HOW DO WE GLORIFY GOD?
INTRODUCTION
Lord Jesus gave glory to the heavenly Father, not seeking His own glory. Hence, we should give praises to God from our heart. Manifest God’s righteousness through our behaviour that God’s name be praised. We are children of light.
John 7:18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Avoid doing things that anger God. Not to judge others. Love our brethren in love and in truth. Lord Jesus gave commandment to love one another that His name be glorified.
1Pet. 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Avoid foolish questions, contentions. Do all things according to God’s teachings. Do not cause strife and disputing.
Tit. 3:9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
A. WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO GLORIFY GOD?
1. LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND.
Deut 10:12-1312And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,13to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
2. KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS.
Deut 10:12-1312And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
3. PREACH THE WORD OF GOD.
Preach the word of God. Before we can preach, we must learn of God’s words.
2Tim 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Lead a godly life. Be holy not only while in Church but outside as well. We must walk in the ways of our Lord wherever we are.
Tit 2:1Teach in accordance with sound doctrine.
Whatever we do, we must do it not for our own but for others that they may be saved.
1Cor 10:33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Paul faced tribulations and sufferings while preaching the truth.
2Tim 3:10-1210But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
4. OFFER OUR SERVICES FOR THE LORD GOD.
to serve our Lord acceptably with reverence and godly fear and with all our heart and soul.
Heb 12:28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
Deut 10:12And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deut 11:13And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Serve God not according to our own will but according to His will.
John 7:17-1817If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Do not forget God’s commandments and glorify God’s name otherwise everything will be taken away. Having received God’s grace and gifts we must know how to serve our Lord.
1Pet 4:10-1110As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If 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 forever and ever. Amen.
5. BE DESIROUS OF GOD’S WORDS.
Be desirous of God’s words. Believers should be eager to learn more about God’s words, by coming to Church to listen to His words and to pray for spiritual wisdom. Believers must grow up to maturity to be able to discern between good and evil.
Eph 4:13-1413Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
6. LIVE A GODLY LIFE.
Live a godly life and be an example to all so that they may see our actions and glorify God. Imitate our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cor 4:15-1615For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1Cor 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
1John 3:18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
We must glorify God’s name no matter where we are. We should pray always to God to guide and help us to be exemplary Christians.
Matt 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Walk before God in truth with all our heart as the Lord searches our hearts. Serve God whole heartedly and not pay lips service to God.
1Kings 2:4That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.
We must preserve our holiness, be not weary and serve dutifully.
Isa 43:22-2422But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel. 23Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense. 24Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
Show our good conduct and walk in truthfulness that the name of God be glorified.
Matt 5:15-1615Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Set a good example to the people by keeping the ordinances of God.
1Cor 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Be an honourable vessel to glorify God’s name.
2Tim 2:21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
7. OFFER PRAISES TO GLORIFY GOD’S NAME.
When we receive God’s blessings, we must know how to glorify His name.
Psm 22:22I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
We must come to Church with the right attitude to worship the Lord and glorify His name.
Psm 86:9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
Sing hymns of praise to our Lord and glorify His name with thanksgiving.
Psm 69:30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
It is God who gives us the power to get wealth.
Deut 8:18-1918But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. 19And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.
1Cor 1:30-3130But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
8. MANIFEST OUR LOVE BY ATTENDING TO THE NEEDS OF OUR FELLOW BRETHREN.
1John 3:18-1918My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
B. WHAT BELIEVERS SHOULD NOT DO IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GLORIFY GOD’S NAME.
1. AVOID COMMITTING THE SIN OF FORNICATION. SHUN EVIL DESIRES.
1Cor 5:1It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1Cor 5:9-109I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
2Tim 2:22-2322Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
1Cor 6:9-109Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
2. CONTROL OUR TONGUE. DO NOT SPEAK EVIL OF ONE ANOTHER OR JUDGE OTHERS. AVOID EVIL SPEAKING AND IDLE TALK OR GOSSIP WHICH CAN CAUSE DISUNSITY AND BRING SHAME INSTEAD OF PRAISE TO GOD.
Jas 3:9-109Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 4:11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Tit 1:10For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
3. DO NOT STRIVE BUT INSTEAD BE GENTLE TO ALL.
Can a member raise his voice toward another member? No. We must not be quarrelsome. Instead be kind to everyone.
2Tim 2:22-2422Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.
Jas 3:12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
1Cor 3:18-2018Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
4. DO NOT TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENTS. IF WE BREAK ONE COMMANDMENT, WE BREAK ALL.
Jas 2:10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Prv 3:1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Mal 1:6-86A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? 7Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.
1John 5:17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Eccl 12:13Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
5. DO NOT LOVE THE THINGS OF THE WORLD.
1John 2:15-1615Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Gal 5:16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
6. DO NOT BE LIKE HYPOCRITES. HAVE GOOD CONDUCT AT ALL TIMES. ALL SINS, WORKS OF THE FLESH DO NOT GLORIFY GOD. REFRAIN FROM WORKS OF THE FLESH.
All sin and works of the flesh do not glorify the name of God. We should not be like hypocrites, behaving like Christians only when we are in Church. By being so, we bring shame to God. People judge us by our outward appearance and speech. So we should have good conduct at all times.
John 15:8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
7. WE SHOULD NOT BE PROUD, ARROGANT NOR BE ENVIOUS OF OTHERS.
Gal 5:26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
8. DO NOT BE DOUBTFUL OR OF LITTLE FAITH. DO NOT BE LUKEWARM.
Jas 1:8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Faith without works is dead. Do not serve the Lord with a lukewarm heart. We shouldn’t treat coming to church like a weekly routine.
9. WE SHOULD NOT ALTER GOD’S WORDS.
Rev 22:18-1918For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
10. WE SHOULD NOT BE WRATHFUL TO STIR UP STRIFE.
Prv 15:18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Eph 4:31Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
11. DO NOT EAT FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS.
1Cor 8:1-91Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
(Religious Education Unit – Sharing Session – Acts-12-0304)