Understanding God's Glory: Joy in Worshiping Him

In our exploration today, we delved into a challenging question: Is Jesus an egomaniac? This question arises from the perception that Jesus' demands for love and worship seem self-centered. We examined this through the lens of various individuals, including Eric Reese, C.S. Lewis, Michael Prowse, Oprah Winfrey, and Brad Pitt, who have all struggled with the idea of a God who demands worship and love above all else.

The heart of the issue lies in understanding God's nature and His purpose for creation. God is the only being for whom self-exaltation is not only appropriate but necessary. His call for us to love and worship Him is not rooted in a need for affirmation but in His desire for our ultimate joy and fulfillment. When God commands us to praise Him, it is not because He needs our praise, but because we need to praise Him to experience the fullness of joy. Our praise completes our enjoyment of Him, as C.S. Lewis insightfully noted.

We also explored the biblical narrative that reveals God's self-exaltation as an act of love. From creation to the cross, God's actions are aimed at displaying His glory and inviting us into a relationship where our joy is made complete in Him. The cross, in particular, is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and justice, where His demand for glory and our need for salvation meet perfectly.

In conclusion, Jesus is not an egomaniac. His call for us to love Him above all is an invitation to find our deepest satisfaction in Him. This understanding transforms our perception of God's commands from burdensome to life-giving, as we realize that in glorifying Him, we find our true joy.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God's Self-Exaltation as Love: God's call for us to worship Him is not about satisfying His ego but about inviting us into the fullness of joy. Our praise of God completes our enjoyment of Him, as it is the natural expression of delight in what we value most. [34:01]
• 2. The Cross as the Intersection of Glory and Love: The cross is where God's demand for glory and His love for humanity converge. It demonstrates His justice and mercy, showing that His self-exaltation is ultimately for our good. [55:28]
• 3. The Role of Praise in Joy: C.S. Lewis noted that praise is not just an expression of enjoyment but its completion. This insight helps us understand that God's call for praise is an invitation to deeper joy, not a demand for His own satisfaction. [34:19]
• 4. God's Glory and Our Happiness: God's pursuit of His glory is not at odds with our happiness. In fact, our greatest joy is found in glorifying Him, as He is the source of all that is good and beautiful. [35:22]
• 5. The Transformative Power of God's Love: Jesus' prayer for us to see His glory is a promise of transformation. As we behold His glory, we are changed and filled with the love that the Father has for the Son, enabling us to experience true joy. [49:41]
  ** [49:41]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:16] - Opening Prayer
• [01:03] - Is Jesus an Egomaniac?
• [02:30] - Eric Reese's Objection
• [05:55] - C.S. Lewis' Struggle
• [07:57] - Michael Prowse's Perspective
• [10:00] - Oprah Winfrey's Departure
• [12:38] - Brad Pitt's Discontent
• [15:29] - The Centrality of God's Glory
• [19:30] - God's Self-Exaltation as a Litmus Test
• [22:09] - Created for God's Glory
• [26:38] - The Climax of History
• [29:22] - Predestined for Praise
• [34:01] - The Joy of Praise
• [46:14] - Jesus' Prayer for Our Joy
• [54:14] - The Cross and God's Righteousness

1. Matthew 10:37-39
2. Isaiah 43:6-7
3. John 17:24-26

1. In Matthew 10:37-39, what does Jesus say about the level of love and commitment He expects from His followers? How does this relate to the perception of Jesus as an egomaniac? [03:44]
2. According to Isaiah 43:6-7, for what purpose did God create humanity? How does this passage help us understand God's self-exaltation? [22:09]
3. In John 17:24-26, what is Jesus' prayer for His followers, and how does it relate to the concept of seeing His glory? [46:14]
4. How does C.S. Lewis' insight about praise completing enjoyment help us understand the role of praise in our relationship with God? [34:01]

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between human egomania and God's call for worship? What does this reveal about God's character? [07:15]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's self-exaltation is an act of love rather than a demand for affirmation? [30:29]
3. How does the cross serve as the intersection of God's glory and love, according to the sermon? What does this mean for our understanding of salvation? [55:28]
4. How does the sermon address the struggle some people have with the idea of a God who demands worship? What examples were given, and how were they resolved? [05:55]

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with the idea of God's demands for worship. How did you resolve this struggle, and what insights from the sermon might help you now? [05:55]
2. How can you cultivate a deeper joy in praising God, as suggested by C.S. Lewis' insight that praise completes enjoyment? What practical steps can you take this week? [34:19]
3. The sermon suggests that God's pursuit of His glory is not at odds with our happiness. How can you align your pursuit of happiness with glorifying God in your daily life? [35:22]
4. Consider the transformative power of seeing Jesus' glory, as mentioned in John 17:24-26. How can you seek to behold His glory more in your spiritual practices? [49:41]
5. How does understanding God's self-exaltation as an act of love change your perception of His commands? How can this understanding impact your obedience to God? [30:29]
6. Reflect on the role of the cross in your life as the intersection of God's glory and love. How does this understanding affect your view of salvation and your relationship with God? [55:28]
7. Identify one area in your life where you can more fully embrace God's call to love Him above all else. What specific actions can you take to prioritize this love? [03:44]