Longview Baptist Church in Franklin, NC (828) 524-6836 Sec@LongviewBC.org

During some of our past Wednesday night Bible studies we’ve seen from Scripture that the purpose of the church is to glorify God (Ephesians 3:21).  That is why we exist both individually and corporately as the body of Christ.  Every time I think of the reality that God has chosen us as His people to bring glory to Him 2 things happen:  First, I stand before Him utterly amazed.  I can’t get over the fact that God would use someone like me (and you!) to bring glory to Himself.  We are fallen, sinful creatures.  Yet, His grace is such that He clothes us in the righteousness of Christ, gives us the privilege of being called a child of God (John 1:12), and then uses us to glorify His name here on earth.

Second, I tremble at the responsibility of being a vessel that God uses.  You, too, should tremble at such an awesome responsibility.  It’s no small thing to be created in God’s image and then chosen for His purpose.  The beauty of having such an awesome responsibility placed on us is that God is the One who equips and enables us to glorify Himself through the power of the Holy Spirit.  So while the task of bringing glory to God seems impossible (and humanly speaking it is) we have the promise and assurance from God that He is the One who is bringing glory to Himself through us, His church!  Our responsibility is to be submissive and obedient to His leadership.

The challenge we face in all of this is to be totally surrendered to His will for our lives—both individually and as a local church.  Can you honestly say you have surrendered your will to Him?  Can you look Him in the face today and truly say, “Not my will, but Yours be done”?  If we are to be a church that glorifies God we must seek to put His will first in all we do.  It is then that we will truly begin bringing glory to Him and thus growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

By His Grace,

Pastor Johnny