Living for God's Glory, Not Our Own

What if this life really weren’t about us?

We are divinely positioned as light bearers.

Christians are strategically placed as the world’s light.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.2 Corinthians 4:6

Jesus followers are positioned to be seen. Our visibility is God’s design.

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Proverbs 4:18

We are reflectors of God’s light.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.Ephesians 5:8-14

Our good works must point to the Father.

Good deeds should direct glory to God, not ourselves.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Luke 16:15

This requires a heart check. We must examine our motives.

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;Isaiah 1:13-16

Glorifying God is our ultimate purpose.

To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.Psalm 9:1

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.Revelation 4:11

Selflessness enables legitimate kingdom impact.

Pride kills our spiritual effectiveness.

To shine brightly we must embrace humility.

Loving and serving others shows the character of Jesus.

Why don’t we let our light shine?

Fear of man Delight in the praise of men Love for the world Unconfessed sin Spiritual laziness Apathy toward the lost Compromise with sinful culture Lack of an authentic walk with Jesus

At the end of the day, we just want Jesus to look good and our Father to be glorified.

Find out what God wants from you and do it. Every day.

Check your heart and ask, “Why?”

Cultivate relationships built on accountability.

Speak and act in ways that identify you with Jesus.