Intro: Reality television is sweeping the nation and the world. Dozens and dozens of “reality” shows are on every day of the week. Some of them are good others are down right goofy. Come on, for the most part these shows are shallow. For the next several weeks I want to preach a new series of messages based on the titles of some of these popular t.v. shows. One of them is called Starting Over. It is about a group of six women who have personal issues/hang ups who move into this house. They have projects and assignments to complete. After a certain amount of time in the house they get to graduate from the house. Supposedly after they leave the house they will have started over.
Many of us view the beginning of a new year as a “starting over” point. That’s why we make new year’s resolutions. Have you made any this year? I came across some new year’s resolutions for internet junkies:
10 I will stop checking my email at 3:00 in the morning
09 I will think of a password other than “password”
08 I will read the manuel
07 When I hear “Where do you want to go today?” I won’t reply MS Tech Support
06 I will spend les than one hour a day on the internet.
05 I resolve to back up my 10 GB hard drive daily…well, once a week…okay, monthly, then…or maybe…
04 I will answer my snail mail with the same enthusiasm with which I answer my email
03 I resolve to work with neglected children—my own.
02 I will stop sending email to my wife.
01 I will try to figure out why I “really” need 7 email addresses.
Every year we make resolutions for a better life. We feel as though “this is the year” that we’re going to get that start we need. We’re full of hope and anticipation. But year, after year, the same thing happens. Within a few weeks its all gone and we feel deflated, sad and guilty. I’m not a big believer in new years resolutions. But, one thing resolutions do remind me of—people want their lives to count. They want their lives to make a difference in some form or fashion. I haven’t met too many people who say, “It’s my goal in life to waste it.” I want to grow up and be an absolute loser. I want to waste my life.”
The sad reality is, there are far more people wasting their lives and don’t even realize it. They aren’t intentionally doing it. But, they do not know better. The good news is that “you don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. You only have to know a few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them or die for them.” John Piper (Don’t Waste Your Life) The good news—is everyone in here can make an eternal impact with their lives.
ILLUSTRATION: In his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life”, John Piper recalls a story from the February 1998 edition of Readers Digest. A couple took “early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30 foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.” Piper notes, “At first, when I read it I thought it might be a joke. A spoof on the American dream. But it wasn’t. Tragically, this was the dream: Come to the end of your life—your one and only precious, God given life—and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great judgment day: “Look, Lord. See my shells.” This is a tragedy. (p. 46 “Don’t Waste Your Life” John Piper) I don’t want you to stand before God and only be able to say, “Look, Lord. See my boat.”
One of the few things you need to know to make a lasting impact. One of the few things you need to know to not waste your life. One of the few things you need to know to “Start Over” in your life is found in 1Corinthians 10:31. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
My prayer is that this truth…this plea will sink deep into our souls and take root. That we will embrace all that this means with our whole hearts. You need not forget that we were made for the glory of God. We waste our lives when we don’t live for the glory of God. As a matter of fact failing to live for the glory of God was the reason why God sent forth his Son to earth. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
What does “glory” mean? The word is doxa and is not easy to define. “It is like beauty. How do you define beauty? Some things we have to point at rather than define. God’s glory is the beauty of his manifold perfections. It can refer to the bright and awesome radiance that sometimes breaks forth in visible manifestations. Or it can refer to the infinite moral excellence of his character. In either case it signifies a reality of infinite greatness and worth.” (John Piper/Desiring God)
So all of us, and I mean all of us have fallen short of the glory of God. It does not mean we were supposed to be as glorious as God is. We have exchanged God’s glory for something of lesser value. That is what we do when we sin. We exchange God’s best for something cheap, for a counterfeit. Living life with a determined effort not to live for the glory of God is to waste your life.
In 1Cor. 10:31, Paul is commanding us to do all whether we eat or drink—do it all to the glory of God. This should be the driving force of our lives—out anthem, our battle cry, is to do all to the glory of God. So, what does it mean to live for the glory of God?
1). First of all, it means that God is the central reality in the universe and not you. In other words, you aren’t the Master of the Universe.
2). Secondly, living for the glory of God brings meaning to the details of your life.
How do you drink and eat for the glory of God? In this particular context Paul was describing our Christian freedom. But with that freedom we must also be sensitive to the convictions of others. We give glory to God when we are looking out for the interests of others. I think we can also eat and drink to the glory of God when we have an attitude of thanksgiving in our hearts. Are you grateful at dinner time? Are you grateful for clean water and see it as a gift from God? But it is not just about food and water. Paul says, “Whatever you do.” When you are spending time with family. When you are working on your car. When you do your job as an act of worship. You know we get so concerned about finding the right job we’re so unhappy. Maybe its not our job but our lack of working to the glory of God. When you move in to your new home and stake it out not only as your place to call home but a lighthouse in your community. When you are tempted to lash out because they are hateful, yet you quietly pray for God love them through you.
We live this way because God is glorious! We live this way because God is perfect in every way. I live this way because I want people to know all that God can be for them in Christ Jesus. God deserves for us to live this way.
1Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever.”
To live for the glory of God brings meaning to the details of your life. Being spiritual doesn’t just happen on Sunday mornings—it is all of life. It is so easy to lose sight of this. We get spiritually tired. We get cranky. We don’t walk in the Spirit at all times. But as you live out your life—including the small details, here are some helpful ways to keep glorifying God. A). Praise him while you work. B). Thank him continually. C). Remind yourself that he watches everything we do and hears everything we say. D). Pray for his strength. 1Peter 4:11.
When we live to do all for the glory of God we realize some things aren’t as important as others. Many things lose their luster.
ILLUSTRATION: In high school and early college days I lived for the weekends. I lived for the next party. That doesn’t appeal to me anymore since I began to get serious about living for the glory of God.
ILLUSTRATION: As I began to pursue my call to be in ministry I had the opportunity to speak one time at Glorietta, New Mexico in front of several hundred other college students. Even then life was still about me. I was more looking forward to being in front of my peers than sharing the message. I’ve come a long way since then. I continue to learn every day that life is not about me!
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
I guarantee when you begin to really live and do all to the glory of God—there are going to be some things in your life that lose their value.
Do you know what happens when we live for the glory of God? We make God shine. God shines no matter what we do—but for the people in your own world, neighborhood, school and workplace? When you and I live for the glory of God, God is attractive to others. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men…so they can see your good works and praise your Father in heaven.”
John Piper says, “If we look like our lives are devoted to getting and maintaining things verses living for God’s glory, we will look like the world, and that will not make Christ look great. He will look like a religious side-interest that may be useful for escaping hell in the end, but doesn’t make much difference in what we live and love here.”
I plead with you today—don’t waste your life. Do all to the glory of God. Live to please God and not yourself. Begin this new year making 1Cor. 10:31 your life verse for 2004 and the rest of your life. Start over today!
