INTRODUCTION

1. Time and time again, the Scriptures ascribe glory to God.

   1. For example, the Book of Psalms is filled with messages that glorify God.

   2. In the New Testament, several passages of doxology (lit. "words of glory") are found.  Consider a few:

      1. Romans 11:36 -- For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever.  Amen.

      2. Ephesians 3:20-21 -- ²⁰Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.

      3. 2Timothy 4:18 -- ... to Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

      4. 2Peter 3:18 -- ...To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen.

      5. Revelation 1:6 -- ...to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.

2. With this message abounding in the Scriptures, it is apparent that the glorification of God should be a goal for us and an ambition for our lives.

    

GLORIFY GOD

1. Glory is splendor, brightness, honor, or renown.

   1. In terms of brightness, glory may be understood by the light of the heavenly bodies.  In 1Corinthians 15:41, the Scripture says, "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory."

   2. The glory of God has been manifested to man at times in visible displays, such as in the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), the temple (1Ki. 8:11), or the transfiguration of Christ (Matt. 17:2).

   3. However, the glory of God exceeds even these visible manifestations, for His glory transcends temporal things.

      1. God's glory is the product of His holiness, power, wisdom, grace, mercy, love, and a host of other characteristics that make Him glorious.

      2. These traits of God preceded the world, and they will continue after the world ceases to exist. Therefore, God's glory is eternal and far greater than the material world.

2. It is our purpose as Christians to bring glory to God through Christ.

   1. In speaking of Israel, God described them as "everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made" (Isa. 43:7).

   2. Today, that description rightly falls to us who are Christians, for we are now called "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1Pet. 2:9).

   3. We proclaim God's excellencies and bring glory to Him by what we say and do.  Our lives should glorify Him rather than ourselves or others.

      1. The Lord Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).  Such a way of life is a contrast to that of hypocrites, who practice righteousness to be seen by men for their own glory (Matt. 6:1-18).

      2. Jesus also said, "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples" (John 15:8).  The bearing of "much fruit" happens over a lifetime of service to God.  A little fruit is not sufficient for God's glory.

      3. The glory of God is to be the underlying motivation of all we do according to 1Peter 4:11, which says, "Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.  Amen."

      4. Also notice 1Corinthians 6:20 ("For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body") and 1Corinthians 10:31 ("Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God").

      5. Even "if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name" (1Pet. 4:16).

          

GLORIFYING GOD: TWO CASES IN CONTRAST

1. In Acts 12:20-24, the evil king Herod did not glorify God, and he paid a severe penalty.

   1. When the people of Tyre and Sidon came to seek peace with Herod, they flattered him with praise.  When he spoke, they said, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" (v. 22).

   2. The result of this was severe for Herod.  Notice verse 23:

      And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

   3. Josephus says that Herod, who was 54 years old, suffered for five days with violent pain before his death (Josephus, Antiquities 19.8.2 343-361).

   4. Consider two lessons from this account.

      1. Not even a king is worthy to receive the glory that is rightfully God's.  Men who accept accolades suggesting that they are infallible or omnipotent are robbing God of His glory.

      2. Herod received no immediate punishment for murder of an apostle of Christ (Acts 12:1-2), but he was immediately struck by an angel when he accepted glory as a god.  Perhaps this contrast gives us a perspective on the relative gravity of Herod's offenses.

2. In Acts 14:11-20, Paul and Barnabas gave glory to God, and the fickle men turned against them.

   1. When Paul healed a lame man at Lystra, the multitude of Pagan people began saying, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us" (v. 11).  They believed Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was Hermes, and they attempted to offer sacrifices to them (vv. 12-13).

   2. In response, Paul and Barnabas tore their robes and said,

      ¹⁵"Men, why are you doing these things?  We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.  ¹⁶In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; ¹⁷and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

   3. Even after giving glory to God, the Scripture says that "with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them" (v. 18).

   4. However, the people quickly turned against them.

      1. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra and turned the people against Paul and Barnabas so that they stoned Paul and supposed him to be dead (v. 19).

      2. Having been dragged out of the city, Paul revived and returned into the city again (v. 20).

      3. How quickly men can change their minds!  In a single day, the multitude went from attempting to worship Paul to attempting to murder him.

   5. Consider a few lessons concerning the glory of God.

      1. Paul and Barnabas gave glory where glory was due, and so should we.

         1. It was God who had healed the lame man, and these men would not accept glory for God's works.

         2. We likewise should give glory to God for His works. Any good that we may do is a credit to God, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).

      2. The glory of God does not often meet the approval of man, but we must not be ashamed.

         1. Both the pagans and the Jews at Lystra rejected Paul and Barnabas when they glorified God.  Even so, their rejection did not stop Paul and Barnabas from giving God the glory.

         2. Are we prepared for such a direct fulfillment of 1Peter 4:16, which says, "...if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name" (1Pet. 4:16)?

             

CONCLUSION

1. Regardless of the outcome in this world, let us give God the glory that is rightly due.  "To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen" (Eph. 3:21).

2. Concerning Jesus our Savior, let us join the chorus of heaven that says, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).

3. Likewise, let us praise the "Spirit of glory" (1Pet. 4:14) who rests on us for the glory of God.