Living to Glorify God: Embracing Change and Purpose

God is not distant or uncaring—He is near to the brokenhearted, present in our struggles, and eager to touch, heal, and transform our lives. In this season, we are experiencing a significant shift, both as individuals and as a church community. Just as shifting gears on a motorcycle brings momentum and acceleration, God is inviting us into a new movement, a fine-tuning of our mission and purpose. Our focus is now clear: glorify God, equip the saints, serve the community, and reach the world. These are not just slogans, but a call to live with intentionality and passion, aligning every part of our lives with God’s heart.

Glorifying God is not reserved for biblical heroes or famous Christians; it is the calling of every believer. Throughout history, men and women—Abraham, Ruth, David, Deborah, Esther, Martin Luther, Corrie ten Boom, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, and many others—have glorified God through faith, obedience, sacrifice, and courage. But God desires to be glorified through your life as well. You have been bought with a price, and your life is not your own. Every action, every word, every act of love or generosity can be directed to His glory.

To glorify God means to honor Him, to recognize His worth, and to reflect His character in all we do. It’s about living with integrity, letting our actions match our words, and allowing both the direct and reflected light of Christ to shine through us. Whether in worship, forgiveness, generosity, faith, or obedience, we are called to make God known and celebrated. Even the mundane—eating, drinking, working, playing—can be done for His glory.

There is a real danger in living for ourselves, neglecting gratitude, and failing to honor God. Scripture warns that such a path leads to confusion and brokenness. Instead, we are invited to a life of thankfulness and worship, rooted in knowing God intimately. The practical outworking of this is simple: prioritize gathering with the church and immerse yourself in God’s Word daily. These habits anchor us in truth and community, empowering us to live lives that truly glorify God. Today, the invitation is open: know Him, walk with Him, and let your life be a testimony to His greatness.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Glorifying God Is Our Core Purpose Every believer is called to glorify God, not just through grand acts but in the everyday moments of life. This means honoring Him with our words, actions, and attitudes, recognizing that we have been bought with a price and our lives are not our own. When we align our hearts and motives with His, even the ordinary becomes sacred. Living for His glory brings meaning and direction to all we do. [77:12]
• 2. God Delights in Change and Transformation While God Himself does not change, He delights in transforming us. The Christian life is a continual process of shifting—renewing our minds, growing in faith, and stepping into new seasons. Embracing change is essential for spiritual growth; resisting it leads to stagnation. God’s power to change us is evidence of His nearness and love, and He invites us to participate in this ongoing transformation. [70:31]
• 3. Integrity: Letting Our Lives Reflect God’s Character True worship is not just what we say or sing, but how we live. Integrity means our actions match our words, and our lives reflect the goodness and character of God. Both direct witness (sharing the gospel) and reflected witness (living out Christ’s love and truth) are vital. When our lives are consistent inside and out, we become credible witnesses to the world. [82:11]
• 4. The Danger of Neglecting Gratitude and Honor Failing to glorify God and live with thankfulness leads to spiritual confusion and brokenness. Scripture warns that ingratitude and self-centeredness darken our hearts and distort our lives. Gratitude is not just a feeling but a spiritual safeguard, keeping us aligned with God’s truth and presence. Honoring God and cultivating thankfulness are essential disciplines for a healthy soul. [100:33]
• 5. Simple Practices Anchor Us in God’s Mission The call to glorify God is lived out through practical habits: gathering with the church and daily engagement with Scripture. These simple disciplines keep our hearts soft, our minds renewed, and our lives aligned with God’s purposes. Prioritizing these practices over lesser pursuits is a statement of our values and a source of spiritual strength. They are the foundation for a life that makes a difference in the world. [102:46]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [57:50] - Opening Prayer: God’s Nearness and Healing
• [59:22] - Freedom Night Testimonies
• [62:09] - Work Day and Community Involvement
• [64:36] - Honoring Visiting Pastors
• [65:30] - The Shift: Embracing Change
• [67:10] - Fine-Tuning Our Mission
• [70:31] - Glorifying God: Biblical and Modern Examples
• [77:12] - What It Means to Glorify God
• [82:11] - Living with Integrity and Reflecting Christ
• [86:44] - Worship, Obedience, and High Praise
• [90:49] - Glorifying God in Everyday Life
• [97:38] - Fruitfulness and Contentment
• [100:33] - The Danger of Not Glorifying God
• [102:46] - Simple Applications: Church and Bible
• [104:09] - Knowing God Intimately
• [105:57] - Prayer of Salvation and Response
• [108:24] - Closing Worship and Announcements

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 6:20 (ESV) — > "For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

2. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
> "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

3. Romans 1:21 (ESV)
> "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Corinthians 6:20, what is the reason Paul gives for why believers should glorify God in their bodies?
2. In the sermon, what are some specific examples given of people (both biblical and modern) who glorified God through their lives? [[01:10:31]]
3. What does Romans 1:21 say happens when people fail to honor and thank God?
4. The sermon mentions two simple practices that help anchor us in God’s mission. What are they? [[01:42:46]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “To glorify God means to honor Him, to recognize His worth, and to reflect His character in all we do.” How does this definition expand the idea of worship beyond just singing or church activities? [[01:17:12]]
2. Why do you think the sermon emphasizes that glorifying God is not just for “biblical heroes or famous Christians,” but for every believer? [[01:10:31]]
3. According to Romans 1:21 and the sermon, what are the dangers of living without gratitude and failing to honor God? How might this show up in someone’s life today? [[01:40:33]]
4. The sermon talks about “integrity” as letting our actions match our words. Why is this important for being a credible witness to others? [[01:22:11]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon compares shifting gears on a motorcycle to embracing change in our spiritual lives. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is inviting you to “shift” or change? What would it look like to respond? [[01:05:30]]
2. The pastor said, “You have been bought with a price, and your life is not your own.” Is there a part of your life (work, relationships, habits) where you struggle to remember this truth? What might change if you lived with this perspective? [[01:17:12]]
3. The sermon warns about the danger of neglecting gratitude. What is one practical way you can cultivate thankfulness this week, especially in a situation where it’s hard to be grateful? [[01:40:33]]
4. The message highlights the importance of integrity—letting your actions match your words. Is there an area where your actions and words don’t line up? What’s one step you could take to bring them into alignment? [[01:22:11]]
5. The pastor encouraged everyone to prioritize gathering with the church and reading the Bible daily. How are you doing in these two areas? What is one small change you could make to grow in these habits? [[01:42:46]]
6. The sermon says even the ordinary things—eating, drinking, working, playing—can be done for God’s glory. Pick one “ordinary” part of your week. How could you intentionally do it for God’s glory?
7. The pastor shared stories of people glorifying God through faith, obedience, sacrifice, and courage. Which of these qualities do you feel God is calling you to grow in right now? What’s a specific way you could take a step in that direction this month? [[01:10:31]]