Seeing the Glory: Our Purpose in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Blindness and Divine Illumination

Lostness is described as spiritual blindness to the glory of Christ. This blindness prevents individuals from seeing the light of the gospel, which is the image of God. Conversion is not a human achievement but a miraculous work of God, who shines His light into our hearts, enabling us to see and savor His glory. This transformation is a sovereign act of God, calling us out of darkness into His marvelous light. As believers, we are reminded of the profound grace that has opened our eyes to the beauty of Christ, urging us to live in gratitude and awe of His work in our lives. [01:25]

2 Corinthians 4:6 (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."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt spiritually blind or distant from God. How did God’s light break through that darkness, and how can you share that experience with someone who might be in a similar place today?

Day 2: The Power of Proclamation

Our role as believers is to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, trusting that God will open the eyes of the spiritually blind. The Spirit works in tandem with the preaching of the gospel, and it is through this proclamation that God often chooses to save sinners. We are called to be faithful in sharing the gospel, knowing that it is not our eloquence or persuasion that brings about conversion, but the power of God working through His Word. This responsibility is both a privilege and a calling, urging us to be bold and compassionate in our witness. [05:21]

Romans 10:14-15 (ESV): "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? What steps can you take this week to share the message of Christ with them, trusting in God’s power to open their eyes?

Day 3: The Call to Glorify God

Human attraction to the grandeur of nature and excellence in human achievements points to our true purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. These experiences are whispers of our ultimate calling to feel great about God, not ourselves. Our deepest joys and longings are fulfilled in Him, and recognizing this can be a powerful tool in reaching unbelievers. By helping others see that their search for greatness is ultimately a search for God, we can guide them toward the true source of fulfillment and joy. [09:47]

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: Reflect on a recent experience where you felt awe or wonder. How can you use that experience to point others to the greatness of God and His glory?

Day 4: Living a Life of Sacrifice

Our satisfaction in God should lead to acts of love and sacrifice, making His glory visible to the world. As we delight in God, we become more generous and sacrificial, impacting the world around us and advancing the cause of world missions. Our good deeds, flowing from a heart satisfied in God, can lead others to glorify Him. This call to live sacrificially is a reflection of Christ’s love and a testimony to the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [15:38]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you can practice sacrificial love this week. How can this act of love point others to the glory of God?

Day 5: God as Our Ultimate Good

God is the ultimate good and the inheritance of the saints. In Him, we find our wealth, treasure, and everlasting joy. Our eternal satisfaction will be in the beauty and excellencies of God, which will forever entertain and fulfill us. This understanding calls us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, recognizing that He is the source of all true joy and fulfillment. As we grow in our knowledge and love of God, we are invited to experience the richness of His presence and the depth of His love. [17:04]

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV): "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking fulfillment outside of God? How can you redirect your desires to find satisfaction in Him alone?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we explore the profound question of what we were created for, delving into the essence of the gospel as the glory of Christ. The heart of the message is found in 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul describes lostness as blindness to the glory of Christ. To be lost is to be unable to see the light of the gospel, which is the image of God. Conversion, then, is the miraculous work of God shining light into our hearts, allowing us to see and savor the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own; it is a sovereign act of God, who calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The message emphasizes that while we cannot force this change, we have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord. Our role is to share the gospel, trusting that God will open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind. The Spirit works in tandem with the preaching of the gospel, and it is through this proclamation that God often chooses to save sinners.

Furthermore, the message highlights the innate human longing for something greater than ourselves, as seen in our attraction to the grandeur of nature and the excellence of human achievements. These experiences are whispers of our true purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We are not made to feel great about ourselves but to feel great about God. This realization can be a powerful tool in reaching unbelievers, helping them see that their deepest joys point to a greater reality in God.

Finally, the message calls us to live out our satisfaction in God through acts of love and sacrifice, making His glory visible to the world. Our good deeds, flowing from a heart satisfied in God, can lead others to glorify Him. As we delight in God, we become more generous and sacrificial, impacting the world around us and advancing the cause of world missions.

Key Takeaways

1. Blindness to Glory: Lostness is defined as blindness to the glory of Christ. Conversion is the sovereign work of God, who shines light into our hearts, enabling us to see and savor His glory. This transformation is not of our own doing but a miraculous act of God. [01:25]
2. Proclaiming Christ: Our role is to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, trusting that God will open the eyes of the spiritually blind. The Spirit works in tandem with the preaching of the gospel, and it is through this proclamation that God often chooses to save sinners. [05:21]
3. Longing for Greatness: Human attraction to the grandeur of nature and excellence in human achievements points to our true purpose: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. These experiences are whispers of our ultimate calling to feel great about God, not ourselves. [09:47]
4. Living Out Satisfaction in God: Our satisfaction in God should lead to acts of love and sacrifice, making His glory visible to the world. As we delight in God, we become more generous and sacrificial, impacting the world around us and advancing the cause of world missions. [15:38]
5. God as Our Ultimate Good: God is the ultimate good and the inheritance of the saints. In Him, we find our wealth, treasure, and everlasting joy. Our eternal satisfaction will be in the beauty and excellencies of God, which will forever entertain and fulfill us. [17:04]
** [17:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - The Gospel of Glory
[01:08] - Definition of Lostness
[02:04] - Experiencing Salvation
[03:08] - Conversion and New Birth
[04:40] - The Power of the Cross
[05:21] - Proclaiming Christ
[06:25] - Hope for Unbelievers
[07:36] - The Role of the Spirit
[09:07] - Longing for Greatness
[11:02] - Helping Unbelievers See
[12:46] - Admiring Greatness
[14:06] - Pursuing Joy in God
[15:38] - Living Out Satisfaction
[17:04] - God as Our Ultimate Good
[19:56] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 4:4-6
- 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
- Matthew 5:16

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Observation Questions:

According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what is the condition of those who are lost, and how does this relate to the concept of blindness mentioned in the sermon? [01:25]
In 2 Corinthians 4:6, what does God do to bring about conversion, and how is this described in the sermon? [02:49]
How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of conversion and proclamation of the gospel? [07:20]
What examples from nature and human achievement does the sermon use to illustrate the human longing for greatness? [09:07]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon explain the difference in perception of the gospel between those who are called and those who are not, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:23-24? [04:40]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between proclaiming Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in opening the eyes of the spiritually blind? [07:36]
How does the sermon interpret the human attraction to grandeur and excellence as a reflection of our ultimate purpose to glorify God? [09:47]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that our satisfaction in God should manifest in our actions towards others, according to Matthew 5:16? [15:38]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually blind. What steps did you take, or could you take, to seek God's light in your life? [01:25]
How can you actively participate in proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord in your daily life, trusting that God will open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind? [05:21]
Think of a moment when you were in awe of nature or human achievement. How can you use these experiences to point others to the greatness of God? [09:07]
What are some practical ways you can live out your satisfaction in God through acts of love and sacrifice this week? [15:38]
Identify a specific area in your life where you can let your light shine before others, leading them to glorify God. How will you take action on this? [15:38]
Consider the idea that God is our ultimate good and inheritance. How does this perspective change the way you view your current challenges or blessings? [17:04]
How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy and satisfaction in God, and what impact might this have on your relationships and community? [15:38]

Sermon Clips

In their case the God of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers this is the definition of lostness to be lost is to be blinded to what here it comes he has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. [00:01:19]

The God Who said let light shine out of Darkness Once Upon a Time at the beginning of Creation The God Who said let light shine out of Darkness has Shone into our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ that's the solution to verse four. [00:02:46]

Conversion is the solution to lostness how does conversion happen Sovereign God looks into dead dark Glory ignoring heart and says by sheer unconditional regenerating Sovereign call let there be light and you had read your Bible listen to Billy Graham listen to radio gone to church a hundred times and it was nothing to you. [00:03:12]

For what we Proclaim is not ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord with ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake I planted polish watered God made the lights go on don't be fatalistic about this I mean you're hearing me talk right now like a calvinist which is because that's what verse six says God makes the heart see the glory. [00:05:34]

The Spirit does not fly through Phoenix through Phoenix saving Sinners apart from the preaching of the Gospel he does not do verse 6 without verse 5 so you have a job it's a glorious job you're free you can't make it happen you cannot make it happen it isn't your responsibility but oh to tell the news. [00:07:27]

Because when you're standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon or standing at the foot of the Rockies you feel small and vulnerable so why did they go and not only do they go but they go into stores and they buy big glossy picture books to remind them of their insignificance when they get home. [00:09:14]

They know this they know that the deepest highest longest Pleasures they've ever had have not been when they stood in front of a mirror and liked what they saw that's that's fun nobody likes to be unpleasing in front of a mirror but they know that's so small it's just yeah. [00:10:07]

Why do you turn on those games when they're so much better than you are they must it just must make you feel really weak to watch these 350 lb guys Bang into each other and get up off the ground not wounded you must feel really vulnerable and weak and you go to a movie and you admire a performance. [00:12:29]

Why because you're being drawn out in some sweet moments of self-forgetfulness to admire greatness just a parable of why we're made we're not made to feel great about ourselves mainly we're made to feel great about about God mainly all these things are testimonies in the heart of Fallen human beings that they're made for God. [00:13:11]

God created the universe not simply for us to have private enjoyment of himself but for us to bear fruit from that enjoyment in Acts of love and sacrifice that make his glory visible Matthew 5:116 let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your father in Heaven. [00:15:26]

If you delight in God like I've encouraged you to do you will be a loving person towards other people with your soul satisfied in God you'll begin to spill over with generosity and sacrifice on others it creates World missions and finally I said I wanted to close and let Edwards have the last say. [00:16:01]

The redeemed have all their objective good in God God himself is the great good which they are brought to possession into possession of and enjoyment of by Redemption he is the highest good and the sum of all that good which Christ purchased God is the inheritance of the Saints he is the portion of their souls. [00:17:12]

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Seeing the Glory: Our Purpose in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Blindness and Divine Illumination

Day 2: The Power of Proclamation

Day 3: The Call to Glorify God

Day 4: Living a Life of Sacrifice

Day 5: God as Our Ultimate Good

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Seeing the Glory: Our Purpose in Christ

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