{"id":13108,"date":"2017-02-14T01:00:27","date_gmt":"2017-02-14T09:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/?p=13108"},"modified":"2017-02-14T13:51:46","modified_gmt":"2017-02-14T21:51:46","slug":"soli-deo-gloria-in-the-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lighthousebc.com\/beacon\/2017\/02\/14\/soli-deo-gloria-in-the-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Soli Deo Gloria in the Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Pastor John Kim<\/em><\/p>\n

What has been interesting to watch over the years as the Lighthouse churches have expanded is how the members of the church deal with all the changes. Some of the original members are still at their respective churches and have been faithful to continue in growing and serving the Lord. But there are also some who remain but seem to get complacent or maybe just get busy with life and their participation seems to lack passion. There are others who seem to get more critical and complain about how things are and how things were better in the past. There are still yet others who at some point get involved in significant conflicts with others and either just leave or lose heart and it shows.<\/p>\n

Why is it that so many churches seem to start off with such vigor and enthusiasm and then see a steady downward trend where there seems to lack the kind of passion and heart that was there at the beginning? It\u2019s almost like marriage for some people \u2013 the wedding day is the highlight and it all seems to go downhill from there.<\/p>\n

There can be many contributing factors but there is one issue that is always at the heart of such situations. The grand purpose has been forgotten. The greatest good is no longer so great. The pursuit of the glory of God has diminished to a trickle and the pursuit of other things has replaced it.<\/p>\n

The most tragic thing that can happen is that the glory of God has departed from a church.<\/p>\n

During the time of the Judges in Israel, Eli, who was priest and judge over Israel, was waiting for news of the battle against the Philistines. When he was informed that the Israelites had lost, the ark of the covenant had been taken, and his two sons were killed, he fell over and broke his neck and died. His daughter-in-law gave birth upon hearing the news but she died in the process. As she was dying, she gave the name \u201cIchabod\u201d to the baby, which means, \u201cthe glory has departed from Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israel had forgotten about God. It was God who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and brought them to the Promised Land of Canaan. It was God who sustained them to take over the land and grant them to prosper. But the Israelites were fickle people and as soon as there were times of prosperity, they would give themselves over to idols and worship false gods. The cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance took place many times.<\/p>\n

But this particular story really stands out because of the gravity of perspective. This was more than just the loss of a battle. It was more than the loss of a husband and son. It was even more than the loss of the ark of the covenant, which had been taken into battle almost like a good luck charm. It was the reality that the glory of God was no longer the greatest concern for the people, even for the leaders.<\/p>\n

Our Lighthouse churches are still relatively young. It\u2019s not like things have been so bad. But like many churches, we can allow a passive heart to grow when it comes to the pursuit of the glory of God.<\/p>\n

If there was one thing that Jonathan Edwards pursued, it was the glory of God. Several of his resolutions reflect this devotion.<\/p>\n

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory<\/strong>, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.<\/p>\n

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God<\/strong>; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.<\/p>\n

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God<\/strong>, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory<\/strong>, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.<\/p>\n

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God<\/strong>; and frequently to examine my omissions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One writer comments that it is easy to reduce the principle of God\u2019s glory to a call for moral action, which is definitely an application to be pursued. But before we focus on what man is to do, we have to ask the question, \u201cDo we really have a God-centered view of God\u2019s glory?\u201d<\/p>\n

In other words, do we see God\u2019s glory in relation to His nature and to see it as Richard Mueller defines as \u201cGod\u2019s glory is to be understood essentially, as one of the divine attributes but moreover, as an attribute that eminently reflects and reveals the perfection of all the attributes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edward Leigh writes, \u201cGod\u2019s glory is the infinite excellency of the Divine essence\u2026and that God is infinitely worthy to be praised, admired, and loved of all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leigh highlighted the internal aspect of God\u2019s glory which also has an external expression as seen in creation and in the church and God\u2019s people. The glory of God is manifested in various ways but it is always ultimately to make much of God, not the instrument of manifestation.
\nIt is not that we add anything to God by ascribing glory to God. But what it does for us is, as Richard Muller describes, \u201cby taking notice of His excellency, and esteeming Him accordingly, and making manifest this our high esteem of Him.\u201d<\/p>\n

As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, I would like to encourage you to take a look back and consider the rich heritage we have received from those who walked before us.
\nWhile the reformers did not use such statements as the Solas at the time, we can see that their ministries and writings proclaimed a clear message, which is really captured in the phrase \u201cSoli Deo Gloria\u201d or to God alone be the glory.<\/p>\n