God's Love: A Reflection of His Glory

Devotional

Day 1: God's Love as a Reflection of His Glory

God's love for us is designed to glorify Him, which can be challenging to accept. This perspective invites us to see His love as part of a greater purpose, where our joy is found in making much of Him rather than ourselves. Understanding this can transform our relationship with God, as we begin to see our lives as part of a divine tapestry that reflects His majesty. By embracing this view, we are invited to participate in a story that is much larger than our individual experiences, finding fulfillment in the knowledge that our lives contribute to the glorification of God. [02:13]

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

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from seeking personal recognition to seeking ways to glorify God in your daily actions?

Day 2: Acts of Love as Instruments of Praise

The acts of love, such as predestination and creation, are not just about us but about revealing God's glory. This understanding shifts our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, where we become instruments of His praise. By recognizing that our existence and experiences are meant to reflect God's greatness, we can live with a sense of purpose that transcends our personal desires. This perspective encourages us to view our lives as opportunities to demonstrate God's love and grace to the world, inviting others to join in the chorus of praise. [05:02]

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 become an instrument of God's praise in your community or workplace today?

Day 3: The Incarnation and the Cross as Magnifications of God's Name

The Incarnation and the Cross demonstrate that God's love is about more than just saving us; it's about magnifying His name. This realization helps us appreciate the depth of His love and the privilege of being part of His divine plan. By understanding that these pivotal events in history were designed to reveal God's character and glory, we can approach our faith with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude. This perspective invites us to live in a way that honors the sacrifice of Christ, recognizing that our salvation is part of a larger narrative that exalts God's name. [08:46]

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV): "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Reflection: Reflect on how the Incarnation and the Cross have personally impacted your life. How can you share this impact with someone who may not know Christ?

Day 4: Sanctification as a Process for God's Glory

Sanctification is a process where God works in us for His glory. This act of love transforms us into vessels that reflect His righteousness, leading others to glorify Him through our lives. As we grow in our faith, we are continually shaped and molded to become more like Christ, allowing His light to shine through us. This ongoing transformation is a testament to God's power and love, as He patiently works in us to fulfill His purposes. By embracing the process of sanctification, we can become living testimonies of God's grace and truth. [12:54]

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: Identify one area of your life where you feel God is working to transform you. How can you cooperate with His sanctifying work this week?

Day 5: The Consummation of God's Love in Christ's Return

The consummation of God's love will be when Christ returns, and we are glorified with Him. This future hope encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, where our ultimate joy is found in His presence and glory. By keeping our eyes fixed on the promise of Christ's return, we can navigate the challenges of life with hope and perseverance. This anticipation of future glory motivates us to live faithfully in the present, knowing that our efforts to glorify God will be fully realized when we are united with Him in eternity. [20:08]

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live with a more eternal perspective?

Sermon Summary

In this message, I explore the profound question of why God performs acts of love for us in a way that ultimately reveals His glory. This inquiry is not merely theoretical but deeply personal, as it touches on the core of how we perceive God's love and our place in His divine plan. The Bible presents God's love in a manner that often challenges our human expectations, emphasizing that His love for us is intertwined with His glory. This can be unsettling for some, as it seems to suggest that God's love is not solely about us but about His greater purpose.

I walk through seven historic acts of love, from predestination to consummation, illustrating how each act is designed to glorify God. For instance, predestination is not just about being chosen but about being adopted into God's family for the praise of His grace. Similarly, creation is an act of love that calls us to glorify God, not by making Him appear larger than He is, but by revealing His true greatness. The Incarnation, the Cross, and sanctification all follow this pattern, showing that God's love is expressed in ways that magnify His name.

The challenge is to understand that God's making much of us is not an end in itself but a means to make much of Him. This perspective rescues us from the idolatry of self-centered joy and invites us into the fullness of joy found in God. By shifting our focus from self-admiration to God-admiration, we find lasting pleasure and fulfillment. The ultimate consummation of God's love will be when Christ returns, and we are glorified with Him, marveling at His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. God's love for us is designed to glorify Him, which can be challenging to accept. This perspective invites us to see His love as part of a greater purpose, where our joy is found in making much of Him rather than ourselves. [02:13]
2. The acts of love, such as predestination and creation, are not just about us but about revealing God's glory. This understanding shifts our focus from self-centeredness to a God-centered life, where we become instruments of His praise. [05:02]
3. The Incarnation and the Cross demonstrate that God's love is about more than just saving us; it's about magnifying His name. This realization helps us appreciate the depth of His love and the privilege of being part of His divine plan. [08:46]
4. Sanctification is a process where God works in us for His glory. This act of love transforms us into vessels that reflect His righteousness, leading others to glorify Him through our lives. [12:54]
5. The consummation of God's love will be when Christ returns, and we are glorified with Him. This future hope encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, where our ultimate joy is found in His presence and glory. [20:08]
** [20:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:08] - Opening Prayer
[01:32] - The Question of God's Love
[03:33] - Seven Acts of Love
[04:07] - Predestination
[05:34] - Creation
[07:32] - Incarnation
[09:11] - The Cross
[11:11] - Sanctification
[14:24] - Propagation
[18:11] - Consummation
[22:08] - Why God Reveals Love This Way
[28:13] - Rescuing from Idolatry
[30:32] - Joy in God's Greatness
[35:32] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

Ephesians 1:5-6
Isaiah 43:6-7
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10

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Observation Questions:

According to Ephesians 1:5-6, what is the purpose of God predestining us to adoption? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on God’s glory? [05:02]
In Isaiah 43:6-7, what reason does God give for creating us? How does this align with the sermon’s message about creation being an act of love that reveals God’s glory? [06:04]
How does 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10 describe the second coming of Christ, and what is its significance in the context of God’s love and glory? [20:08]
What are the seven historic acts of love mentioned in the sermon, and how do they collectively demonstrate God’s purpose of glorifying Himself? [03:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of God’s love being intertwined with His glory challenge or affirm your understanding of divine love? Consider the sermon’s discussion on predestination and creation. [05:02]
The sermon suggests that God’s love is not solely about us but about His greater purpose. How does this perspective affect the way believers might view their relationship with God? [02:13]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Incarnation and the Cross are about more than just saving us? How does this deepen our appreciation for God’s love? [08:46]
How does the sermon explain the process of sanctification as an act of love that transforms us for God’s glory? What implications does this have for how believers live their lives? [12:54]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt God’s love was more about His glory than your personal benefit. How did that experience shape your faith? [02:13]
The sermon challenges us to shift our focus from self-admiration to God-admiration. What practical steps can you take this week to make this shift in your daily life? [30:32]
How can understanding that God’s love is designed to glorify Him help you find joy in difficult circumstances? Share a specific situation where this perspective might change your outlook. [28:13]
Consider the idea that sanctification is a process where God works in us for His glory. What areas of your life do you feel God is currently working on, and how can you cooperate with His transformative work? [12:54]
The sermon speaks of the ultimate consummation of God’s love when Christ returns. How does this future hope influence your current priorities and decisions? [20:08]
How can you become an instrument of God’s praise in your community, as suggested by the sermon’s discussion on creation and propagation? Identify one specific action you can take this week. [06:04]
The sermon mentions rescuing us from the idolatry of self-centered joy. What are some ways you can guard against this idolatry in your spiritual journey? [28:13]

Sermon Clips

God predestined us to adoption now that is an extraordinary Act of love to be adopted into God's Divine family doesn't get any better better okay here you are a foundling weltering in your blood like it says in Ezekiel and and God picks you up washes you off and doesn't just forgive you and send you on your way he said no I think I'll keep you and now you're in my family so he predestined us unto adoption through Jesus Christ to himself according to his good pleasure unto here it is here's what ruins it unto the praise of the glory of his grace. [00:04:12]

You have been created which I think is a great Act of love I I I think to exist is a wonderful thing and God didn't have to create you and he did and he recreated you if you're born of God and this text says he created you for his glory that is he created you to make make himself look really good we we are to glorify God the way telescopes glorify or magnify not the way microscopes magnify right a microscope magnifies by making a little thing look bigger than it is and a telescope magnifies by making something that's really big but looks little look as big as it really is. [00:06:06]

Behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people for unto you is Born This Day in the city of David a savior who is Christ the lord and this will be a sign for you you'll find the baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in the manger and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host doing what praising God and saying what tell me that's so disappointing I mean he's come into the world he's on a mission for me he's coming to save me I'm a sinner I'm lost I'm Hellbound I I need a savior. [00:07:45]

He died for all now here comes the purpose so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sakes died and was raised and you you want to maybe step back and say well for whose sake did you do it who' you die for you or me died for all so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him and I'm sure that does not mean to help him run the universe or to meet some need that he has when it says that they might live for him it means for his glory for his name's sake for his Fame. [00:09:42]

Sanctification so now we've been bought forgiven Justified stand right before God and he goes about the business of making us practically experientially holy and righteous and Paul prays for that in Philippians 1:9 and here's the way he prays now you remember what when you're praying you're talking to God and therefore when you ask God to do something for a purpose then it's his purpose that's what happens in these verses Philippians 1:9 this I pray that your love may abound still more and more more in real knowledge and all discernment. [00:11:14]

We received Grace and apostleship so here's Paul documenting he never got over this this act of Love toward him he never got over it he was killing Christians he was throwing them in jail he was blaspheming the name of Jesus Christ by denying his messiahship and on the Damascus Road Jesus not only saves him but makes him his chosen vessel and Apostle he just never got over it the least of all the saints the least of all the apostles lately born I I just he to the end of his life he couldn't fathom being loved like this. [00:14:32]

I believe the second coming will be the consummation of God's love for us Christ's love for us it will be Terror for those who've rejected that love but for us it will be spectacularly completing I frankly would like it to happen very soon there are so many troubles in my life in my church in this world in Chile in Haiti cancer I just let's just wrap it up just finish it and come Lord Jesus I hope even though you're young and have a whole life in front of you I hope you feel that way hard harder for young people to feel that way maybe I I get married first fight that one through and say if you come it'd be okay it be okay be better way better. [00:18:18]

So there they are seven Great acts of love all of them revealed in such a way that we now know God loves us for the glory of God we are not the ultimate goal God is and we are drawn into that instead of sent to hell for our rebellion and made members of his family so let me let me pose the question the second way the first way I POS the question was why does the bible reveal the love of God for us this way and my second question was why does he make much of us in such a way that it wind ends up ultimately making much of him. [00:21:35]

I believe in it I not only believe in it I love it and here what I mean by it God makes much of you believer for example CS Lewis greatest sermon according to Alan Jacobs was and I think he's probably right the weight of Glory so there a little book called the weight of Glory first sermon in the book is called the weight of glory and you know what the weight of Glory is the weight of Glory is hearing the words well done good and faithful servant Lewis said that moment will be so spectacularly waiting that the god of the universe will look upon a hell deserving saved Sinner and commend his work it will be such a weight of Glory we will hardly be able to Bear it it will be so wonderful. [00:23:20]

I do not minimize I do not deny the Magnificent reality that God makes much of us I just say he makes much of us in a way that is designed to make much of him and for some people that just wrecks it here you were making much of me and now I realized that what you were doing all along is making much of you so my question is why does God reveal it this way and here's my answer number there are two answers number one in revealing it this way in revealing his love for you this way and his making much of you this way he rescues you from the god belittling Idol idolatry of putting your joy finally in being made much of finally finally. [00:27:32]

By revealing his love for us this way God brings our joy out of self and into the infinite greatness of God and therefore brings us to full and Lasting pleasure he brings us out of ourselves as the place where our joy is reposing into the greatness of himself where our joy now reposes because in his presence is fullness of joy and at his right hand our Pleasures forever more and and he loves you enough to pull you out of self admiration into God admiration where it can be full and Lasting now to confirm that and help you feel it let me let me point something out. [00:30:36]

Conclusion the love of God that makes much of us for his glory is a greater love than a love that would only make much of us it's a greater love or to put it one other way you are precious to him and the greatest gift he has for you is not to let your preciousness to him become your God but rather have him as your god. [00:34:38]

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God's Love: A Reflection of His Glory

Devotional

Day 1: God's Love as a Reflection of His Glory

Day 2: Acts of Love as Instruments of Praise

Day 3: The Incarnation and the Cross as Magnifications of God's Name

Day 4: Sanctification as a Process for God's Glory

Day 5: The Consummation of God's Love in Christ's Return

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

God's Love: A Reflection of His Glory

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