Dennis Newkirk, Sr. Pastor September 21–22, 2013

 WHY I’M HERE!

The Foundation of Strong Biblical Values

1. GLORIFYING GOD

We value the passionate pursuit of knowing

God and walking with Him.

2. Submitting to the authority of Scripture

3. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ

4. Serving with a kingdom perspective

5. Cherishing the local church

6. Doing life together as a Christ-centered community

 

SERMO

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OTES

Vision: Our vision is to become a diverse1  family2  of  surrendered  and  transformed3  people  who  passionately  love  God4  and  others5.  We  endeavor to be a body that is overcome by the reality that this life is not about us6,  but all about the glory of God7.  We want to be transfixed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and compelled by His heart for our world8.  We strive to be seed-­‐throwers9  and fire-­‐starters10,  hope-­‐announcers11  and grace-givers12,  risk-­‐takers13  and constant-reformers14,  lifelong-­‐learners15  and sold-out doers16.  We desire to be a people who gladly give our lives to free the  captive17,  strengthen the  weak18,  embrace the  outcast19  and seek out the lost20.  Because Scripture is our authority21,  we strive to be a family that serves together22,  studies the Word together23,  plays together24,  worships  together25  and lives life together26.  By God’s grace our world will be changed because we are  here.27   ____________________________ 1 Rev. 7:9 2 1 Tim. 5:1–2 3 Rom. 12:2 4 Dt. 6:5; Lk. 10:27; Matt. 22:37 5 Jn. 13:35; Lk. 10:27; Matt. 22:38 6 Ps. 115:1 7 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11 8 Rom. 1:16–17 9 Mk. 4:26–29; Matt. 13:1-23; 1 Cor. 3:5–8 10 2 Tim. 1:6 11 2 Cor. 5:20 12 Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6 13 2 Cor. 4:10; 1 Cor. 15:30; Lk. 21:17–19; Rom. 8:35 14 Heb. 4:12–13; Rom. 12:2 15 Acts 17:11 16 Lk. 9:23 17 Ps. 146:7–8; Lk. 4:18 18 1 Thes. 5:14; Acts 20:35; Rom. 15:1 19 Matt. 25:40; 1 Cor. 14:23–25 20 Lk. 19:10 21 2 Tim. 3:16–17; Rom. 15:4; 22 Phil. 1:27; 1 Pet. 4:10; Gal. 5:13 23 1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 4:2 24 Jn. 13:34–35; 1 Jn. 4:7 25 Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42 26 Acts 2:42–47 27 Acts 17:6; Matt. 5:13–16

I. We are created to glorify God (1 Peter 4:7–11; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 6:20; Philippians 1:17–20).

1 Peter 4:7–11 (ESV)7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV)20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Philippians 1:17–20 (ESV)17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

Westminster Shorter Confession:

Question: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him

forever.

II. How do we glorify God (Psalm 97:9; 29:2)? Psalm 97:9 (ESV)9 For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 29:2 (ESV)2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

To glorify God means to marvel at Who God is, to worship Him

humbly, love Him unreservedly and to surrender to His leadership.

The Bible tells us about specific ways to God. Philippians 2:9–11: We can glorify God through confessing Christ as

Lord. Philippians 2:9–11 (ESV)9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Matthew 5:16: We glorify God through good works.

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12: We can glorify God through keeping our conduct

honorable. 1 Peter 2:12 (ESV)12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Luke 13:13, 17:15, 18:43: We can glorify God in our thankfulness for

what He’s done for us physically and spiritually. Luke 13:13 (ESV)13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. , Luke 17:15 (ESV)15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice;, Luke 18:43 (ESV)43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

1 Corinthians 6:18–20: We glorify God when we remain sexually pure

remembering that we were “bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (ESV)18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

2 Corinthians 9:13: We glorify God when we are generous. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (ESV)13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 1 Peter 4:16: We glorify God through suffering in Jesus’ name. 1 Peter 4:16 (ESV)16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Imagine what could happen in our community if the church passionately lived for the glory of God!

Mission: Love God. Love People. Make Disciples.

The Glorifying God Value is the point of the entire vision statement.