1. Sunday, May 22, 2016

2. -SM Auction -Easter -Missions’ Conf -Celebrate Grace -Police Sunday -Go Beyond

3. It’s time for a “Look Ahead!” Next Sunday – Pastor Alec preaching (he will be “released” June 1 st to begin his ministry as pastor of One City Church!) Sunday June 5 th – First message of a 3 part mini-series of sermons

4. The most important issue of life!

5. The most important issue of life... Is the aim of our lives! What exactly is our purpose? Why are we here on this planet? What will bring us the most fulfillment and significance?

6. 2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

7. God does everything that he does for his own glory!

8. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption

9. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption Isaiah 43:6-7 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

10. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption Romans 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

11. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption Ephesians 1:5-6a He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace...

12. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption Ephesians 1:11-12 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

13. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption Ephesians 1:13-14 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

14. God’s Two Major Works of Creation and Redemption So the purpose behind God’s works of creation and redemption – is GLORY! Not ours, but his! We were made to glorify HIM! We were saved to glorify HIM!

15. The writers of the Book of Psalms understood the glory of God was to be the aim of our lives Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 29:2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

16. The Writers of the Book of Psalms understood the glory of God was to be the aim of our lives Psalm 57:1 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 71:8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.

17. The Writers of the Book of Psalms understood the glory of God was to be the aim of our lives Psalm 96:3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 104:3 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.

18. Consider the “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the NT Romans 16:27 To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

19. The “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the New Testament Galatians 1:3-5 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

20. The “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the New Testament Philippians 4:20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

21. The “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the New Testament Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22. The “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the New Testament 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

23. The “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the New Testament Jude 1:24- 25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

24. The “outbursts of praise” (doxologies) found throughout the pages of the New Testament Revelation 1:6 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

25. Is this truth really sinking into your mind and heart and soul that God does everything that he does for his own glory? He created us – for his own glory! He redeemed us – for his own glory!

26. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

27. Psalm 16:8a I have set the Lord always before me… ESV Study Bible note – “to set the Lord always before me expresses intention.”

28. God’s purpose in all that he does is to bring glory to himself.

29. Oprah Winfrey walked away from orthodox Christianity when she was about 27 years of age because of the biblical teaching that God is jealous – he demands that he and no one else get our highest allegiance and affection. This did not sound loving to her.

30. God’s purpose in all that he does is to bring glory to himself. Actor Brad Pitt turned away from his boyhood faith, he says, because God says, “You have to say that I’m the best … It seemed to be about ego.”

31. God’s purpose in all that he does is to bring glory to himself. Erik Reece, professor and the writer of An American Gospel, rejected the Jesus of the Gospels because only an egomaniac would demand that we love him more than we love our parents and children.

32. God’s purpose in all that he does is to bring glory to himself. Michael Prowse, a columnist for the London Financial Times, turned away because only “tyrants, puffed up with pride, crave adulation.”

33. What they are saying is indeed true of sinful creatures, but it is not true of our holy Creator! God is not some arrogant cosmic tyrant when he demands that above all we glorify him! Rather he is a loving, merciful Father! Really? How so?

34. God’s demand that we live for his glory is not “because he needs to shore up some deficiency or weakness in himself... John Piper but because he loves us and seeks the fullness of our joy that can only be found in knowing and praising him, the most magnificent of all Beings.”

35. Matthew 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

36. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

37. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

38. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices ; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

39. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

40. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

41. Psalm 16:8-11 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

42. So is God some egotistical cosmic tyrant desiring the praise and adulation of his people to stroke his ego? OR Is He a loving merciful God who desires for us to know great joy which only comes as we glorify him?

43. 1. We must always remember from Genesis to Revelation, the Scripture reveals that EVERYTHING God does is for HIS glory! Today’s Takeaways

44. 2. God calls upon us to join him in this by making his glory the very aim of our lives even down to its smallest details. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Psalm 16:8a I have set the Lord always before me... Today’s Takeaways

45. 3. In doing so … we will find ALL that we need for this life and the life to come! Today’s Takeaways

46. Psalm 73:23-26 Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

47. CORE VALUES God’s Glory, Our Focus The Bible Our Authority The Gospel, Our Passion Christ’s Church, Our Family

48. CORE VALUES God’s Glory, Our Focus The Bible Our Authority The Gospel, Our Passion Christ’s Church, Our Family

49. AWESOME Seeing God for Who He Is and Why It Matters for Everything We Think, Say, and Do (an in-depth study of Isaiah 40) Sunday mornings June 5 th, 12 th, 19 th at 9:00 or 10:30

50. In Pursuit of Glory The Stories of Eight Ancient Kings Who Sought God’s Glory above Their Own! Sunday Mornings at Grace Beginning June 26 th

51. 1.We must always remember from Genesis to Revelation, the Scripture reveals that EVERYTHING God does is for HIS glory! 2.God calls upon us to join him in this by making his glory the very aim of our lives even down to its smallest details. 3.In doing so … we will find ALL that we need for this life and the life to come! Today’s Takeaways

52. This ALL begins by embracing the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ! Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

53. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone!