Human depravity is rooted in our preference for created things over the glory of God. This preference blinds us to the infinitely preferable glory of God, which is the ultimate purpose of creation. Our failure to delight in God is not just a personal shortcoming but a direct attack on His glory. This misalignment of our affections is not merely a matter of disobedience but a fundamental issue of the heart. We often find ourselves drawn to the temporary and fleeting pleasures of the world, neglecting the eternal and satisfying glory of God. This is a condition that affects all of humanity, and it is only through recognizing this truth that we can begin to seek a deeper relationship with God. [08:24]
Jeremiah 2:11-13 (ESV): "Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: What are some "broken cisterns" in your life that you have been turning to instead of the "Fountain of Living Water"? How can you begin to shift your focus back to God today?
Day 2: True Love for God
True love for God is demonstrated by preferring Him above all else. This goes beyond mere obedience to His commandments. It involves a deep affectional movement of the heart towards God, delighting in Him and finding satisfaction in His presence. This kind of love is not just about following rules but about a genuine relationship with God where He is the ultimate desire of our hearts. When we truly love God, our actions naturally align with His will, and we find joy in His presence. This love is transformative and leads us to a deeper understanding of who God is and His purpose for our lives. [12:18]
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: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper love for God that goes beyond mere obedience? What practical steps can you take today to delight in His presence?
Day 3: Misalignment of Affections
Our depravity is not merely a failure to follow laws but a fundamental misalignment of our affections. We are born with a natural inclination to prefer broken cisterns over the Fountain of Living Water, as described in Jeremiah 2:13. This preference is not a simple choice but a deep-seated love for darkness over light. It is a condition that requires more than just willpower to overcome; it requires a transformation of the heart. Recognizing this misalignment is the first step towards seeking God's help in realigning our affections towards Him. [17:50]
Ephesians 4:17-19 (ESV): "Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where your affections are misaligned with God's desires? How can you invite God to transform your heart in these areas?
Day 4: The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
The work of ministry is impossible without the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot simply choose to overcome our depravity; it requires a miracle of new birth and sanctification. This is why we are always desperate for God's intervention in our lives. The Holy Spirit works within us to change our hearts and align our desires with God's will. It is through His power that we can experience true transformation and live a life that glorifies God. [21:32]
Titus 3:4-6 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior."
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in your life today? What specific areas do you need His transformative power to help you overcome?
Day 5: Satisfaction in God Leads to His Glorification
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Our satisfaction in God leads to His glorification, as illustrated in Philippians 1 and Matthew 5. When we fail to delight in God, we fail to glorify Him, as our satisfaction in Him is integral to His purpose for creation. This truth challenges us to find our ultimate joy and fulfillment in God rather than in the temporary pleasures of the world. When we are truly satisfied in God, our lives become a testament to His glory, and we reflect His love and grace to those around us. [35:26]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: In what ways can you find greater satisfaction in God today? How can your satisfaction in Him lead to His glorification in your daily life?
Sermon Summary
In this message, I explored the profound question of human depravity, seeking to understand the essence of what is wrong with us. The universe, created by God, serves to uphold and display His glory for the enjoyment of His redeemed people. This glory reaches its pinnacle in the suffering of Jesus Christ, who died to save those deserving of hell. Yet, despite this divine purpose, humanity is deeply flawed, preferring the glory of created things over the glory of God. This preference is the core of our depravity, a condition that blinds us to the infinitely preferable glory of God.
I shared historical examples of human depravity, highlighting the irony of the 20th century, where educated individuals committed heinous acts, challenging the notion that education alone can remedy human sinfulness. The essence of our sin is not merely lawlessness but a deep-seated preference for created things over God. This preference is evident in our failure to love God with all our heart, as commanded in the Bible. True love for God is demonstrated by preferring Him above all else, a concept that goes beyond mere obedience.
I emphasized that our depravity is not just a failure to follow laws but a fundamental misalignment of our affections. We are born with a natural inclination to prefer broken cisterns over the Fountain of Living Water, as described in Jeremiah 2:13. This preference is not a simple choice but a deep-seated love for darkness over light, as Jesus explained in John 3. The work of ministry is impossible without the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, as we cannot simply choose to overcome our depravity.
Ultimately, our depravity is a direct attack on God's purpose for creation, which is to display His glory for our maximum enjoyment. When we fail to delight in God, we fail to glorify Him, as God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. This truth is supported by biblical teachings, such as Philippians 1 and Matthew 5, which illustrate how our satisfaction in God leads to His glorification.
Key Takeaways
1. The essence of human depravity lies in our preference for created things over the glory of God. This preference blinds us to the infinitely preferable glory of God, which is the ultimate purpose of creation. Our failure to delight in God is not just a personal shortcoming but a direct attack on His glory. [08:24]
2. True love for God is demonstrated by preferring Him above all else. This goes beyond mere obedience to His commandments. It involves a deep affectional movement of the heart towards God, delighting in Him and finding satisfaction in His presence. [12:18]
3. Our depravity is not merely a failure to follow laws but a fundamental misalignment of our affections. We are born with a natural inclination to prefer broken cisterns over the Fountain of Living Water, as described in Jeremiah 2:13. This preference is not a simple choice but a deep-seated love for darkness over light. [17:50]
4. The work of ministry is impossible without the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. We cannot simply choose to overcome our depravity; it requires a miracle of new birth and sanctification. This is why we are always desperate for God's intervention in our lives. [21:32]
5. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Our satisfaction in God leads to His glorification, as illustrated in Philippians 1 and Matthew 5. When we fail to delight in God, we fail to glorify Him, as our satisfaction in Him is integral to His purpose for creation. [35:26] ** [35:26]
According to Jeremiah 2:13, what are the two evils that God's people have committed, and how do these relate to the concept of preferring created things over God? [16:48]
In John 3:19-21, what reasons does Jesus give for people loving darkness rather than light, and how does this relate to human depravity? [20:08]
How does Philippians 1:20-21 illustrate the relationship between living for Christ and the glorification of God? [43:33]
What historical examples of human depravity were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they challenge the notion that education alone can remedy human sinfulness? [02:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
How does the preference for created things over God serve as a fundamental misalignment of our affections, according to the sermon? [08:24]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that true love for God goes beyond mere obedience to His commandments? [12:18]
How does the sermon explain the role of the Holy Spirit in overcoming human depravity, and why is this considered essential for ministry? [21:32]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our satisfaction in God and His glorification, as illustrated in Philippians 1 and Matthew 5? [35:26]
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Application Questions:
Reflect on your own life: Are there specific "broken cisterns" you find yourself preferring over the "Fountain of Living Water"? How can you begin to shift your affections towards God? [17:50]
The sermon emphasizes that true love for God involves a deep affectional movement of the heart. What practical steps can you take to cultivate this kind of love for God in your daily life? [12:18]
Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you become more open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to overcome areas of depravity? [21:32]
The sermon suggests that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. What are some ways you can find greater satisfaction in God this week? [35:26]
Reflect on a time when you preferred something created over God. What was the outcome, and how might you choose differently in the future to align with God's purpose for your life? [08:24]
How can you incorporate the understanding of human depravity into your interactions with others, especially when discussing faith or sharing the gospel? [02:26]
The sermon challenges us to delight in God as part of His purpose for creation. What specific actions can you take to increase your delight in God and His glory? [34:29]
Sermon Clips
"All of the universe, all the suffering in the universe, all the events of the universe serve the magnifying of the grace of God in the suffering of Jesus Christ, and we will make Christ crucified, slain for us, the centerpiece of our worship forever and ever and ever." [00:57:24]
"The essence of our depravity is our deep preference, our deep preferring of created things, the glory of created things, the value of creative things, the satisfying nature of creative things, the joy of created things, the pleasure of created things, the significance of created things over the glory of God." [08:18:48]
"To love God is to prefer God over everything. So I'm back to my definition, even if I start with sin is lawlessness. You might say, but you're assuming something. You're assuming that loving God means preferring him, delighting in him, being satisfied in him, rejoicing in him, cherishing him, treasuring him." [12:04:55]
"Jeremiah 2:13 may come as close as anything in the Bible to defining evil the way I'm defining it, the heart of it. Jeremiah 2:13, my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the Fountain of Living Waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water." [16:36:00]
"The work of the ministry, pastors, is impossible. Just settle it. You're not mainly about getting your people to make choices. I don't like book titles like 'Love is a Choice.' The main thing we're after is stop loving the world, stop hating the light, have a total revolution of your affectional deep soul." [21:02:55]
"God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in him. And if you give up on being satisfied in him and move away to be satisfied in other things, you don't succeed at half of his purpose; you fail at all of his purpose because he is not honored by you." [35:10:32]
"God is glorified not only by his glory being seen but by its being rejoiced in. There it is. All I do is make it rhyme. I'll say it again: God is glorified not only by his glories being seen, that is, apprehended and understood, but God is glorified by its being rejoiced in." [41:47:48]
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. In other words, the glory that God gets in verse 16 comes from the satisfaction referred to in the joy in verse 12. So those are my two biblical bases, there are others, one from Philippians 1:20 and one from Matthew 5." [54:15:55]
"The reason it is so serious to be depraved in the sense of preferring anything to God is that it not only nullifies the second half of God's Boule, God's purpose, namely that we have maximal joy in him, but also the first half, which is that his glory would shine forth and be displayed." [54:49:56]
"None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. So religion, which poses as seeking God, isn't. It's a means of self-justification instead of despairing of ourselves and our depravity and looking away to a substitute whose righteousness and whose death, blood, and righteousness are our only hope." [55:55:20]
"An unalterable bias toward good does not destroy the praiseworthiness of doing good or being that way. An unalterable bias toward good does not destroy praiseworthiness, namely God is unalterably biased toward doing good. He can only do good, and I would ask you, is he praiseworthy for that? He is." [59:13:57]
"Father, we just breathe a big aching sigh of relief because even though I haven't preached on the cross, I hope that for most of us here, it's just a millimeter beneath the surface of all this talk about our depravity. Where would we be if we didn't have a savior?" [01:05:51]