Have you ever considered the idea that the praise of God's glory is not merely the result of His action but is in fact the goal and purpose of all of His works. God governs the world in such a manner to the end that He might be admired, marveled at, exalted and praised (2 Thess 1:10) – that His glory be praised, especially the glory of His grace.
Are you uneasy with this premise? Have you become so indoctrinated and enamored with the idol of today’s religion, who seems to do all that he does for the sake of man, that it does not seem right to you that the end of that which God does would be to seek praise for Himself? Be sure that our God's clear purpose, as revealed in Scripture, is to exalt Himself in the eyes of man.
John Piper observers: “God is the one Being in all the universe for whom seeking His own praise is the ultimately loving act. For Him self-exaltation is the highest virtue. When He does all things "for the praise of His glory" as Ephesians 1 says, He preserves for us and offers to us the only thing in all the world which can satisfy our longings. God is for us, and therefore has been, is now and always will be, for Himself.”
If you have a hard time accepting this, perhaps you should renew your mind, proving what is God’s will and intent is in all of his wonderful creative and salvific deeds. Listen to this sermon and if your existing notions of God’s motives differ from that which the Scripture reveals, then repent and conform your thinking to what God reveals about Himself.
“ Todays top 43 ” 1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of:
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Rita Beckett from New Jersey (9/25/2009)
“ Great Sermon! ” Thank you Pastor LoSardo for giving us a deeper understanding of what it truly means to Glorify God. Thank you also for all the scripture references which make it so plain to me now. God Bless You
Martin and Nancy from Ontario, Canad (8/3/2009)
“ Awesome! ” We're going to make a gazillion copies on CD to pass around to some friends.
What a perspective altering re-representation of the true 'Purpose Driven Life.' Our purpose to glorify God not for our own sake but for His own.
I was thinking too how marriage symbolizes this kind of relationship, in a very meagre way: I love my wife first and it benefits me as she loves me back for my unselfishness - she's closer to me for it, grows more loving and then I love her even MORE. The glory keeps getting routed back to her if the intent is to glorify her on my part FIRST. And with each elevating experience/exchange, the love I feel goes back to her more and more.
How much more is the glory we pour out to God for HIS glory to come back on us, not for our sake, but because of how wondrous He appears in that glory? I get it now - Nancy too.
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#42 - Top Downloaded Sermon (48-Hours) on 10/23/2009
