Let Us Glorify Our Great God

Let Us Glorify Our Great God!

Text: Ps.69: 30; 135: 1-3

Intro: What does it mean to glorify God? We’ve heard this expression countless times in Bible readings, Sunday School lessons, and sermons. But what does it mean? The dictionary generally defines this word as, “…to exalt and honor (God), as in worship; to praise extravagantly; honor; extol” (Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, and David B. Guralnik, Editor in Chief Emeritus/ Webster’s New World Dictionary of American English, published by Webster’s New World Dictionaries, A Division of Simon & Schuster, New York, New York; pg. 575). Various other theological writers define this word using terms such as: “to honour, adore…” (Brown-Driver-Brigg’s Hebrew Definitions), “to magnify…” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries), “adorn with glory” (Thayer Greek Definitions).

When one considers the definitions above, one dominant idea comes to mind—PRAISE. It is safe to say that the Word of God instructs us, as God’s blood-washed children, to give praise to God; not only with our lips, but with our lives as well. The words we speak should not dishonor God, or cause Him to be diminished in the eyes of others. Our works and ways should never bring reproach upon God, or reduce the respect of others for Him. The Apostle Paul stated this thought concisely when he said: “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor.6: 20—KJV). Equally to the point is this Pauline injunction: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor.10: 31—KJV).

It’s not possible, in this relatively brief message, for me to exhaust all the reasons why the saints should glorify God. However, this morning I shall deal with three things about God, which I believe warrant our praises. Look at them with me.

Theme: Let us glorify our great God because:

I. OUR GOD IS THE KING OF GLORY

Ps.24: 7 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.”

A. He Is King Eternally.

Ps.10: 16a “The Lord is King for ever and ever…”

Ps.29: 10b “…the Lord sitteth King for ever.”

Ps.66: 7 “He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:”

B. He Is King Everywhere.

Ps.47: 2 “For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.”

Acts 17: 24 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;”

NOTE: Folks, there is no place on earth where God is not King. There are a lot of places where people reject His kingship, but that makes Him no less of a king. Someone has noted:

We can never talk about God behind his back. We cannot speak of God in His absence…The God who is being discussed is also there. The attitude people take to Him can never be merely theoretical. To deny Him is to spite Him to His face.

A. Skevington Wood, Evangelism: Its Theology and Practice.

C. He Is King Over Everyone.

1. He is King over the saints.

Rev.15: 3 “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.”

2. He is King over sinners.

Ps.47: 8a “God reigneth over the heathen…”

3. He is King over all, and over all He is Sovereign.

1 Chron.29: 10 “Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

11 Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

12 Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all: and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.”

Ps.103: 19 “The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”