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What Is Needed In Religion? Seeing The Big Picture Introduction:
Remember the story of the four blind men and the elephant. Each touched a part
and concluded they were touching different things. We have to see the big
picture. God
sees all, knows all, and understands the “Big Picture” because He is the
creator, Psalm 145. Man
tends to be self centered, and short sighted, our concept of time is different
that God’s, 2 Peter 3.8ff. We need
to see the Big Picture. I)
God Created Us A)
Without God we could not exist, we did not make ourselves, Isaiah 43.7 B)
Our purpose is the one that God gave us, 2 Timothy 1.8-9 1.
Solomon took a look at the Big Picture with and without God.
a. Big Picture – nothing new under the sun (chapter 1), there is something
more to life than accumulating wealth or gaining power or having a good
time (1.14; 2.1), time and chance happen to us all (9.11), we die and leave
everything behind (2.21).
b. Ultimately the righteous and wicked die and are soon forgotten.
Ecc. 12.13 2.
The only reason for man to exist is to glorify God, Psalm
86.9
a. When we forget our purpose we look for substitutes and become self
centered and self willed.
b. Look at Romans 1 for a description of man without God and then look at
our
world. 3.
We can only glorify God in Christ, 1
Timothy 2.5-6 C)
God Created Us For Heaven 1.
Heaven first and then man.
a. Heaven is a spiritual place, the abode of God; and man is a spiritual
creature.
b. God determines those that will and will not go to heaven. 2.
We will only make it to heaven by God’s grace; Jesus sacrifice, and our
obedience, Ephesians 2.8-10. II)
The Church Is the Manifold Wisdom of God, Ephesians 1.10, 11, 22-23 A)
Church is the saved, those in Christ, those redeemed by the blood of Jesus,
Ephesians 1.7 1.
God is not glorified when the church does not do its work, divides, teaches
error, or becomes lazy. 2.
When one looks at the foundation and head of the church which is Jesus he is
looking at God’s building.
a. The church is not a building or a man made organization.
b. People are often impressed by the size of a building or the number of
people but that does not matter. B)
How does the church glorify God? 1.
In its worship – man has forgotten that worship is aimed at God and not man.
a. To worship God we must have an attitude of reverence and respect.
b. Prayers aimed at Him and praising Him for what He has done for us and
asking for His blessings.
b. Singing with our hearts songs of praise and spiritual hymns.
c. Teaching/preaching the truth of God
d. Giving as we have been prospered
e. Remembering the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross as we partake of the
Lord’s Supper 2.
The church glorifies God in its unity, John
17.20-21
a. All the members working together, speaking the same thing, loving each
other
b. Through love all the world will know you are my disciples, John
13.34-35 3.
The church glorifies God in its work
a. Edification, building up its members
b. Evangelism – reaching out with the Gospel to a lost world
c. Benevolence – helping needy saints III)
Our Marriage Needs To Glorify God A)
Respect and honor God’s law on marriage 1.
Marriage is for a lifetime, Genesis 2.24 2.
Marriage requires commitment, to forsake all others B)
Respect and honor your purpose and responsibilities in your marriage 1.
Husband and wife to love each other 2.
How do I know if my husband/wife will love me? Pick a mate that loves God and
they will love you. C)
Make sure your home is aimed in the right direction. 1.
Some homes are aimed at the world and the ways of the world. Worldly activities
are first and God is second. 2.
Other homes are aimed at God. IV)
As Parents We Should Glorify God A)
Rear our children according to God’s word, Ephesians 6.4 B)
Children have a natural desire to learn, take the time to teach them about God. C)
Our jobs as parents is to instill knowledge and a desire to please and serve God V)
Our Lives Should Be Spent Glorifying God,
1 Peter 4.13-16 A)
We should live as Christians 1.
Too many are wearing the name of Christ but not living for Him. 2.
See supposed Christians swearing, wearing immodest clothing, drinking, being
immoral.
a. Joseph kept himself pure because he understood what sin would do to
his relationship with God and his master.
b. Moses left the household of Pharaoh because he saw beyond the
immediate
c. Abraham left his homeland because he desired a better country. 3.
Great servants of God had a choice and they made their choice based on the Big
Picture. B)
Before you can live as a Christian you must become a Christian 1.
Then keep seeing the Big Picture. 2.
Many of the trials and pleasures of this life are temporary. Heaven and hell is
not. Conclusion:
We all make fundamental decisions that affect the rest of our lives. We decide
our outlook on life; what we trust and believe; who we are going to serve, etc.
Those decisions will affect our live here and on the other side of the grave. |