Standing Firm in Faith: Embracing God's Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Stand Firm in Unity and Courage

In a world that often challenges biblical values, the Apostle Paul calls believers to live a life worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and unafraid of opposition. This steadfastness is not born out of mere human willpower but is deeply rooted in a profound love for the glory of God, which surpasses any fear of human disapproval. By standing together in one spirit, believers can strive side by side for the faith of the gospel, drawing strength from their shared commitment to God's glory. This unity and courage are essential for facing the challenges of a culture that may be hostile to Christian beliefs. [01:31]

Philippians 1:27 (ESV): "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you stand firm in unity with fellow believers this week, especially when facing opposition to your faith?

Day 2: Courage from Prioritizing God's Glory

Historical figures like Latimer and Ridley exemplify the courage that comes from prioritizing God's glory over human accolades. Despite facing severe persecution, they stood firm in their faith, lighting a candle of truth that could not be extinguished. Their courage was not a result of natural bravery but stemmed from a deep-seated love for the glory of God, which surpassed any fear of human disapproval. This same courage is available to believers today if they choose to prioritize God's glory over the fleeting approval of others. [04:11]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are tempted to seek human approval. How can you prioritize God's glory in that situation today?

Day 3: The Danger of Seeking Human Approval

The Pharisees serve as a cautionary tale of what happens when we seek the approval of men over God. Their fear and cowardice stemmed from loving the glory that comes from men more than the glory that belongs to God. This misplaced love blinded them to the true nature of God's glory, leading them to compromise and cowardice. In contrast, true faith finds its strength in the glory of God, as seen in the lives of saints like Martin Luther, who stood firm against overwhelming opposition because they were captivated by the beauty and sufficiency of Christ. [09:39]

John 12:42-43 (ESV): "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are seeking human approval over God's. What steps can you take to shift your focus to seeking God's approval?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of the Gospel

The gospel reveals the superior beauty and worth of God's glory, enabling believers to stand firm and unafraid. It is through the gospel that they are transformed, reflecting the glory of Christ and becoming like an army with banners, fearsome and radiant in their faith. This transformation is not just an internal change but is visible to the world, as believers live out their faith with boldness and conviction. The gospel empowers them to reflect the glory of Christ in every aspect of their lives. [21:43]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you allow the gospel to transform you more fully today, so that you reflect the glory of Christ in your interactions with others?

Day 5: Strengthened by God's Glory

As believers grow in their appreciation of God's glory, they are strengthened to stand firm in their faith, becoming like an army with banners, radiant and fearsome in their witness to the world. This strength is not self-derived but comes from a deep understanding and appreciation of the beauty and worth of God's glory. By focusing on God's glory, believers find the courage and strength to face any challenge, knowing that they are part of a larger community of faith that stands together in unity and purpose. [40:28]

Song of Solomon 6:10 (ESV): "Who is this who looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, bright as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?"

Reflection: In what ways can you grow in your appreciation of God's glory this week, and how might this strengthen your faith and witness to others?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the Apostle Paul's perspective on living a life worthy of the gospel amidst a culture that is increasingly hostile to biblical Christianity. Drawing from Philippians 1:27, we are reminded of Paul's call to stand firm in one spirit, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, unafraid of opposition. This call is not just a historical echo but a present challenge for us to embrace the glory of God over the fleeting glory of man.

We delved into the lives of historical figures like Latimer and Ridley, who, despite facing persecution, stood firm in their faith, lighting a candle of truth that could not be extinguished. Their courage was not born from natural bravery but from a deep-seated love for the glory of God, which surpassed any fear of human disapproval. This same courage is available to us today if we choose to prioritize God's glory over human accolades.

The Pharisees serve as a cautionary tale of what happens when we seek the approval of men over God. Their fear and cowardice stemmed from loving the glory that comes from men more than the glory that belongs to God. This misplaced love blinded them to the true nature of God's glory, leading them to compromise and cowardice. In contrast, true faith finds its strength in the glory of God, as seen in the lives of saints like Martin Luther, who stood firm against overwhelming opposition because they were captivated by the beauty and sufficiency of Christ.

The gospel reveals the glory of God in a way that surpasses all human glory. It is through the gospel that we see the superior beauty and worth of God, enabling us to stand firm and unafraid. As we press into the gospel, we are transformed, reflecting the glory of Christ and becoming like an army with banners, fearsome and radiant in our faith.

Key Takeaways

1. The Apostle Paul calls us to live a life worthy of the gospel, standing firm in unity and unafraid of opposition. This steadfastness is rooted in a deep love for the glory of God, which surpasses any fear of human disapproval. [01:31]
2. Historical figures like Latimer and Ridley exemplify the courage that comes from prioritizing God's glory over human accolades. Their faithfulness in the face of persecution serves as a beacon for us to follow. [04:11]
3. The Pharisees' love for the glory of men over the glory of God led to their spiritual blindness and cowardice. This serves as a warning for us to seek God's approval above all else. [09:39]
4. The gospel reveals the superior beauty and worth of God's glory, enabling us to stand firm and unafraid. It is through the gospel that we are transformed and empowered to reflect the glory of Christ. [21:43]
5. As we grow in our appreciation of God's glory, we are strengthened to stand firm in our faith, becoming like an army with banners, radiant and fearsome in our witness to the world. [40:28]
** [40:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Paul's Imprisonment and Concern
[01:31] - Living Worthy of the Gospel
[02:28] - Historical Echoes of Faith
[03:19] - Martyrdom and Glory
[04:11] - Standing Firm in Faith
[06:08] - Source of Strength
[08:02] - The Pharisees' Cowardice
[09:39] - Loving the Glory of Men
[10:42] - Misunderstanding Glory
[13:59] - True Religion and Divine Delight
[15:06] - The Pharisees' Spiritual Blindness
[17:35] - The Glory of True Faith
[19:43] - Finding Glory in God
[21:43] - The Gospel's Revelation of Glory
[23:23] - Christ's Glorious Sacrifice
[25:22] - The Love of the Cross
[27:16] - The Beauty of Divine Glory
[30:11] - Strength in God's Glory
[32:11] - Martin Luther's Courage
[33:57] - Hugh Latimer's Boldness
[35:50] - Fear and Faithfulness
[37:40] - Song of Songs Insight
[39:26] - Transformation in Christ
[41:44] - Conclusion and Blessing

Sermon Clips

"Philippians 1:27: 'Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents.'" [00:01:41]

"Like the days of the Reformers, Latimer and Ridley, tied to a stake in Broad Street, Oxford, in England, slowly burned to death for their steely insistence on the complete sufficiency of Christ as the Savior. Picture it. The situation looks so grim, so bleak, here with the greatest preachers in England being snuffed out." [00:03:08]

"And yet, Latimer seemed to glimpse for a moment the angel's perspective, when he turned through the flames and said to his friend, 'Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man; for we shall this day by God's grace light such a candle in England as shall never be put out.'" [00:04:02]

"Paul has actually given them the answer already in verse 20. He wrote, 'It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.'" [00:06:55]

"Are you ready? John 12 verse 43, literally, 'They loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.' That is it. And with those words, John 12:43, Jesus cuts like a scalpel through to their fundamental motivation. Their issue was what they loved." [00:10:05]

"Romans 4:20, 'Abraham grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.' David cries in Psalm 3, 'You, O Lord, are my shield about me, my glory.' Where the Pharisees look for some other reward, the saints declare, 'The Lord is my portion,' which is why Paul could write in Galatians 1, 'Am I now seeking the approval of man?'" [00:17:16]

"The gospel is the means by which you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, because the gospel reveals it is the deepest revelation of the glory of God enabling us to see a wonderful superior beauty in God far above, far more satisfying than any human glory." [00:21:02]

"And when your eyes are open to see the superior beauty and worth and satisfaction of God's glory, then you will love the glory of God more than the glory of man and you will find yourself strong and not frightened in anything by your opponents." [00:21:53]

"In Christ crucified, we see a divine glory that shines into our darkness that confers life and goodness, that gives righteousness to helpless, unworthy sinners. As Martin Luther put it, 'Rather than seeking its own good, the love of God flows forth and bestows good.'" [00:25:22]

"Dear friends, it is the sight of the holy graciousness of God shown in Christ that is what has always given the saints the strength to stand firm. It is this sight that has surpassed the appeal of human approval and turned lambs into lions." [00:29:58]

"Here, friends, is a strength available for all the saints; timid saints, fearful saints, anxious saints, people pleasers. Here is the strength you need that will heal you and transform you found in growing to enjoy the glory of Christ." [00:31:16]

"When God's people, the church, love Christ and look to Him, they change from being weak, frightened, vacillating. They begin to exhibit to the world fearsome divine qualities reflecting the glory of the Lord. They become holy, blessed, happy, whole, beautiful in Christ-likeness, and so the church shines like the moon in the world in the darkness." [00:40:28]

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