9/8/2021 Wednesday

Principles for Proving
The Glorification Principle
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
Review
• Help me name the Principles for Proving so far.
– Association Principle – Will this association harm me or others?
– Wedge Principle – Could this lead to something worse?
– Doubt Principle – Am I unsure this is right? If in doubt, don’t!
– Edification Principle – Will this spiritually improve me or others?
– Distinction Principle – Does this keep me distinct from the world?
• By using one or more of these principles, we should be able to determine if the activity or issue passes the Bible test
or not.
• As always, this principle is not a rule, but a tool to help you.
Our Principle this Evening is
What is the Glorification Principle
• First, let’s look at the word “glorification”.
– “Glorification” comes from the word glorify.
• The word “glorify” as used in the Bible means
– to praise, magnify, celebrate
– to honour, do honour to, hold in honour
– to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendour. Thayer
• We may glorify God, others, or ourselves.
• When God is glorified, He gets all the praise and honour; we get none!
– The showiness, dancing, carnal music and immodesty connected with so-called Praise & Worship services does not glorify God.
God Created all for His Glory
• All nature declares God’s glory, and so should we.
– (Psalms 19:1) “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”
• God deserves our glory because He is holy.
– (Isaiah 6:3) “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
• The Bible tells us that we, in body and spirit, are to glorify God.
– (1 Corinthians 6:20) “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
• All that we do is to bring glory to God always.
– (1 Corinthians 10:31) “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
We Ought to Glorify God.
• God deserves our glory – praise, honour, or adorning.
– (Psalms 29:2) “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”
• God is worthy to receive glory and honour.
– (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.”
• He desires that all creation glorify Him.
– (Numbers 14:21) “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.”
The glorification principle answers the question, “Does it glorify God?”
• Every single thing that we do ought to give glory to God.
• If it glorifies self it is sinful.
– (Jeremiah 9:23-24) “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: ”
• If it helps us to understand and know God better, it glorifies God.
– (Jeremiah 9:24) “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.”
– God is always loving and kind.
– His decisions are always just and fair.
– All that He does is always pure and right.
Increasing God’s glory in our minds
• Meditate on God’s worth.
– Sing the chorus “After all He’s Done for Me”.
– Sing the chorus “His Name is Wonderful”.
• Read verses that talk about God’s worth.
– (Psalms 13:6) “I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
– (Psalms 145:3) “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”
– (Psalms 145:3) “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”
– (Psalms 147:5) “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
• Think about what Christ did for you at salvation.
– Sing “At Calvary” and meditate on the Scripture words.
Ask the question, “Does it glorify God?”
• Does the activity, the event, the clothing, the word, the thought, or the music give praise and honour to God?
• Is it worthy of who He is?
• Does this activity make the Lord shine before others?
• If He was physically present, would He be honoured by me doing this thing?
• Is there anything about this choice that
will shame the Lord?
Apply the Principle to Life’s Situations.
• We must ask heart-searching questions
– Does my present walk with God glorify Him?
– When I sing at church, do my focus, thoughts and heart glorify God?
– Does watching a DVD containing blasphemy glorify God?
– Does my attitude toward my spouse glorify God?
– Does working in a news agency glorify God?
– Does modern dancing glorify God?
– Does my choice of friends glorify God?
– Does my children’s education glorify God?
– Does rock-type music (religious or secular) glorify God?
– Does all of my TV and Internet viewing glorify God?
– Do my child rearing methods glorify God?
Conclusion
• (1 Corinthians 10:31) “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
• If it does not give to the Lord the glory due to His name, then we should not do it.