To Glorify God Series

Responsibility Of The Church

To Glorify God

Lesson #2

Part A

Text: Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

II Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second responsibility of the church is to Glorify God

When I was first thinking of this my thought turned to praise

- praise in the church

- praise and worship

- surly this is how we Glorifiy God

this seams logical and there is some truth in this line of thought especially on a personal leval in the service

But bringing Glory to God goes much deeper

- it is much more involved

- it is a lot more than just mear words

- it is more than just lifting our hands in praise

- it is more than just a time slot we fill in each service that we call praise and worship

- it goes much deeper than any of these things although these things are part of it

SO HOW DO WE Glorify God

- how do we as a church bring Him glory

- if this is our responsibility as a church how do fulfill it if it is not by lifting our hands and praise and worship

I. By Our Example

Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We bring glory to God by our exampleship

- it is more than what you say

- it is more than just some phrases you utter in a church a service

- it is more than just learning to talk a talk

A lot of people know how to talk church

- they have been in church since their youth

- they have been raised in Sunday school

- they have learned all the religious lingo

but the problem is they have no works

I have seen since being here in Mitchell’s Plain

- drunks preach the gospel

- seen them gather around a trash can totally smashed and out of their heads singing “My redeemer lives” and “Jesus lover of my soul”

- does this bring glory to God

- does this glorify His name

No

The reason is there is no works

- there is nothing to show that the words mean anything

- there is no evidence of what God has done for them

- there is no evidence of a changed life

- and a changed life is what brings Him glory

What this term “let your light shine” means is

- let your good works be seen

- let people see your changed life

- let them see you serving God

lot’s of people want to say I am a Christian

- but their life does not show it

they say one thing but live something totally different

- I am saved but they steel on the Job

- I am saved but they are lazy at work

- I am saved but they are always talking about someone

- I am saved but they are always stirring things up and causing trouble

- I am saved but they are always flirting with the opposite sex

- I am saved but they cheat on their husband or wife

If you are trying to live this double life it in no way brings glory to God in fact it brings disgrace upon the Kingdom of God

- and you are no better than a drunk singing my redeemer lives

The question we need to ask ourselves is

Does our life bring Glory to God?

Does our church bring Glory to God?

The way God is glorified is by us bringing our good works before men

- or in other words by you being a Godly example in front of sinners

- by shining your light in dark places

Some people have no problem acting the Christian in church

- or when they are around other brothers and sisters

- but they become a whole different person when on the Job or in front of their friends

the light that God has placed in us is useless unless it is placed before men

- what good is a testimony if it is not shared

- what good is it to testify if there is no one there to hear it

- God intended for you to place your light before men and not men of light but men of darkness

- A light doesn’t need a light

- Darkness needs light

You can’t live a double standard and expect for your life to bring glory to God