Assurance of Salvation Part 77 Glorifying God: HOW to glorify God (2) ISSUES TO COVER "WE MUST GLORIFY GOD." (It's a moral obligation.) God's people delight in doing so. Today, PART 2 of: HOW to glorify God! A REMINDER Four more "HOW's" A REMINDER! "HOW" to glorify God is NOT a technique! It involves VALUES and CHOICES. If you don't accept the values of Scripture, and make the choices that fit those values, YOU ARE NOT GLORIFYING GOD. "Glorifying God" involves VALUES / CHOICES. IF your values / choices do not agree with Scripture, THEN you are not glorifying God. IF your life is characterized by not glorifying God, THEN you are not following Jesus. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? IF you are not following Jesus, THEN you are not saved. THE GOOD NEWS (If you AREN'T glorifying God) I've been going to church for 20 years. ARE YOU SAYING I'M NOT SAVED? START NOW! Pursue the values and choices that accompany salvation! God offers you mercy! He gives you the opportunity to repent! So you will be saved And want to follow Jesus So that you can glorify God By changing your values and choices! IF you start glorifying God NOW, your question will be unnecessary. IF you don't begin to glorify God, the "new birth" you had was probably a miscarriage or an abortion. * * (It was definitely not the "new birth" described in Scripture.) 1
THE "HOW" LIST beginning with #2 (We saw #1 last time.) 2) WE GLORIFY GOD when we freely, and honestly, confess our sin. "How do we glorify God?" Not just a generalized statement like: "I made some mistakes today." Anyone can try to hide or downplay the seriousness of his sin. Those who follow Jesus discover how serious sin really is and they are willing to admit it. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) Confession implies a willingness to turn away from the sin (i.e., to repent and replace it with godly conduct). He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (WEB) When God's people stumble into sin, they are willing to repeat this process of confession, repentance and returning to God. The fakes may use 1 John 1:9 as a "technique" that "excuses" the ongoing sin they refuse to renounce. Not making excuses, like Adam did (and so did Eve) [God asked,] "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." (He blamed both Eve and God!) Genesis 3:11b-12 (NIV) Freely admitting your sin, like the prodigal son did... The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." Luke 15:21 (NIV) Admitting the judgment you deserve... All know few admit (Romans 1:18-23). Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death,... Romans 1:32 (NIV) Aware that some consequences (in this present life) do not go away... Spoken by the thief on a cross (next to Jesus): "We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve." Luke 23:41a (NIV) 2
3) WE GLORIFY GOD when we trust God. Accepting the truth The man who has accepted [what Jesus says] has certified that God is truthful. John 3:33 (NIV) This is what "believing" and "faith" are all about. (These two words are interchangeable with "trust.") When we do not have trust/belief/faith, we are calling God a liar. Anyone who does not believe [= trust] God has made him out to be a liar,... 1 John 5:10b (NIV) Background: Jorge Barrios (CC BY-SA 3.0), modified Relying on God, even when the outcome (in this life) may be unpleasant. Spoken by Jesus just moments before he died on the cross: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Luke 23:46b (NIV) Jesus wasn't the only person to say this. All of us can! Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth. Psalm 31:5 (NIV) Even when it looks as if God has failed.* Abraham an example for us to follow. Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. Romans 4:20-21 (NLT) * God does what he promises to do not always when WE want him to do it, but at the right time, not a moment sooner or later. Background: Jorge Barrios (CC BY-SA 3.0), modified Background: Jorge Barrios (CC BY-SA 3.0), modified 4) WE GLORIFY GOD when we care about his glory and honor in the world. How does it affect you when others dishonor God? How does it affect you when others dishonor God? " zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me." Psalm 69:9 (NIV) Jesus' life was a demonstration of this: "Zeal for your house [God's temple] will consume me." John 2:17b (NIV) 3
How strong is our desire for this to be true? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV) We live in a horrible day. Even church-goers go around with flippant and profane attitudes toward God. Consider this: People owe God glory! ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. 1 Chron. 16:29 (NIV) JUST LISTEN TO HOW OFTEN THEY TAKE GOD'S NAME IN VAIN! When they say, "O my God," it isn't said with the worship and respect found in Scripture! I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8 (NIV) WHEN THEY DISHONOR GOD THIS WAY, WHAT EFFECT DOES IT HAVE ON YOU? DO YOU EVEN CARE? Those who want to glorify God DO care! Just a reminder for those who have no concern about their attitude toward God: "Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name." Exodus 20:7 (NLT) God's name represents all that he is. The obligation to honor God includes much more than just the words and expressions we utter. It has to do with our entire attitude toward God. "Newborn" Christians may accidently say (and do) things that were a part of their old (unsaved) ways I'm sorry Jesus! I FORGIVE YOU! It's a whole lot different when a person claims to be a Christian for years I don't care about that stuff. I just want to go to heaven and have fun! IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! and it will shame them. (They will confess and repent.) and remains unwilling to learn the difference between sinful conduct and godliness. 4
5) WE GLORIFY GOD by fruitfulness. Jesus is the reason the fruit is present! filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. Philip. 1:11 (NIV) The result of a life of righteousness and obedience. It shows that we follow Jesus. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8 (NIV) This passage applies to all the good that a follower of Jesus is to do (including showing others the way to salvation). We can live in such a way that even the unsaved will someday glorify God! "You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14a, 16 (NASB) Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV) Don t be like the fakes, who get a different result. As Scripture says, "God's name is cursed among the nations because of you." Romans 2:24 (GW) Yes, they will get their reward "How terrible it will be for anyone who causes others to sin. Temptation to do wrong is inevitable, but how terrible it will be for the person who does the tempting." Matthew 18:7 (NLT) YOUR MISSION: Consider YOUR MISSION: PRAY CONSIDER: Who do YOU glorify in your "daily life"? Everything we do in "daily life" is an expression of values and choices, often turned into habits. PRAY for: ENCOURAGEMENT for those who do glorify God. SALVATION for those who don't glorify God. 5
THE "GLORY" MANIFESTO THE "GLORY" MANIFESTO I am willing to freely, and honestly, confess my sin. To God, and (when applicable) to those I have sinned against. I am willing to trust God in all things and at all times. Even when the outcome looks uncertain and bleak. I want God's glory to be exalted in all the earth. I am greatly distressed when people dishonor the God who created them. I want to have a fruitful life. The result of a life of righteousness and obedience. Credits (1) Credits (2) SCRIPTURE PICTURES Scriptures marked "NLT" Scripture quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. (www.newlivingtranslation.com) Scriptures marked "NIV" - Scripture quoted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. (www.zondervanbibles.com) Scriptures marked "WEB" Scripture quoted from the World English Bible (Public Domain). (www.ebible.org) Scriptures marked "GW" - Scripture is taken from GOD'S WORD. Copyright 1995 God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked "ESV" - Scripture quotation from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (www.gnpcb.org) Background: Light blue waves (after "How #3) - By Jorge Barrios (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:agua_r%c3%ado_mapocho.jpg(color modified) Crying baby Public domain, uploaded by qubodup at openclipart.org https://openclipart.org/detail/174714/baby-crying-by-qubodup-174714 Old man Public domain, uploaded by 3Dline at openclipart.org https://openclipart.org/detail/103549/old-man-by-3dline Other backgrounds (not a solid shade or provided as part of Microsoft PowerPoint Dennis Hinks 2013-2014. Presentation Dennis Hinks 2014. Scriptures marked "NASB" - Scriptures quoted from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (www.lockman.org) DISCLAIMER: The use of a picture does not imply that the author of that picture agrees with the views of this presentation. Some might agree; some might not. PICTURES Open book with magnifying glass - By Pyfisch (File:Postscript-viewer.svg) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:wv_in_review.svg Background with somewhat square grid (after "How #2" & "How #5") - By Janschoonhovenjr (Own work) [Public domain or CC0], via Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:diep_blauw_vlak_-_4_zwarte_spijkers.jpg (modified, used in 2 colors) 6