To the Praise of His Glory
Ephesians - Live Like You Really Are
Chuck Sligh
April 22, 2012
TEXT: Please open your Bibles to Ephesians 1
INTRODUCTION
Illus. – When we lived in Wiesbaden, some missionary friends bought a German toaster. When they got home, they plugged it in, placed some bread in it, and then waited for the toast to pop up a few minutes later. Well, the toast never did pop up from it because…well, it didn’t work. It just sat there, all nice and shiny. Oh, it was real pretty, all right, matching the decor of the kitchen perfectly. It had that brand new look about it…[PAUSE] but it wouldn’t toast bread.
Well, they packaged it back up to take it back, but since they couldn’t find their receipt, the German store wouldn’t exchange it, so they were stuck with it. So they brought it back home and tried to figure out what they could do with it.
Now let me ask you a question: What good is a toaster that doesn’t toast? Absolutely nothing!—It’s too big for a paper weight; too ugly for a doorstop; and it would rust if you put it out as a law ornament. So they ended up throwing it in the trash and buying a new one that worked.
It was USELESS because it didn’t fulfill the purpose for which it was made.
The same is true of the Christian who doesn’t fulfill the purpose for which HE was made.
Well, what IS our purpose in life? As we’ve been studying in Ephesians 1, in verses 3-14 we saw how Paul details spiritual blessings for believers from God the FATHER, God the SON and God the HOLY SPIRIT. But nestled in all three sets of verses is an interesting and very important phrase.
Let’s look at these three sets of verses again.
• Verses 5-6 say, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 [Now notice the first phrase of verse 6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
• Look at verses 11-12: “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 [Now watch this phrase:] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.”
• And then we read this in verses 13-14 – “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, [here’s that phrase again:] unto the praise of his glory.”
Folks, Paul explains wonderful things we receive from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But all of them are tied to our ultimate purpose in life: We were saved to be TO THE PRAISE OF GOD’S GLORY! God elected, saved and predestinated a people, not primarily for THEIR benefit—to save us from hell and give us eternal life, things that are merely side benefit of salvation God’s ultimate purpose was for the praise of His glory.
If you’re saved this morning, that’s your purpose in life. That’s why you’re here on this earth instead of up in heaven right now. In fact, that’s the very reason you were created, for Isaiah said in Isaiah 43:7 – “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory…”
Now, anything that is not used for the purpose for which it was created is useless, isn’t it, as our toaster story illustrated. We understand this idea in all areas of life:
• What are pens made for? [GET RESPONSE (to write)] / Well, what good is a pen that doesn’t write? [GET RESPONSE]
• What’s the purpose of a printer? [GET RESPONSE (to print)] / And what good, pray tell, is a printer that doesn’t print? [GET RESPONSE]
• What’s the purpose of an iPod? [GET RESPONSE (to listen to music)] / What good is an iPod that doesn’t play music? [GET RESPONSE]
You see everything has a purpose, and it’s of little or no value if it’s not fulfilling that purpose. Now if we started living in a conscious and intentional way for the purpose for which God created and saved us, it would revolutionize our Christian lives.
The greatest motivator in the Christian life is to start living your life with one grand idea in view—that is, that in every single thing you do, every single word you speak, and every single thought you think—you do EVERYTHING to the praise of God’s glory. That’s ought to be the goal of every one of us—to bring glory to God! That ought to be what we live for—to bring glory to God! This ought to be the thing that makes us tick in the Christian life.
If it did, it would to be the greatest activator, energizer and mobilizer in our lives.
Did you know that everything in your life is tied in some way to bringing glory to God? When you look at the Bible, you find that almost everything we’re commanded to do as believers is in some way connected with glorifying God.
Let me show you what I mean:
I. NUMBER ONE, GOD WANTS OUR TROUBLES AND TRIBULATIONS TO BRING GLORY TO GOD. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 – “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”
Note the many trials Paul lists: troubles, perplexity, persecution, being cast down. That’s a lot of trial and trouble…a lot more than any of US will ever endure! But they never got him down, and verse 15 tells us why: “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.” Paul said that he endured all these troubles for the Corinthian believers’ sake so that it would all redound (which means “abound exceedingly”) to the glory of God.
It would revolutionize our view of trials if we saw them, not as negative things God has thrown into our lives, but as things that God has allowed so that He can receive glory! My, how trials take on a different perspective when you live for something greater and more noble than your personal comfort.
When was the last time you really practiced 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
One of the things God wants us to build in our lives is that quality called “patience.” But I’ll tell you something: the only way God develops patience in us is by trials.
Listen to what Paul says in Romans 5:3 – “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience.” How do we get patience?—Through tribulation!
But what’s amazing to me is that Paul says he GLORIED in tribulations! How many of us “glory in tribulations”? How many of us THANK God for our trials? Most Christians act as if something’s really strange if they face trials.
Let’s not forget that we live in a fallen world Things break in this life; things go wrong; accidents happen; sickness occurs; there’s suffering; people die. In this life still under the curse of sin, loved ones will let us down; co-workers will betray us; Christians will sometimes be hypocritical. Folks—trial and trouble are part of this fallen world and just because we’re saved doesn’t mean we’re exempt from them. Job said, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.” (Job 5:7)
We can’t ESCAPE the problems of this world, but we can be EDUCATED by them! As Lester Rolloff use to say, “Don’t FRET in your valleys—FARM them!” God receives glory in our trials when we humbly endure them and we begin to develop longsuffering and patience and other character qualities through them.
II. SECOND, NOTICE THAT GOD WANTS US TO USE AND TREAT OUR BODIES RIGHT SO THAT WE CAN BRING GLORY TO HIM. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
The purpose for the believer keeping his body pure and holy and in optimum condition is to bring glory to God in it. Do you glorify God in your body as well as in your spirit, as Paul says here?
• If you eat too much and lack self-control, or eat the wrong kinds of foods so that you lose your maximum effectiveness—then God is not glorified in your body.
• If you don’t get enough rest and you live an undisciplined, unregulated life so that you’re always tired and your immune system stays so low that you catch every bug that comes down the pike—you’re not glorifying God in your body.
• If you consume substances that tear down and damage your body—you’re not glorifying God in your body.
If you yield to sensual temptation or moral impurity, you’re not glorifying God in your body.
God says He bought us for a purpose—to glorify God in our bodies and our spirits.
III. THIRD, THE REASON FOR PRAYER IS SO THAT WHEN GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS HE RECEIVES GLORY. – In John 14:13 Jesus said “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Some people view prayer like using God as a personal Genie to give them what they desire or to advance their own agendas or ambitions. Then they wonder why God doesn’t answer their prayers. James said, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)
No, prayer is not primarily to achieve OUR desires, but for GOD’S desires. That’s why 1 John 5:14 – “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” Praying in the will of God means to pray for the things God wants you to pray for. It’s agreeing with God’s plans and purposes and beseeching God to show Himself powerful so that He alone will receive honor and glory.
Illus. – In the 1970s, during the Jesus Movement, I was a folk-rock singer. I sang all over Indiana, Ohio and Illinois in coffee houses, Christian festivals, churches, banquets and county fairs—just about anywhere I could get a gig. I remember praying, “God, help me to be known…and get a record deal!” I asked God to do this so I could accomplish more for Him, but in reality, my true motivation was pride, not God’s glory first and foremost! Well, guess what—God never answered my prayer, and the reason was that that path for my life would not bring the greatest glory to God.
Prayer is ultimately for GOD’S GLORY. Pray for things that will bring glory to GOD, not further your own desires and ambitions, and WATCH HIM ANSWER PRAYER! Now, do you see what I’m driving at so far in this sermon? EVERYTHING in the Christian life is linked in some way to bringing glory to God. It’s our master purpose in life.
IV. NUMBER FOUR, THE REASON FOR FRUITFULNESS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS SO THAT GOD IS GLORIFIED – Jesus said in John 15:8 – “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
There are several kinds of fruit mentioned in the Bible.
• Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control) Why does God want us to manifest the fruit of the Spirit? Not so we can be proud of our spirituality, but so that GOD will be glorified.
• Elsewhere, Paul talks about the fruit of SOULS – In Romans 1:13b Paul said “…I purposed to come unto you,…that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.” – Why should we share our faith? Not to have another notch on your spiritual gun, or for people to talk about what a great soul winner you are. We should bring people to Christ to bring glory to God, because every soul who comes to Christ is a trophy of God’s grace and only GOD deserves glory for His wonderful gift of salvation.
There are other types of fruitfulness in the Bible besides these just mentioned:
• Romans 6:22 talks about “fruit unto holiness.”
• In Colossians 1:10 Paul prayed that the believers in Colosse would be “fruitful in every good work.”
• And Hebrews talks of praise as the “fruit of our lips” (Hebrews 13:15)
These are all different kinds of fruitfulness we are to have in our lives. But why?—What’s the purpose?—Why does God want us to be fruitful? For one overriding, central, dominant purpose—“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.”
V. FIFTH, OUR MOTIVE FOR SERVING GOD SHOULD BE TO BRING GLORY TO GOD – 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If 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 for ever and ever.”
Some children’s teachers teach to make themselves look good to the pastor or others. – God says we should serve Him so that “God in all things may be glorified…”
Some people like to sing specials, or play an instrument, or lead singing or teach an adult class to be seen; to be looked up to; to be respected and admired. – But God says we should serve so that “God in all things may be glorified...”
I’ve known people who liked to be an usher because they’re so visible, and they’re recognized, and it’s a respected position. – But God says we should serve so that “God in all things may be glorified…”
You see, the whole Christian life is like a funnel leading to one overarching, fundamental goal—that “God in all things may be glorified…”
VI. AND OF COURSE, THE PURPOSE OF HAVING A PRAISEFUL ATTITUTE IS TO GLORIFY GOD – Psalm 50:23 says, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me…”
You know, most Christians aren’t bringing a lot of glory to God, because the psalmist says, “Whoso offereth praise, glorifieth me.” Some of the most down-in-the mouth, complaining, and negative people I’ve ever known were people who called themselves Christians.
I know the Bible says we’re to stand up for Christ and let people know we belong to the King, but I sure wish some people would just keep it to themselves because they’re such lousy advertisements for Christianity. A Christian ought to be FULL of the praises of God!
Joke – I heard about a woman who joined a convent where they could talk only once a year. A whole year went by without a word from her. Then at the end of the first year she said to the Mother Superior, “My room is cold.”
“We’ll get you a blanket,” was the response.
A year later she said, “My bed is hard.”
“We’ll get you a mattress,” came the reply.
The third year she said, “My room is too dark.”
“We’ll get you a brighter lamp,” she said.
The fourth year she had done some thinking and said, “I quit.”
“Well,” said the Mother Superior, “we were thinking of letting you go, anyway. All you’ve done since you got here is complain.”
Isn’t it a shame how much we Christians complain? Folks, we ought to be CONSTANTLY filled with the praises of our God! We have wonderful riches in our spiritual inheritance: forgiveness of sin; eternal life; heaven ahead; a wonderful spiritual family here on earth called the church.
You say, “Yeah, but Pastor, those are all spiritual. I need something TANGIBLE.” Okay, how about this?—
• If you have two arms and two legs that function fine, glorify God; some people don’t.
• You have two good eyes to see with; I can take you to a man who walks around town with a white cane, and he’s one of the jolliest men I know.
• You have loved ones who care for you; many don’t, and never have.
• You have more than enough to eat—evidenced by your waistlines; many around the world would give anything for just a portion of what you eat every day.
• You have a nice home to live in; there are many homeless who would gladly trade places with you.
Listen—YOU ARE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE and instead of belly-aching day and night, you should be praising God’s name and thanking Him and lifting His name in honor and worship in every word you say.
Why?—So that God receives the glory He deserves for His goodness and provision and sustenance and protection and help. Oh, that we would live to the praise of the glory of God!
CONCLUSION
The whole purpose for this message has been to show to you that everything we do in the Christian life should be related to one purpose in life—to bring glory to God. In fact, I have a verse for that: 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do ALL to the glory of God.”
May I close by asking you a few penetrating questions, dear church family?— What motivates you?—Why do you serve God? Do you work and pray and serve in order to glorify God?
Is the glory of God the paramount consideration in your life and thinking?
“Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do ALL to the glory of God.”
May you and I evaluate everything we do, every word we speak, every thought we think, every decision we make, everything we consume, every place we go, every piece of clothing we put on our bodies, every song we play on our iPods, every TV show or DVD we watch…on the basis of one thing—DOES IT BRING GLORY TO GOD?
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:5-6)
