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The chief end of man is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  Westminster Shorter Catechism

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

 Why is glorifying God so important? 

God does all things for His own glory. 

Psalm 19:1-2 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”

Pray

We are week three in looking at what We Believe—the majors, the essentials, what we will divide over.

We have already looked to His being holy, perfect, eternal, and one in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today, we will look to His glory and our opportunity and call to glorify Him.

He is Glory.

• He is the King of Glory. Psalm 24:10
  
  
• At the dedication of the Temple the shekinah (presence) Glory of God was on display. 2 Chronicles 7:1
  
  
• At Jesus’ birth the glory of God was on display. Luke 2:9
  
  
• At Jesus’ transfiguration, His glory was revealed. Matthew 17:2
  
  
• Heaven will need no sun because His glory will be light up Heaven. Revelation 21:23

Glory (def)- honor, splendor, “excellent reputation”

“God’s glory is the created brightness that surrounds God’s revelation of himself in creation.” Grudem

All things were created for and by His glory to reflect His glory. 

• The heavens. Psalm 19:1-2
  
  
• The earth. Romans 1:18-25
  
  
• Humankind. Isaiah 43:7

Encountering God’s glory is life altering.  Exodus 33:18-23

• Show me your glory.
  
  
• The fullness of God’s glory is a death sentence for a sinful person.
  
  
• While protecting Moses, God provided limited access to himself.
  
  
• When there is an intensity to the presence of God’s glory, the Hebrews use the term Shekinah (presence or dwelling)
  
  
• One who encounters the glory of God will physically reflect His glory.
  
  
• The veil reveals that the glory (decreasing in radiance on his face) is not sourced from Moses, but by God.

Christ’s work in you is to restore the reflection of God’s glory in and through you.                      
 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

• Sin has hindered our ability to reflect His glory.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Because of sin we present a distorted reflection of God’s glory. [Picture of mirror]

• That is why we need transformation. God taking off our veil. 
  
  
• Glory of truth = condemnation (9)
  
  
• Glory of transformation = righteousness. (9)
  
  
• Beholding Jesus = beholding God’s glory. (18)
  • Each of the trustworthy translations struggle to fully convey this analogy of Paul. “contemplate” “reflecting” “beholding” “looking into a mirror”

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Benediction:

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”