Thriving in 2026 - Abiding and Rejoicing

Temple Baptist Church - 2-8-2026

John 15:11

 

Introduction: 

A.  In 2026, God wants His people to thrive, not just survive!  Thriving in Christ is abiding in Christ, and abiding in Christ is fullness of joy!  One of the essential characteristics of “fullness of Joy” is found in rejoicing.  Here are two verses that express what John is telling us in John 15:11.

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.

 

B.  Last week, we saw that abiding in Christ brings about the joy of the Lord in the life of the Christian.  How can one walk in fellowship and harmony with Christ Jesus and not have that inner joy and peace that comes through being with Him?

 

C.  Rejoicing is an outward expression of an inner joy!  When your joy becomes “full” it overflows in tears and praise.  There is an old saying, “When your cup gets full, the saucer gets the blessing!”

 

D.  The word “rejoice” in its various forms is found 258x in your King James Bible.

 

1.  The First Mention - Exodus 18:8-9  And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.  (9)  And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

 

2.  The Last Mention - Revelation 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

 

E.  “Alway” is an interesting word.  It is a word not found in this computer's spell checker.  Every time I type “alway”, the word processor corrects it to “always.”  “Always” is found 62 times in the Bible while “alway” is found only 23 times.  When the Bible makes a spelling distinction, it behooves us to take a closer look at the wording.

 

F.  Both words come from the same two root words which mean “every” and “when.”  Therefore, to the casual observer, the two words are the same but this is not the case.  The “s” on “always” makes the word plural while the lack of the “s” makes “alway” singular.  This difference is an important one to the believer as our text verse will bear out.

 

1.  The word “always” refers to an expanse of time more than just an instance of time.

 

2.  The seemingly opposite is true in the context of the word “alway.” It seems that “alway” refers to a specific instance of time and encompasses many instances of time, but one at a time.

 

G.  Whether one agrees fully with that distinction or not, the truth it points us to is unmistakable: our joy is not tied to long stretches of ease, but to Christ’s presence in every moment.  I enjoy reading Philippians 4:4 and am glad that the Holy Ghost said, “Alway!”  It has been and is a joy during the hard times of my life.

H.  Let me give you another instance where the Bible uses the “alway” instead of “always.”  We know that the Lord said that He would never leave nor forsake us in Hebrews 13.  Though the word “always” is not used, the sense of the word is there.  I am glad that the Lord will be there with me and for me until the day He calls me home!  But, in Matthew 18:20, He said, “And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”  I believe that the difference is that, now, our Lord said that He would be with in every place, in every instance, and in every circumstance of life as we carry the gospel to a lost world.  Every situation and circumstance, He is there with us while having the power to deliver and sustain us.  “Even unto the end of the world” tells us that he will be with us in every circumstance all of the way home!

 

J.  I want to look at the latter part of this verse again this morning.  “That your joy might be full!”  “Fulness of joy.”

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

1.  Our Joy Comes Through Fellowship, not circumstances - Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

 

2.  Our Joy Comes Through Faith, not circumstances - Philippians 1:25  And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

 

3.  Our Joy Comes Through Faithfulness, not circumstances - Psalms 84:4  Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

 

K.  Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”  Notice with me that the verse says to “rejoice in the Lord alway.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice evermore.”

 

1.  To rejoice in all times and all seasons.  In season and out of season!

 

2.  To rejoice in all conditions and all circumstances.  Good times and bad times, times of plenty and times of little, times of health and times of sickness, times when you are up and times when you are down.

 

L.  It is easy to rejoice when you are up on the mountain, but how can we rejoice in the bad times?  By being full of the joy of the Lord.  Keeping our hearts and minds stayed upon Him, not on our surroundings and circumstances.

 

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

 

1.  Normally, “Rejoice in the Lord” would have sufficed, but Paul reinforced the word by beginning and ending the sentence with “rejoice.”  It shows us the importance of having the right attitude and a trusting one.

 

2.  Our mental state has as much to do with our general outlook on life as our circumstances do.  As a “merry heart” doeth good like a medicine, a positive state of mind makes our outlook on life positive.  God controls, and He loves His children!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice evermore.  (From now throughout our lives and all of the instances thereof.)

 

1.  Rejoice in the Lord during the good times of life.

 

a.  It is easy to forget God when things go well.

 

Deuteronomy 8:12-14  Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein;  (13)  And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied;  (14)  Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;

 

b.  We need to rejoice in the Lord because He has been so good to us.

 

Psalms 106:1  Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 

c.  We need to rejoice when our health is good. 

 

3 John 2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

 

d.  We need to rejoice when our power is still on and our cupboards are full.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

 

 

2.  Rejoice in the Lord during the hard times of life.

 

a.  We can rejoice because God’s providence controls our circumstances.

 

Job 23:10, 13  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold … But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

 

b.  We can rejoice because it is then that God provides our needs in hard times.

 

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

c.  We can rejoice because God protects our lives in desperate situations.

 

2 Timothy 4:17-18  Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  (18)  And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

 

d.  We can rejoice because We can count our many blessings in the valleys.

 

Psalms 145:8-10  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.  (9)  The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.  (10)  All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

 

 

e.  We can rejoice because God will bring about a right end when the trial is past.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Be Ye Followers of Me

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-4-2026

1 Corinthians 11:1

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Paul has set an example for the Corinthian believers over and over, but the last verse of chapter 10 expresses the will and example of leadership. 

 

1.  First, we are individual priests.  In the Old Testament, the priests represented men to God.  Apostles in the New Testament represented God to men.  It is important that we understand these precepts.

 

2.  There are religions where priests still represent men to God.  The Old Testament priesthood had both High Priests and the priesthood under them.  Today, the Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest, and we represent ourselves to God through Him.

 

Romans 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

 

B.  Though every believer is a priest, representing themselves to God, God has given pastors and mentors whom it does well to follow.  The words “example” and “examples” are New Testament terms not used at all in the Old Testament. 

 

C.  The Christian life is not lived in isolation. God never intended believers to grow merely through private devotion, but also through visible examples.

 

1.  Christianity is a followed faith. In this single verse, the Apostle Paul lays down a profound principle: “even as I also am of Christ!”  Spiritual leadership is legitimate only when it mirrors Christ.

 

2.  Paul does not point men to himself as the final authority, but as a living illustration of Christlikeness.

 

D.   Now, let’s look at some examples of following the “examples.”

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

Philippians 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

1 Thessalonians 1:5-7  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.  (6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  (7)  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;  (8)  Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:  (9)  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

 

E.  When writing to young Timothy, Paul said that he, as a pastor, was to set an example that his people could follow.

 

1 Timothy 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

2 Timothy 3:10-11  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11)  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

F.  Paul was obligated to set an example that the Corinthians could follow.

 

1 Corinthians 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

G.  In our verse for tonight, we find a two-fold obligation.  The obligation of the one to be followed and the obligation of the one who is to be the follower.  This had been problematic from the first chapter of the Corinthian Epistle.

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

1 Corinthians 4:15-16  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

Judges 17:6  In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

 

1.  The Person being followed.  I want to clarify that, at this point, if the person following is a faultfinder, then the person you are following is just a man, and you will find fault.

 

a.  Following God’s Pattern.  Ephesians 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 

b. Following Paul’s Life.  Philippians 1:20-21  According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  (21)  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

c.  Following Paul’s Doctrine.  2 Timothy 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

 

d.  Following Paul’s Expected End.  2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

 

2.  The Person who is to be following.  Paul explained to young Timothy what a good example to be followed was.

 

2 Timothy 3:10-11  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11)  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

 

 

a.  Follow Godly Examples.

 

1)   The call to follow godly examples:  “Be ye followers of me…”  The word “followers” means imitators: people who pattern their lives after others.

 

2)  Paul is not advocating personality worship or blind allegiance. Rather, he recognizes a biblical reality: people learn the truth best when they see it lived out.  I have often said that a life lived is worth a thousand sermons preached.

 

Philippians 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

 

Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

 

3)  Truth must be incarnated before it is imitated. Doctrine without demonstration is weak; doctrine lived out is powerful.

b.  Christ Is The Standard!  Paul does not say to follow me no matter what I do.  Follow me as I follow Christ and, if I quit following Christ, you follow Christ!

 

Acts 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

 

c.  This establishes a vital truth: no preacher, no pastor, no teacher, no tradition, and no doctrine has any authority apart from conformity to THE Pattern, Christ Jesus!

 

Conclusion:  1 Corinthians 11:1 calls us to two sober reflections:  (1) Who are we following? (2)   Who is following us?

Abiding And Joy

 Temple Baptist Church - 2-1-2026

John 15:11; Nehemiah 8:10

 

Introduction: 

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

 

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

Joy and Happiness are not the same: 

 

Happiness is circumstantial. The word itself is tied to what happens to us. It rises and falls with conditions.  Based on outward circumstances, Temporary and changeable; dependent on comfort, success, health, money, people, etc.

 

Joy is spiritual and internal.  Joy is rooted in God, truth, and relationship with Him—not in what is happening around us.  Based on inward assurance. Enduring and stable.  Can exist alongside sorrow, trials, and suffering

 

A.  I have been preaching on “Thriving in 2026.”  We thrive when we abide in the True Vine, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Two verses for this morning give us insight into the joy of the Lord.

 

1.  I often use this sentence when preaching: “I have said all of that to say this.”  A conclusion is now reached.  John 15 speaks of many perks that come automatically when we abide in the True Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

2.  Our Lord summed up His discourse on abiding with one word, “Joy.”  Two “joys” are mentioned in verse 11: “My joy” and “your joy.” 

 

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

 

a) “That my joy might remain in you.”  “My Joy” is the joy that our Lord finds in our abiding in Him, walking in Truth.     

 

3 John 4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

 

b)  “And that your joy might be full. “Your Joy” is the fullness of joy in both the Lord and things of the Lord. 

 

Nehemiah 8:10  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 

1)  Supply – joy in the things of life that God has given to us.  We can either endure life or we can enjoy life.  “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord:”

 

2)  Strength – is found in the joy of the Lord.  “for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 

 

B.  What was the joy of Christ?  I want to look at the best definition that I have ever seen, and it comes from your Bible.  Many years ago, I preached from the following verses, and what great joy they brought to our people.

 

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  (19)  The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

 

1.  In these verses, we find both the “Cause” and “Effect” of the Christian’s Joy.

 

2.  As is the case many times in the Bible, we find the order reversed.  Rejoicing, the Effect, before Joy, the Cause.

 

3.  In Verses 18-19, we find the Cause of Joy:

 

a)  The God of my Salvation.  True Christian Joy comes from God in the form of Eternal Salvation.

 

b)  The LORD God, my Strength.  True Christian Joy is maintained in the spiritual Strength that comes from God, not circumstances.

 

4.  In Verses 17-18, we find the Effect of Joy:

 

a)  Though things go wrong, and they do; though life is hard and it is:

 

b)  Rejoicing comes from our inner fountain of Joy.

 

5.  There was a day when praise and rejoicing were spontaneous, not “worked up.”  “Popcorn Testimonies” have become a thing of the past.  We need to get our Joy back, and rejoicing will follow without being stirred.

 

6.  We live in days when pastors feel the necessity to stir our emotions with fleshly music and preaching to produce rejoicing.  Thus, they become Entertainers, not Preachers.  Rejoicing should be a spontaneous result of Joy, not the cause of Joy.

 

7.  The hymns of the Faith no longer cause Rejoicing, so the modern-day “church” is now in the “Entertainment Business” instead of reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Modern-day preaching and music reflect the world because most professing “Christians” are more worldly than spiritual.

 

C.  Both rejoicing and joy are to be despite our circumstances, not because of them!  Most Christians live in a state of discouragement, with little joy.  Why?  The answer is simple.

 

1.  Because of Our Sinfulness - Matthew 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 

 

God’s people are not drunks and harlots, but sin creeps in, and we now walk at a guilty distance from God, and the joy is gone.

 

2.  Because of Our Situations - Matthew 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 

 

God’s people have their eyes upon the “wind and waves” of circumstance and not upon Christ.  When Peter looked up instead of looking down, he saw the Lord of the “wind and waves” and once again walked on the water.

 

D.  Many Christians live in defeat with no joy at all.

 

1.  For The World, Joy Is Found In Circumstances – Luke 12:16-21  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

 

2.  For The Christian, Joy Is Found Despite Circumstances - 2 Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

 

2 Corinthians 8:2  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

 

Colossians 1:11  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

 

1 Thessalonians 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

 

E.  Loss of joy comes through:

 

1.  Losing the freshness of our salvation.

 

2.  Losing the burning love for our Saviour.

 

3.  Losing the excitement of our service.

 

WHERE THE CHRISTIAN FINDS HIS JOY

 

1.  Christian Joy Is Found In Salvation - Luke 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

 

Psalms 35:9  And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

 

Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

Psalms 132:16  I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

 

Isaiah 12:3  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

 

2.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Holy Ghost - Romans 15:13  Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 

Joy Is Not Found In The Things Of The World - Romans 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

3.  Christian Joy Is Found In God’s Word - Nehemiah 8:9-12  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.  Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.  And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

 

4.  Christian Joy Is Found In Church - Psalms 42:4  When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

 

 

a.  The Joy Of Singing - Psalms 95:1  O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

 

Psalms 95:2  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

 

Psalms 98:4  Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

 

b.  The Joy Of Praise - Psalms 27:6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 

5.  Christian Joy Is Found In Worship - Nehemiah 12:43  Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. 

 

6.  Christian Joy Is Found In Hope - Psalms 30:5  For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

 

7.  Christian Joy Is Found In Eternity - Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

8.  Christian Joy Is Found In Sinners Saved - Luke 15:10  Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 

9.  Christian Joy Is Found In A Finished Course - Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

 

10.  Christian Joy Is Found In The Saviour - 1 Peter 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

 

Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

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.