Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria; to the Glory of God Alone

 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1st Corinthians 10:31)

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. (John 17:4)

As Christians, we should look to Jesus Christ as our supreme example of how to live and honor God. Everything Christ has done is for God's glory. Mark Driscoll summarizes Jesus' God-glorifying early life well.

 "Jesus' ministry began before he started preaching. He obeyed his parents, worked a trade, & loved his neighbors as worship to God."

     Jesus' Ministry continued as he performed miracles, taught in the synagogues, and called His disciples. All of this He did for the chief purpose of giving all the Glory to God (Luke 5:25-26; John 17:1-5).

     As we approach the celebration of resurrection Sunday, we should remember that Jesus' mission on earth was to be unjustly tried, crucified, buried, and resurrected on the third day to display to the world the ultimate illustration of God's Glory. The God of the universe dying and rising from the dead to save His people is the greatest example of God's love. It shows the world not how great we are, but points to the greatness of God, and how valuable His own glory is to Him. 

     Following Jesus' example, we should do everything for God's glory. Whether it's eating or drinking--as the scripture says--washing dishes, preaching, praying, getting cut off in traffic, reading, showering, or working overtime, everything we do should keep the Glory of God in view. 

     One day, the lamb who was slain will return as the Faithful and True one to judge and wage war (Rev. 19:11). On that great day, God's glory will not only be displayed through the love of the crucified Savior, but also through the power of the conquering King.

Isn't It Romantic

     "Now let us hurry on to something much more important-- the romance of preaching! There is nothing like it. It is the greatest work in the world, the most thrilling, the most exciting, the most rewarding, and the most wonderful. I know of nothing comparable to the feeling one has as one walks up the steps of one's pulpit with a fresh sermon on a Sunday morning or a Sunday evening, especially when you feel that you have a message from God and are longing to give it to the people. This is something that one cannot describe. Repeating your best sermon elsewhere never quite gives you that." 

                                                             -Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers

Miscellanies (3/13/13)

     This week is spring break at the community college where I work. Since the school is on spring break, I have decided to take the week off from writing any original material. However, I wanted to share some of my most interesting internet findings over the past few months.
  
     Identities- I found this link on Tim Challies' blog. It is a fascinating photo gallery from a photographer who finds old portraits and then shoots their subjects in the same pose many years later. It reminds me of Psalm 90, "Teach us to number our days that we might apply our hearts unto wisdom."

      How to Study the Bible- This is a post from Ray Ortland's blog. No explanation needed, just go check it out.
     
     The Story of Ian and Larissa- John Piper writes a brief article about a young couple who are displaying the Gospel through their marriage despite overwhelming odds. Please watch this video below; its probably my best internet finding in 2012.

Sola Gratia

     "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
  
(Ephesians 2:1-10)

Sola Gratia; "Grace Alone"

     When I was 19, I was coming home too late from my girlfriend's house and ran my Dodge Dakota off a Tennessee back road . I ran off the gravel road into a shallow ravine, and no one else was involved in the accident. The truck was totaled, and other than a few scrapes and bruises, I was fine. The experience did shake me up a bit, especially when the state trooper that worked the wrecked charged me with reckless driving. 

     

     On the day of my court date a few weeks after the wreck, I stood in front of the judge who announced my case, "The State of Tennessee v. Joshua Caldwell". I felt fire climb up the back of my neck...I was terrified! As a teenager, I liked to spend time with my friends playing video games or music, but I didn't party. I was pretty tame, and this was my first encounter with the law. I stood there bewildered as my case was read. The lawyers who were present discussed things amongst themselves in a whisper, and the judge walked up to me. He spoke with a deep, kind rattle, "Is this is the first time you've been in my courtroom?" Trying to hide the trimmer in my voice, I replied, "yes." 

     

     He told me he was going to reduce my charge to a speeding ticket; fifteen miles over the speed limit. The judge showed me grace; favor that I had not earned. The terrifyingly heavy charges against me had been lifted! I rejoiced in the knowledge that my penalties had been greatly reduced. 

     

     Christ, by His grace, has taken away the charge of sin we owe to God, a charge inexpressibly more weighty than my reckless driving charge. And while my charges were reduced, the bible says Christ has completely canceled our penalty and nailed it to the cross. 

    
    "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."
 
(Colossians 2:13-14) 

      Do you rejoice daily in the pardon you've received by grace through faith? How would your life look differently if you lived with a posture of rejoicing over the grace you have been given by God? Let me know in the comments below. 

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! 

Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured
,there where the blood of the Lamb was split.

Grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

grace, grace, God's grace,

grace that is greater than all our sin!

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, 

freely bestowed on all who believe! 

You that are longing to see his face

will you this moment his grace receive?

taken from a hymn by Julia Johnston