Living for God's Glory: The True Purpose of Love

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truth of how God makes much of us, His children, and the purpose behind it. It's essential to understand that while God indeed makes much of us, His ultimate aim transcends merely making us feel loved for our own sake. Instead, God's love is designed to free us from the bondage of self-centeredness, enabling us to find our deepest joy in making much of Him. This is a love that calls us to savor, see, and show God in all His glory.

God's love is immeasurable, and He makes more of us than we could ever imagine. This love is not just about us; it's about His glory. God loves us for His name's sake, and this is evident in several ways. Firstly, He predestined us for adoption into His family, a decision made before the foundation of the world, showcasing His desire to have us as part of His divine family. Secondly, He created us for His glory, bringing us into existence so that we might enjoy Him. Thirdly, He sent a Savior, Jesus Christ, to rescue us, and the angels glorified God for this act of salvation. Fourthly, Christ's death on the cross is the ultimate display of God's love, as He died to free us from living for ourselves, inviting us to live for Him. Lastly, the prayers of the born-again reflect a desire for God's glory, as they seek salvation and atonement for His name's sake.

This understanding of God's love challenges us to shift our focus from self to God, recognizing that every grace we receive is an opportunity to reflect His glory back to Him. It's a call to live a life that is not centered on our magnificence but on His, finding true freedom and joy in this divine exchange.

Key Takeaways

• 1. centeredness to enjoy making much of Him. This freedom allows us to find our deepest joy in God, rather than in ourselves. [01:38]
  2. Predestined for Adoption: God's love is evident in His decision to adopt us into His family, a choice made before the world's creation. This act of love is not diminished by the fact that it is for His glory; rather, it magnifies the greatness of His grace.
  
  3. Creation for His Glory: Our existence is a testament to God's love, as He created us to enjoy Him. This purpose does not diminish His love but enhances our understanding of our place in His divine plan.
  
  4. The Savior's Arrival: The coming of Jesus as our Savior is a profound act of love, celebrated by angels who glorify God. This event highlights the divine exchange where we receive salvation, and God receives glory.
  
  5. Christ's Sacrificial Love: The death of Christ is the ultimate demonstration of God's love, freeing us from living for ourselves. This sacrificial act invites us to live for Him, finding true joy and purpose in this new life.
  
  ** [01:38]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:14] - Introduction to God's Love
• [00:56] - God's Greater Plan
• [01:23] - Awakening to True Love
• [02:14] - God's Immeasurable Love
• [03:14] - Love for His Name's Sake
• [04:09] - Predestined for Adoption
• [05:43] - Created for His Glory
• [06:25] - The Savior's Arrival
• [07:39] - Angels Glorifying God
• [08:22] - Christ's Sacrificial Love
• [09:09] - Prayers for His Glory
• [10:12] - Living for Him
• [11:02] - Upcoming Discussion on Holiness

1. Ephesians 1:6 - "He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace."
2. Isaiah 43:6-7 - "Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory."
3. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 - "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

1. According to Ephesians 1:6, what is the purpose behind God predestining us for adoption? How does this relate to His glory? [04:57]
2. In Isaiah 43:6-7, what reason does God give for creating us? How does this purpose align with the sermon’s message about God’s love? [05:55]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 describe the effect of Christ's love on believers? What is the intended outcome of Christ's death according to this passage? [08:22]
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how God makes much of us for His sake rather than for our own? [03:14]

1. How does understanding that God predestined us for adoption for His glory change the way we perceive our relationship with Him? [04:57]
2. What does it mean to be created for God's glory, and how does this understanding affect our daily lives and decisions? [05:55]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ's sacrificial love frees us from self-centeredness? How does this freedom manifest in a believer's life? [08:22]
4. How does the concept of God making much of us for His name's sake challenge or affirm your current understanding of God's love? [03:43]

1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was making much of you. How did that experience lead you to glorify Him rather than focus on yourself? [03:14]
2. In what areas of your life do you struggle with self-centeredness? How can you actively shift your focus to making much of God in those areas? [01:38]
3. How can you incorporate the understanding that you were created for God's glory into your daily routine? What specific actions can you take to reflect His glory in your workplace or community? [05:55]
4. Consider the ways you currently live for yourself. What steps can you take to live more for Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:15? [08:22]
5. How can you use your personal testimony of God's love to encourage others to see and savor His glory? What specific story or experience could you share with someone this week? [07:39]
6. Identify a specific prayer or spiritual practice that can help you focus on God's glory rather than your own needs. How will you implement this in your life this week? [09:09]
7. Think of a person in your life who may not understand God's love as described in the sermon. How can you engage them in a conversation about finding joy in making much of God? [10:12]