Sermon Central
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Living In A Way That Glorifies God
Contributed by Joe Hall on Dec 2, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: How I can know my life is pleasing to God.
A Life that Glorifies God
23. All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.
25. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26. For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.
27. If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:
29. Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
30. For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
When General Lee heard that Stonewall Jackson had been wounded at Chancellorsville, he sent him a note which read:
General; I have just received your note, informing me that you were wounded. I cannot expre4ss my regrets at the occurrence. Could I have directed events, I should have chosen for the good of the country to be disabled in your place.
I congratulate you upon the victory, which is due to your skill and energy. Very respectfully your obedient servant, R.E. Lee, General”
When the note was delivered and read to Jackson, he turned to the wall for a few minutes and then look back at Lee’s aide and said, “General Lee is very kind, but he should give the praise to God.”
The great composer Bach said, “All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; hwere this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-bub.”
He always headed his compositions “J.J.” The letters stood for “Jesus Juva” which means “Jesus Help Me.”
He ended them “S.D.G.” the letters stood for “Soli Dei Gratia” which means “to God alone be the praise.”
In our text Paul tells that in everything we do, God should be praised and glorified. We read in verse 31, “Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
The word glory speaks of something or someone that is worthy of praise or exaltation..
Giving the glory to God is to acknowledge Him as the One worthy of praise and exaltation and ascribing Him praise and exaltation.
The Psalmist said in Psalm 21:1-2; 1. Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Our Lord deserves glory, He desires glory, and the Psalmist declares, He is due glory.
As believers we give God glory both with our lips and our life.
As we look at Paul’s words we see that it is giving God glory with our life that is his focus. He talks about what we do and not necessarily what we say.
Paul describes in verses 23-33 a life that glorifies God. He describes a life that is ruled by certain principles.
Let’s look at the life he describes and learn about the kind of life that glorifies God.
In a life that Glorifies God we see:
1. A Gauge That Is Applied to Life!
In a life that glorifies God a certain spiritual gauge is applied to one’s personal life. It is a gauge by which all things in life are evaluated and assessed.
Notice the gauge that Paul Describes . In verse 23 he says, “all things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
Twice in verse 23 Paul speaks of that which is lawful. We have see the phrase earlier in I Corinthians.
It is a phrase that is used to speak about the freedom and liberty that we have in Christ.
Paul used it in reference to the gray areas of life. You know those areas that aren’t quiet black and white. Those areas where something isn’t identified as right or wrong.
