Glorifying God
James L. Reynolds
(Luke 18:35-43)  "And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: {36} And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. {37} And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. {38} And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. {39} And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. {40} And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, {41} Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. {42} And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. {43} And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God."
    This morning we would like to take a brief look at the Biblical subject of 'Glorifying God'. It is our desire to pursue this subject based solely upon what the Word of God declares and not on any notions or ideas of people.
    There are several points which we wish to cover and we pray that the Holy Spirit will keep our thoughts in a clear and orderly fashion as we move from point to point.
    In today's society there is seen much rebellion against authority. Many people refuse to do those things which they are commanded, by the laws of the land, to do. It appears by their actions that some people seem to feel that they can choose to either obey or disregard those laws. And so it is that many people act as if they had the right to ignore the command to glorify God in their lives.
    The first point, therefore, which we wish to submit unto you for your consideration is that we are to glorify God because we are commanded to do so.
(Psalms 22:23Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
    We see in the above Scripture that those who fear the LORD are commanded to glorify Him. Now while it is admitted that only those who have been enabled to trust in Him can truly fear Him in the correct and proper Biblical sense, the remainder of mankind are not exempt from their duty of giving glory unto God, who is their Creator.
(1 Chronicles 16:28)  "Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength."
    It is evident by the term 'ye kindreds of the people' that all of mankind is included in the command to glorify Him. Refusing to give glory unto God is not an option for any of mankind to exercise at their discretion, whether they have acknowledged Him as their Creator or not.
    We are commanded to give glory unto God because glory is due unto Him.
(1 Chronicles 16:29)  "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness."
    Simply because He is God, with so many marvelous attributes, all of His creatures are commanded to give glory unto Him. That is, all of mankind without exception.
    One of His attributes which demands that His creatures glorify Him is His holiness.
(Psalms 99:9)  "Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy."

(Revelation 15:4)  "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest."

    The magnitude of God's holiness is unfathomable by depraved mankind, even by those who have been quickened by His  Holy Spirit. Yet, when we get a glimpse of His holiness and of our own sinfulness and depravity and we are enabled to believe that He hath loved us 'with an everlasting love' we will most certainly be caused to offer unto Him the 'glory due unto His name'.
    That such a Holy God would have the first kind thought towards such unworthy creatures is certainly a great reason and cause to give glory to God.
    There are many other attributes of God which should prompt his creatures give glory unto Him.
    Two of those attributes which should  motivate His creatures to give Him glory are His mercy and truth.
(Psalms 115:1)  "Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."

(Romans 15:9)  "And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name."

    When a person experiences God's mercy they should give Him glory for showing them that mercy.   While we are prone to think only on the saving of our souls when we speak of God's mercy, He does in fact show mercy to multitudes who never receive that 'saving mercy'. Health, freedom and prosperity are but a few of the ways in which God shows mercy to mankind in general. And mankind in general is required to glorify Him for that mercy.
    God should be given glory for His faithfulness and truth
(Isaiah 25:1)  "O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth."
    No matter how sincere a person is when they make a promise unto another person there are times when they are unable or, because of changing circumstances, unwilling to be faithful in the keeping and fulfilling of those promises. We know however, by divine enablement, that all that which God has said is truth and that He will perform that which He has determined to do.
    God should be given glory for His wondrous works.
(Matthew 15:30-31)  "And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them: {31} Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel."
    In Acts chapter 4 we see that as a result of the apostles preaching the gospel about five thousand men believed. This infuriated the religious leaders who imprisoned them and then commanded them not to preach in 'the name of Jesus' anymore.
(Acts 4:21)  "So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done."
    It was for the wonderful work of healing the impotent man of his physical infirmities as well as the wondrous work of saving the souls of the many women and men that the people gave glory unto God, for they realized that it was God who had performed those marvelous works.
    God should be given glory for His judgments.
(Revelation 14:6-7)  "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, {7} Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
    It is often appalling to people of moral character to see and hear how that those who are known to be guilty of terrible crimes do not receive the punishment due them because of some weak or dishonest judge. Although those criminals may escape their due punishment in this life they will not escape it when they stand before the judge of all the earth. Our God is a judge that is always perfect and righteous in His judgments and He can not be bought or intimidated to pervert justice.
    God should be given glory for His deliverances.
(Psalms 50:14-15)  "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: {15} And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
    I dare say that there is not one amongst us who could not give many accounts of the times that God has delivered them in the days of their trouble. Not only has God delivered our souls from eternal death but, there are countless times that He has delivered our bodies from injury and physical death. In His eternal presence we shall rejoice as we learn of the many instances when His loving hand was extended to shield us from our adversaries' assaults and deliver us from his fiery darts.
    God should be given glory for His grace to others
(Acts 11:17-18)  "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? {18} When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
    Oh that the blessed Holy Spirit would grant each of us hearts to rejoice in the manifestation of God's grace in the lives of others as well as in our own lives. When we see God's grace being evidenced in others it should give us cause to rejoice and to hope for more of His free and unmerited grace to be shown to us in our own lives.
    God is not going to run short of mercy and grace and it is His prerogative to dispense them as He sees fit. No saint is going to be deprived of mercy as a result of another saint receiving it.
    When the apostle Paul was converted there were those who doubted the truth of his profession and their doubts are recorded in Acts 9:26.
    But, we also hear of those who upon hearing of his conversion glorified God.
(Galatians 1:21-24)  "Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; {22} And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: {23} But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. {24} And they glorified God in me."
    Glorifying God is accomplished in a number of methods. It behooves us to seek to know and practice as many of those methods as we are able.
    God is glorified by relying on His promises
(Romans 4:19-21)  "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: {20} He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; {21} And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
    Abraham believed God's promises and relied on them. When we take the promises of God's Word and apply them to our own lives we are strengthened against the fiery darts of satan as well as against our own frailties. We also become a source of strength to others who see the affects of believing in and relying upon God's promises. Oh how great the thought that every promise God has made to His people in His word He will perform to the utmost.
    We sometimes sing the hymn, 'Standing on the Promises' in which the hymn writer declares the benefits and blessings of standing on those promises that God has made unto His people.
    There are many promises which God has made unto His people in His holy word. There are also promises which He has made to mankind in general. To those who stubbornly refuse to submit unto His Lordship the Lord Jesus Christ gives a promise of eternal damnation.
(Luke 13:2-5)  "And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? {3} I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. {4} Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? {5} I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
    In mercy God gives the warning to turn from ones' evil ways and repent or else be the subject of God's promise of holy everlasting wrath upon that unrepentant soul.
    God is glorified by praising Him .
(Psalms 50:23)  "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God."

(Psalms 86:11-13)  "Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. {12} I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. {13} For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell."

    It is interesting to note the that the Psalmist declares that after he is taught more of God's way he will praise the Lord for His great mercy and the deliverance of his soul from hell.
    'Man's chief end is to glorify God: whoso offers praise, glorifies him, and his spiritual sacrifices shall be accepted. We must praise God, sacrifice praise, put it into the hands of the Priest, our Lord Jesus, who is also the altar: we must be fervent in spirit, praising the Lord. Let us thankfully accept God's mercy, and endeavor to glorify him in word and deed.' (Matthew Henry)
    God is glorified by doing all that we do to glorify Him.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)  "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
    I fear that sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our Lord is with us, in the person of the Holy Spirit, continually. In all that we do we should seek to glorify our Savior. We must not limit our efforts to glorify God to only those thing which we see as spiritual, such as prayer, Bible study and church services. In our jobs, in our associations with family members as well as strangers we need to always bear in mind that it is our duty and responsibility to seek to glorify the Lord. Especially in our business dealings we need to make sure that our actions are such that bring glory and not shame to our Lord. Years ago I had a supervisor who once asked if anymore of the workers got converted, who will do the work?
    God is glorified by dying for Him.
(John 21:18-19)  "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. {19} This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."
    The Lord Jesus foretold Peter of his own death and that it would glorify God.
    Throughout the centuries since our Lord ascended back into heaven many of His saints have suffered painful and cruel deaths as a result  of their standing for the truths of His holy word. History records that millions of Baptists were slaughtered during the dark ages because they refused to bow their knees to Rome and because they acknowledged only the Bible as their rule of faith. The only one they acknowledged as their leader was the Lord Jesus. Each of their deaths was a testimony to God's glory in that they were willing to suffer and die rather than deny the one who had suffered and died for them.
    All of mankind belong unto God as He is their creator and He has the right to do with them as He sees fit. Multitudes also belong to God as His adopted children and they should live and die so that the Lord would receive glory, both from their lives and their deaths.
(Romans 14:8)  "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
    God is glorified by suffering for Christ.
(1 Peter 4:14)  "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
(1 Peter 4:16)  "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
    When anyone suffers real persecution for the cause of Christ and bears that persecution patiently and humbly God receives glory. Even the enemies of Christ and His people can't help but be impressed by the unshakable faith God has given His people in times of trials and adversities. Gods' people should count it as an honor to suffer real persecution for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.
    God is glorified by bringing forth fruits of righteousness.
(John 15:8)  "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

(Philippians 1:11)  "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

    In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation those children of God who bear the fruits of His imputed righteousness shine forth as beacons of light to His great glory and mercy.
    God is glorified by showing patience in affliction.
(Isaiah 24:15)  "Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea."
    God is glorified by showing faithfulness.
(1 Peter 4:11)  "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
    Glorifying God is required in body and spirit.
(1 Corinthians 6:20)  "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
    Like all the commandments God has given in His word the above admonition is not one that is discretionary or optional for His people. We do not have the liberty to pick and choose which commandments that we will obey. The above Scripture reminds us that we are, in our entirety, possessions of God. This does not speak of the ownership by creation that God has for all of mankind but of the ownership of redemption that He has for His adopted children. The price that we were bought with was the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because such a price was paid for us it befits us to glorify God both in body and spirit. Our bodies belong unto God and are to be used for His service. Therefore it is our responsibility to take as good care of them as we are able to.
    Glorifying God shall be universal.
(Psalms 86:9)  "All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name."

(Revelation 5:13)  "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever."

    Today there are millions of people who give no thought to glorifying God. Seeking first to honor and glorify God is the furthest thing from their thoughts. However, one day that will change and all of creation will give praise and glory unto God. Those 'in heaven' and those 'under the earth' will both glorify God. The one by being an object of His grace and the one by being an object of His holy wrath.
    God's saints should be determined to glorify God.
(Psalms 118:28)  "Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee."
    The psalmist declares emphatically that, as a result of God being his God, he will praise and exalt the Lord. The saint needs to make a conscious determination to glorify God and seek the Holy Spirits' enablement to do so.
    God's saints should unite in glorifying God, especially by glorifying Him in His church.
(Psalms 34:3)  "O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."

(Romans 15:5-6)  "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: {6} That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

    One of the great blessings of worshipping in the Lord's church is that there is unity in mind and spirit as we glorify the God of the Bible. I am often amazed when I hear of people going from denomination to denomination and feeling that they are worshipping God as they do so. It is certainly granted that there is a measure of unity between all those who are truly born of the Spirit. But, how can a  person 'be likeminded one toward another' when the other persons' concept of God is so different from their own? We need to be ever thankful that God has been pleased to grant us a measure of understanding of His word and has set us in His  precious blood bought church. Many feel that attendance and  participation in the worship service in one of the Lords' churches is the greatest spiritual blessing, after redemption, that a mortal can experience.
    God's saints should persevere in glorifying God.
(Psalms 86:12)  "I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore."
    Regardless of what circumstances we find ourselves in we should never cease to glorify God. As Job declared that he would serve God though He might slay him so we should be determined to glorify Him in whatever state we are in. May God grant us forgiveness for the times when we allow circumstances of this life to adversely affect our spiritual disposition.
    The holy example of the saints may lead others to glorify God.
(Matthew 5:16)  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

(1 Peter 2:12)  "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."


    It is quite  possible that someone may notice how our lives are conducted, how we react in trials and adversities and be so impressed that they may seek to know the one who gives us such strength to so live. We are told in Scripture to be always ready to give and account to anyone who asks concerning the reason for hope which they see manifested in us.
    The wicked are contrary to glorifying God.

(Romans 1:21-23)  "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. {22} Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, {23} And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things."
    Instead of being thankful and glorifying God the wicked have attempted to change the glory of God into the image of a man or some other creature. Whatever is in direct opposition to Gods' will as revealed through His word is that which the rebellious and sinful man seeks after.
    We are all, by nature, in direct opposition to that which glorifies God. Let those who have had their contrariness to Gods' glory changed to a conformity to Gods' glory be thankful and rejoice in His sovereign grace. And let them seek to glorify God in their lives for that change which He has made in them.
    There will be a punishment for not glorifying God.
    Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans had taken the dedicated vessels from the temple and had used them to toast false gods.
(Daniel 5:23)  "But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:"
    After this the fingers of a mans' hand appeared and wrote his sentence on the wall. The Scripture then gives us the account of what happened next.
(Daniel 5:30)  "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain."
    God has been very gracious in issuing warnings to His creatures who refuse to give glory unto His name.
(Malachi 2:2)  "If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart."
    When the people foolishly gave Herod the respect due unto God and Herod did not correct them God corrected Herod.
(Acts 12:21-24)  "And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. {22} And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. {23} And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. {24} But the word of God grew and multiplied."
    Notice that although Herod was being eaten up of worms the eternal word of God grew and multiplied.
    Some day God is going to release His wrath on ungodliness as He spoke of in Romans 1.
(Romans 1:18)  "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;"

(Romans 1:21)  "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

    The heavenly hosts are engaged in glorifying God.
(Revelation 4:10-11)  "The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, {11} Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
    The Bible clearly declares that all things were made for Gods' glory. From the flames of hell to the golden streets of heaven God is the one who shall receive glory from them all.
    It is a comforting and assuring thought to rest in the fact that our God is in absolute control and that He will receive glory from all things. It matters not that we may not understand this or that some foolishly protest against it. It is a clear teaching of Gods' word that He will get glory from all circumstances and all of creation.
    We are clearly told in Gods' word what our whole duty is.
(Ecclesiastes 12:13)  "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
    We have attempted this morning to briefly touch upon the subject of glorifying God. There is much more that we did not cover on this subject than that which we did cover.
    May the Holy Spirit grant each of us the resolve to ask prayerfully upon awakening each day, 'Lord what would you have me to do today?' Sometimes we plan what we would do for the Lord next month or next year when in reality we need to seek what He would have us to do on a daily basis.
    In conclusion let me say that it is my fervent prayer for myself and for each of you that the Holy Spirit would grant us the minds and hearts to heed and practice that glorious admonition found in 1 Corinthians.
(1 Corinthians 10:31)  "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
(09-28-97)

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