“GIVE HIM GLORY!”
We exist to glorify Jesus! Very soon Jesus will be coming for His GLORIOUS CHURCH – those who are faithfully living for His glory!
Ephesians 3:21 – …to Him be GLORY in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – …Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a GLORIOUS CHURCH, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
I Corinthians 10:31 – Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to THE GLORY OF GOD!
god’s glory will fill the earth
Psalm 72:18-19 – Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things! 19 And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His GLORY. Amen and Amen.
Numbers 14:21 – (God is speaking to Moses an important end-time truth) — but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the GLORY OF THE LORD – …
Isaiah 40:5 – The GLORY of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
GLORY DEFINED
1 – Nature and acts of God in self-manifestation” (what He essentially is and does, as exhibited in whatever way He reveals Himself…)
2 – Character and ways of God exhibited through Christ to and through believers.
3 – Brightness (light) or splendor (supernatural) emanating from God.
LIGHT OF GOD’S GLORY
2 Corinthians 4:4-6 – …whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the GLORY of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them… For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the GLORY of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 60:1,2 – Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the GLORY of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His GLORY will be seen upon you.
Revelation 21:23 – The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the GLORY of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.
Revelation 22:5…There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.
JESUS BRINGS Hope of Glory
Colossians 1:27 – To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the GLORY of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of GLORY.
Romans 5:1-2. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
“The greatest thing that Christians hope for is to see and enjoy the greatest beauty in the universe — the greatest good and the greatest power and the greatest justice and grace, namely, the glory of God” – John Piper (1)
Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
JESUS IS WORTHY TO RECEIVE GLORY
Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive GLORY and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”
Revelation 5:13 – And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and GLORY and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”
Romans 11:36 – For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be GLORY forever. Amen.
Psalm 72:19 – …blessed be His GLORIOUS name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His GLORY. Amen and Amen.
GIVING GLORY TO JESUS
IT IS OUR REASONABLE SERVICE
John 3:16 – God so loved the world that He gave His only son…
I Corinthians 6:20 – For you were bought at a price; therefore GLORIFY God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Romans 12:1-2 – …present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
WAYS TO GLORIFY THE LORD
With Testimonies
Psalm 96:3 – …declare His GLORY!
Psalm 107:2 – Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…
I Chronicles 16:10,24; Psalm 96:3; 102:12 – GLORY in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!… Declare His GLORY among the nations, His wonders among all peoples.
By Our Good Works
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and GLORIFY your Father in heaven.
I Peter 2:12 – …having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, GLORIFY GOD in the day of visitation.
BEING FRUITFUL
John 15:8 – My Father is GLORIFIED and honored by this, when you bear much fruit and, prove yourselves to be My (true) disciples.
Being CHANGED into the image of Jesus
2 Corinthians 3:18 – …we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from GLORY TO GLORY, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (God-reflecting beings).
FAITHFULNESS DURING TRIALS OF FAITH
Job 23:10 – He (the Lord) knows the way that I take: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
I Peter 1:7 – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and GLORY at the appearing of Jesus Christ: …
Isaiah 24:14-16 – They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.15 Wherefore GLORIFY THE LORD in the fires, even the name of the Lord God of Israel in the isles of the sea.16 From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even GLORY to the righteous…
Giving / Worship
Psalm 29:1-2 – GIVE unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, Give unto the Lord GLORY and strength. Give unto the Lord the GLORY due to His name; WORSHIP THE LORD in the beauty of holiness.
I Chronicles 16:28,29 – GIVE to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the LORD the GLORY due His name; BRING AN OFFERING, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
How can I as a believer, use: My life; My time; My gifts; My talents; My resources – to give Christ glory both now and forever?
Glory in the Lord, not self
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 – But “he who GLORIES, let him GLORY IN THE LORD.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man GLORY in his wisdom, let not the mighty man GLORY in his might, nor let the rich man GLORY in his riches; But let him who GLORIES GLORY in this, That he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 42:8 – I am the Lord; that is my name; MY GLORY I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
A POSITIVE ILLUSTRATION – PSALMIST (Psalm 115)
Psalm 115:1 – Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to Your name give GLORY, because of Your mercy, because of Your truth.
A negative illustration – the tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
In the building of tower of Babel, they were pridefully intent upon making a name for themselves. The Lord was not pleased with their works, and judged them accordingly.
Genesis 11:4 – And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves…
Having Faith
Romans 4:20 – He (Abraham) did not stagger (waver) at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong (strengthened) in faith, GIVING GLORY TO GOD, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
Faith calls attention to and magnifies the glory of God. Faith puts us in the position of weakness and dependence and puts God in the position of strong and independent and merciful. So faith is essential to displaying the glory of God. – John Piper (1)
Being Prayerful
I Samuel 12:23 – as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; …
2 Chronicles 7:1 – When Solomon had finished PRAYING, fire came down from heaven… and the GLORY of the Lord filled the temple.
Psalm 141:2 Let my PRAYER be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Believing for Miracles
John 2:11 – This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His GLORY; and His disciples believed in Him.
Singing Praises the Lord
Psalm 66:2 – Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise GLORIOUS.
Psalm 138:5 – Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the GLORY of the Lord.
unity brings glory to God
John 17:22 – And the GLORY which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be ONE just as We are ONE:
Romans 15:6,9 – …that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… 9 and that the Gentiles might GLORIFY GOD for His mercy, as it is written:“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.”
Psalm 133:1-3 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! …for there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
That’s why Christ bought and builds the church. Not just isolated, individual worship, but united voices, whether speaking or singing that glorify God. Displaying the glory of God is the aim of the church. – John Piper (1)
WITH EXCELLENCE
Psalm 8:1,9 – O Lord, our Lord, how EXCELLENT is your name in all the earth! Who has set your GLORY above the heavens….
Psalm 24:8,10 – Who is this King of GLORY? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle… Who is this King of GLORY? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of GLORY. Selah
God’s excellent greatness
Psalm 150:2 – Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to His EXCELLENT greatness.
Job 37:23 – Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out (can’t comprehend Him): He is EXCELLENT in power, …
I Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 3:3 – Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the GLORY, the victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all.
GOD WANTS US TO BE EXCELLENT LIKE HIM
Proverbs 17:27…a man of understanding is of an EXCELLENT spirit.
Several positive illustrations of A Spirit of Excellence:
Daniel 5:12 – … an EXCELLENT spirit, and knowledge, and understanding,… were found in Daniel…
Psalm 16:3…to the godly (holy ones) people that are in the earth, and to the EXCELLENT, in whom is all my delight.
THROUGH REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION OF SIN
Joshua 7:19 – Now Joshua said to Achan, “My son, I beg you, give GLORY to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
Romans 3:23 – …for all have sinned and FALLEN SHORT (come short; are not worthy) of the GLORY OF GOD.
Special note: Falling short of the GLORY OF GOD is sinful!
THERE ARE MANY SCRIPTURAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF GIVING GOD GLORY…
The Shepherds (Luke 2:20) – returned GLORIFYING and praising God.
The Lame man (Luke 5:25) – departed to his house – GLORIFYING God.
The Blind man (Luke 18:43) – after being healed by Jesus, he followed Jesus – GLORIFYING God… when they saw it, they gave the Lord praise…
The Angels (Luke 2:14) – gave GLORY to God – “GLORY TO GOD in the highest, and on earth peace good will toward men…”
The 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19) – all 10 were healed, but only 1 returned to give thanks and GLORIFY GOD!
Special note: Jesus wanted to know where the other 9 were, and why they weren’t also giving thanks and glorifying the Lord. It’s easy for us to enjoy God’s wonderful, miraculous blessings in our life, and sometimes forget to humbly return to the Lord expressing our deep gratitude for them.
MOSES ASKED TO SEE GOD’S GLORY
Exodus 33:18,19 – And he (Moses) said, “Please, show me Your GLORY.” Then He (the Lord) said,, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you…. And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 So it shall be, while MY GLORY passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by…
Moses interceded for the Israelites
Numbers 14:10-33 (The GLORIOUS presence of the Lord appeared to the Israelites. The Lord reproved them for contempt and unbelief, and brought judgments upon them. Moses intercedes for them, and asks forgiveness for their sins. The Lord forgives them, and says… (TLT)
Numbers 14:21-22 …but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the GLORY of the Lord—
Refusing to glorify the Lord is serious!
Numbers 14:21-22 (Cont) – …not one of these people will ever enter that land. They have all seen my GLORIOUS presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and in the wilderness, but again and again they have tested me by refusing to listen to my voice.
Romans 1:18-21 – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, … 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.
GLORIOUS Mount Carmel Victory
I Kings 18
(Elijah said to King Ahab, when accused of being a troubler of Israel) … it is you and your father’s house—by forsaking the commandments of the Lord and going after the Baalim. (false gods).
I Kings 18: 19-39 – …Now then, send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 20 So Ahab sent word to all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver (falter; be divided) between two opinions? If THE LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.”Now Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one bull for yourselves and prepare it first, for you are many; and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it.”26 So they took the bull which was given them, and they prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even till noon, saying, “O Baal, hear us!” But there was no voice; no one answered. Then they leaped about the altar which they had made. 27 And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they cried aloud, and cut themselves, as was their custom, with knives and lances, until the blood gushed out on them. 29 And when midday was past, they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones… 32 with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord; and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, “Fill four water pots with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood.” 34 Then he said, “Do it a second time,” and they did it a second time; and he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. 35 So the water ran all around the altar; and he also filled the trench with water. 36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”
Special note: Elijah was a true worshiper! He gave GLORY TO THE LORD! The Lord was GLORIFIED, and the false worshipers exposed and destroyed!
SUMMARY AND APPLICATION
Our created PURPOSE is to give Jesus GLORY!
When we GLORIFY the Lord, it pleases Him, and brings Him delight!
It is a BLESSING to those around us!
It brings fulfillment, joy and satisfaction in our lives as well!
UNTO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH!
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- Special acknowledgement and thanks to John Piper for these quotes.
- Special acknowledgement and thanks to John MIranda for assisting in the preparation of this message and for sharing it at our online service.
