To God Be The Glory
Notes
Transcript
ILLUST: Big words, simple meanings
Perspicuity
Perspicuity
Perspicuity - thinking clearly
Mellifluous
Mellifluous
Mellifluous - pleasing to the ear
Doxological vs Soteriological
Doxological vs Soteriological
Relax, just big, fancy words
Represent main approaches to church and life
Doxological - glorifying Yahweh
doxa - glory
logia - saying
Soteriological - focus on salvation
soterion - salvation
logia - saying
The Church’s focus
The believer’s focus
READ - Ephesians 4:1-11
Eph. 1-3, what Christ did for you
Eph. 4-6, what the believer, the church, does for Christ - the response
“ADULTING” - adulting is tough, and necessary
Breaking down the passage
“You” = plural; this is to the Church (all believers); and those who make up the Church (each believer)
vv. 1-4 - Walk in this manner; as though it is important to invite people to see Yahweh’s glory
v. 11 - Yahweh’s gifts to the Church
v. 12 - The “why” - to equip SAINTS, to build up the church
v. 13-14 - So believers GROW UP
Church, it’s time to mature, to grow up
The church needs more “adulting” - thus we focus on the basics to grow, and to help others grow
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
We’re going to grow into a steady diet of solid food, of meat, and so…
TODAY - Why the Church must be Doxological
Its first and biggest priority being pointing glory to Yahweh
“Glorifying God” = honoring God with one’s life;
Requires full commitment to Him
Honor Him in our thoughts and actions
Thoughts and actions are set on the things of God
Thoughts and actions are set on the Word of God
EVERY MAJOR DOCTRINE/TEACHING OF CHRISTIANITY
Goal, theme of pointing glory to Yahweh
Bible (Bibliology)
God (Theology)
Christ (Christology)
Holy Spirit (Pneumatology)
People/Mankind (Anthropology)
Salvation (Soteriology)
The Church (Ecclesiology)
End Times (Eschatology)
Each is HUGE and IMPORTANT
Each is subject to the truth of pointing glory to Yahweh
Who, or what, points glory to Yahweh?
1) Creation Points to Yahweh’s Glory
1) Creation Points to Yahweh’s Glory
For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2) Believers Point to Yahweh’s Glory
2) Believers Point to Yahweh’s Glory
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
SALVATION - Getting saved, trusting Jesus
Points glory to Yahweh
Salvation, crucial, is in the realm of being doxological, pointing glory to Yahweh
Important, as unbelievers do not point glory to Yahweh, but to self
(So we’ll devote a day to discuss salvation)
Marriage, parenting, forgiving, work ethic, prayer life, giving, etc.
All for Him, for Yahweh and His glory
3) Heaven Points to Yahweh’s Glory
3) Heaven Points to Yahweh’s Glory
‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
The real thought behind “On earth as it is in Heaven”
All Heaven, with Yahweh - glory is Yahweh’s
Expresses the that what goes on in Heaven-
Acknowledging Yahweh’s reign
Acknowledging His purposes
Truly desiring - That would occur HERE
What, exactly is going on in Heaven?
“Holy, Holy, Holy” - praising Yahweh for His glory
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
In verse 3, we see that glory ALREADY belongs to Him, so we point to it, that glory
Creation - Yahweh has that in hand
Heaven - that’s a done deal, we see that, too, in Scripture
Believers…
Yes…So…on earth as it is in Heaven
How could Yahweh possibly be glorified here? How could His glory be seen here? How could Yahweh be worshiped here?
EVERY aspect of the Christian faith and life, should serve that purpose
EVERY believer, should serve that purpose
Free to make choices, every choice made should glorify Yahweh
Not every decision is good and right, there IS right and wrong; there IS righteousness and sin
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
So….how can we live lives that glorify Yahweh?
Black-and-white areas - 10 Commandment-type decisions - straightforward
Gray areas - not so straightforward, choices where liberty allows choices (music, food, company, movies, jobs, finances, so on…)
Ask these questions:
Is it beneficial spiritually?
Will it tempt me toward sin?
Will it harm my body or bring shame?
Will it cause someone else to stumble?
Will it further evangelism?
Will it violate my conscience?
WILL IT BRING GLORY TO GOD? Make Him look great?
Fill in the blank, when you are faced with making everyday decisions:
I am going to _____________ because it will glorify God
CLOSE: Jesus’ mission was two-fold
Save sinners
Enable those saved believers to live lives that point others to Him
How important was this to Jesus?
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
(But read vv 5-8)
Jesus left His glory behind
To show us what a life lived for Yahweh looks like
To save us
Died, then resurrected to proclaim victory
To proclaim the glory of Yahweh
What does He ask of us?
Live for Him, in EVERYthing
So that through us, the Kingdom grows
To God, to Yahweh, be all the glory, forever and ever
On earth as it is in Heaven
