Soli Deo Gloria - Glory To God Alone Series

Please open your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 which we will read in a few minutes.

Today we’ll be taking a look at the last of the five “Solas” that were reestablished after the Protestant Reformation came along in 1517; Soli Deo Gloria – Glory to God Alone!

At the same time this is the start of the Advent season; the time when we anticipate the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child over 2,000 years ago.

Without Jesus the Christ Child coming to earth as a human baby we would still not have the great gift of salvation. All Glory to God!

These are the five foundational “Sola” doctrines:

Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone (brief remarks regarding …)

Solus Christus, through Christ alone (brief remarks regarding …)

Sola Gratia, by Grace alone (brief remarks regarding …)

Sola Fide, by Faith alone (explain that faith and believe are used interchangeably)

(faith – noun / believe – verb)

Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone

In another sermon on Soli Deo Gloria the “Solas” were arranged logically this way:

Sola Gratia, by Grace alone (The Lord knew we needed saving and made a way of

salvation even though we did not deserve salvation)

Solus Christus, through Christ alone (the way of salvation was and is through

Christ alone and is complete in Christ)

Sola Fide, by Faith alone (salvation cannot be earned but only received by faith,

believing in Jesus for salvation and throwing ourselves onto His mercy)

Sola Scriptura, by Scripture alone (we know this because the Lord has clearly and

extensively explained this in His Holy Word

and not on independent human reasoning, tradition or experience)

Soli Deo Gloria, glory to God alone (God deserves the glory for the salvation

provided for me and for you and for everyone will

call upon the name of the Lord)

(Go back to the screen with the 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 reference on it.)

Now, remember, this is written to believers; those who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus alone for salvation.

OK. So what this is Verse 21 saying? It is saying is that Jesus Christ became the sacrifice for our sin. He became the sin offering for our sin!

He died for us and since we are believers in Jesus Christ we have also died to ourselves (I have been crucified with Christ …). (Explain further)

Jesus did not stay dead but was raised to life again. In the same sense when we die to ourselves and have been crucified with Christ He raises us to a new life with Him

(I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me).

(explain further)

The center around which my life revolves is no longer me but Christ!

I am no longer looking out for myself as number one.

I am no longer trying to bring glory to myself as if there is anything glorious about me.

I am now declaring the amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.

I am now declaring that in Christ Alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.

I am now declaring that I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.

I am now declaring that all glory belongs to Jesus Messiah, name above all names, Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel, the rescue for sinners, the ransom from heaven, Jesus Messiah! Lord of All!

Soli Deo Gloria! Glory to God Alone for our great salvation.

What if we really lived like that? People might think we were out of our minds.

This passage says that some people thought that Paul was out of his mind.

Verse 13 says, “If we are ‘out of our mind,’ as some say, it is for God.”

And then again, in verse 20 he says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.”

Now, getting back to the five “Solas” we see that the focus on all five of these attributes is the work of God on our behalf, so, in regard to any glory associated with salvation, it goes to God and God Alone.

The glory does not go to the preacher who preached the sermon but to the Holy Spirit speaking through the preacher to convict you of your sinfulness and the need for salvation. The glory goes to God Alone

The glory does not go to the SS teacher who taught you the truth of the Word of God but to the Holy Spirit who helped you to place your faith and trust in Jesus for Salvation. The glory belongs to Christ Alone!

The glory does not go to Your parents who told you about Jesus as the grace of God flowed through them and caused you to yearn for the same salvation that they have. But, the glory goes to God Alone.