TO HIM BE THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER

October 14, 2023

“To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  Ephesians 3:21 

God’s power is at work for His glory in the church. He has chosen to use the church as the means of demonstrating His power and revealing His glory – not because of our strength and power, but to reveal His strength and power in our weakness. 

The apostle Paul provides a living testimony of this truth. Paul repeatedly says, “I am who I am by the grace of God.” 

We have seen this throughout Ephesians: 

Ephesians 2:4-5, “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.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9, “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.” 

Ephesians 3:7-8, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” 

God uses the church to reveal His glory and His power. Not through our work, power, strength, or plans is God’s glory revealed. His amazing grace and all-sufficient power empower us to live for His glory and reveal His life-giving power to the world. 

To Him be the glory forever and ever!

The question is: will His glory be revealed in us? Make no mistake: His glory will be revealed with or without us. 

But will we have the blessing of participating in making known God’s glory? The way that we can answer “Yes” is through humble repentance. When we acknowledge our neediness and humbly admit our dependence on his grace – His glory is revealed in us.  

With this in mind – I want to call us to repentance. Today, let us consider what in each of our lives needs to be laid at the foot of the cross. Remember our desperate need for Jesus’s power to fill us afresh. Then and only then, we can live for His glory. 

What about you? What can you lay at the foot of the cross?

Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL

DIG DEEPER

Read “Using Your Life for God’s Glory” by Bryant Wright