Faith: The Heart's Response That Glorifies God

Faith is the singular state of the human heart that glorifies God, as illustrated in Romans 4:20, where Abraham's unwavering faith magnified God's faithfulness and power. Faith is not just a belief system but a profound trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. Abraham's story exemplifies this, as he believed God's promise of a son despite his and Sarah's old age and barrenness. This faith, which excludes boasting and aligns with grace, is the means by which we inherit God's promises. It is not our works or adherence to the law that secures our future, but God's sovereign grace that brings life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist.

Faith glorifies God because it shifts the focus from human effort to divine power. It acknowledges that God is the source of all good and that His promises are sure. This is why faith is the chosen means of justification; it excludes human boasting and highlights God's grace. Faith is not about adding to God's glory but about recognizing and reflecting His inherent glory. It is about calling attention to God's greatness, beauty, and perfection.

The world is in disarray because people have exchanged the glory of God for lesser things. Every human being is created to display God's glory, yet many fail to do so. This failure leads to a world that is not functioning as it should. However, God is in the process of reclaiming His creation, and those who live for His glory will be part of the new heavens and the new earth. Living for God's glory means making it the governing principle of all our choices, ensuring that our lives are not mere shadows or echoes but substantial and impactful.

Faith gives glory to God because it is fully assured of His promises and His ability to fulfill them. The more challenging the promise, the more glory God receives when we believe He will fulfill it. Abraham's faith in God's promise of a son, despite the impossibility, is a testament to this truth. By believing in God's promises, we make Him look good, showcasing His power and faithfulness to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faith is the heart's state that glorifies God, as it shifts focus from human effort to divine power, acknowledging that God's promises are sure and His grace is sufficient. [00:17]
• 2. The world is in disarray because people have exchanged God's glory for lesser things. Every human being is created to display God's glory, and failure to do so leads to dysfunction. [16:15]
• 3. Living for God's glory means making it the governing principle of all our choices, ensuring that our lives are substantial and impactful, not mere shadows or echoes. [20:12]
• 4. Faith gives glory to God because it is fully assured of His promises and His ability to fulfill them, especially when the promise seems impossible. [23:35]
• 5. Abraham's faith in God's promise of a son, despite the impossibility, exemplifies how faith glorifies God by showcasing His power and faithfulness. [24:17]
  ** [24:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - Faith and Glory
• [00:43] - Abraham's Faith
• [01:04] - Prayer for Understanding
• [02:21] - Faith, Grace, and Certainty
• [03:37] - Grace Overriding Demerit
• [04:36] - Grace Bringing Life
• [05:37] - God's Sovereign Creation
• [06:16] - Faith Aligning with Grace
• [07:59] - Faith Excluding Boasting
• [09:12] - Faith Glorifying God
• [11:07] - Understanding God's Glory
• [14:18] - Creation Declaring God's Glory
• [16:15] - The World's Exchange of Glory
• [19:41] - God's Reclamation of Creation
• [23:35] - Faith Assured of God's Promises

1. According to Romans 4:20, how did Abraham's faith give glory to God? What does this suggest about the nature of faith? [09:12]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that faith excludes boasting. How does Romans 3:27 support this idea? [07:59]
3. What does Romans 1:23 say about the state of the world and its relationship with God's glory? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about the world being in disarray? [16:15]
4. How does Habakkuk 2:14 relate to the idea of God reclaiming His creation, as mentioned in the sermon? [19:41]

1. Why is faith described as the singular state of the human heart that glorifies God? How does this understanding impact the way believers view their relationship with God? [00:17]
2. The sermon suggests that living for God's glory should be the governing principle of all our choices. What might this look like in practical terms for a believer today? [20:12]
3. How does the concept of faith aligning with grace, as discussed in Romans 4:16, challenge the idea that human effort can secure God's promises? [06:16]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world has exchanged God's glory for lesser things, and how does this affect the functioning of the world? [16:15]

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a seemingly impossible situation. How did your faith in God's promises influence your response? How can Abraham's example encourage you in future challenges? [24:17]
2. The sermon emphasizes making God's glory the governing principle of our choices. Identify one area of your life where this principle is not currently guiding your decisions. What steps can you take to change that? [20:12]
3. Consider the idea that faith excludes boasting. How can you ensure that your faith journey remains focused on God's grace rather than your own achievements? [07:59]
4. The sermon mentions that the world is in disarray because people have exchanged God's glory for lesser things. What are some "lesser things" in your life that might be distracting you from glorifying God? How can you address these distractions? [16:15]
5. How can you actively participate in God's process of reclaiming His creation, as mentioned in Habakkuk 2:14? What specific actions can you take in your community or church to reflect God's glory? [19:41]
6. Think about a decision you need to make soon. How can you ensure that this decision is made with the intention of glorifying God? What practical steps can you take to align your decision-making process with this goal? [20:12]
7. The sermon suggests that living for God's glory leads to a life of substance rather than being a shadow or echo. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure your life is substantial and impactful? [20:12]