This Is What Gives Glory To God

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message reminds us that true greatness and glory come not from our own abilities or accomplishments, but from the work of God in our lives. When we surrender to Him and allow His power to flow through us, He can accomplish incredible things that bring Him glory. This is a call to humility and dependence on God, recognizing that apart from Him, we are nothing.

Key Scripture References

• John 15:4-5 - Jesus teaches us that apart from Him, we can do nothing. He says, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you." This is a fundamental principle of our relationship with God – we must stay connected to Him through faith and obedience. When we do, He can produce fruit in our lives that brings glory to the Father.
• Philippians 2:13 - Paul writes, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." This passage reminds us that our ability to obey God's commands and live a life pleasing to Him comes from His power, not our own strength. When we recognize this dependence on God, we open ourselves up to the possibility of amazing things happening through us.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Paul says that his "thorn in the flesh" was given to him so that he would rely on Christ and not on himself. This passage teaches us that God's plan for our lives may involve weakness or limitation, but it is always designed to draw us closer to Him and make us more dependent on His power.
• Psalm 138:8 - David writes, "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O God, endures forever." This passage reminds us that God's plan for our lives is always good and designed to bring Him glory. When we surrender to His purposes, He can accomplish incredible things through us.
• John 14:12 - Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I am doing, and greater works than these he is going to do." This passage teaches us that when we believe in Christ, we are empowered to do great things for God's glory. However, it also reminds us that our greatest accomplishments come not from our own abilities, but from His power working through us.
• Proverbs 19:21 - The writer says, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." This passage reminds us that God's plan for our lives is always superior to our own desires or plans. When we surrender to His purposes, He can bring glory to Himself through our lives.

Key Takeaways

• When we recognize our dependence on God and surrender to His power, He can accomplish incredible things through us that bring Him glory. This is a call to humility and faith in God's ability to work through us.
• Our greatest accomplishments come not from our own abilities or strengths, but from the work of God in our lives. When we stay connected to Him through faith and obedience, He can produce fruit in our lives that brings glory to the Father.
• God's plan for our lives may involve weakness or limitation, but it is always designed to draw us closer to Him and make us more dependent on His power. We must trust in His goodness and sovereignty even when we don't understand what He is doing.
• We are called to be vessels through which God can work. When we surrender to His purposes and allow His power to flow through us, He can bring glory to Himself through our lives.

This Week's Challenge

Take time this week to reflect on your dependence on God and how you are surrendering to His power in your life. Ask yourself: What areas of my life do I need to surrender to God's control? How can I stay connected to Him through faith and obedience, so that He can produce fruit in my life?

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas of your life where you feel like you're trying to accomplish great things on your own, rather than trusting in God's power? Ask the Lord to help you surrender these areas to Him and trust in His ability to work through you.
• How can you encourage a friend or family member who is struggling with feelings of inadequacy or doubt about their abilities? Share how God has worked through your own life, and remind them that they are not alone in their struggles.
• What does it look like for you to "abide" in Christ this week? How can you stay connected to Him through faith and obedience, so that He can produce fruit in your life?