“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill all your good pleasure for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31
Main Thought: The apostle Paul reminds us here that we were created for the glory of God. Adam and Eve were created and put in the Garden of Eden to bring glory to God, but their rebellion against the single command of God that He gave them brought separation, not communion, into their relationship with God. However, as believers in Christ who have been brought into an eternal relationship with Him, it is more important than ever for others to see that every aspect of our lives is giving glory to God. Paul understood that these Corinthians in most ways, in their personal lives and the church, were not bringing glory to God. There was evident immorality that was present in the church (1 Cor. 5), there was great disunity (1 Cor. 3) and they had turned the observance of the Lord’s Supper into their own personal dinner, disgracing and separating themselves from others (1 Cor. 11). While we may look down on them in many ways for what was going on, we should at the same time look at our own lives and make sure we are glorifying God in all we do. We should glorify God in our homes as husbands by loving our wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25) and being Godly examples to our wives and children in our speech. Wives should be glorifying God before their children by training them in the Word of God, speaking graciously to them and nurturing them in love, and by being submissive to their husbands as the church is to Christ (Eph. 5:24). In our work, we are to glorify God by the diligence of our work, working not for men but for our Lord (Eph. 6:6-7). Even in our recreation, in those times that God gives us for relaxation and enjoyment, our speech and actions should give evidence that we are glorifying God for that time to refresh our bodies and minds. And then especially in the church, wherever God puts us, we should glorify God in our worship of Him and our service to other believers. We should never think the church exists to serve our purposes and our perceived needs, but realize in the church that we are to always count others more significant than ourselves in all humility (Phil. 2:3), having the mind of Christ in His service when He came to this earth to die upon the cross. Each of us needs to examine ourselves and see if we are glorifying God in our homes, our work, our recreation, and our churches. Are we living our lives for the purpose for which God created us, which is living a life that exalts and glorifies Him? May our prayer be daily as we rise up for whatever lies ahead of us in that day, that we will aim to glorify Him.

David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.

More from David Webber
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Matthew 16:6
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6
Philemon 1:7
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” – Philemon 1:7
Hebrews 12:5-7
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He flogs every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” – Hebrews 12:5-7
Isaiah 28:15-16
“Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by. For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying. Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” – Isaiah 28:15-16
Psalm 84:11-12
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” – Psalm 84:11-12
Psalm 84:1
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!” – Psalm 84:1
Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1
John 4:13-14
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” – John 4:13-14
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17