God's glory displayed through His people!

Until the past ten years or so, I was mostly exposed to churches/teaching that portrayed the Bible as God trying to save all men and falling short as only some would be convinced and believe. This understanding led to a very man centered view of scripture and evangelistic methods that relied on the best environment and least offensive message to bring people into the church and get them saved. It feels really good to know God is getting a few more to accept Him and we are to thank for it. Of course trying to decide what environment and parts of the scripture will best accomplish this goal is always a bit of a guessing game and pragmatism "whatever works" has to be given much weight.

Oh what a puny view of God that was!

Even though I have long since become convinced from scripture of God's sovereignty in salvation, as I work on my current sermon series One People for One Purpose, I am amazed at how absolutely God's glory centered everything about our salvation and Christian life is.

This Sunday I taught through John 17 - what a magnificent display of God's glory! All the Father gives the Son are saved through the work the Son "finished" on our behalf, so that the glory of God's mercy, grace and love could be seen in and expereinced by otherwise hopeless sinners! Here is a small glimpse -

John 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. (NKJV)

God has the power to save all and the authority to save all. He will be glorified as He saves all He intends according to His eternal plans, by the work of Jesus Christ and for His eternal glory!

"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."