LESSON 10
The reason for everything – part 2
1.goal
We will learn that everything in life is all for Him. The reason for everything that exists, including you, is to enhance the glory of God. God made it all for His glory. Without God’s glory, there would be nothing.
2.Introduction
Jesus told the Father, “I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do.”(John 17:4) Jesus honored God by fulfilling His purpose on earth. We honor God the same way. When anything in creation fulfilled the purpose God intended for it, it brings glory to God. Birds bring glory to God by flying, chirping, nesting, and doing other bird-like activities that God intended. Even the lowly ant brings glory to God when it fulfilled the purpose it was created for. God made ants to be ants, and He made you to be you.
There are many ways to bring glory to God, but they can be summarized in God’s five purposes for your life. We will be looking at three of them in this lesson.
3.QUESTION
Discuss how Jesus brought glory to the Father.
- CONTENT
How can I bring glory to God?
We bring God glory by worshipping Him. Worship is our first responsibility to God. We worship God by enjoying Him. C.S. Lewis said, “In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.” God wants our worship to be motivated by love, thanksgiving, and delight, not duty.
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Worship is far more than praising, singing, and praying to God. Worship is a lifestyle of enjoying God, loving Him, and giving ourselves to be used for His purposes. When you use your life for God’s glory, everything you do can become an act of worship. The ultimate form of worship is to live as living sacrifices.
Romans 6:13b“Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” (NLT)
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
We bring God glory by loving other believers. When you were born again, you became a part of God’s family. Following Christ is not just a matter of believing; it also includes belonging and learning to love the family of God. John wrote, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.” (1 John 3:14) Paul said, “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
It is your responsibility to learn how to love as God does, because God is love, and it honors Him. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
We bring God glory by becoming like Christ. Once we are born into God’s family, He wants us to grow to spiritual maturity. What does that look like? Spiritual maturity is becoming like Jesus in the way we think, feel, and act. The more you develop Christ like character, the more you will bring glory to God. The Bible says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
God gave you a new life and a new nature when you accepted Christ. Now, and for the rest of your life on earth, God wants to continue the process of changing your character. The Bible says, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)
5.DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Please describe the character of Christ. What part of His character do you still need to develop by depending on the power of the Holy Spirit?
How do you show God’s love to other Christians?
6.Memorized Scripture
Romans 15:7“Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”
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