Glorifying God

 Temple Baptist Church - 1-28-2026

1 Corinthians 10:31
 

Introduction:

 

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (32) Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: (33) Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

 

1. Let us keep these verses in their context. Paul has been dealing with the eating or not eating of sacrifices offered to idol that were sold in open market for food.

 

2. The meat was just that, meat. Nothing wrong with the meat but with some, it was offensive because of where it came from.

 

3. Paul is settling the matter in these last three verses. He referenced this earlier in the Epistle, but it was evidently still an issue.

 

1 Corinthians 8:8-13 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. (9) But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. (10) For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (11) And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (12) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (13) Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

 

1. Paul set both a biblical and personal principle in these verses.

 

2. The biblical principle is found in Verse 12, which says that it was a sin to offend a weaker brother.

 

3. The Personal principle is found in Verse 13 where Paul says that, if meat offends his brother, he would not eat it while the world standeth.

 

A. With this in mind, I want to make an application as we do not face this problem in our day. I have an old saying, “I will eat anything that doesn’t eat me first.”

 

B. The supreme purpose of the Christian life is to glorify God. One of the best Scripture verses on this subject is found in Romans 11:36:

 

Romans 11:36 — For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

 

1. All things originate of Him.

 

2. All things are accomplished through Him

 

3. All things exist for Him.

 

C. Therefore, it is both fitting and necessary that God be glorified in every aspect of our lives.

 

1. To glorify means to praise, magnify, and honor in worship; to ascribe honor in thought, word, and deed. God is glorified when His excellency above all things is acknowledged with due admiration.

 

2. The Lord alone is worthy of all honor and glory, for He is the source of all power and sufficiency. Jesus plainly said, “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

 

3. Whatever goodness, grace, or accomplishment is found in us is by Him, through Him, and to Him.

 

D. 1 Corinthians 1:30–31 declares: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (31) That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

 

1. Salvation is of the Lord.

 

2. Sanctification is of the Lord.

 

3. Security is of the Lord.

 

4. Supply or Sustenance is of the Lord.

 

5. The quicker that we learn these things, the more we have to praise Him for.

 

E. As professing believers, we bear the name of Christ before a watching world. All that we do reflects upon His holy name. Therefore, our lives must be ordered so that God is glorified in all things.

 

F. How to Glorify God in our lives.

 

1. Glorify God in your Walk - 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

a. In Our Bodies - Romans 12:1–2 “Present your bodies a living sacrifice… which is your reasonable service.” The believer’s body belongs to God by creation and redemption. Our daily conduct, habits, and choices must reflect His ownership and holiness.

 

b. In our Daily Walk - 3 John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” A consistent walk in truth glorifies God and testifies of genuine faith.

 

2. Glorify God in Your Work - Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

a. Our work—whether vocational, domestic, or ministerial—is an opportunity to reflect God’s character.

 

1 Peter 2:12 “They may by your good works… glorify God in the day of visitation.”

 

b. We are saved unto good works, not by good works, and God is honored when they are done for His glory.

 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

3. Glorify God in Your Woes. God is glorified not only in our obedience, but also in our suffering. Job 1:21–22 The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

 

a. In our Trials

 

Psalm 50:15 — Call upon me in the day of trouble… and thou shalt glorify me.

 

b. In our Persecution.

 

1 Peter 4:16 — If any man suffer as a Christian… let him glorify God on this behalf.

 

c. In our Poverty.

 

1 Timothy 6:6–8 Godliness with contentment is great gain.

 

d. In our Sickness.

 

John 11:4 — This sickness is… for the glory of God.

 

e. In our Death.

 

John 21:19 — Signifying by what death he should glorify God.

 

f. Even in life’s darkest hours, God receives glory when His people trust Him.

 

4. Glorify God in Your Worries. Anxieties and inward struggles become instruments of God’s glory when they drive us to deeper faith and dependence upon Him.

 

1 Peter 1:7 — That the trial of your faith… might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

 

 

5. Glorify God in Your Whippings (Chastening). Divine chastening is not wrath, but loving correction. When we submit to it humbly, God is glorified through the righteousness it produces.

 

Hebrews 12:11–14 — Afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

 

6. Glorify God in Your Worship. Ultimately, all of life flows back to worship. Worship—both private and corporate—is the conscious, joyful expression of a life lived for God’s glory.

 

Psalm 108:1 — O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise.

 

Psalm 22:23 — Ye that fear the LORD… glorify him.

 

Romans 15:6 — That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.

 

Conclusion:

 

1. Whether in our walk, our work, our wounds, or our worship, the believer’s calling is the same:

 

1 Corinthians 10:31 — Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

2. May our lives declare His excellency until that day when all creation gives Him glory forever. Amen.