Glorifying God: The Purpose of Our Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: God's Glory in Our Salvation

Our salvation is not just a personal blessing but a part of God's grand plan to glorify His grace. In Ephesians 1:11-14, we see that God's ultimate purpose in election, predestination, and adoption is to bring praise to His glory. This is not about us but about His pursuit of His own glory, which is reflected in the praises of His people. Our response should be one of awe and worship, recognizing that our salvation is part of a grander divine plan. By understanding this, we can appreciate the depth of God's love and the magnificence of His grace. [01:47]

Ephesians 1:11-12 (ESV): "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from seeing salvation as a personal benefit to recognizing it as part of God's grand design for His glory?

Day 2: The Beauty of God's Perfections

The essence of God's glory is the beauty of His many perfections. We are called to see and praise this glory, even though it is not explicitly described as glorious in Ephesians 1. This expectation challenges us to seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's nature. By contemplating His attributes, we can grow in our knowledge of Him and respond with genuine worship. This pursuit of understanding God's perfections is a lifelong journey that enriches our faith and deepens our relationship with Him. [04:24]

Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."

Reflection: What specific attribute of God can you meditate on today to deepen your appreciation of His glory?

Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Blindness

Human blindness to God's glory is a spiritual condition that requires divine intervention. It is only when God shines light into our hearts that we can truly perceive His glory. This transformation is essential for us to value our inheritance in Christ above all earthly things. By praying for enlightenment, we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to see and savor God's glory. This process of spiritual awakening is crucial for living a life that honors God and reflects His glory to the world. [06:28]

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to ask God to shine His light so you can better perceive His glory?

Day 4: Praise as the Completion of Joy

C.S. Lewis insightfully reveals that praise is the natural overflow of enjoyment. God's call for us to praise Him is not about His need for affirmation but about completing our joy. Our delight in God is made full in the act of praising Him, making His pursuit of our praise an act of love. By engaging in heartfelt worship, we experience the fullness of joy that comes from knowing and savoring God. This understanding transforms our perspective on praise, seeing it as a gift rather than an obligation. [10:53]

Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more genuine praise into your daily routine to experience the fullness of joy in God's presence?

Day 5: The Loving Pursuit of God's Glory

God's pursuit of His own glory is the most loving thing He can do for us. By upholding His glory, He invites us into the greatest delight and fulfillment. Our fullest joy is found in seeing, savoring, and speaking the praise of God's glory, which is the purpose for which we were created. This understanding calls us to live lives that reflect His glory, finding our ultimate satisfaction in Him. By aligning our desires with His, we experience the abundant life He offers. [12:06]

Isaiah 43:7 (ESV): "Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to align your desires with God's purpose of glorifying Himself through your life?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Ephesians 1:11-14, we reach a profound understanding of God's ultimate purpose: the praise of His glory. This passage emphasizes that every act of God, from election to predestination and adoption, is rooted in His will and aimed at glorifying His grace. The repetition of "to the praise of His glory" underscores the centrality of God's glory in His divine plan. Our redemption and inheritance are not just personal blessings but are designed to reflect His glory. This is not merely a call for us to respond in praise, but a revelation of God's pursuit of His own glory through His actions.

God's glory is not just a concept but a reality that we are invited to see and experience. The beauty of God's many perfections is the essence of His glory. However, the natural human condition is one of blindness to this glory, as described in 2 Corinthians 4. It is only through God's intervention, shining light into our hearts, that we can truly perceive His glory. This is why Paul prays for the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened, so we can know the hope and riches of His glorious inheritance.

C.S. Lewis provides a profound insight into why God's pursuit of His own glory is not selfish but loving. Just as we naturally praise what we enjoy, God's call for us to praise Him is an invitation to complete our joy. Our delight in God is consummated in praise, making His pursuit of our praise an act of love. By seeking His glory, God is inviting us into the fullness of joy that comes from knowing and savoring Him.

Key Takeaways

1. God's ultimate purpose in election, predestination, and adoption is to glorify His grace. This is not about us but about His pursuit of His own glory, which is reflected in the praises of His people. Our response should be one of awe and worship, recognizing that our salvation is part of a grander divine plan. [01:47]
2. The beauty of God's many perfections is the essence of His glory. We are expected to see and praise this glory, even though it is not explicitly described as glorious in Ephesians 1. This expectation challenges us to seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's nature. [04:24]
3. Human blindness to God's glory is a spiritual condition that requires divine intervention. It is only when God shines light into our hearts that we can truly perceive His glory. This transformation is essential for us to value our inheritance in Christ above all earthly things. [06:28]
4. C.S. Lewis's insight reveals that praise is the natural overflow of enjoyment. God's call for us to praise Him is not about His need for affirmation but about completing our joy. Our delight in God is made full in the act of praising Him, making His pursuit of our praise an act of love. [10:53]
5. God's pursuit of His own glory is the most loving thing He can do for us. By upholding His glory, He invites us into the greatest delight and fulfillment. Our fullest joy is found in seeing, savoring, and speaking the praise of God's glory, which is the purpose for which we were created. [12:06]
** [12:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:18] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:11-14
[00:39] - Purpose of Election and Predestination
[01:00] - Redemption and Inheritance
[01:14] - To the Praise of His Glory
[02:09] - God's Pursuit of Glory
[02:38] - Creation and Glory
[03:50] - Seeing Glory in God's Work
[04:40] - Human Blindness to Glory
[05:06] - Divine Intervention for Sight
[06:03] - Prayer for Enlightenment
[07:17] - The Beauty of God's Perfections
[08:08] - C.S. Lewis on Praise
[09:58] - Praise Completes Enjoyment
[11:25] - God's Love in Pursuing Glory

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:11-14
- 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
- Philippians 1:9-11

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Observation Questions:

In Ephesians 1:11-14, what are the key actions of God mentioned, and how are they connected to the praise of His glory? [01:14]
According to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, what is the condition of the human heart regarding the perception of God's glory, and how is this condition remedied? [05:06]
How does Philippians 1:9-11 describe the process of sanctification, and what is its ultimate purpose? [03:19]
What does the repetition of "to the praise of His glory" in Ephesians 1 signify about God's intentions for His actions? [01:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of God's glory being the ultimate purpose of election, predestination, and adoption challenge or affirm your understanding of salvation? [02:09]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that human blindness to God's glory is a spiritual condition, and how does this affect one's relationship with God? [04:51]
How does C.S. Lewis's insight into praise as the completion of joy reshape the understanding of why God seeks our praise? [10:53]
What does it mean for God to pursue His own glory as an act of love, and how does this perspective influence one's view of God's character? [12:06]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt blind to God's glory. What steps can you take to seek divine intervention for a clearer vision of His glory in your life? [06:28]
How can you cultivate a habit of praising God in your daily life, not just as a response to blessings but as a completion of your joy in Him? [10:53]
Consider the areas of your life where you might be seeking your own glory rather than God's. How can you realign your focus to reflect His glory instead? [02:25]
In what ways can you actively participate in God's plan to glorify His grace through your actions and interactions with others? [01:47]
Identify a specific aspect of God's nature that you find difficult to appreciate. How can you deepen your understanding and appreciation of this aspect to see His glory more fully? [04:24]
How can you encourage others in your community to see and savor God's glory, especially those who may be spiritually blind to it? [05:06]
Reflect on the idea that God's pursuit of His glory is an invitation to the fullness of joy. How can this perspective change the way you approach worship and praise? [12:06]

Sermon Clips

"God is pursuing the glory of God. This is not us. He's telling us to respond to this that way, but He's choosing, He's predestining, and the purpose of the choosing and the predestining and every other saving blessing in the heavenly places is that we might praise His glory. So He is after glory. He is after the reflection of His glory in the praises of His people." [00:01:58]

"God created the world for His glory. Psalm 19, Isaiah 43. God sent His Son as the incarnation of God so that we would say we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. God appointed His Son to die as a propitiation for our sins to the glory of God." [00:02:43]

"God sanctifies us through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God, Philippians 1. God sends Christ back at the end of time to earth a second time as the consummation of all things to be glorified in His saints and many, many more such statements." [00:03:19]

"Now here's an amazing thing. If you go back here to Ephesians 1, not once in all of verses 3 through 14 does God describe the work of God as glorious or beautiful. He doesn't. He describes it as what it is. He chose before the foundation of the world. He predestined for adoption as sons." [00:03:42]

"He expects us to see glory. Otherwise, this statement makes no sense: it is all to the praise of the glory of grace. But you haven't told us this glorious Lord. He expects us to see glory. That is massively significant here in Second Corinthians chapter 4." [00:04:28]

"The reason people cannot see these verses in chapter one as glorious is because they are blind to glory. And here's how it gets fixed: in verse six of Second Corinthians 4, God who said let light shine out of darkness has shone in our hearts." [00:04:58]

"Paul is praying. What is he praying? That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and a revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened that you may know experientially know what is the hope to which He's called you." [00:05:56]

"Because if God doesn't open the eyes of our hearts, we will not see glory in this inheritance. It will be a boring inheritance. It will be insignificant. Money will be important, house will be important, family will be important, business will be important, everything else on earth will be more important than the glory of our inheritance." [00:06:21]

"I had never noticed that all enjoyment spontaneously overflows in praise unless sometimes even if shyness or the fear of boring others is deliberately brought in to check it. The world rings with praise: lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside." [00:08:36]

"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. Oh my, my mind and my world blew up when I read that almost 50 years ago. It is its appointed consummation. Praise is joy's appointed consummation." [00:10:44]

"God's pursuit of our praise of His glory is love. It's not megalomania. It's not selfishness. God is the one being in the universe who must uphold Himself for praise if He would be loving because the one thing that will bring us the greatest delight indeed bring it to completion is God and His glory." [00:11:25]

"If He were not to pursue the praise of His glory, He would not be loving us because we were made to find our fullest joy in seeing and savoring and speaking the praise of the glory of God. Oh, I hope you see the glory of Ephesians 1:3 through 14 and the God behind it all." [00:12:06]

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Glorifying God: The Purpose of Our Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: God's Glory in Our Salvation

Day 2: The Beauty of God's Perfections

Day 3: Overcoming Spiritual Blindness

Day 4: Praise as the Completion of Joy

Day 5: The Loving Pursuit of God's Glory

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Glorifying God: The Purpose of Our Redemption

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