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Sometime in, especially in Baptist circles the Christian life became about duty with the mentality that, it doesn’t matter why you do it… just as long as you do it. This idea that God doesn’t care about the why is disconnected with WHO God is. I want us to consider this morning as men, the leaders of our home… What drives us?
(Revelation 2:1-5)
Even though the church of Ephesus was working, labouring, patient, and couldn’t bear them which are evil… Christ had someone against them because they had “left” their first love. He even tells them to repent and do the first works or else…
Does God care about what motivates us?
Let’s consider a few things that might motivate us…
Guilt - Shame and guilt can be powerful motivators but they will not sustain us for very long, nor will they fill us with joy. Spiritually speaking this is one of the lowest forms of drivers.
Opportunity - The opportunities that God gives us in life, rise and fall, if our drivers are based upon what opportunities are before us, then the very thing motivates us one day, will be that which discourages us another.
Affirmation - Meaning is it the appreciation, praise, or recognition of others which drives us? I agree that words can be very encouraging, but the moment we do it for the words or even expect the words and they don’t come, we are left with an empty bag full of discouragement.
Duty - Although we would all argue that we need to be dutifully focused on the Christian life, duty by itself can be heartless, cold, and carelessly demanding. A life that is driven by duty alone will struggle to find joy and grace in this life.
At some point in our Christian life, I think any of those drivers could be true, but this life is about growing. Growing beyond, what I think, or what my flesh desires to not only a Biblical view of God, but a Biblical view as to how I life this Christian life as well.
As Bible believing, Christ following Christians, what should drive us?
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Sometimes in this Christian life we over complicate things… That isn’t to make light of the glory of God, but sometimes through our development of lists, or philosophies, or experience, which can all be good and helpful at times, we lose sight of what is really important. (Do all to the glory of God).
Webster’s 1828 - To praise, to magnify and honor in worship; to ascribe honor to, in thought or words.
All nations whom thou hast made shall come
And worship before thee, O Lord;
And shall glorify thy name.
How do we glorify God?
Bearing the fruit of Christ!
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
That doesn’t go without
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
And the reason it brings God glory, is not actually me or you, but something God does through us through Christ!
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
What does that fruit look like?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
**F.B. Meyer
Being doers of good works!
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
In Giving!
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name:
Bring an offering, and come before him:
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Suffering well!
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
In Praise!
Let them praise the name of the Lord:
For his name alone is excellent;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
Let them give glory unto the Lord,
And declare his praise in the islands.
In Speaking!
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
When the glory of God is our driver…
WE strive for excellence, because He is worthy!
We live life with integrity, knowing that God sees and cares about every part of our heart and life!
We give attention to detail, because He is at work in the details of our lives!
We are willing to be consumed...
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Do All for the Glory of God!
