Living for God's Glory: Our Purpose and Worship
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound truth that we are designed for greatness by a great God. This greatness is not about self-glorification but about recognizing and reflecting the glory of our Creator. We began by recalling a personal experience in China, where believers gathered in secret to worship, reminding us of the importance of community and fellowship in our faith journey. The writer of Hebrews encourages us not to neglect meeting together, as it is vital for motivating one another to love and good works.
We delved into the idea that life often feels random and meaningless, especially when unexpected events disrupt our plans. However, we are reminded that God has a unique purpose for each of us, and our lives are not meant to be lived on autopilot. Instead, we are called to live intentionally, recognizing that our purpose is to glorify God in all we do.
The sermon emphasized the tension between living for our own glory and living for God's glory. We are often tempted to see ourselves as the central characters in our life's story, but true greatness comes from acknowledging that we are part of a larger narrative centered on God. Jesus taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, which is the foundation of our relationship with Him.
Worship is our present purpose and our eternal future. It is not just about singing songs but about living a life that reflects God's glory. We are invited to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, recognizing that our salvation is for the purpose of worshiping God. This worship is a choice, a daily decision to place God on the throne of our lives and live for His glory.
As we conclude, we are reminded that worship is not just an activity but a lifestyle. It is about surrendering our lives to God and allowing Him to be the center of our existence. This is our highest calling and the path to true fulfillment and satisfaction.
Key Takeaways:
1. Community and Fellowship: Gathering with other believers is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement. It is a biblical mandate to motivate one another to love and good works, especially as we anticipate Christ's return. [10:20]
2. Purpose in Randomness: Life may feel random and meaningless, but God has a unique purpose for each of us. We are called to live intentionally, recognizing that our lives are designed for greatness by a great God. [29:16]
3. Living for God's Glory: True greatness comes from acknowledging that we are part of a larger narrative centered on God. We must resist the temptation to make life about our own glory and instead live for God's glory. [31:51]
4. Worship as a Lifestyle: Worship is not just about singing but about living a life that reflects God's glory. We are invited to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, recognizing that our salvation is for the purpose of worshiping God. [50:18]
5. Surrendering the Throne: Worship involves surrendering our lives to God and allowing Him to be the center of our existence. This is our highest calling and the path to true fulfillment and satisfaction. [53:01]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:06] - Introduction and Personal Story
[06:05] - Importance of Gathering
[10:20] - Worship in Challenging Circumstances
[24:56] - Dogs, Cats, and Perspective
[29:16] - Life's Randomness and Purpose
[31:51] - The Central Character
[32:44] - Designed for Greatness
[34:09] - The Miracle of You
[36:28] - Living with Purpose
[39:27] - The Greatest Commandment
[41:17] - Relationship with God
[42:33] - Enjoying God
[44:32] - Emptiness and Fulfillment
[46:01] - Heaven and Worship
[47:31] - Worship as Present Purpose
[49:15] - Saved to Worship
[50:18] - Living Sacrifice
[53:01] - Surrendering the Throne
[54:42] - Recognizing God's Greatness
[57:28] - Unique Voice of Worship
[58:40] - Worship as Forever Future
[01:00:11] - Revelation and Eternity
[01:03:16] - Throne Room of Heaven
[01:05:49] - Who Sits on Your Throne?
[01:08:05] - Invitation to Worship
[01:09:11] - Questions for Reflection
[01:10:16] - Choice in Worship
[01:11:50] - Prayer and Closing
[01:17:20] - Invitation and Barbecue Announcement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
2. Matthew 22:37-38 - "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment."
3. Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the writer of Hebrews say about the importance of gathering with other believers? How does this relate to the personal story shared about worship in China? [10:20]
2. According to the sermon, what is the tension between living for our own glory and living for God's glory? [31:51]
3. How does the sermon describe the concept of worship as a lifestyle rather than just an activity? [47:31]
4. What does Paul mean when he talks about offering our bodies as a living sacrifice in Romans 12:1? How was this concept explained in the sermon? [50:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the idea of community and fellowship contribute to our spiritual growth and encouragement, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:24-25? Why is this considered a biblical mandate? [10:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that life can feel random and meaningless, and how does recognizing God's purpose for us change that perspective? [29:16]
3. What does it mean to live intentionally for God's glory, and how does this align with the greatest commandment to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind? [39:27]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of surrendering the throne of our lives to God, and why is this seen as our highest calling? [53:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current involvement in community and fellowship. How can you prioritize gathering with other believers to encourage and motivate one another in love and good works? [10:20]
2. Think about a recent event in your life that felt random or disruptive. How can you seek to understand God's purpose in that situation and live intentionally for His glory? [29:16]
3. Identify an area of your life where you might be tempted to seek your own glory. How can you shift your focus to living for God's glory in that area? [31:51]
4. Consider your daily routine. What practical steps can you take to incorporate worship as a lifestyle, offering yourself as a living sacrifice to God? [50:18]
5. Reflect on the concept of surrendering the throne of your life to God. What might be holding you back from fully surrendering, and how can you take steps to make God the center of your existence? [53:01]
6. How can you cultivate a deeper love for God in your daily life, aligning with the greatest commandment to love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind? [39:27]
7. Worship is described as both our present purpose and our eternal future. How can you begin to practice this mindset of worship in your everyday interactions and decisions? [47:31]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Power of Community and Fellowship
Gathering with other believers is not just a tradition but a vital part of spiritual growth and encouragement. The early church understood the importance of community, meeting regularly to support one another in their faith journeys. In today's world, where isolation can easily creep in, the call to fellowship is more crucial than ever. By coming together, we fulfill a biblical mandate to motivate one another to love and good works, especially as we anticipate Christ's return. This communal aspect of faith is a reminder that we are not alone in our walk with God. [10:20]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to this week to encourage and support in their faith journey?
Day 2: Finding Purpose in Life's Randomness
Life can often feel chaotic and without direction, especially when unexpected events disrupt our plans. However, the truth is that God has a unique purpose for each of us. We are not meant to live on autopilot but are called to live intentionally, recognizing that our lives are designed for greatness by a great God. This perspective shifts our focus from the randomness of life to the divine purpose that underlies our existence. By seeking God's guidance, we can find meaning and direction even in the most uncertain times. [29:16]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life that feels random or purposeless? How can you seek God's purpose in that area today?
Day 3: Living for God's Glory
True greatness is found not in self-glorification but in acknowledging that we are part of a larger narrative centered on God. We are often tempted to see ourselves as the central characters in our life's story, but the call to live for God's glory challenges us to shift our focus. By recognizing that our lives are meant to reflect God's greatness, we find true fulfillment and satisfaction. This shift in perspective invites us to resist the temptation to make life about our own glory and instead live for God's glory. [31:51]
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to seek your own glory? How can you intentionally live for God's glory in your daily actions?
Day 4: Worship as a Lifestyle
Worship is not confined to singing songs on a Sunday morning but is a lifestyle that reflects God's glory in every aspect of our lives. We are invited to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, recognizing that our salvation is for the purpose of worshiping God. This daily decision to place God on the throne of our lives transforms our actions, thoughts, and attitudes into acts of worship. By living a life of worship, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from glorifying Him. [50:18]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can turn a daily routine into an act of worship this week?
Day 5: Surrendering the Throne
Worship involves surrendering our lives to God and allowing Him to be the center of our existence. This act of surrender is our highest calling and the path to true fulfillment and satisfaction. By placing God on the throne of our lives, we acknowledge His sovereignty and invite His guidance in every decision we make. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily choice to let go of control and trust in God's perfect plan for our lives. [53:01]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
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Quotes
1. "Ever since Jesus' followers found the tomb empty on a Sunday morning, followers of Jesus have been gathering on Sundays to pray, learn from Scripture, and sing songs that remind us of the most important truths in life. I'm so glad you're here. I'm so glad you're joining this online experience today. We hope the content in this presentation grows your faith in God. In fact, we hope it's so helpful, you'll share it with a friend. But even in this modern age, in-person gatherings matter." [00:10:44] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And frankly, this is all a result of what happens when we replace God's glory with our own glory. And this is what we're going to talk about today. This tension that resides in all of us when we begin to think that we're the central character in the story. When we begin to think that this is a film that's all about our lives and everyone else is just a supporting character and this is a story in which I am the hero and it's a story that's all about me. When we begin to try to take that spotlight, and it's natural, it's absolutely instinctual for us to think that we are the middle of the story." [00:31:09] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "But you have to begin with the recognition, the understanding, the belief, the knowledge, that you are designed by God on purpose and for a purpose. That God has given you a unique purpose in the world. That God has given you a unique role in the world. That God has called you to something that's unique to you. But it's not because you're so special. It's because God is so great that he can somehow design you and design billions of different people and make each one of them unique and individual and special." [00:32:48] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so, if God has designed you on purpose to live with purpose, then you should live on purpose and with a purpose. You shouldn't just live on autopilot. You shouldn't just live coasting along day to day. You should live as if your life has purpose, as if your life has meaning. And I know we all have laundry to do and we all have errands to run and we've all got to go to the bank. And I'm not saying that the normality of life, goes away because we're so special." [00:36:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And this was a conversation that we think is just really kind of, probably happened several times in the teaching of Jesus' ministry. Because I think this was something that Jesus taught on a regular basis. And I think this was something that was kind of part of the greatest hits of Jesus' messages as he went around and as he taught people. But there's a story that Matthew records where another teacher comes to Jesus and says to Jesus, teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the law?" [00:38:53] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And so there's this recognition when Jesus says the greatest command is to love the Lord your God. It's this idea that there is a possibility, for us to have a relationship with God, that the creator of the universe knows you and invites you to know him. If this is a relationship that you can actually have that goes both ways. And so my question for you today, especially if you're someone who would say, I'm a Jesus follower. I wanna be more like Jesus. I wanna follow after Jesus. The question is, Jesus has said that the greatest commandment is to love, love God. The question is, do you love God?" [00:41:42] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Worship, when Jesus was asked, what's the greatest command? Jesus' response was to love God, to have a relationship with God. Worship is our present purpose. Wow. That's not what it feels like every day, right? Because when I look at my to-do list, worship isn't on there. My to-do list is full of emails and text messages and all of the things that everybody's doing. Everyone else is telling me needs to be a priority for my day." [00:47:58] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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