“To God Be The Glory In The Church”
Ephesian 3:21
What is the number one duty of the Lord’s Church? Most Christians would say it is evangelism? The spreading of the Gospel to the lost of the world is believed to be the number one responsibility of the church. However, Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:21). This verse is part of a doxology or words glorifying God in a short hymn praising Him for His attributes or actions.
Notice the Church does not exist to glorify itself or make itself look good. For far too many local congregations the self-glorification says, “look at us, we have the biggest steeple, and our pews are filled with people.” “Look at us, we have a lot of money, and our preacher is a great orator, and his jokes are very funny.” “Look at us – we are great – look at all the good works we do” This does not mean that they have the approval of God (Matt. 7:21-23) or that these things are bringing glory to God.
God made the church glorious through Christ. He made it glorious by his body and resurrection. So, it should be considered a profound privilege for us to even be a part of the glorious church of Christ and bring glory to it by our lives. Yet, it is not just now on earth that the church is to bring glory to God, but “for ever and ever” revealing the glory of God.
What are the Various Ways the Church Glorifies God?
By Worshiping in Spirit and Truth
The very idea of worshiping is to bring glory to God. – 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24). Much of modern-day attempts to worship God is the glorification of the worshipers. Worship does not focus on God’s great abilities and attributes but that of the young lady performing a solo. Any part of worship which glorifies the worshiper is false worship. Jesus told Satan, “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve” (Matt. 4:10). After Aaron witnessed the fiery death of his two sons, Nadab and Abihu, Moses reminded him of God’s Will regarding worship: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified'” (Lev. 10:3).
By Singing and Making Melody in their Hearts
A favorite part of every worship service is singing. When we sing, we are “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:19). In contrast, making melody with an instrument glorifies the man’s talent who made the harp not the God who made the heart.
By Recognizing its Founder
Many men have founded churches throughout the ages, such as, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Joseph Smith, etc. Jesus promised to only build one church and it is His church. – “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Across any town in America can be found the names of other men and women being glorified on the signs of man-made churches. You will see the Saint Thomas Episcopal Church, The Church of the Saint Mary the Virgin, etc.
By Wearing the Name of Christ
The man-made names attached to churches seem endless. For example, the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc. churches are found on signs around the globe. But the one place you will not find them is on the pages of the New Testament. You will find the names for the church which follow the pattern of glorifying God and Christ. Paul wrote, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you” (Rom. 16:16). Although Christ is glorified by His followers wearing His name by identifying themselves as a Christians, the opposite occurs when men identifying themselves by saying, “I am a Baptist”, “I am Lutheran”, or “I am a Mormon.” Paul deals with this same issue when he corrected those in Corinth. “There are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Cor. 1:11b-13). Obviously, one can only wear the name of Christ and bring glory to God. This is true not only in the case of identifying oneself but also in regard to a local congregation.
By Its Unity
On the night in which Jesus was betrayed He prayed in the Garden for the unity of His disciples: “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (Jn. 17:21,22). Religious division does not bring praise to God. No one should pray thanking God for all the various denominations. Such a prayer would be in direct opposition to the Will of Christ. Paul made it very clear that there is only one body [“church”, Eph. 1:22,23] when he wrote, “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all” (Eph.4:3-6).
By Recognizing Christ as Head of the Church
God “put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1;23). “Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. … the church is subject to Christ” (Eph 5:23-24). To make the pope in Rome or a convention in Atlanta or a conference of men in Nashville the head of Christ’s church robs Him of glory.
By Keeping the Bride Pure and Uncompromised
Christ is not a polygamist. He only has one bride, His church”. “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:25-27). Again, Christ is robbed of His due glory when men attribute to Him many churches (brides) and call His bride not by His name, “Church of Christ” but by some other man’s name or give it a man-made name. Worse yet, is defiling His bride with homosexual preachers and gay marriages.
By Proclaiming the Gospel
“Now when the Gentiles heard” the word of God preached “they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:48). To the church and its members, “the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed” (1 Tim. 1:11). Preaching another or different gospel not only does not glorify God but makes the false teacher accursed. Paul warned, “if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:9).
By Bearing Much Fruit
Jesus told His disciples, “by this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8). To many, the bearing of fruit is winning souls to Christ. Although evangelism may be one way of bearing fruit, it is not the only way. Bearing fruit can be seen in edifying the saints or providing for the needs of the saints. “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
By Waiting for His Return
When Christ comes again, He will “be glorified in His saints” (2 Thess. 1:10). Until then, we are to be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:13). And the church will continue to meet to worship and partake of the Lord’s Supper. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).
The church is not optional or unimportant to being a Christian. Neither is it optional as to the church’s obligation to glorify God. May the Forum Terrace Church of Christ bring glory to God as long as it exists.
– Daniel R. Vess