Reflecting God's Glory Through Intimacy with Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today marks the beginning of our Windshade Camps for Community, a tradition we've cherished since 2016. This camp is a wonderful opportunity for us to invest in the lives of children in the Shoals area, helping them understand the love of God and the transformative power of Jesus Christ. As we welcome the Windshade staff, let's keep them in our prayers, asking God to bless their efforts and keep them safe and healthy throughout the summer.
In light of recent events in our nation, it's crucial to remember that our ultimate hope is not in political figures or earthly institutions but in Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is eternal. We are citizens of a greater kingdom, and our focus should be on reflecting the glory of God in our lives. This summer, we will explore what it means to be like Jesus, starting with Galatians 5:22-23, which lists the fruit of the Spirit. These are not individual traits to be mastered separately but a collective manifestation of God's nature in us.
We were created to reflect God's glory, a purpose that sin has distorted but not destroyed. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are redeemed and restored to our original purpose. To reflect God's glory, we must belong to Him and spend time with Him. This relationship is not about following a checklist of do's and don'ts but about being in intimate fellowship with Jesus. As we draw near to Him, we will naturally reflect His character to the world around us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of Belonging to Jesus: To reflect God's glory, we must first belong to Him. This means entering into a genuine relationship with Jesus, not merely following religious rituals or checklists. True transformation begins with surrendering our lives to Him and allowing His Spirit to work within us. [57:53]
2. Intimacy with Jesus: Our primary calling as followers of Jesus is to be with Him. This intimacy is the foundation for reflecting His character. The more time we spend in His presence, the more we will naturally reflect His love, joy, peace, and other attributes listed in Galatians 5:22-23. [01:02:10]
3. Reflecting God's Glory: We are called to be mirrors that reflect God's glory. Just as a mirror reflects whatever is in front of it, our lives will reflect whatever we focus on. If we focus on Jesus, we will reflect His glory. If we focus on the world, we will reflect worldly values. [01:05:25]
4. The Distortion of Sin: Sin distorts but does not destroy our purpose of reflecting God's glory. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are redeemed and restored to our original purpose. This redemption allows us to once again be image-bearers of God's glory, reflecting His holiness and character. [52:18]
5. Living Out Our Calling: Reflecting God's glory is not about following a set of rules but about living in a vibrant, ongoing relationship with Jesus. This relationship transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to reflect His character in every aspect of our lives. [01:00:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:05] - Introduction to Windshade Camps
[31:38] - Praying for Our Nation
[32:19] - Our Hope in Jesus
[33:46] - God's Economy
[34:22] - Maintaining Your Gospel Voice
[35:20] - Being Like Jesus
[36:11] - Prayer for Windshade and Our Nation
[38:34] - Introduction to Galatians 5
[39:16] - Emulating Heroes
[43:17] - Fruit of the Spirit
[45:43] - Reflecting God's Glory
[46:59] - Created in God's Image
[52:18] - Sin's Distortion
[53:42] - Reflecting God's Holiness
[57:53] - Belonging to Jesus
[01:02:10] - Being with Jesus
[01:05:25] - Reflecting What We Focus On
[01:08:14] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:22-23 (CSB): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things."
- Genesis 1:26-27 (CSB): "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.' So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female."
- 1 Peter 1:15-16 (CSB): "But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct. For it is written, Be holy because I am holy."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?
2. In Genesis 1:26-27, what does it mean that humans are created in the image of God?
3. How does 1 Peter 1:15-16 describe the standard of holiness for believers?
4. What does the pastor say is the primary calling for followers of Jesus? ([01:02:41])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that the fruit of the Spirit is described as singular rather than plural in Galatians 5:22-23? ([43:54])
2. How does being created in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27) relate to our purpose of reflecting God's glory? ([46:59])
3. What does it mean to be holy as God is holy, according to 1 Peter 1:15-16, and how does this apply to our daily lives?
4. How does the pastor explain the difference between following a checklist of religious duties and having an intimate relationship with Jesus? ([58:36])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with Jesus. Do you feel you belong to Him, or are you more focused on religious rituals? How can you deepen your relationship with Him this week? ([57:53])
2. The pastor mentioned that our lives reflect whatever we focus on. What are some distractions in your life that prevent you from focusing on Jesus? How can you minimize these distractions this week? ([01:05:25])
3. Think about the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Which aspect do you find most challenging to exhibit? What specific steps can you take to cultivate this aspect in your daily interactions?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of being with Jesus. What are some practical ways you can spend more time in His presence this week? ([01:02:41])
5. How can you be a reflection of God's glory in your workplace or community? Identify one specific action you can take to demonstrate God's love and character to those around you.
6. The pastor mentioned that sin distorts but does not destroy our purpose of reflecting God's glory. How have you experienced this distortion in your life, and how can you seek redemption and restoration through Jesus? ([52:18])
7. Consider the idea of being a mirror that reflects God's glory. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are consistently placing yourself in front of Jesus? ([01:05:25])
Devotional
Day 1: Belonging to Jesus
To reflect God's glory, we must first belong to Him. This means entering into a genuine relationship with Jesus, not merely following religious rituals or checklists. True transformation begins with surrendering our lives to Him and allowing His Spirit to work within us. When we belong to Jesus, we are no longer defined by our past mistakes or sins but by His love and grace. This belonging is the foundation of our identity and purpose.
Belonging to Jesus is not about external conformity but internal transformation. It is about allowing His Spirit to dwell within us, guiding our thoughts, actions, and decisions. As we surrender to Him, we experience a profound change that goes beyond mere behavior modification. We become new creations, reflecting His glory in every aspect of our lives. [57:53]
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Reflection: What areas of your life are you still holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What steps can you take today to fully belong to Him?
Day 2: Intimacy with Jesus
Our primary calling as followers of Jesus is to be with Him. This intimacy is the foundation for reflecting His character. The more time we spend in His presence, the more we will naturally reflect His love, joy, peace, and other attributes listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Intimacy with Jesus is not about checking off a list of spiritual activities but about cultivating a deep, personal relationship with Him.
Spending time with Jesus involves prayer, reading His Word, and being still in His presence. It is in these moments of intimacy that we are transformed and renewed. As we draw near to Him, we begin to see the world through His eyes and respond with His heart. This intimacy empowers us to live out our faith authentically and passionately. [01:02:10]
Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: How can you create more space in your daily routine to spend intimate time with Jesus? What distractions can you eliminate to deepen your relationship with Him?
Day 3: Reflecting God's Glory
We are called to be mirrors that reflect God's glory. Just as a mirror reflects whatever is in front of it, our lives will reflect whatever we focus on. If we focus on Jesus, we will reflect His glory. If we focus on the world, we will reflect worldly values. Our focus determines our reflection, and our reflection reveals our true priorities and passions.
Reflecting God's glory is about living in a way that honors Him and points others to His greatness. It involves aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with His character and purposes. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we become conduits of His love, grace, and truth to those around us. [01:05:25]
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: What are you currently focusing on in your life? How can you shift your focus to Jesus to better reflect His glory to those around you?
Day 4: The Distortion of Sin
Sin distorts but does not destroy our purpose of reflecting God's glory. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are redeemed and restored to our original purpose. This redemption allows us to once again be image-bearers of God's glory, reflecting His holiness and character. Sin may have marred our reflection, but it has not erased our identity as God's children.
Understanding the impact of sin helps us appreciate the depth of God's grace and the power of His redemption. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross not only forgives our sins but also restores us to our intended purpose. As we embrace this redemption, we are empowered to live in a way that honors God and reflects His holiness. [52:18]
Romans 5:20-21 (ESV): "Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Reflection: In what ways has sin distorted your reflection of God's glory? How can you embrace Jesus' redemption to restore your purpose and reflect His holiness?
Day 5: Living Out Our Calling
Reflecting God's glory is not about following a set of rules but about living in a vibrant, ongoing relationship with Jesus. This relationship transforms us from the inside out, enabling us to reflect His character in every aspect of our lives. Our calling is to live as image-bearers of God's glory, demonstrating His love, grace, and truth to the world.
Living out our calling involves daily surrender and intentionality. It means seeking to honor God in our thoughts, words, and actions. As we cultivate our relationship with Jesus, we become more attuned to His voice and more aligned with His purposes. This transformation empowers us to live out our faith authentically and impactfully. [01:00:56]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV): "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: How can you intentionally live out your calling to reflect God's glory in your daily life? What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate His love and grace to those around you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We are citizens of a great God. We are citizens of the greater kingdom. Now, last Sunday on Memorial Day, we took some time and we recognized and we honored those who had paid that ultimate sacrifice. And I said then, I am so thankful to God. I've been in a lot of nations across the world. And I am so thankful that I've gotten to live my entire life as a citizen of the United States of America. I am so thankful to God for that. But at the end of the day, listen, this is not my home. And I'm just a sojourner here. I'm just passing through, all right. And I want you to know, my hope is not in what happens in the United States of America. That's not our hope. Listen, our hope is not in a Republican or a Democrat. Our hope is not in any member of Congress. Listen, we just sang it. Our hope is in the King whose kingdom will never end. Our hope is in the one and only Jesus Christ whose throne will never be overthrown. You can rest with confidence as a follower of Jesus that it does not matter what happens in this life. Our hope is secure." [32:19]
2. "Listen, child of God, don't stay awake worrying. Don't stay awake. Some of you, the best thing you do is just turn the news off. Just get in the Word with the one who loves you most. Listen, 500 years from now, it's not going to matter. It's really not. The only thing that's going to matter is Jesus Christ and the souls of men, women, boys, and girls. That's why I want to encourage you. Don't sacrifice your gospel voice during this season. Don't do it. Please don't. Don't do it." [33:46]
3. "Listen, we are a gospel-first, gospel-focused people. Listen, vote, be involved, do all that, but live first and foremost for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. All right? Now, look, some of you have been asking, why haven't you said anything on social media? Because that doesn't accomplish anything. I've not been called to pastor people in Facebook world, but I have been called to pastor you. And I'm going to do that until I die, until God moves me, or you fire me. Now, some of you, after today, you might fire me this afternoon. If so, we've had a good run. All right? But as long as I'm the pastor, I'm going to love you enough to try to help you maintain your gospel voice. Listen, here's what people in our world and people in our nation need today. They don't need a certain party in the White House. They need God to take up residence in their house. That's what our world needs. He is our hope." [35:20]
4. "You and I were created to be a reflection of the glory of God. When the Bible says the fruit of the Spirit, that fruit that is supposed to be in us, what he's saying is your life should reflect the wonder, the beauty, the splendor of who our God is. You were created for that purpose. Well, Pastor, how do you know that? Well, I've read the Bible. Novel concept, huh? Genesis chapter 1, verses 26 and 27. Look at what it says. Then God said, Let us make man in our image according to our likeness. They will rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky and the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth. So God created man in his own image. He created him in the image of God. He created them male and female. In the very beginning, when God created everything, when he decided to create you and me as humans, when he created the human race, he said humanity is to be a reflection of my glory." [46:59]
5. "Listen, you and I are called to be a reflection of God's glory. You want to know how to reflect God's glory? You've got to be in front of Him. You've got to be in front of Him. And listen, as you're in front of Him, you will reflect who He is. But the instant you move from being in front of Him, you know what you're going to reflect? Whatever else you put in front of you. Some of you are thinking, man, I reflect a whole lot more of the world than I do Jesus. You know what that means? You're spending a whole lot more time in front of the world than you are in front of Jesus. Because you're going to reflect whatever you're in front of." [06:01]
### Quotes for Members
1. "See, not only do we have to belong to Him, we have to be with Him. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3. Jesus in Mark 3, where He's choosing His disciples. And most of them are already following Him, but He comes to a point where He's calling these 12 into intimate fellowship with Himself. He's going to invest in them, going to pour into them, for them to be the catalyst by which world evangelization would ultimately happen. So He calls the 12. And in Mark, chapter 3, verse 14, it says that He called them that they would be with Him. That's the first thing God called those guys to, to just be with Him, to just spend time with Him. As a follower of Jesus, hear me, the primary calling on your life is intimacy with Him. The greatest calling on your life is to simply be with Him. We want to do. We're a do people. We want to, what do I need to do? You want to know what you need to do? You need to be. See, bearing God's glory, reflecting His glory is a whole lot more about who you are than what you do. You've got to belong to Him and you've got to be with Him. You have to be with Him. And here's the reality. You do those two things, you're going to reflect His glory." [03:13]
2. "Now, here's the reality. You and I will never be like Jesus, and yet there is a calling for our lives to be like Him. And so what I want to do today is I'm simply going to introduce this study, and then next Sunday, my dad, Dr. Bob Pittman, who normally is traveling all over the country preaching in different churches, he takes the month of June off, and he's going to preach for us next Sunday. I'm going to be here. Some of our staff team will be leaving, going to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. But we're going to be here, but we're leaving as soon as the service. But I've just always had him preach that second Sunday of June, and you guys love to hear him, so he's going to do that next week. And then on Father's Day, I'm going to pick back up with this series. So today, my goal is to introduce where we're going this summer as we dive into this idea of being like Jesus. And in doing so, I want to give you a central truth that will really guide us throughout this summer. Here it is. You and I were created to be a reflection of the glory of God. You and I were created to be a reflection of the glory of God." [46:25]
3. "And the reason is because what the fruit of the Spirit identifies for us is it identifies the very nature of God himself. See, when you see this list of these nine characteristics, they are characteristics of who God is. And what Paul is saying is that when you live your life as a follower of Jesus, the fruit of that is his life being lived through your life. And when you really get a hold of that, I'm telling you, it'll set you free. It'll set you free from that trap of constantly trying to do better and trying harder to accomplish something when you just understand the calling is for his life to be lived through our life." [45:04]
4. "Listen, as a follower of Jesus, God has called me to reflect his holiness. Like, the one thing that I probably can least reflect, God's called me to reflect. So here's what that means. Everything else that is an aspect of who God is is to be seen in my life. Think about that for a minute. Every aspect of who God is. If he's called us to reflect his holiness, listen, he has called us to reflect his holiness. He has called us to reflect everything. That's why when I prayed this a moment ago, you and I as the New Testament church, we're called the body of Christ. That's one of the terms the New Testament uses to describe the local church, the body of Christ. What is a body? A body is what allows us to relate to a physical world. Look, you are not your body. Your body simply reflects who you are to a physical world. With your body, you touch, you taste, you smell, you experience all the senses, right? And when people see you, they associate your body with who you are. Here's what that means is the body of Christ. When the world sees us, they immediately associate us with who Christ is. So what kind of a reflection are we? We're to be a reflection of his glory, of the splendor, the wonder, the amazement of who he is." [54:30]
5. "Listen, you and I have been called into a relationship with Jesus. And if you're going to reflect His glory, listen, you've got to belong to Him. I love what Dr. Adrian Rogers says about this. He said that to be like Jesus, many people typically focus on elimination or determination. And what he meant by that was elimination, they go, I'm going to get rid of some things. All right, I want to be like Jesus, so I'm no longer going to do this, this, this, this, and this. They turn following Jesus into a checklist of don'ts. Or determination. Okay, I'm going to make sure I reflect Jesus. So I'm going to make sure I do this, this, this, this, and this. And what they've done is they've turned being a Jesus follower into a list of do's and don'ts. You know what that makes you? A modern-day Pharisee. See, they took a relationship with God and said, it's all about don'ting some don'ts and doing some do's. And as long as you dot the I and cross the T, you'll be fine. And yet Jesus said of them, they're nothing but whitewashed sepulchers. They're nothing but graves that on the outside look nice and clean and polished, but on the inside they're full of death. See, some of you have spent your lives trying to clean up the outside. I mean, you wear the Jesus clothes, and you've got the Jesus bracelets, and you've got the Jesus bumper stickers, and you try to look the part. You try to do all the do's and don't all the don'ts. And what God's saying is, I don't really care about the outside. My focus is on the inside. And the outside might look wonderful, but the inside is death and destruction. If you're going to reflect His glory, you have to belong. You have to be in relationship with Him." [01:00:56]
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