Living for God's Glory: A Call to Purpose

Summary

Today’s gathering was a celebration of our graduates, but also a call to all of us to consider the purpose and direction of our lives. We honored the students who are moving on to new chapters, and we recognized the leaders who have faithfully invested in them over the years. This is a beautiful picture of what it means to be the church—adults pouring into the next generation, helping them to see and know the love and truth of God.

The heart of our time together centered on a crucial question: Are we living for our own glory, or for the glory of God? This is not just a question for graduates, but for every one of us. Our culture is saturated with messages that encourage us to look inward, to pursue self-fulfillment, and to make much of ourselves. We see it everywhere—from social media to sports, from advertising to education. The world tells us that the highest goal is to enjoy ourselves and to find ourselves by looking within. But God’s Word offers a radically different vision.

In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul reminds us of the incredible spiritual blessings we have in Christ: we are chosen, loved, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, enlightened, given an inheritance, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. But all of these blessings have a purpose beyond ourselves—they are given “to the praise of His glory.” Our salvation, our gifts, our very lives are not ultimately about us, but about making much of God.

It’s easy, even in the church, to let the focus shift subtly from God’s glory to our own. We can talk so much about God’s love for us and His blessings to us that we forget the point is to reflect that love and glory back to Him. If the blessings stop with us, we miss the fullness of what God intends. True joy, peace, and freedom are found not in self-glorification, but in living for the glory of the One who made us.

Living for God’s glory is a daily, intentional choice. It means honoring Him with every part of our lives—our thoughts, words, actions, and relationships. It means being alert to the messages of our culture, inviting God to search our hearts, confessing and repenting when we fall short, and looking for opportunities to make much of Him in all we do. This is what we were created for, and this is where we find life that is truly life.

Key Takeaways

- The world’s obsession with self is not new, but it is pervasive and powerful. We are constantly encouraged to look within, to pursue our own desires, and to make ourselves the center. This self-focus, if left unchecked, leads to self-worship and ultimately to exhaustion, frustration, and emptiness. Only by recognizing this cultural current can we resist its pull and choose a different way. [39:03]

- Every spiritual blessing we receive in Christ—being chosen, loved, adopted, redeemed, and sealed—is given for a purpose: to the praise of God’s glory. Our salvation is not ultimately about us, but about making much of God. When we let the blessings stop with us, we miss the point and risk turning even good things into self-worship. [53:12]

- Living for God’s glory is not about perfection, but about direction. God calls us to honor Him with all of our lives, and while we will never do this perfectly, there is always room for growth. The journey is one of continual surrender, allowing God to transform our hearts and minds so that more and more of our lives reflect His glory. [01:05:44]

- We must be alert to the subtle ways culture shapes our thinking and desires. Using tools like the “3D approach”—discover, discern, decide—helps us evaluate the messages we encounter and align our lives with God’s truth. Being unaware of these influences does not make us immune; it simply makes us more vulnerable. [01:19:54]

- The battle to live for God’s glory is not won by self-determination, but by partnering with God’s transforming work in us. We need to regularly invite God to search our hearts, confess and repent when we fall short, and ask for His help to see and seize opportunities to glorify Him in daily life. This is a supernatural work, and our role is to respond in faith and obedience. [01:23:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Honoring Graduates and Leaders
[06:45] - Blessing and Prayer for Graduates
[09:30] - Introduction to Kingdom vs. Culture Series
[13:20] - Recap: Selflessness vs. Self
[15:05] - Recap: Instant vs. Eternal
[16:30] - Recap: Stewardship vs. Consumerism
[18:00] - Today’s Focus: I vs. I Am
[22:10] - The Danger of Self-Worship in Culture
[28:40] - Personal Struggles with Glory
[33:00] - Created for God’s Glory, Not Our Own
[39:03] - Ephesians 1: Spiritual Blessings in Christ
[53:12] - The Purpose of Blessings: To the Praise of His Glory
[01:05:44] - What It Means to Live for God’s Glory
[01:19:54] - Guardrails: Being Alert to Culture
[01:23:40] - Guardrails: Confession, Repentance, and Surrender
[01:27:00] - Final Challenge and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Living for God’s Glory

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### Bible Reading

- Ephesians 1:3-14

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 1:3-14, what are some of the spiritual blessings that Paul says we have in Christ?
2. In the sermon, what cultural messages are described as encouraging us to focus on ourselves? ([39:03])
3. How does Paul repeat the phrase “to the praise of His glory” in Ephesians 1:3-14, and what does this repetition emphasize?
4. What is the difference between “I” and “I Am” as explained in the sermon? ([18:00])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul say that all the blessings we receive in Christ are “to the praise of His glory” and not just for our own benefit?
2. The sermon mentions that even good things like God’s blessings can become self-focused if we’re not careful. How does this happen, and what are the dangers? ([53:12])
3. The pastor said that living for God’s glory is “not about perfection, but about direction.” What does this mean for someone who feels like they keep falling short? ([01:05:44])
4. How does the “3D approach” (discover, discern, decide) help us respond to the messages we hear from culture? ([01:19:54])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to ask: “Am I living for my glory or for God’s glory?” Take a moment to reflect—are there areas of your life where you tend to seek your own recognition or praise? What are they? ([18:00])
2. The world encourages us to “look within” and “make much of ourselves.” Where do you see this message most in your daily life (social media, work, school, etc.)? How does it affect you? ([39:03])
3. Ephesians 1 lists blessings like being chosen, loved, adopted, and redeemed. How can you intentionally reflect these blessings back to God in praise and in the way you live this week? ([53:12])
4. The pastor mentioned that even in church, it’s easy to make God’s blessings all about us. How can you make sure that your gratitude and worship point back to God and not just to what you’ve received? ([53:12])
5. The “3D approach” (discover, discern, decide) was suggested as a way to filter cultural messages. Think of a recent message or trend you’ve encountered—how could you use this approach to respond differently next time? ([01:19:54])
6. The sermon encouraged us to regularly invite God to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24 was referenced). What would it look like for you to make this a regular practice? Is there something you sense God might want to reveal or change in you? ([01:23:40])
7. Living for God’s glory is a daily, intentional choice. What is one specific step you can take this week to shift your focus from self to God in your thoughts, words, or actions? ([01:05:44])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite God to help you see where you are living for your own glory and to give you the courage and strength to live for His glory in every part of your life.

Devotional

Day 1: Living for God's Glory, Not Our Own
We live in a culture that constantly encourages us to focus on ourselves, to seek our own glory, and to make much of who we are. Yet, we were created for something far greater: to live for the glory of God. When we make our lives about honoring Him rather than ourselves, we find true joy, peace, and freedom. The blessings, talents, and opportunities we receive are not meant to stop with us, but to roll back up in praise and honor to God. The question we must continually ask is: Am I living for my glory, or for the glory of the I Am? [44:00]

Ephesians 1:3-14 (ESV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 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, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. 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. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to seek your own glory instead of God's, and what would it look like to intentionally redirect that area to honor Him today?


Day 2: The Power and Otherness of "I Am"
God revealed Himself to Moses as "I Am Who I Am," declaring His unmatched power, eternal nature, and complete independence from anything or anyone else. This name reminds us that God is above all, deserving of all our worship and praise, and that our lives are meant to point to His greatness, not our own. When we remember who God is—the great I Am—we are humbled and inspired to live for His glory, trusting that He is over all things and worthy of our surrender. [51:00]

Exodus 3:13-15 (ESV)
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

Reflection: How does remembering that God is the great "I Am" change the way you approach your daily decisions and the way you view your own importance?


Day 3: Glorifying God in All We Do
Every aspect of our lives—our thoughts, words, actions, and even the most basic routines—can be opportunities to honor God. Scripture calls us to do everything, even eating and drinking, for the glory of God. There is no neutral ground; every moment is a chance to choose whether we will live for ourselves or for Him. This perspective transforms the ordinary into sacred opportunities to reflect God's character and bring Him praise in all circumstances. [01:13:00]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Reflection: What is one ordinary activity you will do today, and how can you intentionally do it for the glory of God rather than out of habit or for yourself?


Day 4: Inviting God to Search Our Hearts
Because we are surrounded by cultural messages that encourage self-glorification, we need to regularly invite God to search our hearts and reveal anything that is not honoring to Him. By praying honestly and asking God to examine our motives, we open ourselves to His transforming work, allowing Him to lead us in the way everlasting. This practice helps us become aware of subtle influences and areas where we may be living for our own glory rather than His, and gives us the opportunity to confess, repent, and realign our lives with His purposes. [01:19:54]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Reflection: Take a quiet moment today to pray Psalm 139:23-24, and ask God to show you one specific area where you need to realign your heart to live for His glory—what do you sense Him revealing?


Day 5: Guardrails for a Life that Glorifies God
Living for God's glory in a world that promotes self can be challenging, so we need practical guardrails to keep us on track. This means being alert to cultural messages, discerning them through the lens of God's Word, creating space and rhythm to meet with God, confessing and repenting when we fall short, and actively looking for opportunities to glorify Him in daily life. By partnering with God and relying on His Spirit, we can resist the pull of self-glorification and instead become people who make much of Him in every season and circumstance. [01:25:00]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: What is one practical guardrail you can put in place this week to help you resist the pull of self-glorification and intentionally live for God's glory?

Quotes

One could even make a case, he writes, that self-worship is the world's fastest growing religion. It is certainly the world's oldest. Just read Genesis 3. Moreover, this religion lies beneath many of the most hot button social and political issues of our day. [01:05:17] (00:00:17 seconds) Edit Clip

Yet living our lives for our glory, guys, is not God's way. In fact, God has created us for so much more than our glory. But the so much more is found in a life that you actually live for his glory. It's counterintuitive. It really is. It's counterintuitive. But we were created to glorify God. We were created to worship God. [01:08:00] (00:00:25 seconds) Edit Clip

If our salvation and God's blessing in our lives stops with us and doesn't roll back up to God in praise and his glory, then it all becomes about us. Does that make sense? If it doesn't roll back up to him, if we receive this and we don't send that back in praise and glory and honor and living a life that glorifies him, it stops with us. [01:15:10] (00:00:27 seconds) Edit Clip

Our salvation and spiritual blessings are meant to bless us, never meant to stop with us. As we receive, we respond. And we respond in honor. And we respond in worship. And we respond in a life that glorifies him and not us. [01:15:50] (00:00:23 seconds) Edit Clip

But even though this is God's design, we battle our flesh, right? We battle sin. We battle an enemy that wants to convince us otherwise. These cultural messages that are all around us, you want to know why they're like, they're so appealing, so dangerous, like so powerful, is because a lot of these messages don't create anything new in us. Does that make sense? They just tap into what's already there. They just latch themselves into our sin, our flesh, our wounding, our trauma, and those things come in, and then it just kind of like, like waters and grows the seed in our lives. [01:19:03] (00:00:49 seconds) Edit Clip

This battle is not won by self-determination and self-will. It's not. This battle is won because it's a supernatural battle that requires God to transform our hearts and to transform our minds. Our job is to partner with the things that he shows us and the things that he's doing, the things that he reveals to us, and allow him to work through us. That is living for his glory. [01:25:48] (00:00:32 seconds) Edit Clip

Are you living a life for your glory or are you living a life for God's glory? Because that's what you were created for. In this life, no matter what's happening, no matter where he places you, no matter what your degree is, no matter what the school is, no matter what your career is, no matter if you're sitting and you have no idea what is next, God goes, it's okay. Just glorify me. Because I desire, I have given you spiritual blessings and I have saved you for my glory. For my glory. [01:27:12] (00:00:45 seconds) Edit Clip