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.
The glory does not go to the church you attend where you witnessed the love of God flowing among brothers and sisters in Christ. But, the glory goes to Christ alone!
The glory goes to Christ alone!
How careful are we to give glory to God alone in everything we do?
What about in our church? At the front of the sanctuary is there a stage or a platform?
Does that seem like an insignificant distinction?
What is a stage? A stage is a raised area for speakers or singers to perform. A stage is for performance; self aggrandizing performance. Performance that says, “Look at me. Look at my skills. Aren’t I awesome? All the glory goes to me.”
Platform in a church is a raised area for proclamation and in a church that proclamation is that we have a great Savior and His name is Jesus Christ!
And, everything that is done on that platform is done for the honor and glory of Christ Alone.
And, anything we may say or do that intentionally draws attention to ourselves intentionally draws attention away from the Lord God and that is a sin.
Anything that is a “show” in church is a sin for it diverts our eyes from the glory that belongs to Christ alone. Glory to Christ Alone!
There should be a heavy sense of responsibility upon anyone who speaks or sings from the platform in church. For, if outside of church we are God’s ambassadors as though God Himself were making His appeal through us, how much more must we be conscientious about what happens when we proclaim Him in church.
Glory to Christ alone!
What is the difference between an audience and a congregation?
Audience: A group of listeners or spectators (passive) watching a performance
The intention is to give glory to the performer.
Congregation: an assembly of persons who have met with the express intention worshiping the Lord and receiving religious instruction (active)
An assembly of persons actively engaged with giving glory to God or moving along in spiritual growth so that the Lord will receive the glory due to Him.
Glory to Christ Alone.
The glory of God is revealed in His creation.
The glory of God is revealed in His passionate pursuit of His chosen nation Israel.
The glory of God is revealed in Sola Gratia.
The glory of God is revealed in Solus Christus.
The glory of God is revealed in Sola Fide.
The glory of God is revealed in Sola Scriptura
And right now as we enter into the Advent season we will at the same time remember that Jesus was made to be a sacrifice for our sin by the shedding of His blood on the cross of Calvary.
(Introduction to Communion)
O the blood of Jesus
O the blood of Jesus
O the blood of Jesus
It washes white as snow
(After communion final words and prayer)
