Dear Church Family,
This past Sunday’s sermon closed with a section that asked “Will you glorify God?” If you trust in Christ as your Savior, then the answer can and must be a resounding yes. The last of four applications given pointed us to the truth that how we worship (live) matters. God has shown in Scripture how He is to be worshiped. And all of life is worship. Therefore, God’s people strive by His grace to do everything for the glory of God.
I found yet another J. I. Packer quote that helps guide us in this point. [For those of you who watched the sermon on-line, this quote will be new to you as I found it Friday evening after the service had been recorded.] Chew over this sentence: ‘If you ask, "Why is this happening?" no light may come, but if you ask, "How am I to glorify God now?" there will always be an answer.’
In these 28 words Packer gives God’s people two simple questions and answers that give direction and hope. The psalms of lament assure us we may ask God why anything is happening. Down deep inside all people, since they were created in the image of God, know God controls all things. Sadly, many people will deny this vigorously. Packer quickly states the answer to why may not come right away and we may never know the answer.
The second question takes us from a sometimes dangerous self-focus to proper God-focus. At any time in any situation we can ask ourselves, “How am I to glorify now?” The question rightly assumes we have been called (and commanded) to bring glory to God. This forever remains the reason God created us and all things. The Shorter Catechism’s second question tells us, “The only authority for glorifying and enjoying Him is the Bible.” God’s Word directs us to the answer of how we glorify our Creator, Savior and Lord. We go there for truth and God’s Word shows it “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
As we apply Packer’s quote, we join with David as he sings in Psalm 57:5, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth!”
Living by grace to His glory,
Pastor Gillikin