Go! And Live Gladly For God's Glory Series

Go! And Live Gladly for God's Glory

Introduction

Today, we gather to consider a profound truth that calls us to live with eternal purpose. John Piper once said, "If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full." These words challenge us to embrace a life devoted to glorifying God and sharing His joy with others. This is not an easy life—but it is a life filled with deep and abiding joy.

Our focus today is on the intersection of gladness, risk, and joy in the Christian life. We’ll dive into Scripture to understand how we can live this out practically. Our guiding passage is Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT): "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.'"

Point 1: Gladness Rooted in God’s Glory

Living gladly to make others glad in God begins with our own gladness in Him. Psalm 16:11 (NLT) declares, "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever." True joy is found in God’s presence, not in the fleeting pleasures of the world.

The Hebrew word for "joy" in this verse, simchah, conveys a sense of deep, abiding gladness that flows from being in right relationship with God. This joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in the unchanging character of God.

When we prioritise God’s presence in our lives—through worship, prayer, and meditating on His Word—we experience this joy. Our gladness in God becomes the fuel for sharing His joy with others. As John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Nehemiah 8:10b (NLT): "Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!" This verse reminds us that our joy in the Lord empowers us to face challenges and live out our faith boldly.

Point 2: Risks Taken for the Gospel

Living to make others glad in God often involves taking risks. Jesus Himself modelled this as He stepped into a broken world to bring salvation. In Acts 20:24 (NLT), Paul declares, "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."

Paul’s life was marked by hardship, yet he willingly embraced risk for the sake of the Gospel. The Greek word for "work" here, diakonia, emphasises service and ministry. Paul saw his mission as a divine calling, worth any cost.

Are we willing to take risks for the sake of the Gospel? Sharing our faith, serving others sacrificially, and standing firm in biblical truth may come with challenges, but they bring eternal rewards. As C.T. Studd famously said, "Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last."

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT): "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." Letting our light shine often requires boldness and courage.

Point 3: Joy That Sustains Us

The joy that comes from living for God’s glory sustains us through trials and difficulties. Hebrews 12:2 (NLT) reminds us, "We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne."

The "joy awaiting Him" refers to the joy of fulfilling the Father’s will and redeeming humanity. The Greek word for "endured" is hupomeno, meaning to remain steadfast under pressure. Jesus’ example shows us that joy can coexist with suffering when our focus is on God’s greater purpose.

When we face difficulties, we can draw strength from the example of Jesus. By fixing our eyes on Him, we find the perseverance to continue living for His glory. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will."

James 1:2-3 (NLT): "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." Trials are opportunities for growth and deeper joy in the Lord.