Living Trophies Of His Glory Series

Introduction

What is my purpose? Why am I here? I believe that is one of the deepest and most persistent questions of the human heart. We all long for a sense of meaning, a reason for our existence that goes beyond simply waking up, going to work, and going back to sleep. People search for this purpose everywhere—in their careers, in their families, in achieving success, or in leaving a legacy. We want our lives to count for something.

For the past several weeks, we have been walking through the spiritual treasury of Ephesians chapter 1. We’ve seen that we are blessed, chosen, adopted, accepted, and redeemed. Last week, we celebrated the incredible truth that we have a guaranteed inheritance, secured for us by the sovereign God who works all things according to His will.

Now, in verse 12, Paul answers the ultimate "Why?" Why did God do all of this? Why did He predestine us? Why did He give us an inheritance? He brings it all to a magnificent focal point, revealing the ultimate purpose not just for our salvation, but for our very existence. God did it all for one breathtaking reason: so that our lives would become a living, breathing symphony of praise to His glory.

1. The Grand Design: We Have a Divine Purpose

The verse begins with a statement of intention: "That we should be..." This is the language of design. It tells us that our existence as believers is not a random accident. We were created and then re-created in Christ for something. God has a specific, high calling for our lives.

A. More Than Just Forgiven

Sometimes we can have a very small view of salvation. We think of it as a "get out of jail free" card. We are saved from hell, and we are grateful for that, but we stop there. But Paul shows us that forgiveness is only the beginning. It's the doorway, not the final destination. God didn't just save us from something; He saved us for something. He saved us for a purpose. We move from being rebels at war with God to being ambassadors who represent His kingdom. Our lives now have an eternal significance because they are connected to God's ultimate goal.

B. Our Lives as Evidence

The phrase "that we should be" is profound. It doesn't just say "that we should do something," but that we should be something. It points to our very existence. God is creating a community of people whose transformed lives are the living proof—the evidence—of His goodness, grace, and power. In a sense, we are Exhibit A in the courtroom of the universe. When angels and demons and a watching world look at the church, they are meant to see the undeniable evidence of a glorious God at work. Your life is a key part of God’s evidence.

2. The Ultimate Goal: To Be the Praise of His Glory

So, what is this purpose we are meant to be? Paul makes it crystal clear: "...to the praise of his glory..." This is the ultimate goal of everything. It is the theme that echoes verse 6 and will appear again in verse 14. All of God’s work in salvation is designed to lead to this one outcome.

A. Living Trophies of Glory

There's a difference between giving praise and being praise. Giving praise is an action we perform—we sing a song, we say a prayer of thanks. But being praise is about our identity.

Imagine a general who wins a great victory and returns with the spoils of war. He might set up a trophy in the city square. That trophy doesn't say a word. It doesn't sing or speak. But its very existence points to the power and victory of the general who won it. It is a monument to his glory.

In the same way, we are God's trophies of grace. He conquered our sin and rebellion, and He has put us on display as living monuments to His victory. When the world sees a life that has been changed by the gospel—when they see humility instead of pride, forgiveness instead of bitterness, hope in the middle of suffering—that life becomes a trophy that silently shouts the praises of the God who is powerful enough to do such a thing.

B. What is His "Glory"?

God’s glory is the visible manifestation of His invisible character and perfection. It's the sum total of all His wonderful attributes—His love, His justice, His mercy, His wisdom, His power. Our purpose is to put that glory on display. When we live out the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness—we are reflecting the character of God. Our lives become a small mirror that shows the world a glimpse of the brilliant glory of our Father in heaven.