Living for God's Glory: Values That Shape Legacy
Summary
The sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects one's values and is centered on the glory of God. The speaker draws from the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," particularly the principle of beginning with the end in mind. This concept encourages individuals to consider their legacy and what they would want to be remembered for after their passing. The speaker urges the congregation to live for God's glory and to embody values such as mercy, humility, obedience to scripture, justice, holiness, trustworthiness, transparency, and vulnerability. These values are contrasted with the distractions of money, popularity, comfort, and safety.
The speaker also stresses the significance of acting with mercy and justice in personal lives and the world, noting that humility is often lacking in churches and society. The audience is encouraged to prioritize these values and to determine their life's destination or vision, with the suggestion to begin their lives and marriages with the end in mind.
The importance of practicing values rather than merely discussing them is highlighted, with the speaker suggesting that true beliefs are reflected in actions. The congregation is encouraged to consider their values and write them down, with the speaker sharing seven values they find important: Mercy, Justice, Humility, Holiness, Obedience, Prayer, and Trust. The Book of Micah is referenced, which calls for loving mercy, doing justice, and walking humbly with God.
The speaker acknowledges the congregation's hospitality and kindness, including the efforts of non-partners who volunteered to work. They share their personal intention to live the "Jesus life" by putting Jesus first, believing this will leave a significant legacy and serve as a witness to Christ's power. The congregation is encouraged to consider what God can do through them if they yield to Him, referencing Jesus' words about losing and gaining life.
Lastly, the concept of "soli Deo Gloria" (SDG), meaning living for the glory of God alone, is emphasized. The speaker suggests using SDG as an epitaph or signing letters with it to inspire curiosity and encourage others to seek its meaning. The sermon concludes with the importance of determining what is important in our lives, as it shapes our values, vision, and mission, and the call to partner with Jesus, live obediently to His word, and prioritize God's glory in all aspects of life.
Key Takeaways:
- Living with the end in mind involves aligning one's actions and decisions with the values that reflect God's glory, such as mercy, justice, and humility. This approach ensures that one's legacy is not just about personal achievements but about the impact made on others and the world through a Christ-centered life.
- True humility is a critical value that is often overlooked in society and even within the church. It requires setting aside ego and pride to act justly and show mercy, which are essential aspects of living a life that honors God.
- The practice of one's values is a testament to their true beliefs. Writing down and reflecting on personal values such as Mercy, Justice, Humility, Holiness, Obedience, Prayer, and Trust can help individuals to live out these principles more intentionally and authentically.
- The decision to live the "Jesus life" is transformative, not only for the individual but also for those around them. By putting Jesus first and allowing God to work through them, believers can leave a lasting legacy and demonstrate the power of Christ in their lives.
- "Soli Deo Gloria" encapsulates the ultimate purpose of a Christian's life—to live for the glory of God alone. This principle should guide all actions and decisions, shaping the church's values, vision, and mission, and inspiring individuals to live in obedience to God's word.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 11:36 - "For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen."
2. Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 11:36, what is the ultimate purpose of everything that exists? How does this align with the concept of "Soli Deo Gloria"? ([05:33])
2. In Micah 6:8, what three actions does the Lord require of us? How do these actions reflect the values discussed in the sermon? ([10:40])
3. The speaker mentioned seven values they find important. Can you list them and explain why each is significant? ([10:00])
4. What does the speaker suggest as a practical way to remind ourselves to live for the glory of God alone? ([06:25])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does living with the end in mind, as suggested in the sermon, change the way we approach our daily decisions and actions? ([15:00])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility. Why is humility often lacking in churches and society, and how can we cultivate it in our own lives? ([12:55])
3. The speaker talks about the importance of practicing values rather than just discussing them. How can writing down our values help us live them out more intentionally? ([09:26])
4. What does it mean to live the "Jesus life," and how can putting Jesus first transform not only our lives but also the lives of those around us? ([19:18])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. What are the values that you currently live by, and how do they align with the values of mercy, justice, and humility mentioned in the sermon? ([10:40])
2. The sermon suggests beginning with the end in mind. What legacy do you want to leave behind, and how can you start living in a way that reflects that legacy today? ([15:00])
3. Think of a situation where you struggled to act with mercy or justice. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future to better reflect these values? ([12:13])
4. The speaker mentioned the importance of transparency and vulnerability. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to be more open with others? How can you take a step towards that this week? ([16:27])
5. "Soli Deo Gloria" means living for the glory of God alone. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions and decisions are guided by this principle? ([05:33])
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of hospitality and kindness. How can you demonstrate these values in your interactions with others this week? ([18:34])
7. The speaker encourages us to partner with Jesus and live obediently to His word. What is one specific area of your life where you feel called to be more obedient to God's word? ([07:13])
Devotional
Day 1: Legacy of Godly Values
Living with the end in mind means aligning daily choices with eternal values. It's about considering how each action contributes to a legacy that honors God and reflects His glory. This approach to life prioritizes mercy, justice, and humility over fleeting worldly gains. [07:40]
James 3:13 - "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."
Reflection: How can you make choices today that contribute to a legacy of godly values?
Day 2: Humility in Action
True humility is not just a feeling but an active stance that influences behavior. It involves setting aside personal pride to serve others and act justly, embodying the humility that Christ demonstrated. This value is essential for living a life that truly honors God. [07:40]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today, especially in situations where it's challenging to do so?
Day 3: Values into Practice
Beliefs are authenticated by actions, not words. Reflecting on and writing down personal values such as mercy, justice, and trust helps to live them out intentionally. It's a call to embody these principles in everyday life, making faith tangible through consistent practice. [07:40]
1 John 3:18 - "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Reflection: What is one value you need to more actively practice, and how can you start doing that today?
Day 4: The Transformative Jesus Life
Choosing to live the "Jesus life" is a transformative decision that impacts both the individual and their community. By putting Jesus first, one's life becomes a testament to His power and love, leaving a legacy that points others to Christ. [07:40]
Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: What is one way you can put Jesus first in your life today, and how might this choice impact those around you?
Day 5: For God's Glory Alone
Living for "Soli Deo Gloria" means that every aspect of life is dedicated to the glory of God alone. This principle guides decisions and actions, ensuring that God's glory is the ultimate goal in all endeavors. It's a call to live with divine purpose and intentionality. [07:40]
1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
Reflection: How can you make God's glory the central focus of your actions today?
Quotes
"When there are issues in the world and when there are issues in our life, we ACT first on what is right, what is just, what would God do, what is Justice here." [12:13] (Download)
"Humility is so missing in churches, it's missing in religious people, it's missing in the world. If we would humble ourselves, the world would be a different place." [12:55] (Download)
"Determine my destination, what is my vision, where am I going, what am I driving at. Begin your life with the end in mind, begin your marriage with the end in mind." [15:00] (Download)
"Instead of asking what can I do with my life, you say what can God do with me if I yield to him. Jesus said if you want to lose your life, keep it for yourself; if you want to gain your life, give it to me and you'll get it back with blessing and honor." [20:08] (Download)
"You can talk all day about what you value, about what you believe, but that doesn't matter. It's what you practice that is what you believe; what you really believe is the way you live. So what you practice is what you value, not what you say alone." [08:42] (Download)
"Live your values and for me these are the ones: Mercy, Justice, Humility, Holiness, Obedience, Prayer, and Trust. These seven values I suggest are great for you as well because they come from the word of God." [10:40] (Download)
"Begin with the end in mind; you've got to determine your destination. What do I want them to say on that day when they bring me in? What is my legacy?" [17:05] (Download)
"To have said I lived my life for the glory of God Alone, not for myself, not even for my family first, but Jesus first." [06:25] (Download)
"What if this church existed for the glory of God Alone, only for him, that all the partners who are coming into partnership in this church today would say, 'I have one life, only one life, but I'm giving it up for the glory of God alone.'" [07:13] (Download)
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