Transforming Self-Hatred Through the Love of Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth that despite the myriad of tools and strategies we employ to project confidence and success, many of us still grapple with a deep-seated sense of inadequacy and self-hatred. This universal struggle is not merely a modern phenomenon but a reflection of our inherent sinful nature. The Bible reveals that this pervasive feeling of not being "okay" is a spiritual condition that cannot be remedied by superficial means like social media, self-help, or therapy. These are akin to water pistols trying to remove a rock from our hearts. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ offers a transformative power that can truly liberate us from this burden.

The love of God, as demonstrated through Jesus, is not just a concept but a reality that can explode the rock of self-hatred from our hearts. This love is not something we merely acknowledge intellectually but something we must deeply believe and experience. The key to receiving this transformative love lies in contemplating the glory of Christ. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are gradually transformed into His image, experiencing an ever-increasing glory. This transformation is not achieved through sheer willpower or effort but through a profound change in our affections.

The heart's ultimate object of beauty and joy must be Jesus. When we love Him more than anything else, our lives begin to change. This is the expulsive power of a new affection. As we grow in our love for Christ, we find the strength to overcome the idols of money, power, and reputation. Our relationships, too, are transformed as we learn to love others selflessly, reflecting the love we have received from God.

Ultimately, our deepest longing for perfect love and happiness will be fulfilled in heaven, where we will be fully immersed in the love of the Trinity. Until then, we are called to experience glimpses of this heavenly love through faith, allowing it to transform us and our relationships here on earth.

Key Takeaways:

1. Despite outward appearances of success and confidence, many people struggle with self-hatred, a condition rooted in our sinful nature. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers the only true solution, as His love can remove the burden of self-hatred from our hearts. [16:28]

2. Transformation in the Christian life is not achieved through willpower but through a change in our affections. As we contemplate the glory of Christ, we are gradually transformed into His image, experiencing an ever-increasing glory. [20:19]

3. The heart's ultimate object of beauty and joy must be Jesus. When we love Him more than anything else, our lives begin to change, and we find the strength to overcome the idols of money, power, and reputation. [25:44]

4. Our relationships are transformed as we learn to love others selflessly, reflecting the love we have received from God. This love is not just a concept but a reality that can be experienced through faith. [29:22]

5. Our deepest longing for perfect love and happiness will be fulfilled in heaven, where we will be fully immersed in the love of the Trinity. Until then, we are called to experience glimpses of this heavenly love through faith. [37:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:38] - The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
- [15:27] - The Universal Struggle with Self-Hatred
- [16:28] - The Gospel's Transformative Power
- [17:17] - Receiving God's Love
- [18:29] - Experiencing Glory Now
- [20:19] - Transformation Through Contemplation
- [21:50] - The Power of Seeing Jesus
- [23:19] - Changing Our Affections
- [25:44] - The Expulsive Power of a New Affection
- [27:01] - Grasping the Love of Christ
- [29:22] - Experiencing God's Love Manifest
- [31:18] - The Misery of Imperfect Love
- [36:20] - Built for Heavenly Love
- [37:39] - Immersed in the Trinity's Love

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
2. 1 John 3:2 - "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
3. Ephesians 3:16-19 - "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 say about how we are transformed into the image of Christ? How does this transformation occur? [18:43]
2. According to 1 John 3:2, what will happen when we see Christ as He is? How does this relate to our current spiritual journey? [19:11]
3. In Ephesians 3:16-19, what does Paul pray for believers to experience in their inner being? How is this connected to understanding the love of Christ? [26:22]
4. How does the sermon describe the inadequacy of social media and self-help in addressing our deep-seated self-hatred? [16:18]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "contemplating the Lord’s glory" in 2 Corinthians 3:18 relate to the sermon’s idea of transformation through a change in affections? [20:19]
2. What does it mean to "see" Jesus through the eyes of faith, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this differ from seeing Him physically? [20:30]
3. How does the sermon explain the "expulsive power of a new affection" in overcoming idols like money, power, and reputation? [25:44]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our relationships are transformed by experiencing God's love? [29:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt inadequate despite outward success. How can the gospel of Jesus Christ address this feeling in your life? [16:28]
2. What are some practical ways you can "contemplate the Lord’s glory" in your daily routine to facilitate spiritual transformation? [20:19]
3. Identify an "idol" in your life, such as money, power, or reputation. How can you begin to love Jesus more than this idol? [25:44]
4. Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from selfless love. How can you reflect the love you have received from God in this relationship? [29:22]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper belief in the reality of God's love for you, beyond just intellectual acknowledgment? [16:52]
6. Consider the idea of experiencing glimpses of heavenly love through faith. How can this perspective change the way you approach challenges in your life? [37:39]
7. What steps can you take to ensure that your heart's ultimate object of beauty and joy is Jesus? How might this change your daily decisions and priorities? [25:44]

Devotional

Day 1: The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
Despite outward appearances of success and confidence, many people struggle with self-hatred, a condition rooted in our sinful nature. This struggle is not a new phenomenon but a reflection of the human condition that has persisted throughout history. The Bible teaches that this pervasive feeling of inadequacy is a spiritual issue that cannot be resolved through superficial means such as social media, self-help, or therapy. These methods are like trying to remove a rock with a water pistol. The gospel of Jesus Christ, however, offers a transformative power that can truly liberate us from this burden. His love can remove the burden of self-hatred from our hearts, offering a profound and lasting solution. [16:28]

"For thus says the Lord: 'Your hurt is incurable, and your wound is grievous. There is none to uphold your cause, no medicine for your wound, no healing for you. All your lovers have forgotten you; they care nothing for you; for I have dealt you the blow of an enemy, the punishment of a merciless foe, because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant.'" - Jeremiah 30:12-14 (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you relied on superficial means to address feelings of inadequacy? How can you begin to seek the transformative power of Christ's love today?


Day 2: Transformation Through Contemplation
Transformation in the Christian life is not achieved through sheer willpower but through a change in our affections. As we contemplate the glory of Christ, we are gradually transformed into His image, experiencing an ever-increasing glory. This transformation is a process that involves a profound change in what we love and value. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, we allow His beauty and majesty to captivate our hearts, leading to a transformation that is both deep and lasting. This change is not something we can force but is a natural result of beholding Christ. [20:19]

"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." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can set aside time to contemplate the glory of Christ this week? How might this practice begin to transform your affections and priorities?


Day 3: The Expulsive Power of a New Affection
The heart's ultimate object of beauty and joy must be Jesus. When we love Him more than anything else, our lives begin to change, and we find the strength to overcome the idols of money, power, and reputation. This is the expulsive power of a new affection, where a greater love for Christ pushes out lesser loves that have held us captive. As we grow in our love for Jesus, we find that the things of this world lose their grip on us, and we are empowered to live lives that reflect His values and priorities. [25:44]

"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." - Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV)

Reflection: Identify one idol in your life that competes for your affection. How can you intentionally cultivate a greater love for Jesus to displace this idol?


Day 4: Experiencing God's Love Manifest
Our relationships are transformed as we learn to love others selflessly, reflecting the love we have received from God. This love is not just a concept but a reality that can be experienced through faith. As we grow in our understanding and experience of God's love, we are empowered to love others in a way that reflects His character. This transformation in our relationships is a testament to the power of God's love at work in our lives, enabling us to love others with the same selflessness and grace that we have received. [29:22]

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 (ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs transformation. How can you begin to reflect God's love more fully in this relationship today?


Day 5: Built for Heavenly Love
Our deepest longing for perfect love and happiness will be fulfilled in heaven, where we will be fully immersed in the love of the Trinity. Until then, we are called to experience glimpses of this heavenly love through faith, allowing it to transform us and our relationships here on earth. This anticipation of heavenly love gives us hope and perspective, reminding us that our current struggles and imperfections are temporary. As we live in light of this future reality, we are encouraged to seek and experience God's love in the present, allowing it to shape our lives and relationships. [37:39]

"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name." - Hebrews 13:14-15 (ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of future fulfillment in heaven impact your perspective on current struggles? What steps can you take to experience and share glimpses of heavenly love in your daily life?

Quotes



Despite outward appearances of success and confidence, many people struggle with self-hatred, a condition rooted in our sinful nature. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers the only true solution, as His love can remove the burden of self-hatred from our hearts. [00:15:27]

In Jesus Christ, the Father loves you even as he loves Jesus. That is not a water pistol. That will blast that rock off of your heart, that will explode the rock off your heart if you believed it. Do you believe it? Do you realize it? [00:16:28]

We who contemplate the Lord's glory are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory for God who said let light shine out of the darkness has made his light to shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God the face of Jesus Christ. [00:20:19]

John Owen, who was a 17th century British pastor and writer, he was also the head of Christ Church Oxford Christ Church College Oxford if those of you who know Oxford, he was a great thinker and writer and as he was dying in the 1680s, he wrote his last book called meditations and discourses on the glory of Christ. [00:21:50]

He says you don't become honest by trying. He says you don't become forgiving and generous and brave just by trying. Because when you do that you say well I need to be those things because I have to, I have to in order to get to heaven, I have to in order to feel good about myself. [00:23:19]

Thomas Chalmers, a great Scottish Presbyterian minister, wrote a sermon years ago called the expulsive power of a new affection, and this is what he says in he says this is the secret to change he says, he says there is not one personal transformation in which the heart is left without an ultimate object of beauty and joy. [00:25:44]

When you love Jesus more than money, you'll be get you'll get more generous. When you love Jesus more than power, you'll become more of a servant. When you love Jesus more than your reputation, because you know you've got the ultimate good name in Jesus Christ you'll be able to forgive people who have wronged you. [00:27:01]

There is absolutely no way you're going to make it in life unless sometimes the Holy Spirit sheds the love of God abroad in your heart. Sometimes the love of God has to be manifest in your life this this thing has to jump off the page he loves you even as he as he loves his son. [00:29:22]

Jonathan Edwards in his great sermon, heaven is a world of love, lists five reasons why even though we need loving relationships here in this world loving relationships makes us miserable. By the way if you don't have love you are really miserable, really miserable, but if you do have loving relationships you're fairly miserable. [00:31:18]

When you see all the ways in which we desperately need love but this world cannot give us the love we need, it can't give us love without partying, love mutuality in mutuality it just can't do it in other words love keeps us miserable and the lack of love makes us even more miserable why we're beached whales. [00:36:20]

We're built for the love of heaven, we're built for love in which everyone loves one another for their own sake, which in which everybody is expressed in their love perfectly in which there's complete mutuality and also we need a place where when we love the people around us they're all infinitely happy. [00:37:39]

There's a fountain of love at the heart of the universe it's called the Trinity, it's called the Fathers and the Holy Spirit they've been loving each other and glorifying each other for all eternity, all eternity, and when you die if you're Christian or at the end of time if you're a Christian you'll be plunged into that. [00:37:39]

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Transcript
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