• By Rev. Devadosan Sugirtharaj
  • Posted 09/27/2020
  • Viewed 478

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Vital Signs of Growing Church Sermon Series

Commitment to Glorify God

Colossians.1:24-27; 3:1-4

Rev Dr Devadosan Sugirtharaj

 

Introduction

  • One of the vital signs of growing church is to glorify God. God is the only one who can receive all glory and honour. When the church gives glory to God only, then it will grow continually.
  • Glory to God is vital part of our worship, witness and ministry in the world. Nothing is done by anyone except God. Jesus said: Without me, you cannot do anything.
  • We are called to give glory to God through our words, music, talents, worship, ministry and all we do.

 

Word Study on Glory

  • Hebrew word: Kabod: This word literally means heavy in weight. It is used as give weight to or honour in the Old Testament. When the people of God are called to give glory to God, it is mentioned in the context of worship, praise, confession and prayer
  • Greek word: Doxa: This word is used in the New Testament to express glory to God. Doxa is root word for doxology. Doxology is the praising hymn or song to Christ for his glorious presence.

 

Context of the Texts

  • -  Paul wrote these texts to the Church at Colosse so that they continue to work together as one body of Christ and also to be a visible signs of God’s glory in the communities they lived. These are the key notes of growing church in the world.

 

  1. The reason for glorifying God is the mystery of God revealed in this world through Christ’s birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. The mystery is that Christ lives in us and through us.
    • Colossians 1:24-27: 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the [a]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the [b]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [c]which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
    • Paul called it as the mystery which was unknown to the world for a long time but now is revealed through the revelation of Christ as the Savior and his dwelling on our lives, in both Jews and Gentiles. God makes everyone who believes Jesus as the Lord as the children of God regardless of who they are and continually lives in them and through them.
    • God lives in us and through us. It is a mystery to the world. However, Christ in us, the hope of glory, and works through us. His glory reveals to the world through our lives in Christ. We become God’s visible sign of glory in the community.
    • Romans. 16:25-26: 25 [g]Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
    • 2 Corinthians.4:6: 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
    • Biblical Example: Isaiah 6:1-10: When Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, he experienced that God dwelt in him and with him so that he would be sent by God to express this glory to the world.
    • Hymn-To God be the Glory: Frances Jane Crosby (1820-1915) became blind as an infant, and she began composing hymns at age 6, became a student at the New York Institute of the Blind at 15 and joined the faculty of the Institute at 22, teaching rhetoric and history. Her hymn texts were staples for the music of the most prominent gospel songwriters of her day. In this hymn, the primary focus of Gods actions is on the redemption of humanity through Jesus Christ. The second line of the first stanza, So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,” echoes John 3:16.  The second stanza, though referring to the promise of God,” centers on Christ, the perfect redemption, the purchase of blood.” In the third stanza, the pronoun he” is somewhat vague in its reference: Is he” referring to God or to Jesus? The focus is again on Christ who is our wonder [and] our transport,” and the one that we long to see in glory.

 

  1. The reason for glorifying God is the mystery of God to be revealed in this world through Christ’s second coming. The mystery is that Christ lives in us and through us.
    • Colossians.3:1-4: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
    • Paul emphasized that when Christ who is our life appears, we will also appear with Him in glory. The promise of Christ’s return is not only that we will see glory but also we all will appear with him in glory. For this reason, we give glory to God.
    • Christ makes us privy to eternal life. We live here as well as we anticipate living in the Kingdom of God eternally. We do not only live with God here but also with him forever. Our goal, hope and direction are certain.
    • 1 John.3:2: 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
    • 2 Timothy 4:8: 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
    • Biblical Example: Stephen’s experience: Acts.7:54-57: 54 When they heard these things they were [h]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
    • Sermon Illustration: Julia Ward Howe woke up before sunrise one morning in 1861, and history was made. When she woke, Julia heard the tramping of soldiers marching beneath her window in her room in Washington. Suddenly, the words of a poem came to her, and she leaped out of bed and began writing. The result was what became known as the Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and it would become the rallying song for the Union army in the Civil War.The words of Julias poem were merged with that tune, and the rest is history. Many of us are familiar with the first verse of Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

 

Conclusion

We are called to be a growing church. One of the vital signs of church growth is our commitment to glorify our Lord. From Colossians.1:24-27; 3:1-4 , we have learned two important reasons to glorify God.

  • The reason for glorifying God is the mystery of God revealed in this world through Christs birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension. The mystery is that Christ lives in us and through us.
  •  The reason for glorifying God is the mystery of God to be revealed in this world through Christs second coming. The mystery is that Christ lives in us and through us.

 

Questions for Discussion

  1. Christ lives in us and among us. This is the great mystery to the world. How do you exalt and glorify God in your lives, especially in your trails, your work and your family? How do you proclaim to the world that Christ indwells you and will indwell every person who trusts in Him
  2. Christ will come back again and we will be with him. This is the great mystery to the world. How do you live out your life today with the hope of Christ coming soon? How is the second coming of Christ shaping your life and ministry and family?

 

 

 


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