Reflecting God's Glory Through Salvation and Advent

 

Summary

In Ephesians 1:6, Paul reveals the profound truth that our salvation is ultimately for the praise of the glory of God's grace. This passage highlights the role of the Holy Trinity in the work of redemption, with a particular focus on the Father's work. God has chosen us before the foundation of the world, predestined us to be His children, and accepted us in the Beloved, all according to His will and for His glory. This divine plan is not a response to human desire or merit but is entirely initiated by God, driven by His own nature and glory.

As we approach the Advent season, we are reminded of the coming of the Son of God into the world, a theme that the Bible consistently presents in superlative terms. The prophets of the Old Testament and the writers of the New Testament express the Advent with the highest eloquence and praise, emphasizing the glory of God revealed through the incarnation of Christ. This season challenges us to reflect on our response to this divine event. Are we filled with wonder and praise, or have we become lethargic and half-hearted in our faith?

The glory of God is the central theme of salvation. It is a revelation of His essential being, characterized by beauty, majesty, splendor, and might. This glory is manifested in creation, history, and most supremely in redemption. The wisdom, power, holiness, and grace of God are displayed in the salvation plan, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our salvation is not only a manifestation of God's glory but the highest expression of it.

Moreover, this glory is to be revealed through us, His redeemed people. We are called to live in a way that reflects the glory of God, demonstrating His grace and love to the world. As Christians, we are highly favored, much like Mary, chosen to bear the presence of Christ within us. This profound privilege calls us to a life of praise, adoration, and witness, giving all glory to God for His marvelous work in us.

Key Takeaways:

- Our salvation is entirely initiated by God, driven by His own glory and nature, not by any merit or desire on our part. This divine plan emphasizes the sovereignty and grace of God, reminding us that our redemption is a testament to His glory. [03:06]

- The Advent season challenges us to reflect on our response to the coming of Christ. Are we filled with wonder and praise, or have we become lethargic in our faith? The Bible consistently presents the incarnation of Christ in superlative terms, urging us to respond with heartfelt adoration. [09:20]

- The glory of God is the central theme of salvation, characterized by beauty, majesty, and might. This glory is manifested in creation, history, and most supremely in redemption, revealing the wisdom, power, holiness, and grace of God. [13:00]

- Our salvation is the highest manifestation of God's glory, surpassing all other expressions of His majesty. The wisdom, power, and grace of God are displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, culminating in the redemption of humanity. [25:23]

- As Christians, we are highly favored, chosen to bear the presence of Christ within us. This profound privilege calls us to live in a way that reflects the glory of God, demonstrating His grace and love to the world. [39:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 1:6
- [01:20] - The Role of the Holy Trinity in Redemption
- [02:31] - God's Sovereign Will in Salvation
- [03:38] - The Ultimate Purpose of Redemption
- [05:02] - Our Calling to Holiness and Adoption
- [06:35] - Reflecting on the Advent Season
- [07:20] - Biblical Perspective on the Advent
- [09:20] - The Glory of God in Salvation
- [11:34] - Salvation as a Revelation of God's Glory
- [13:00] - Understanding the Glory of God
- [15:20] - The Glory of God in the Old Testament
- [20:42] - The Glory of God in the New Testament
- [25:23] - Salvation as the Highest Manifestation of God's Glory
- [33:30] - Our Role in Revealing God's Glory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 1:6

Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 1:6, what is the ultimate purpose of our salvation? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on the glory of God? [04:27]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Trinity in the work of redemption, particularly focusing on the Father’s work? [01:20]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God’s plan for salvation in relation to human desire or merit? [02:48]
4. How does the sermon describe the Advent season and its significance in relation to the glory of God? [09:20]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for our salvation to be "to the praise of the glory of His grace"? How does this understanding affect our view of salvation? [04:27]
2. The sermon mentions that the Advent season challenges us to reflect on our response to the coming of Christ. What might be some reasons for a lethargic or half-hearted response to this divine event? [10:33]
3. How does the sermon explain the concept of being "highly favored" as Christians, and how does this relate to our identity in Christ? [39:14]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the glory of God is revealed through us, His redeemed people? [35:01]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current response to the Advent season. Are you filled with wonder and praise, or have you become lethargic in your faith? What steps can you take to renew your sense of awe and adoration? [10:33]
2. The sermon emphasizes that our salvation is not based on our merit but entirely initiated by God. How does this truth impact your daily walk with God and your understanding of grace? [02:48]
3. Consider how you can live in a way that reflects the glory of God. What specific actions or attitudes can you adopt to demonstrate His grace and love to those around you? [35:01]
4. The sermon compares our privilege as Christians to that of Mary, who was chosen to bear the presence of Christ. How can you embrace this privilege in your life and what changes might it inspire in your behavior or mindset? [39:14]
5. How can you ensure that your view of salvation gives the entire glory to God, rather than reserving any for yourself? What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart of humility and gratitude? [42:33]
6. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to see the glory of God. How can you intentionally seek to recognize and celebrate His glory in that area this week? [24:32]
7. The sermon challenges us to live as those who are "highly favored." What does this look like in your daily interactions and decisions? How can you remind yourself of this identity regularly? [39:14]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereign Initiative in Salvation
Our salvation is entirely initiated by God, driven by His own glory and nature, not by any merit or desire on our part. This divine plan emphasizes the sovereignty and grace of God, reminding us that our redemption is a testament to His glory. God’s choice to save us is not a reaction to our actions or desires but a reflection of His eternal purpose and will. This truth should humble us and lead us to a deeper appreciation of His grace, as it underscores that our relationship with Him is not based on our worthiness but on His loving choice. [03:06]

Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you struggle to accept God's grace. How can you remind yourself today that your salvation is not based on your merit but on God's sovereign choice?


Day 2: Responding to the Advent with Wonder
The Advent season challenges us to reflect on our response to the coming of Christ. Are we filled with wonder and praise, or have we become lethargic in our faith? The Bible consistently presents the incarnation of Christ in superlative terms, urging us to respond with heartfelt adoration. This season is a time to rekindle our awe and gratitude for the miraculous event of God becoming man, and to examine whether our hearts are truly aligned with the joy and reverence that this event deserves. [09:20]

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Reflection: Reflect on your current attitude towards the Advent season. What specific steps can you take today to cultivate a sense of wonder and praise for the incarnation of Christ?


Day 3: The Glory of God in Salvation
The glory of God is the central theme of salvation, characterized by beauty, majesty, and might. This glory is manifested in creation, history, and most supremely in redemption, revealing the wisdom, power, holiness, and grace of God. Salvation is not just a personal experience but a cosmic revelation of God's character and purpose. As we contemplate the glory of God in salvation, we are invited to see our lives as part of a grand narrative that displays His splendor and majesty. [13:00]

Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."

Reflection: How can you intentionally recognize and celebrate the glory of God in your daily life today, especially in the ordinary moments?


Day 4: Salvation as the Highest Manifestation of God's Glory
Our salvation is the highest manifestation of God's glory, surpassing all other expressions of His majesty. The wisdom, power, and grace of God are displayed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, culminating in the redemption of humanity. This truth calls us to a deeper understanding of the significance of our salvation, not just as a personal gift but as the ultimate revelation of God's nature and purpose. It challenges us to live in a way that reflects this profound truth, giving glory to God in all we do. [25:23]

Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate the glory of God through your actions and decisions today, acknowledging your salvation as His highest expression of glory?


Day 5: Living as Bearers of God's Glory
As Christians, we are highly favored, chosen to bear the presence of Christ within us. This profound privilege calls us to live in a way that reflects the glory of God, demonstrating His grace and love to the world. Just as Mary was chosen to bear Christ physically, we are chosen to bear His presence spiritually, which should inspire us to live lives of praise, adoration, and witness. Our daily actions and attitudes should be a testament to the transformative power of God's grace in our lives. [39:14]

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (ESV): "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."

Reflection: How can you actively reflect the presence of Christ in your interactions with others today, showing His grace and love in tangible ways?

Quotes


God he tells us has done all this to us and for us according to the good pleasure of his own will he has been moved to do all this by nothing in US whatsoever it is entirely himself salvation is not God's response to men's desire or to men's request men in sin doesn't desire salvation. [00:02:31]

The ultimate objective the motive of it all is this to the pray of the glory of his grace it is all I say for the glory of God and that is the thing that the Apostle opens before us in this particular verse but the astonishing thing indeed the almost incredible thing is this that God has purposed to do all that in us and through us. [00:04:18]

The glory of God is the essential being of God the glory of God is that which really makes God God it is the very essence of God we are told you remember by the author of The epistle to the Hebrews that the Lord Jesus Christ is not only the express image of the person of God but is the brightness or the effulgence of the glory of God. [00:13:00]

The glory of God is seen in these flowers in front of us look at their perfect order look at the design and the arrangement the blending of the colors is this accident and chance out upon the suggestion it's the Glorious God who's made it's a reflection of something of his own perfect being the glory of God. [00:27:23]

It is through you and through me that God reveals this grace of his and this Glory of his it is something says Peter that the very Angels desire to look into and they don't understand but it's true all mine are thine and thine are mine says the son to the father in the 17th of John and I am glorified in them. [00:33:30]

We have been called and chosen to the praise of the glory of his grace where is in he ha made us accepted in the Beloved now this is a most tremendous statement unfortunately the revised version in the which you have in front of you and the revised Standard Version have again it seems to me gone tragically astray in their translation. [00:35:38]

The angel goes to the Virgin Mary and says hail thou that Hast been highly favored he he means this he says do you know that God has chosen you of all the women in the world to bear his son God has privileged you has highly favored you he selected you for this that the Son of God should enter into your womb and be born of you you are highly favored. [00:39:14]

Christ comes into US Christ in you the hope of glory that Christ says Paul to the Galatians may be formed in you we are highly favored as Mary was physically he entered into her spiritually he enters into every one of us who are his children Christ in us that Holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called The Son of God. [00:39:14]

God in spite of me has done this to me and for me I am what I am solely and entirely by the grace of God I give him all the glory there is none in me him that glor let him glory in the Lord does your view of Salvation give the entire glory to God or are you reserving a little for yourself. [00:41:00]

The first and the greatest thing after all about salvation is that it is a revelation of the glory of God to the praise of the glory of of his grace or if you prefer it to the praise of his glory as it is manifested through his grace or by means of his grace and that is why to translate this instead of to the praise of the glory of his grace as to the praise of his glorious Grace is a weakening of what the Apostle rely said and meant. [00:11:34]

The heavens declare the glory of God and it is because you and I are so blinded by sin that we don't see that every time we look into the heavens we look into the heavens and we think of some scientist or some men who's talking about distances the heavens says the psalmist declare the glory of God. [00:25:23]

The glory of God is displayed in everything that God does God whenever he does anything manifests his glory it's to be seen in nature isn't it the heavens declare the glory of God and it is because you and I are so blinded by sin that we don't see that every time we look into the heavens. [00:25:23]

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Transcript
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