Sermon Central
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Lie: It's All About Me Series
Contributed by John Raulerson on Oct 15, 2005 (message contributor)
Summary: We live in a society today that has bought totally into the lie that “It’s all about me.” Selfishness and narcistic attitudes dominate most our decisions as the 21st century man is bent upon looking our for number one.
Series: Lies Satan Tells
IT’S ALL ABOUT ME
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
We live in a society today that has bought totally into the lie that “It’s all about me.” Selfishness and narcistic attitudes dominate most our decisions as the 21st century man is bent upon looking our for number one. This spirit has also crept into our churches as tickling people’s ears and desires to attract greater crowds has become the focus of church leadership rather than glorifying God; and then we wonder why isn’t the church making more of an impact on our society? We must get back to the basics.
I. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF MAN IS TO GLORIFY GOD
(Col 3:17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
(Col 3:23) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
A. God’s Primary Purpose Is to Bring Glory upon Himself
Why did God create a people for Himself?
(Isa 43:7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Why did God spare rebellious Israel in the wilderness and finally bring them to the promised land?
Ezek 20:13-14) But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. 14 But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.
Why did God not destroy Israel when they rejected Him from being king over them and demanded to be like all the nations?
1 Sam 12:22) For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.
Why did the Son come to His final hour?
(John 12:27-28) Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. 28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Holiness is God’s basic character
God’s Glory is the manifestation of His Holiness
B. Man’s Greatest Need is the Glory of God
(John Piper, Brothers, We are Not Professionals, p7)
God’s ultimate commitment is to Himself and not to us. And therein, lies our security. God loves His glory above all.
1. God’s Perfect Love flows from His Holiness
Therefore, His Perfect Love is His Glory
2. God’s Boundless Grace flows from His Holiness
Therefore, His infinite grace is His Glory
3. God’s Unending Mercy Flows from His Holiness
Therefore, His Unending Mercy is His Glory
4. God’s Goodness Flows from His Holiness
Therefore, His Goodness is His Glory
C. Therefore, Man’s Basic Purpose is to Glorify God
II. IMPORTANCE OF MAN FULFILLING HIS PRIMARY PURPOSE
TO GLORIFY GOD
A. Provides Man an Accurate Perspective of Life
God was not created for man
Man was created for God
(Rev 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.
B. Provides Man an Opportunity for a Proper Relationship with God
(Matt 6:9-10) After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
C. Provides Man the Correct Starting Point of Every Decision of Life
Not: How will this bless me?
But: How will this glorify God?
Can you imagine trying to put together a thousand piece project and starting in the middle of the instructions? It would be a disaster as you would make a terrible mess. That is like trying to live life starting at the wrong point.
Remember: The starting point of Scripture: In the beginning God....
III. BLESSINGS OF FULFILLING OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE
TO GLORIFY GOD
Knowing and Fulfilling your Purpose...
1) Gives meaning to your life
Gives Motivation/Passion to your life
(Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life, p21)
Andrei Bitov, a Russian novelist, grew up under an atheist communist regime. But God got his attention one dreary day. He recalls, “In my twenty-seventh year, while riding the metro in Leningrad I was overcome with a despair so great that life seemed to stop at once, preempting the future entirely, let alone any meaning. Suddenly, all by itself, a phrase appeared: Without God life makes no sense. Repeating it in astonishment, I rode the phrase up like a moving staircase, got out of the metro and walked into God’s light”
