Sermon: Entirely
…how to glory in the Lord
by Chris Cumming
Let us all glory in the Lord.
I have two key verses for you today:
1 Corinthians 1:31
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:17
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
How does one glorieth? How does one glory in the Lord?
1 Corinthians 1:31 says “as it is written.” Written where? By whom is
it written? What was he talking about? What is the opposite of “glory
in the Lord”? What does this all have to do with sanctification?
Today, we will answer these questions as I encourage all of us to Glory
in the Lord.
In my full immersion sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:18 we learn that in the
salvation process we go from “glory to glory.”
Let us read that verse:
2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a
glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
As we know, this verse is a perfect description and definition of the
salvation process.
We learn in our study of this verse that the phrase, “glory to glory” is
describing the firstfruit as he or she produces fruit along the pathway
of Righteousness and Piety.
Every time we manifest the power of the Holy Spirit, that fruit is
produced. However, we are not producing that fruit. God is producing
it in us by His Son, Jesus Christ and by the power of God, the Holy
Spirit. The glory goes to God.
Let us go back to our two key verses to see what we can learn.
1 Corinthians 1:31
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord.
Commentary:
As it is written
- This is evidently a quotation made from Jeremiah 9:23-24. It is not
made literally; but the apostle has “condensed” the sense of the prophet
into a few words, and has retained essentially his idea.
Quoted verse:
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment,
and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith
the LORD.
We will discuss this verse later. Now back to the phrases of 1
Corinthians 1:31.
He that glorieth
- He that boasts or exults.
In the Lord
- Not ascribing his salvation to human abilities, or learning, or rank,
but entirely to God. And from this we see:
(1) That the design of the plan of salvation is to exalt God in view of
the mind.
(2) that the design is to make us humble; and this is the design also of all his works no less than of the plan of salvation. All just views of the creation tend to produce true humility.
(3) it is an evidence of piety when we are thus disposed to exalt God, and to be humble. It shows that the heart is changed; and that we are truly disposed to honor him.
(4) we may rejoice in
God. We have no strength, and no righteousness of which to boast; but we
may rejoice in him. He is full of goodness and mercy. He is able to save
us. He can redeem us out of the hand of all our enemies. And when we are
conscious that we are poor, and feeble, and helpless; when oppressed
with a sense of sin, we may rejoice in him as our God; and exult in him
as our Saviour and Redeemer. True piety will delight to come and lay
everything at his feet; and whatever may be our rank, or talent, or
learning, we shall rejoice to come with the temper of the humblest child
of poverty, and sorrow, and lack, and to say, “not unto us, not unto us,
but unto thy name give glory for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake,”
Psalm 115:1.
~Barnes Notes
From the John Gill:
He that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord
- not in his own wisdom, riches, and strength; but in Christ, as
his wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
~John Gill
Our second key verse is 2 Corinthians 10:17 which reads
2 Corinthians 10:17
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
For this verse, we need to read the entire chapter to get the context.
What we are about to see is the concept of firstfruits decreasing and
Christ increasing and getting all the glory for all we do.
2 Corinthians 10:1-18
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold
toward you:
2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that
confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us
as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled.
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to
himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that,
as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the
Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I
should not be ashamed:
9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
11 Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters
when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves
with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to
the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to
reach even unto you.
14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached
not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the
gospel of Christ:
15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's
labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be
enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in
another man's line of things made ready to our hand.
17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord
commendeth.
Here is the commentary from the People's New Testament for verses 17 and
18:
But he that glorieth, let him, etc.
- Quoted from Jeremiah 11:23. It gives the true rule of boasting. Let
the Lord be our boast, for we are nothing.
He whom the Lord commendeth
- is the one who hath approval; not he who commends himself; a hint to
every disciple and preacher. Let our works and life speak for us, not
our lips.
~People's New Testament
Now to the verses being referred to in Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 9:23-24
23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment,
and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith
the LORD.
Let us look at the commentary on verse 24:
Verse 24
This is the prophet’s remedy for the healing of the nation. It is the
true understanding and knowledge of God, of which the first means the
spiritual enlightenment of the mind 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, the other the
training of the heart unto obedience John 8:31-32. This knowledge of God
is further said to find in Him three chief attributes,
(1) “lovingkindness,” i. e., readiness to show grace and mercy;
(2) “judgment,” a belief in which is declared in Hebrews 11:6 to be
essential to faith;
(3) “righteousness,” which is essential to religion absolutely.
Quoted verses:
1 Corinthians 2:13-14
...speaking to spiritual enlightenment
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things
with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned.
John 8:31-32
...training of the heart unto obedience
31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue
in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Hebrews 11:6
...judgment essential to faith
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to
God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.
Unless men believe that God’s dealings with them in life and death are
right and just, they can neither love nor reverence him.
~Barnes Notes
Go now to Proverbs 27:2:
Proverbs 27:2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and
not thine own lips.
Now the commentary:
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth - Men should do those things which are praiseworthy; and should do
them openly, that they may be seen and praised for them: for it is
honorable to have such a character as Demetrius had, who had a good
report of all men; and as the brother had, whose praise in the Gospel
was in all the churches. To be commended by others, by any but a man's
self, is to his credit and reputation; but nothing more hurtful to it
than self-commendation; see 2 Corinthians 10:18; in some cases it is
right for a man indeed to commend himself, when the glory of God, the
credit of religion, the cause of truth and self-vindication, require it;
as the prophet Samuel, the Apostle Paul, and others, have been obliged
to do, 1 Samuel 12:3.
Quoted verses:
2 Corinthians 10:18
is one of our key verses [above].
1 Samuel 12:3
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his
anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have
I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any
bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.
Continuing in the commentary on Proverbs 27:2, which reads:
Proverbs 27:2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and
not thine own lips.
a stranger, and not thine own lips
- a stranger means any other than a man's self; and if it is one that he
knows not, or has little acquaintance with; or if a foreigner, that does
not personally know him, only has good testimonies of him, or has read
his works; and especially if in other respects an enemy; it is greatly
to his honour to be praised by him: and such a commendation comes with
much better grace than from himself, and from whom indeed it would not
come with any.
~John Gill
I want to get into more scriptures on being a glory to God but first I
want to talk a bit about Invoking. A glory to God is established…it
takes place, when we manifest the power of God in the form of a Godly
principle or fruit of the Spirit.
Manfest:
From the Dictionary:
To call on (a higher power)
for assistance, support, or inspiration.
To call for earnestly; solicit:
To resort to; use or apply:
Computer Science. To activate or start a program,
From Roget's Thesaurus:
To compel observance of
Carry out
Effect
Enforce
Execute
Implement
Put in force
Put into action
How to
Manfest
Knowledge and Understanding
1] Learn all you can about a given Godly Principle [Knowledge
and Understanding].
2] Find out how the principle is applied.
3] Determine in what opportunity scenarios the principle might be
manifested or carried out.
4] Look for those opportunities.
Wisdom
5] Boldly execute.
Follow-up and Debriefing
6] Keep a journal in two parts: a) the bold executions and b) the
opportunities missed. The first part is the joy of the recollection [see sermonette, “20-Dollar Tip”] and the second will be a tool to eventually master the art of
finding those opportunities.
Examples of Invoking.
I will use the examples of honesty and giving.
Honesty
Verses on Honesty
I could give you scores and you know virtually all of them. Here are
two:
Proverbs 19:1
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is
perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Colossians 3:9
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his
deeds;
Situations where one would manifest Honesty:
---by never lying.
---by never stealing.
---by never cheating.
---when you see someone unknowingly drop a valuable, retrieve it and
return to owner.
---notifying the clerk when they fail to charge you for something or
give you too much change.
---producing an accurate resume and being truthful in the interview.
---returning borrowed items promptly.
---do your own homework.
---keep a promise; keep your word.
---be on time.
---admit your mistakes.
---keep a confidence.
---thank others, acknowledge others and praise others for their honesty.
---express your true feelings.
---be honest in communication with God.
Giving
Verses on Giving:
Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support
the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It
is more blessed to give than to receive.
Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices
God is well pleased.
Proverbs 3:26
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being
taken.
Situations where one would manifest Giving
---give of your money
---your possessions
---your time
---your talent
---your fellowship
---your communication
---give help to the known needy.
---give to charities.
---look for opportunities to give to your neighbors and relatives.
---be a generous tipper.
---do random acts of kindness.
---watch for opportunities in the world.
Now let us look at some additional scriptures on being a glory to the
Lord. My purpose here is to show you that:
a] all glory belongs to God.
b] that all glory we do is by virtue and the will of the Father.
c] that all strength we have to manifest a glory comes from God.
d] that one the foremost glories we manifest is to praise God
Did God's glory fill the tabernacle in the wilderness?
Exodus 40:34
Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the
LORD filled the tabernacle.
Does the glory of God appear unto us?
Leviticus 9:6
...speaking of Moses who commands Aaron to
prepare a sin offering
And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commanded
that ye should do: and the glory of the LORD shall appear unto you.
Did the glory of God ever appear to the people in the wilderness?
Leviticus 9:23
And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and
came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared
unto all the people.
Will the glory of God someday fill the whole earth?
Numbers 14:21
...speaking in part to the promised land and
ultimately the whole earth.
But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of
the LORD.
In Deuteronomy do we witness God showing His glory and greatness to the
children of Israel and if so, how?
Deuteronomy 5:24
And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his
greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we
have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Who is our glory?
Psalm 3:3
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of
mine head.
Where does God set His glory?
Psalm 8:1
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast
set thy glory above the heavens.
Who is this King of glory?
Psalm 24:10
Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Selah.
Am I to give God both glory and strength?
Psalm 29:1-2
1 A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD
glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in
the beauty of holiness.
From the Treasury of David commentary:
“Give,” i.e., ascribe. Neither men nor angels can confer anything upon
God, but they should recognize his glory and might, and ascribe it to
him in their songs and in their hearts. “Unto the Lord,” and unto him
alone, must honour be given. ~Treasury of
David
As I am going from "glory to glory" [2 Corinthians 3:18], in my
salvation process, should my glory sing praises to God?
Psalm 30:12
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O
LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
From Barnes Notes:
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee
- Margin, my “tongue,” or my “soul.” DeWette renders it, “my heart.”
~Barnes Notes
Does God give us grace and glory?
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and
glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Note: The commentaries say
that He gives us grace, favor, glory and honor here and now, as well as
in the Kingdom of God.
He is giving us all we need to manifest the glory. The glory is
manifested in and through Jesus Christ in us.
Does God get glory for giving purpose to all things?
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Note: Would it not follow then
that we manifest a glory when we use things according to purpose or
sanctification?
When we acknowledge Jesus Christ, is that a glory to God the Father?
Philippians 2:11
And that every tongue should confess [acknowledge]
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Notice the commentary...
And that every tongue should confess -
That all those before mentioned should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is
Lord, or absolute governor, and thus glorify God the Father, who has
exalted this human nature to this state of ineffable glory.
~Adam Clarke
Is our salvation process and growing in Knowledge of Jesus Christ a
glory which belongs to God?
2 Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Seeing now that by the power of God in us we move from glory to glory
and acknowledge that this is the glory of God in and through us, what is
my prayer for all of you?
Ephesians 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give
unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
So continue now in your walk from glory to glory and give all that glory
to Almighty God...ENTIRELY.