Revelation chapter 7 tonight is where we're going to be. Revelation chapter 7, we're going to read three verses, and I kind of want to jump off and further develop one of the things that we had talked about this morning. Revelation chapter 7, and we're going to begin tonight in verse number 9. I invite you, if you would, to stand together out of respect for the reading of God's Word. Here John the Revelator writes, After this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands, and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne and about the elders and the four beasts and fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped God. Can you read verse 12 in unison with me? Saying, Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be unto our God forever and ever. Amen. Tonight I want to look at a message I've simply entitled this. All the glory belongs to Jesus. Father I pray that in the next few moments you would give our hearts attention to your word. Lord that you would allow us to let the Holy Spirit have free reign, to speak to us, to mold us, to make us more like Jesus, to strengthen us where we're weak, to convict us where we're wrong. And Father, I pray truly that everything that's said and Father, how it's received tonight would be to the honor and glory of our great Savior. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen. You may be seated. So this morning, at the end of the message, we talked about our all-encompassing, our inexhaustible, our never-ending goal of bringing glory to our God. Because when we frame our perspective and we frame our passion around the glory of God, it will truly transform our life. So I want to talk tonight, what is glory? Glory is simply the recognition, the magnification of the worth and the weight of someone or something. So in times past, it was not uncommon to talk about the glory of countries or the glory of kings. In other words, their presence and their accomplishment, their position, their person, the office they held. It demanded a weight. It demanded a certain reverence. It demanded a certain recognition. We see even this illustrated in the Word of God. For we find that in the new creation in Revelation 21 and 24 that the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor unto it. And so the idea of glory is just a recognition, a magnification of a worth or a weight that belongs to someone or something. Church, we recognize without controversy, that there is no one so glorious as our King. Exodus 15 and verse 11. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, You see, the glory of our Lord, the glory of our Savior is a glory that transcends all other forms of glory that we may see. It is a glory that envelops and will eventually swallow whole any other glory. The glory of our God is not just a reason. The glory of God is the reason. And so tonight is nothing new. In fact, these things we have talked about before. But it is good for us to be reminded, amen? And tonight I want for us to see yet again how comprehensively the Bible speaks on the matter of the glory of God. And tonight I have five kind of philosophical questions, but really one thought. And that is all the glory belongs to Jesus. So question number one, let's start big. Why is this all here? So yeah, tonight we're gonna start big and we're gonna work our way in. Why is this all here? Why do we see creation? The earth, the plants, the animals, the sea. Why do we see the sun, the moon, the stars? Why do I even see you? Why do you even see me? Why is all of this here? Creation. What's it really all about? We know God planned it, amen? We know God purposed it. We know that God brought it to pass. Truly, as Genesis tells us, God made it. God made it all. But why? Why did He make it all? Well, the simple answer is for the glory of God. All of creation is here for the glory of God. Revelation chapter 4 and verse 11 says this, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou hast created all things, say this last part with me, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Now that's kind of humbling. Because that teaches me that contrary to popular belief, the world doesn't revolve around me. That I am not the center of the universe. Friend, in love the world does not revolve around you either. It revolves around Him. It revolves around Him. It revolves because of Him. It revolves for Him. It is all for the glory of God. Colossians chapter 1, for by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created, what is it? By Him and for Him. And He is before, He is preeminent, He is above all things and by Him all things consist. Why is all this here? Well, church, you know the answer. Why is all of this here? It is here for the glory of God. And all the glory belongs to Jesus. So we look first at the great philosophical question, why is all of this here? A simple enough answer, for the glory of God. Well secondly, let's get a little more specific. The second question we need to consider tonight is simply this, why am I here? Let's get a little more personal. So this speaks to my purpose. Purpose is important to understand. Purpose gives meaning to life. Why am I here? Well, I'm glad you asked. Because there's a real simple answer. I am here for the glory of God. I'm here for the glory of God. And here's the crazy thing. I want you to think about this with me. Not only am I here for the glory of God, the crazy thing is that I am going to glorify God whether I want to or not. Do you know that we as saints, we should glorify God, amen? Isaiah 43 and verse number 7 says this, Even everyone that is called by my name, for I have created him, what does it say? For my glory. I have formed him, yea, I have made him. And so we know saints will be to the glory of God. But did you know that God will even use sinners who reject Him for His own glory? Proverbs 16 in verse number 4 says, The Lord hath made all things for himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Romans 9 beginning in verse 22, the Bible says, What if God, willing to show his wrath and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath, who have fitted themselves to destruction, that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he afore prepared unto glory? You see, God will use saints for His glory, but even sinners who reject Him, God will ultimately use for His glory. All will be for the glory of God. Philippians 2, beginning in verse 9, Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him, speaking of Jesus, and hath given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, how many knees? How many knees? How many knees? Every knee should bow. Of things in heaven, of things in earth, of things under the earth. And that how many tongues? Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. You see I am here to glorify God and the crazy thing is I'm going to glorify God whether I want to or not. Tell the kids to do something. I didn't want to do that. I didn't ask if you wanted to. I told you to. This is going to happen no matter what you want. So my advice would be get on board. Amen? Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to glorify God whether we want to or not, so we may as well get on board. Life is just a little more enjoyable that way. Why am I here? Church, I am here for the glory of God. And all the glory belongs to Jesus. So George, let me ask you, why is all this here? Why do we see all this stuff? Why is all of this here? It is here, why? For the glory of God. If that begs the question, then why am I here? Well, I am here for the glory of God. Well, let's keep thinking about ourselves. We're good at that. Well, I'm here for the glory of God, but where am I headed? So this question really addresses the issue of destiny. Where am I, the child of God, going to end up? It only makes sense that I be positionally and practically prepared for my destination. You know what the Bible tells me? The Bible tells me for all eternity, I will glorify the Lamb upon the throne. Revelation chapter 4 beginning in verse number 10. And the four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever and cast their crowns before the throne saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power for Thou has created all things and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. The very next chapter, Revelation 5 beginning in verse number 12, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. Look what it says, though, in every creature which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and such are in the sea. And all them that I heard saying, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Where am I headed? I am headed to heaven for the glory of God. You know, modern theology paints God. I want to be careful here, okay? Modern theology paints God as some sad, sappy, almost pathetic being who is incomplete without us. I've heard preachers say, well, God loved us so much because it wouldn't be heaven without us. Barf. Oh, it's heaven without you now. And it'll still be heaven if you don't make it. Because heaven is not heaven because you and I are there. Heaven is heaven because He is there. It is all what? It is all for the glory of God. Where am I headed? I'm headed to the throne where forever I will glorify the Lamb. The glory belongs to Jesus. All right, church, let's review. Number one, why is all this here? The glory of God. Number two, why am I here? Number three, considering where I'm headed to heaven one day, well, what's all that about? Even my going to heaven is about what? The glory of God. Well, let's think then perhaps a little more theologically about some things. Why did Jesus save me? I'm so glad that Jesus died on the cross for me and that Jesus died on the cross for you. I'm so glad for the simple gospel message that because I couldn't get to him, he came to me. Because the wage of my sin was death. By the way, that was a price I could never pay. Because the wage of my sin was death, He died on a cross. He took my death so that He could offer me His life. I firmly believe, like the old song says, that when He was on the cross, was on His mind. But I think there's an important aspect of the cross, of our salvation, that perhaps we don't talk about. Why did Jesus save me? Ultimately, it was for the glory of God. When Jesus died on the cross, he did so to glorify the Father. John 17 and verse number one is, Jesus prayed his high priestly prayer in preparation for him going to the cross for you and I. These words spake Jesus and lifted up his eyes into heaven and said, Father, the hour has come. Glorify thy son. Why? That thy son may also glorify thee. Jesus died on the cross, He did so to glorify the Father. That's why in the garden He prayed, not my will but thine be done. Jesus glorified the Father by paying that ransom, by ransoming back His creation, enslaved by sin and death. Why am I saved? I am saved for the glory of God. Ephesians chapter 1, verse number 6 says, Speaking of our salvation, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved, I am saved to the glory of God, and all the glory belongs to Jesus. Alright. Pop quiz. Why's that one got a question mark on it? I don't know. OK. Don't put the question mark in your notes. For the glory of God? For the glory of God, amen? All right. Don't use that slide. There we go. All right. Why is all this here, church? It's here? For the glory of God. Why am I here, church? I'm here. For the glory of God. Well, this place called heaven, I'm headed. Why is God taking me to heaven? For the glory of God. Why did he bother to save me in the first place? I've got one other question for you. I understand now why all this is here. I understand now why I'm here. I understand now where I'm headed and the importance of what God has for me in heaven. I understand now why Jesus saved me. But I want to ask us a question here. Last one. Why am I still here? Why am I still here? Okay, because let's be honest. How many of you are glad to be saved tonight? Could I get an amen? Fellow believer, when you and I die, where are we going? We're going to heaven. I'm going to be with Jesus. I'm going to awake in His presence. I'm going to be satisfied when I awake with His likeness. Oh, what a day that'll be! What a day that'll be! I'm looking forward to heaven, amen? I tell you, the longer I live, the more people I know there. And truly, when I was young, I didn't get it. Heaven's sounding sweeter all the time. I mean, I guess. I mean, it'll be cool. But you know, the more people I know there, heaven is sounding sweeter all the time. Man, I'm saved. Heaven's awesome. Why did God leave me here? You ever thought about that? I mean, after all, heaven is the better option, amen? I mean, as much as I love being here with you, as much as you are wonderful people, and I hope you feel the same about me, being with Jesus would be better. No one disputes that. And yet, God has left us here. He has left us here, we talked about this morning, to grow, to serve. Sometimes he's left us here to suffer. Why am I still here? Anyone want to wager a guess? For the glory of God. For the glory of God. That is why God has left me here. And that will be my purpose until He calls me home. I think sometimes, church, we have to be careful because there are a number of things in our Christian life that are really important. I'm going to give you one. Evangelism is a really important part of our Christian life. Sharing the good news that just like Jesus died and saved me, he wants to save you. Evangelism is so important. But sometimes we'll hear things like, well, the only reason we're still here is maybe evangelism. And I don't want to downplay evangelism at all, but I want us to think this through. All of these things, evangelism being one of them, is a reason that God has left us here. You ever think about what evangelism does? When God allows us to be a part of a soul coming to Christ. You ever thought about what that does? That really multiplies worship. Because there's another voice, there's another soul, there's another tongue that is adding their praise to the glory of God. It multiplies the worship of God. What an awesome thing that is because He is worthy, amen? But all of these things, I mean, like I can think of my own life. Well, you know, God has given me the great privilege and responsibility to pastor, to parent, to be a husband, to be a coach. I get to sing and some of you play instruments beautifully and we get to give, we get to pour into other people's lives and mentor and build up other people. There are so many things we get to engage in on a regular basis. We get to enjoy the abundant blessings of God. But I'm going to tell you, none of those reasons in particular are the reason. Those are all a reason, but they all trickle back to the reason. Why am I still here? I am here for the glory of God. Ephesians chapter 1 and verse number 12, that we should be to the praise of His glory who first trusted in Christ. Ephesians 3 verses 20 and 21, speaking of the church here, now unto Him that is able to do, exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. Paul talking to the church, he said unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus. throughout all ages, world without end, amen. You know, that sums it up. That is the unifying force that draws it all together. The musicians do their thing, but the musicians don't do their thing in isolation. Mrs. Wired, why do the musicians do their thing? They do it for the? Glory of God. And the people who go out on visitation and knock on doors, they don't do it in isolation. Why do they do it? They do it for the glory of God. The wonderful ladies and volunteers back in our nursery who wipe poopy butts and feed your children goldfish and other things. They do it, why? Because they love little babies? I'm sure they love little babies, but greater than that, they do it for? The people who go to these nursing homes week in and week out and they minister and they love these people, these people who may not get a lot of contact with other people outside of their facility and they do it week in and week out and probably, probably nobody really knows who they talk to or what they do and don't do. Why do they do it? The people who go into the jails every week, why do they do it? Why do you parent? Oh, to get through, right? So that I have a good enough relationship with my kids that they put me in one of those nice nursing homes, right? Why do you parent? Why do you love and interact with your spouse the way that you do? Why do you handle your finances the way that you do? What about your work ethic when you go into the office or the factory tomorrow? Well, they don't pay me. No, no, no, no, no. Do it. Why? Do it for the glory of God. For the glory of God. Philippians chapter 1 in verse number 11, the Bible says, being filled with the fruits of righteousness. You talk about these things that God accomplishes in us and through us, which are by Christ Jesus. What does it say? Unto the glory and praise of God. Colossians 3, 23. Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men. We looked at it this morning, 1 Corinthians 10, in verse number 31. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God. Why am I still here? Church? All the glory belongs to Him. I'm telling you, church, that's what all of this is about. It's about the glory of one. And that one is Jesus. And if we are not living for the glory of God, let me ask us, church, then what in the world are we living for? If we don't execute our marriage for the glory of God, parent for the glory of God, work for the glory of God, serve for the glory of God. Students, if you don't go to school and do your best for the glory of God, if you don't give for the glory of God, then what are we doing? I'm going to tell you, if you do it because you have to, if you do it out of fear of man, you will be miserable. You'll be miserable. If you do it because it's somehow advantageous, I'm going to tell you, there's always a better offer coming from an earthly standpoint. But when you do it for the glory of God, it changes everything. Friend, there's a lot of frustrated, fed up people. A lot of frustrated, fed up Christians too. Because no matter how hard we try, we always tend to end up in the same sad, empty place alone. Because if we live our lives for any other reason than the glory of our God, we miss the heart of the matter and we neglect our very purpose. Friend, you can try it your way, you can try your reasons, but the square peg doesn't fit in the round hole and it never will. I spared you tonight, but I was gonna get one of them little kids toys and show how the square peg doesn't go in the round hole. Now you get a little kid who doesn't understand, right? Gotta bang it in the hole. And eventually, they get frustrated, right? This toy's dumb. It doesn't work. I hate to break it to you, but the toy is not dumb. Friend, all the glory belongs to Jesus. Align your life with the glory of God. And you will find that everything else falls into place because all the glory belongs to him.