Ruth 1:16-18; Colossians 1:27; Luke 7:36-42
Introduction
At Ashtown Presby, we want to be known as a church Where the Presence of God is Present. That when people walk through our doors, they can feel that there is something different about this place. That they can sense the presence of the Holy Spirit. That they can sense that there are some people here who are passionate about 'Knowing Christ and Making Him Better Known'. That many people are drawn into our service like moths on the light. Not just because of who we have become, but because of who Christ Jesus is, what He is doing for us, and what He is able to do for us also.
The Presence of Christ in us as individuals and in us as a group is very important to our Christian faith, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:19-20 (ESV)
Glorifying God
The glory of God is His majesty and the honor due to His name. Israel of old and the Church [the chosen ones] today are called by God to bring glory to His holy name.
The glory of God in Hebrew is 'kabod' which connotes; grandeur, power, and might. God's glory manifests itself in several ways. We see it as a consuming or devouring fire at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 24:17) and at the newly built temple by Solomon. So overwhelming was the glory that the priests could not even enter the house (2 Chronicles 7:1-2).
In 1 Samuel 4:19-22, we see the glory of God as the Ark of Covenant departing from Israel. Then, in Ezekiel 10, the sad spectacle of God’s glory departs the Temple as a bright cloud and the image of jewel-encrusted wheels.
In the Bible, the glory of God is presented as the aim of His action in the world. Let's consider this, God created people for His own glory (Isaiah 43:7), and He restrained His anger and redeemed His people so that His name would be magnified (Isaiah 48:9-11; cf. Isaiah 43:25; Ezekiel 20:9). Accordingly, a central part of Israel’s worship was to give God the glory that was due to His name. So we ought to give glory to God.
In glorifying God, the PCG catechism ask the question, What is humankind's highest purpose in life? The answer: "Humankind's highest purpose is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. The Lord says, 'My Father is glorified by this, that you bear fruit and become My disciples." (John 15:8). Christ in you should give you hope to glorify God always in your life.
To glorify God as a child of God, I will put it simply the manifestation of the presence of God in your life always. Making Christ your way of life as the PCG women say, 'we will make Christ known to everyone in the home, and in the market.' This is the act of glorifying God.
From the above study, we can now understand that glorifying God is not just enshrined in the confession of the mouth like we see in Romans 10:9. It is the daily living in His presence always.
The Hope to Glorify God
Apostle Paul takes us through hope by saying, "Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25 (ESV). If God gives you hope, it is because He has placed you in an unknown or uncertain space. It is with patience and endurance bounded with a determination that we are able to wait and glorify God.
Ruth determined to go with her poor old disappointed and probably retched former mother-in-law not because she had seen some gold to be dug. Naomi indicated to Ruth and Orpah that she has no hope (Ruth 1:12). Be it somewhere, Naomi would be classified as a witch coming home after devouring her husband and two sons who ought to be avoided. "But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”" Ruth 1:16-17 (ESV)
This is a determination to always make the old woman a part of her. God expects such determination from us. That is good or bad, we will not leave nor forsake Him.
Unlike Ruth, we often leave God when the situation seems too difficult and uncertain. We run to 'abosom' for consultations and 'akwankyere' to have a glossy life. We leave Christ and carry our burdens to the wrong places. That is 'ikabod' the departure of the glory of God.
Christ in you must put away all fears because He holds the future and knows the end from the beginning. God is willing and can always do it for us.
The hope to glorify God is also available to those outside of the 'fence'. "Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”" Luke 7:39 (ESV) Jesus was not ignorant of the woman as the Pharisee thought. So He gave Simon a parable, “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Luke 7:41-42 (ESV) God has divinely made His glory available in the mouth of those who were once thought of as great sinners.
You may have been the rejected soul of society - legally, ethically, and morally, God knows you, and His arms are opened to receive you just as you are. God qualifies those He calls.
Your hope in Christ must be so strong to leave behind what you see and even hold and with a leap of faith, commit all your ways to Christ.
God knows you, He says, "“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV). Who are you before God; Hot or cold? The things you hold so dear in the world are but a fleeting thing. Receive Jesus today as He says, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:19-20
When we make the mystery of God visible in our way of life to the world, that is where God is glorified. "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." Colossians 1:27-28 (ESV)
Woman
As mothers, God has laid the root of the world on your laps. The family which is the microcosm of the global world is made possible in the hands of responsible mothers.
As we celebrate this Year's Mother's Day, we want to appreciate every woman especially all women of faith. Let the presence of Christ in you give you hope to glorify God always.
Conclusion
Glorifying God is being appreciative of God's magnificent presence with you. In every situation, manifest Christ's glory, and your bedrock to glorify God is to hold unto the hope Christ brings to us. If in Christ alone our hope is found, we are able to cling to Him always. God be our strength. Amen!
Shalom aleikhem...
