Boasting in the Lord: The purpose of God's love is to eliminate self-boasting and direct all glory to Him. By loving us in these ways, God ensures that our lives become a testament to His grace, compelling us to boast in His deeds and find joy in His works. This divine love transforms our perspective and priorities.
5. The Great Love of God: God's love is described as great and is the driving force behind our spiritual awakening and regeneration. This love is not just a feeling but an active force that brings us to life in Christ. It is a reminder of the depth and power of God's affection for us.
According to 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, what are the four ways God expresses His love for us? How does this passage describe the nature of God's choice? [02:18]
In the sermon, Pastor John mentions a "double purpose" for God's love. What are these two purposes, and how are they reflected in the passage? [04:06]
How does Pastor John describe the effect of God's call on believers, and what analogy does he use to explain this concept? [14:16]
What does Ephesians 2:4 say about the nature of God's love, and how does it relate to the concept of being made alive in Christ? [16:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the idea of God choosing us before the foundation of the world impact our understanding of His love? What does this suggest about our worth and identity? [09:00]
Pastor John emphasizes that God's call is powerful and transformative. How does this understanding of God's call challenge or affirm your view of salvation? [14:16]
The sermon discusses boasting in the Lord as a response to God's love. What does it mean to boast in the Lord, and how can this shape a believer's life and priorities? [06:17]
How does the concept of being placed in Christ as described in 1 Corinthians 1:30 influence a believer's understanding of their spiritual life and growth? [08:14]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on the idea that God chose you out of His unconditional love. How does this truth affect your self-worth and the way you view others? [09:00]
Pastor John describes God's call as awakening us from spiritual slumber. Can you recall a moment in your life when you experienced a spiritual awakening? How did it change you? [14:16]
The sermon encourages boasting in the Lord. What are some practical ways you can incorporate this into your daily conversations and interactions with others? [06:17]
Consider the union with Christ as the source of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. How can you actively seek to deepen this union in your daily life? [08:14]
Pastor John speaks about the transformative power of God's love. Identify an area in your life where you need transformation. How can you invite God's love to work in that area? [16:13]
The sermon highlights the importance of not boasting in ourselves. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with self-boasting? How can you shift your focus to glorifying God instead? [05:03]
Reflect on the dual purpose of God's love to eliminate self-boasting and direct all glory to Him. How can this understanding influence your approach to challenges and successes in life? [04:06]
Sermon Clips
"God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are very clear, God chose." [08:28]
"If you are Christ, he chose you. He leaves some unchosen, he chooses others. If you are in, he chose you. In fact, if you ask when did that happen, this word in the Greek for chose is only used one other place outside this text, Ephesians 1:4." [08:47]
"God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Only that placed in Paul does it occur, and therefore I take it to mean it shows you he chose you, he chose you in verses 27 and 28 meaning from eternity." [09:15]
"He contemplated, he saw all of us as unworthy of being chosen. Nobody is wronged if they're unchosen, you are just spectacularly blessed for nothing in yourself. This love is absolutely unconditional, without any exception." [10:17]
"God loved you by calling you. So first he chose you and now secondly, God loved you by calling you. Verse 26, consider your calling brothers, that's what I'm asking you to do right now, just do some considering right now." [11:39]
"Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, or Greeks same, he's using them interchangeably, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." [12:33]
"The call gives light, the call creates sight, the call raises the dead, Lazarus, come forth, he didn't decide to, the call raised him from the dead. Let me give you an analogy that could be misleading, it helps me just to get your hand on it." [14:21]
"When God issues a call to your dead heart and says wake up, you wake up. You did not make yourself a Christian, just face it, you didn't make yourself a Christian which is why you should feel so incredibly loved." [15:57]
"Because of his great love, he made you alive when you were dead. So if you have any spiritual life in you at all, you have been greatly loved, called regeneration, it's called calling, you have been called and you are greatly loved in this calling." [16:26]
"The purpose of God in loving us in these ways is so that we will be loved in a way that does not incline us to boast in ourselves in the presence of God. That's the purpose of loving us this way." [04:40]
"He loves us so much, he will not let us ruin the glorious experience of being loved by turning God's love into a reason to boast in ourselves. He loves you too much, he will not let you ruin the experience of being loved by God." [05:05]
"His purpose in loving us this way is so that nobody will boast in the presence of the Lord and the positive way of saying in verse 31 is so that the one who boasts boasts only in the Lord. Are we going to boast in the presence of the Lord all right?" [06:07]