Glorifying God

Wednesday 08/26/15

Series: Glorifying God

Message – Glorifying God I.mp3

Glory, glory, glory…what does it mean?

The word glory is Doxazo in the Greek and is a derivative of the word doxology whose meaning is very similar. A doxology is a liturgy or a short song focused on praising God for His wonderful and transcendent qualities.

So, “glory” means to recognize, honor, praise and invest with dignity. To give anyone esteem or honor by putting him into an honorable position – either literally or in ones heart.

So, you can see that glorifying God is something that would come naturally to anyone who love Him and reverse Him.

The problem of Glorifying God

This week we began looking at the topic of glorifying God, which is the very heartbeat and core desire of every Christian – even when they are not completely aware of it. Though this seems like an odd statement, we have many parallels in real life to illustrate who this is possible, but be sure of this – there are many things which are intrinsically true of the child of God that is not immediately, cognizantly realized by them.

To illustrate this point, every fully functioning human has the capacity to swim and an innate desire to survive. If a human being is put into water they WILL swim – on some level. Some will thrash about barely keeping their head above water due to fear while others will take to the task far more naturally – the only thing that is needed for graceful swimming are three things.

You have to be placed in water
You have to not panic
You have to practice

The same is true concerning the desire to glorify God. All true Christians possess a longing to glorify God, but so often it lays dormant in the heart buried under other oppressive weights. Many Christians never realize this desire even exists because all of our desires to glorify God stand VERY close to our desire and awareness for holiness in our lives. For FAR too many Christians, the topic of personal holiness is SO overwhelming and unattainable that they shun it or become crippled under an imagined weight of “performance” they can never achieve. This “fear” paralyzes them into inactivity – effectively shutting down and totally eclipsing their desire to glorify God. They are like the human thrown into water that they “believe” is teaming with sharks – and they panic. All thoughts of graceful swimming are not in their focus – survival is the only thing that matters. So to, the Christian who lives aware of their personal need for holiness, while still struggling under the oppressive weight of persistent sins in their lives, never relax enough to realize that their desire to glorify God will enable them to live the very lives of holiness they so fear they can never obtain.

Jesus our Example

The deep desire to glorify God was a motivating factor in Christ’s life like no other. His desire to glorify God sprang naturally out of His heart of love and reverence for Him.

We see this burning desire in Christ throughout the gospels, in His teachings, His admonitions & His prayers.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~ Matt. 5:16

“Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” ~ John 12:28

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,” ~ John 17:1

How do we glorify God…

We took our beginning text from Rom 1:16-25, which sets the stage for the topic…

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (21) because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, (23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. (24) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, (25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Bearing with one another in love…

Rom 15:1-7,

“We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. (3) For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “THE REPROACHES OF THOSE WHO REPROACHED YOU FELL ON ME.” (4) For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. (5) Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (6) that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (7) Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

Honor God and you brothers…

1Cor. 6:1-20,

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? (2) Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (3) Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? (4) If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? (5) I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? (6) But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! (7) Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? (8) No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! (9) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (12) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (13) Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. (14) And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. (15) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! (16) Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “THE TWO,” He says, “SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.” (17) But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (18) Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (20) For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and learn to abide in Him by the help of the Holy Spirit.

You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. If you do not know Him, please use our ‘Contact Us‘ page and reach out so we may have the privilege to introduce you to the Lord. Attendance at our church will NOT even be mentioned nor will money.

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Blessings!

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!