GLORY: The Glory War

WELCOME

Happy Earth, Wind and Fire Day!

Please turn to James 4

a few weeks ago, someone said they were enjoying this series because it’s been a while since we did ‘sword drills’ in church where we’re looking through several passages together on a Sunday. We’ll be doing the same this morning!

PASTORAL PRAYER

Alive

Introduction: Earthly Glory Fades

Think about how quickly human glory fades:

- Awards & Recognition – trophies and accolades shine for a moment, but soon gather dust. - Spotlight on Stage – the thrill of being seen disappears as quickly as the spotlight moves on. - Athlete & the Fans – the roar of the crowd fades when the next season begins. - Children’s Craving for Praise – “Look at me!” never fully satisfies (Adults just chase bigger stages for the same fleeting attention) - Chasing the Next Upgrade – the shine of new possessions dulls the moment a newer version arrives.

Every one of these shows the same truth: earthly glory fades.

But here’s the problem — our hearts still crave it.

We all have a glory hunger.

Why? because as we’ve seen throughout this series; we were made for something more.

And when that craving is misdirected, it turns into conflict — both inside of us and between us.

The battle of glory is not just out there in culture — it’s right here, in every human heart.

There Is an Ongoing Conflict in Every Heart — the Battle of Glory (James 4:1–10)

James asks:

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (v. 1).

The source of conflict is not “out there” — it’s “in here.”

Think of how many arguments in friendships or work are not about what happened but about whose way will win. It’s a clash of kingdoms. James says the problem isn’t just circumstances. It’s passions at war within us.

Passions (some translations: Desires) at war within us.

Out of control (vv. 2–3):

We want and cannot have, so we fight.

We pray but only to satisfy selfish cravings.

In other words; we should all be able to see ourselves in the character Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka

Friendship with the world (v. 4):

James calls it spiritual adultery.

To chase worldly acclaim is to declare war on God.

This passage unmasks the “little kingdom” we may really be living for.

We want life to orbit around us. Our control, our comfort, our acclaim. But those desires create conflict and collapse.

The hunger itself isn’t wrong, but it is misdirected.

Instead of hungering for God’s glory, we crave recognition, likes, applause.

But why do we so easily trade God’s glory for our own?

Because of what Scripture calls idolatry.

Idolatry Is at the Heart of Our Struggle (Jeremiah 2:13)

Jeremiah 2:13 puts it vividly:

“My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

That’s idolatry — swapping the glory of God for something smaller, weaker, and temporary.

Idolatry is not just theoretical; it opens the door to spiritual deception.

James calls it enmity with God (4:4). Idolatry is aligning with the wrong kingdom.

Considering both James and Jeremiah together…

Idolatry is this: swapping the glory of God for something smaller, weaker, and temporary.

The tragedy of sin: exchanging the Creator’s glory for created things.

Picture a large industrial scene—early 20th century Detroit—the hum of machinery filling the air, gears cranking, as a moving conveyor belt ushers car parts from one station to the next. Workers stand aligned, each adding bolts or panels, piece by piece, until a complete Ford Model T rolls off the line. Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing with this assembly line, producing vehicles not as one man’s creation, but as the result of a perfectly organized, relentless process. The system is relentless, efficient, and unceasing—it churns out cars without fail. Now, use this as a vivid metaphor for the human heart.

The human heart is like a factory, always producing more and more idols.

Let’s pause here to consider a bit more deeply how this applies to us:

When our inner desires and worldly ambitions take priority over devotion to God, this is a deep spiritual condition. Scripture uses stark/startling language to describe this condition.

It is as if we’ve created carved images and placed them above God on the mantle of our heart - this is what scripture points to as Idolatry.

The pursuit of positions, praise, and popularity.

Living for what is best for us in this world.

And in the process, we have run around on our God.

We need to repent and come back to Him.

🔑 Why? Be cause the greatest battleground in spiritual warfare is not ‘out there’ in the world, outside these four walls of the gathered church or the homes hosting our community groups—it is in our hearts.

Idolatry is also spiritual; opening the door for worldly influence, empowering the wrong kingdom.

James make it clear: Friendship with the world is enmity with God.

In the 1828 Webster's Dictionary, enmity is defined as "The quality of being an enemy; the opposite of friendship; ill will; hatred; unfriendly dispositions; malevolence". It describes a deep-rooted hatred or fixed, unfriendly disposition, differing from transient displeasure, and being a more rooted aversion than mere ill will. 

Practical idols today: Success, security, relationships, recognition. Good things elevated into ultimate things.

If idolatry is the heart of the struggle, what’s the way forward?

James gives the answer, and Paul summarizes it in one verse.

The Way of Grace (James 4:6–10; Philippians 2:3–11)

James 4:6 says:

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” That’s the turning point in the glory war.

The way out is not by trying harder, but by receiving more grace.

Grace empowers humility: “Submit yourselves to God… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (vv. 7, 10).

Grace fuels repentance: “Cleanse your hands… purify your hearts” (v. 8).

Philippians 2 gives us the pattern:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (v. 3). Jesus did not cling to His equality with God, but “emptied himself… and became obedient to the point of death” (vv. 6–8).

Christ’s humility is the model — and His exaltation is the promise.

The exaltation of Christ is the freedom of abandoning our small kingdoms for God’s bigger one.

Our glory hunger is finally satisfied not when we are praised, but when we live for God’s praise.

Think of GPS recalculating after a wrong turn. Repentance is the Spirit constantly “re-routing” us back toward God’s glory.

Weekly communion is a gift to us implemented by Jesus himself to help us remember and return rightly.

But this isn’t just about big decisions. Paul says it shows up in the most ordinary parts of life.

Sanctification Means Daily Repentance and Returning to God’s Glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 10:31

[31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Eating, drinking — even the smallest things are meant to reflect His glory.

Glory is not just for worship services; it’s for daily life.

This verse is the antidote to idolatry: God’s glory in all things.

Think about a family dinner. It may feel ordinary, but Paul says even that is an act of worship when it’s done with gratitude to God. That’s how comprehensive the glory of God is — it reaches into the ordinary.

The daily glory war is real — but the victory has already been won.

Christ Connection: Christ Fought the Glory War and Won

Where Adam failed, Judah faltered, and Israel fell, in every way that we fall short. Jesus succeeded.

In the wilderness, He resisted Satan’s offer of worldly glory (Matt. 4).

In Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

On the cross, He gave up visible glory to redeem glory thieves like us.

In His resurrection, the Father exalted Him to the name above every name (Phil. 2:9–11).

As Paul says:

“Though he was in the form of God, [He] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:6–8).

Through Christ, our misplaced glory hunger is satisfied.

Through His Spirit, we are empowered to resist idols and live for the eternal kingdom.

At his table in just a few moments we can remember, return and be revived.

Application: Fighting the Glory War Daily

Let’s return to last week’s guide to help us evaluate our own lives. Living to display, honor, proclaim, and spread God’s glory. Here’s what that looks like in the glory war:

Display His Glory

When tempted to self-promote, ask: “How can I use this moment to reflect God instead of myself?”

Example: Speaking in a way, in any format, that highlights God’s faithfulness, not just my achievements.

Honor His Name

When prayers drift toward self-comfort, begin by hallowing His name.

Example: Before asking for anything, start each prayer with praise.

Proclaim His Renown

Share His works with others.

Example: Parents telling children how God answered a prayer; coworkers hearing how you rely on God’s grace.

Spread His Fame

Live ‘on mission’ in everyday places.

Example: Inviting a neighbor to dinner, or even to church on a Sunday - asking God to use it to build His kingdom.

Application Questions for Small Groups

Where do you feel the “glory war” most in your life right now?

What idols tempt you to exchange God’s glory for lesser glories?

How does the love of God free you from chasing recognition and control?

What daily practice can help you realign your life to God’s glory?

Conclusion: The War and the Victory

The glory war is real. Every heart battles between God’s glory or self-glory.

Left to ourselves, we choose lesser glories

But God, abounding in steadfast love, has not only NOT left us to ourselves, he also gives more grace.

Christ fought the glory war and won — so by His Spirit, we can live today for God’s Glory.

So let’s live in a way that displays His glory, honors His name, proclaims His renown, and spreads His fame.

“…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).