Introduction:   

The Heavenly Father created us in His own image.

Gen. 1:26-28, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:  and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it:  and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

We as thoughtful children express our love and respect to or for our parents.  This is true whether or not they’re still living.  Conscientious children would avoid bringing disgrace unto their parents.  Even more so, as Christians, we should seek to glorify our Heavenly Father.  The term “glorify” means to praise, magnify, extol, celebrate, honor, adorn with luster, and to clothe with splendor. 

In the past there were those who refused to glorify God.  Those ungodly individuals did not wish to retain God in their knowledge.   

Rom. 1:18-32, (Either read or elaborate upon this passage). 

The physical universe provides adequate evidence of God and declares His glory. 

Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handywork.” 

Rom. 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” 

Even the Son of God, while upon earth, gave the Heavenly Father glory. 

We learn at John 17:4, while praying unto the Heavenly Father Jesus said, “I have glorified thee on the earth:  I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” 

IN WHAT WAYS CAN YOU & I GLORIFY GOD & BRING GLORY UNTO HIS NAME? 

DISCUSSION: 

I.                   WE GLORIFY GOD BY BEING IN HIS FAMILY.

A.     In order to be in the family of God we must be born again.

1.      Being born again is a spiritual birth.

John 3:3-5, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 

B.     Members of a family will either bring honor or dishonor to their family. 

Eph. 3:15-17, “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” 

C.     Those outside the family of God have no promise of a single spiritual blessing. 

Eph. 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” 

II.                WE GLORIFY GOD BY BEING IN HIS CHURCH. 

Eph. 3:21, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.  Amen.” 

Acts 2:47, “Praising God, and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” 

Eph. 5:23, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:  and he is the savior of the body.” 

Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” 

III.             WE GLORIFY GOD IN THE NAME CHRISTIAN. 

Isaiah 62:2, “And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory:  and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” 

Acts 10; Acts 11:26, “…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” 

I Pet. 4:16, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”   “…in this name.” (R. V.) 

Acts 5:41, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” 

IV.              WE GLORIFY GOD IN OUR LIVES. 

Matt. 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Also:  Acts 4:13; Phil. 1:21. 

II Cor. 3:2, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:” 

John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” 

CONCLUSION:

John 17:5, “And now, O Father, glory thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” 

John 13:31, “Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” 

   Faithful children of God will receive glory in Heaven after our life on earth is over. 

1 Pet. 5:1, 10, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 

Rom. 8:17-18, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

--Dub Mowery