Testimonies that glorify God

Topics: God, God's glory

I. We are created for God's glory

* Paul was zealous to glorify God even before he knew Him!

1. "Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made" (Isaiah 43:7).
2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen (Galatians 1:3-5).
3. Then 3 years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother (Galatians 1:18, 19).

II. We are saved for God's glory

* Paul's radical conversion resulted in believers glorifying God!

1. Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy." And they were glorifying God because of me (Galatians 1:21-24).
2. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).

III. We minister for God's glory

* Paul's dedicated ministry had eternal impact upon countless lives!

1. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12).
2. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:20, 21).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, September 22^nd, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"Testimonies that glorify God"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Having a well thought through written testimony is a valuable tool for ministry. Encourage each person to write out and share their personal testimony. Try to keep it to about 3 minutes.

Getting Started:

1. Do you realize that every person was created for God's glory (Isaiah 43:7) = for His honor, majesty and splendor? How does that influence your view of people?
2. How does Jesus rescue us from this present evil age for His glory (Galatians 1:3-5)?

Discussing Truths:

1. In Paul's defense of the gospel and his apostleship, he clearly explained that the gospel was from divine revelation and that he was affirmed by the early church. Why was his three years of ministry preparation so important (Galatians 1:18, 19)?
2. How do the Messianic prophecies of God's glory in Isaiah 49:3, 6, 7 clearly reveal the Great Commission of bringing salvation to the whole world?
3. Why is it helpful to balance your testimony in telling about your past, how you came to know Jesus and how He has transformed your life? How did God use your mess and turn it into a message? How did He use your test and turn it into a testimony?
4. Paul's radical conversion got people?s attention (Galatians 1:22-24); does your conversion cause people to notice the change in your life?
5. How can we glorify God in our earthly bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)?
6. Has someone else's testimony impacted your life spiritually?
7. What is the difference between a testimony in a court of law's legal system and a testimony of one's Christian conversion? Which is more powerful?

Now What? Application:

1. Share your testimony this week with someone. If God leads you, would you record your testimony on video with Troy?
2. Take time to solemnly pray 2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12 so that Jesus is glorified in you!