Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Glory!

ListenDaily – 01 December 2010:Done any glorifying lately?

This Sunday, Lord willing, I will be presenting a message at my church, based partially on Romans 15:4-13 (entire passage below). Each day this week we will look at a portion of that passage, today, verses 7-9:

"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy."

What a pre-Christmas message this is for us! Just look at these steps:

"For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews..." Jesus, the Son of God, ruling in Heaven, stepped down out of Heaven, willingly took on human form, first as a physically helpless newborn, then as a servant.

"...on behalf of God’s truth..." Because all God had ever said must come true.

"...so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed..." And all the prophecies fulfilled.

"... moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy." And that you and I might receive His salvation and glorify His Father.

I am overwhelmed at how often we take this word for granted; I am not sure the last time I glorified God. I have prayed to Him, preached about Him, and sung about Him. Have I glorified Him? Have you?

The 1646 Westminster confession stated: “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Have we seen to our "chief end"?

Paul repeats in this passage that we are to glorify God; what does that mean to you?


INTERESTING THOUGHT
“The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”


For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.”

And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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