From Self-Glory to God's Glory: Embracing Divine Paradox

 

Summary

In reflecting on the transformative power of the Christian faith, it becomes evident that the journey from self-glorification to glorifying God is a profound reversal of human nature. Initially, many of us, like Paul, may find ourselves boasting in our own achievements, religious zeal, and moral superiority. However, true Christianity calls us to abandon this self-centeredness and instead glory in the cross of Jesus Christ. This shift is not merely a change in perspective but a complete transformation of our understanding of faith as something initiated and completed by God, not by human effort.

The essence of Christianity is rooted in the unexpected and the surprising. God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. The Christian faith is not just another philosophy or religion to be compared with others; it is a divine revelation that defies human logic and expectation. This is evident in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, whose birth, life, and death were marked by humility and apparent weakness, yet they were the means through which God accomplished His greatest work of salvation.

The birth of Jesus in a stable, His upbringing as a carpenter, and His association with sinners rather than the religious elite all illustrate the radical nature of God's plan. The ultimate expression of this reversal is seen in the crucifixion, where Jesus, in His apparent weakness and defeat, achieved the ultimate victory over sin and death. The cross, a symbol of shame and defeat, becomes the emblem of salvation and triumph.

Understanding Christianity requires a willingness to embrace this divine paradox, to see strength in weakness, wisdom in what appears foolish, and life in what seems like death. It challenges us to leave behind our preconceived notions and enter into a new realm of divine truth and grace.

Key Takeaways:

- Transformation from Self-Glory to God-Glory: The journey of faith involves moving from boasting in our own achievements to glorifying God alone. This transformation is a fundamental shift from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness, where we recognize that our salvation is entirely the work of God. [18:58]

- The Unexpected Nature of God's Ways: Christianity is not a human invention but a divine revelation that defies human logic. God's ways are higher than ours, and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ is a complete reversal of human expectations. [22:00]

- The Humility of Christ's Birth and Life: Jesus' birth in a stable and His life as a carpenter illustrate the humility and unexpected nature of God's plan. This challenges our assumptions about power and greatness, showing that true strength is found in humility. [29:00]

- The Cross as a Symbol of Victory: The crucifixion, which appears as a moment of weakness and defeat, is actually the means of our salvation. The cross, a symbol of shame, becomes the ultimate emblem of victory over sin and death. [37:28]

- Embracing the Divine Paradox: To truly understand Christianity, we must embrace the paradox of finding strength in weakness and wisdom in what seems foolish. This requires a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions and enter into the mystery of God's grace. [31:45]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [18:10] - Boasting in Self vs. Boasting in Christ
- [19:08] - God's Action in Salvation
- [20:20] - The Unexpected Nature of God's Plan
- [21:40] - Christianity: A Reversal of Human Logic
- [22:48] - Biblical Affirmation of God's Ways
- [24:14] - The Foolishness and Weakness of God
- [26:15] - The Surprise of True Christianity
- [27:16] - The Unexpected Birth of Jesus
- [29:00] - The Humility of Christ's Life
- [31:29] - The Incomprehensible Ways of God
- [32:04] - The Surprising Ministry of Jesus
- [34:33] - Jesus' Association with Sinners
- [36:00] - The Cross: A Symbol of Salvation
- [37:28] - The Victory of the Cross

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1. Galatians 6:14 - "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
2. Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
3. 1 Corinthians 1:25-29 - "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But 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, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."

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Observation Questions:

1. What was Paul boasting about before he became a Christian, and how did his perspective change after his conversion? [18:10]

2. How does the sermon describe the unexpected nature of God's plan for salvation? [20:20]

3. What examples from Jesus' life illustrate the humility and unexpected nature of God's plan? [29:00]

4. How does the sermon explain the paradox of the cross being a symbol of victory? [37:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the transformation from self-glory to God-glory challenge our understanding of personal achievements and success? [18:58]

2. In what ways does the unexpected nature of God's ways, as described in Isaiah 55:8-9, require us to rethink our expectations of how God should act? [23:06]

3. How does the humility of Christ's birth and life, as described in the sermon, redefine our understanding of power and greatness? [29:00]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of embracing the divine paradox in understanding Christianity? [31:45]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you found yourself boasting in your own achievements. How can you shift your focus to glorifying God instead? [18:58]

2. How can you embrace the unexpected nature of God's ways in your daily life, especially when things don't go as planned? [22:00]

3. In what areas of your life do you need to redefine your understanding of power and greatness, following the example of Christ's humility? [29:00]

4. How can you find strength in what appears to be weakness in your current circumstances, as illustrated by the paradox of the cross? [37:28]

5. Identify a preconceived notion you have about God or faith. How can you let go of this notion to enter into a deeper understanding of God's grace? [31:45]

6. Think of a situation where you felt defeated or weak. How can you see this as an opportunity for God to demonstrate His strength and wisdom? [31:45]

7. How can you actively seek to understand and embrace the divine paradox in your spiritual journey this week? [31:45]

Devotional

Day 1: From Self-Glory to God-Glory
The journey of faith is a transformative process that shifts our focus from self-glorification to glorifying God. Initially, many people, like Paul, may find themselves boasting in their own achievements, religious zeal, and moral superiority. However, true Christianity calls for a complete transformation, where we abandon self-centeredness and instead glory in the cross of Jesus Christ. This shift is not merely a change in perspective but a profound reversal of human nature, recognizing that our salvation is entirely the work of God, not human effort. [18:58]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself boasting in your own achievements? How can you begin to shift that focus to glorifying God instead?


Day 2: The Divine Reversal
Christianity is not a human invention but a divine revelation that defies human logic. God's ways are higher than ours, and His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ is a complete reversal of human expectations. The essence of Christianity is rooted in the unexpected and the surprising. This is evident in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, whose birth, life, and death were marked by humility and apparent weakness, yet they were the means through which God accomplished His greatest work of salvation. [22:00]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: How can you embrace the unexpected nature of God's plan in your life today, especially in situations that seem illogical or challenging?


Day 3: Humility in Christ's Life
The birth of Jesus in a stable and His life as a carpenter illustrate the humility and unexpected nature of God's plan. Jesus' association with sinners rather than the religious elite challenges our assumptions about power and greatness, showing that true strength is found in humility. This radical nature of God's plan invites us to reconsider our understanding of power and success, encouraging us to find strength in humility and service. [29:00]

Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV): "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility in your daily interactions, following the example of Christ's life?


Day 4: The Cross as Victory
The crucifixion, which appears as a moment of weakness and defeat, is actually the means of our salvation. The cross, a symbol of shame, becomes the ultimate emblem of victory over sin and death. This divine paradox challenges us to see strength in weakness and victory in what seems like defeat. Understanding this requires a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions and enter into the mystery of God's grace. [37:28]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How can you view a current struggle or challenge in your life as an opportunity for God's power to be revealed?


Day 5: Embracing the Divine Paradox
To truly understand Christianity, we must embrace the paradox of finding strength in weakness and wisdom in what seems foolish. This requires a willingness to let go of our preconceived notions and enter into a new realm of divine truth and grace. By embracing this divine paradox, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, allowing us to see life through the lens of His wisdom and strength. [31:45]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: What is one area of weakness in your life where you can invite God's strength to be made perfect today?

Quotes


he tells us how proud he was how boastful he was what did he boast about well he boasted about the fact that he was so religious he not only boasted about his birth and his upbringing he said us touching the law blameless exceeding all others in Zeal and in knowledge and in everything else he was gloring in himself he said look at me I'm fasting I'm sweating I'm praying I'm studying the scriptures I'm expounding them this is what I'm doing and I'm a good man I'm better than others I'm a Godly Man look at me boasting calling attention to himself glorying in himself but that was when he wasn't a Christian when he becomes a Christian he says him that glorious let him glory in the Lord God forbid that I should Glory save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ [00:18:00]

the first thing we have to grasp about the Christian faith is that it's something that God has done it is God's action which is offered to us which we're asked to believe and to receive in which we are asked to rejoice and from which we are asked to benefit the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is Jesus is is eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord now there it is at the very beginning and yet I trust that no one will resent it if I again put my questione you are understanding of Christianity my friend started at that point had you always thought of it as something which the Blessed glorious God himself has done [00:19:08]

God's way of of saving men is entirely unexpected and surprising it is a complete reversal of everything we would ever have thought of and everything that we would ever have imagined now this is to me in many senses more and more the most vital point of all now it's my privil often to talk to people about these things and intelligent intellectual men and invariably I'm confronted by the same situation God knows I understand it I've been guilty of the self same thing myself their whole approach seems to be this they've read and they've studied and they've thought they've considered this View and that view well now then here's this Christian view and they approach it in exactly the same way [00:20:20]

Christianity is the reversal of everything natural and everything human now that's not an over statement that is an exact and a scientific statement it is a reversal of that which is natural and human now it's put here in this form I the Lord have brought down the high tree and have exalted the low tree have dried up the green tree and have made the dry tree to flourish now you can't imagine any greater reversal of a position position than that the high is brought down the low is raised up the green is made dry and the dry is made green a complete reversal [00:21:40]

the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men for you see your calling Brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called well what's been happening God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are Mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen yay and things which are not to bring to not things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence [00:24:14]

the whole tragedy of the position is that men and women speak and think and argue and debate as if Paul had never written a all they will not realize at the very beginning that here they come into a realm which is altogether different that all the categories to which they've been accustomed must be left outside and that they start in an entirely new world and with an entirely new outlook I'm emphasizing this I'm trying to underline it the Christian message the Christian salvation is absolutely unlike anything that man has ever thought or imagined it has the uniqueness of a message that comes directly from God [00:26:15]

if your conception of Christianity hasn't come to you as a surprise as something Passing Strange and wonderful as something that has caused you to reverse all your ideas and as it were to stand on your head or be turned upside down to use the New Testament language at a point if it doesn't come like that I say you've never known it if you just as a natural man have taken up Christianity if you've espoused some kind of Christian philosophy well I'm sorry but as I understand this statement you are just not a Christian it's the complete reversal it's a turning upside down inside out it's entirely different from from all we've ever known [00:27:16]

everything about the Lord Jesus Christ was surprising it was Passing Strange it was astonishing it it was so strange is see that people wouldn't believe it the Jews wouldn't believe it the Gentiles the able Gentiles the philosophers they likewise rejected it why well because it was so absolutely different from anything that ever expected now the Jews as the result of their prophetic teaching were awaiting the coming of their Messiah they were looking forward to this they said when he came he would do everything that they needed and it's and he would set them free then in the fullness of the times he came and appeared before them and preached to them and they resented him and they rejected him [00:31:29]

when the Son of God came when the mighty deliverer arrived it was in a stable not even in the Inn crowded out in the stable with a kettle and his little body laid in a Manger he came in loneliness he came in abject poverty he came to use the scriptural imagery as a root out of a dry ground no pump and ceremony but the Son of God the creator of the world came in utter weakness like a helpless babe indistinguishable from any other babe to look at him and to handle their he is you see at once we are in this new realm this strange way of God men would never have ordered it like that men don't order things like that they do things in King's palaces [00:32:04]

you would have thought that when the Son of God came here on Earth there would have been everything wonderful about his way of living and about his upbringing his teaching his training and the display of his knowledge and so on no I need keep you you know the actual record is the exact opposite of all that he came and was brought up as a boy and he began to work as a carpenter with his hands and not his hand that's how he spent his life indeed the most astonishing thing of all it always seems to me is this that until the age of 30 he spent his time entirely in that way now not in the schools not in the academies not in the then seats of learning not being trained even as a Pharisee no but just doing this manual labor this ordinary work [00:34:33]

he was given the name of friend of publicans and sinners at any Rich you would have thought that when the Son of God comes to save he would spent his time with the religious the doctors of the law but no he spends his time he's a friend of publicans and sinners he eats and drinks with them you see it reverses all our ideas we've got this idea of natural religion and that the Christian is the good man and the man who makes himself better by his own efforts and striving and is religious and this and that and goes on with his old tradition in which he's been brought up and there's the outsider on the street and in the gutter they've got nothing to do with all this we good people my dear friends it's the very negation of Christianity [00:36:00]

they took him they arrested him they tried him they condemned him they nailed him to a tree there is your savior nailed to a tree helpless speechless with a terrible thirst just in a great Agony crying out a cry of dereliction the end of everything he seems a complete and an abject failure but you know that's his way of saving what's he doing on that cross putting principalities and powers to shame making an open show of them mastering them conquering them it's there he saves our symbol is a cross ridiculous monstrous no power no word no philosophy weakness helplessness [00:37:28]

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Transcript
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