Soli Deo Gloria

(To God alone be the Glory)

After Pentecost (IX)

(Church Picnic Sunday)

1 Corinthians 10:23-33

This is one of my favorite verses:

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

Whatever we do, a picnic, cooking, worship, food festival, Bible study gatherings, missions, going to school, driving, sports, everything should be dedicated for the GLORY OF THE LORD.

On of my favorite composers is J. S. Bach. For me he is the “father” of musicians. He is the master. Bach said:

“All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul’s refreshment; where this is not remembered there is no real music but only a devilish hub-hub.”

He always started his compassions by writing two letters: “J. J.” which means: “Jesu, Juva” (Jesus, help).

He finished his works by adding three letters: “S.D.G.” which stand for “Soli Deo Gloria” (to God alone be the glory).

Someone like J.S. Bach, who is a genius in music, realized that all his musical creativity is accomplished for one purpose: “For the Glory of God.” Bach saw that beyond all this music there is God who is the source of everything. Therefore, he started his works by asking for His help, and ended his work by thanking and giving credit to God.

What does it mean to say “Glory to God alone?” (Park Asdoudzo). We use this expression a lot in music, in prayers, in conversation. What do we mean?

Glory in the Bible refers to WORTH, BEUATY and VALUE.

When we say Glory to God, it means we HONOR God, we DEVOTE ourselves to His SERVICE. We WORSHIP God.

In the OT, glory meant weight, substance and radiant beauty. To glorify someone is to recognize someone’s WORTH, BEAUTY.

The Psalmist King David has wonderful writings about this topic:

“O LORD, our Lord,
       how majestic is your name in all the earth!
       You have set your glory
       above the heavens.” (Psalm 8:1)

The best example of understanding how to glorify God is Jesus.

We read in John 17:4, “I have brought you glory on earth. I have finished the work you gave me to do.” (NIRV)

Jesus’ life is the best example that teaches us how we can glorify God in our lives. Look at his life. He lived the simple life of a carpenter; he taught his disciples; he ate with “sinners”; he went to weddings; he went to a picnic and fed 5000; he healed the weak and people in pain; he went to the cross; he was resurrected; he cooked for his disciples a breakfast after resurrection; he did everything for the GLORIFY His Father. In one word, he “FINSIHED the work that was given to Him.”

What is our role? What is my role?

Let me make one point clear. Let me quote from Ray Pritchard, he is pastor in Calvary Memorial Church in Illinois. “Just as we cannot darken the sun we cannot decrease God’s glory, but we can cause others either to see the glory of God or lessen their motivation to behold His splendor.”

Who are we to add or subtract God’s Glory? But our behavior, our life conduct matters.

Psalm 8

“What is man that you are mindful of him,
       the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
       and crowned him with glory and honor.”

OK, God elevated humans and gave them a place close to “heavenly beings.” Yet, we destroy “the glory” that was given from God by depriving ourselves from God. Let me make it clear: we cannot destroy God’s glory. We destroy our lives by not glorifying our Creator. We cannot change God’s glory, but by putting God out of our lives, we will not enjoy His Glory in our lives.

How can we Glorify God practically in our lives?

1. Glorify God in your daily actions. Paul was concerned that the church of Corinth was not glorifying God in their lives. In simple acts and deeds, see if God is glorified. We spoke in previous sermons about the misuse of freedom. He repeats this concept once more in verse 23-24. “Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”

OK, we have the freedom to do whatever we want. Ask yourself, “Am I glorifying the Lord by taking certain decisions in my life?” I had a musician friend who became a Christian. He was playing with one of the best Lebanese bands in Beirut. They used the play in nightclubs. After becoming a Christian, he continued playing with this band. Later on, he realized that his music was not bringing any glory to God. In fact, it was pulling him away form God. Although he had the freedom to play with this band, he changed his lifestyle. He chose something else to honor God with. He became a fulltime pastor, and used his musical talent to glorify God.

The question that one should ask, am I GLORYFYING God in my daily LIFE?

2. Verbally recognize the GLORY of the Lord. David was an expert in this. Reading the Psalms helps me to join him in glorifying God. In my life, learned to declare this. I am a musician and a pastor; I have been on stages and pulpits very often. People come and praise my musical talent. I have learned to say “thank you.” and tell them, “This is for His Glory and He is the One who gives me everything.” We read in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13

¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
       "Praise be to you, O LORD,
       God of our father Israel,
       from everlasting to everlasting.

¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
       and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
       for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
       Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
       you are exalted as head over all.

¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
       you are the ruler of all things.
       In your hands are strength and power
       to exalt and give strength to all.

¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
       and praise your glorious name.”

3. We Glorify God by edifying others. Once a mother was cooking pancakes. His two boys had fight Sako and Raffi. Who will take the fist pancake. Mom said, “Wait. If Jesus were here he would say let his brother take the fist one. Raffi thought for a minute and said. “OK, Sako, you will be Jesus.” Remember how the Corinthians were becoming selfish in everything. ²⁴Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.”(24) Stop being selfish. In the previous church that I served, whenever I organized a trip to go with a bus, there were people who always wanted to sit in the best places, ignoring the weak ones, or the elderly who needed those seats. This act does not glorify God. This act is just thinking about ourselves. I I love to hear from some of you who say, “Badveli, it is OK wherever is available, put me in any available table.”

4. We can Glorify God by recognizing our sin. Paul wrote in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” We need Christ. We need to repent everyday. Our unconfessed sins destroy our relationship with God and with others. If we do not confess our sins, we cannot live a life that glorifies God. One of the worst things that can happen to man is to live a life that is separated from God: DEATH.

5. Therefore the last one: The KEY of all is this: We display God’s glory through Jesus Christ. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"^[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

It is amazing how much Christians can do if they do not mind that the credit goes to Christ and not to themselves. Let the light shine; not my light but His light.

Let me repeat the five points again:

1. Glorify God in your daily actions. 2. Verbally recognize the GLORY of the Lord. 3. We Glorify God by edifying others. 4. We can Glorify God by recognizing our sin. 5. Therefore the last one: The KEY of all is this: We display God’s glory through Jesus Christ.

Let us start our picnic saying, “³¹So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Amen