Worship: Lifting for God’s Glory

Weight: child vs me. O.M.S. Time, Experience, & Exercise can handle more weight.
The more you lift, the more you can lift. The more you can lift, the more your life brings glory to God.

John 12:32 If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.

Glory (Hebrew – Kabod): Splendor, honor, abundance, weight

Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Every time you look to God it’s like getting in a workout. One won’t get it done, you need to do it daily. Some only come out… Jesus lifted everyday – His voice in prayer.

Righteousness:
To be in right standing
Performing the function for which something was designed.
Doing what you are supposed to be doing & not doing what you are not supposed to be doing.

How do we know what we are to do and not to do? God’s word

Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

God gets glory when His children do what they were made to do. To worship Him, and to demonstrate His greatness by how we live.

God is glorified the more we apply the principles in His word to the practical realities of daily life. – Lift – the more we do, the more weight / glory we can handle.

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

How to get chosen? How do we discern our call, fulfill our purpose, and reflect the glory of God? Jesus is asking, “bro, do you even lift”

John Bevere: Driven by Eternity

1. Seek God Diligently
(Lift)
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Colossians 3:3 Your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Jeremiah 29:13 Seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Some of the most profound revelations have been during times of prayer, fasting, worship, and praying in tongues.

Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him.

When I was called to preach, when I quit smoking, etc., was during times of not just prayer and fasting, but seeking Him. Then the next day and the day after that, etc. Everyday - lift

2. Stay Planted
(Lift)
Psalm 92:13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish

Be where you’re at so you can get where you’re going.
Pay attention to where God is calling you now, so you can walk the path He has laid out for you.

Cooking, construction, maintenance – in the world not of it. (Lift)

*Jonah

3. Reject Worldly or Sinful Entanglements
(Lift)
Hebrews 12:1 Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

Addictions, pornography, offense, gossip, criticism

Smoking – No further until this breaks. Prayer / fasting (Lift)

4. Reject Counterfeits
(Lift)
I would add that we are also to learn to discern and reject the counterfeit glory of the world, of pleasure, relationships, attention, etc.

What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta.

Counterfeits mimic the real, but lack the substance. Adina’s Dream

Show me a sin and I’ll show you a counterfeit of God’s desire for your life.

Drugs and alcohol – I just need to relax vs Philippians 4:6-7 real peace

Pride & rebellion are a prison you can’t see and a counterfeit of true freedom. Truth will set you free.

Sexual sin is counterfeit intimacy and meeting legitimate needs through illegitimate means

Fame and notoriety is a counterfeit for significance and glory.

Lust for wealth is counterfeit security

Lust for power and control is a counterfeit for authority and influence

The list goes on and on.

God isn’t against pleasure, He’s about pleasure, the right way.
He’s not against notoriety, as long as it is used for God’s glory.
He’s not against having money, He’s against money having you.
Blessed are the poor… in spirit – humility – Rich young ruler.

God doesn’t want to just take things from you, He wants things for you, to give you a hope and a future.

Smoking – trust in Him, when I got stressed or anxious – trust, pray, establish new habbits / disciplines. (Lift)

We were made to desire and to experience the wonder, holiness, magnitude and greatness of an infinite God, and yet we are so easily distracted with the lights or likes. It’s the same lie the enemy spun Adam and Eve: you don’t have to work or wait, you don’t need discipline, God wants to take something from you. You do you right now. We fall for the trap of immediate sensory gratification and are taken out of our purpose.

The day you eat of it you will die… Death is separation and or loss of God’s desire for your life.
Adam and Eve lost the Garden.
Drugs and Alcohol will cause you to lose control and peace.
Sexual immorality will destroy intimacy.
Fame and friendship with the world will alienate you from God and erode your purpose.

God wants to give us the butterflies of His transforming Spirit, but we settle for the moths and squirrels of this life and the world system.

We need to be washed by the water of His word so we can once again become bearers of His glory. We must remember the stern warning from our Savior.

Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Whether its science or sports, medicine or mechanical, whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, high powered executive, business owner, student, bus boy, or stewardess, we are to do all for the glory of God by His Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

God is writing history, His Story with our lives. He made our minds, our hearts, and our personalities. Follow Him, and He will reveal Himself to you. When He does, He will also reveal you to you – the you He created you to be.

I know that I’m created to be worshipper, a husband, a father, a pastor and teacher, and a mechanic. I do all those things for the glory of God.

Do you know what you were created to do? If not, it could be because you are living for your glory instead of God’s.

When we draw near to Him, He purifies us so that we can know Him more.
The more I know Him, the more I understand and walk in my purpose and the more of His glory I can reflect to a lost sick and dying world.

Response
1. Raise the standard in your life to become more disciplined in seeking Jesus.
2. Stay planted until God moves you. Repent of running.
3. Repent of sin
4. Reject counterfeits ask the Holy Spirit to identify any counterfeits.

Recommended Resources
Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren
In Pursuit of Purpose – Dr. Myles Munroe
X: Multiply Your God-Given Potential – John Bevere