The Why Factor – David Nasser
Overview:
What is bigger than salvation? The glory of God-His own glory is greater than the person being saved through the work of salvation. God’s glory is seen through the salvation of a soul. This passage ( Eph. 2:7-9) is preceded by a section that is full of “bad news,” but also good news because God steps into draw and save those who are His “…but God!” This section answers the “why” behind the reason God actually initiates salvation. God decides to take dead people and make them alive for His own glory. The ultimate plan for salvation is for God’s own glory. Glory is defined as “making much of.” The purpose then of salvation is that “much is made” of God-a saved soul shows off God’s glory for God Himself to receive His own glory. The point of salvation then is to show off the Glory of God so that we are no longer the center of salvation, but God is, and his own glory. God is receiving glory from our salvation, but God through our glorification is receiving glory because we are living eternally to praise him completely sinless, for in glorification we will be perfect! Even now God sees us in our full dignity! In common grace, God honors dishonorable men. Thus, we should show honor to all men, those who are called our neighbors, and most certainly those who are of the household of faith. It is supernatural to act in a way that God has acted to us, by showing us grace and compassion to others we glorify God! All have great worth and dignity to God!
Verses:
“7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:7-9
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’.” – John 14:6
“27 ‘Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name’!” – John 12:27-28
Quotes:
God does the work of justification, sanctification, and glorification. They all have a higher aim.
The ultimate aim of salvation is not salvation, it is the glory of God.
God is an appropriate show- off.
Kabod (Hebrew)- heaviness/ weight
If God exists for God, so should we
God is a God who is fully committed…
Self-centered gospel makes man’s salvation the ultimate aim of the gospel.
A God centered gospel makes the glory of God the ultimate aim of the gospel.
“The will of God is the glory of God made manifest”
Glory of God. Glory in Man.
The Doctrine of Glorification is God’s final removal of sin from the life of the saints in our eternal state
Questions:
1) If God exists for God, so should we. Or are you looking to glorify yourself?
2) Reading Ephesians 2:7, why does God do what He does?
3) A God-centered gospel makes the glory of God the ultimate aim of the gospel. Are you actively looking for God’s glory in your life?
4) Dishonor is the opposite of glory, is there something in your life that dishonors someone else? Dishonors God?