Giving Glory to God in Preacher's Personal Examples
Giving Glory to God in Preacher's Personal Examples
Preachers giving glory to God through their personal examples is rooted in biblical teachings and has been a consistent theme across various Christian traditions. The apostle Paul sets a precedent by glorifying God through his ministry, stating, "I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God" [1, 6]. This practice is not limited to Paul; it is a principle encouraged throughout the New Testament.
The concept of glorifying God is multifaceted, involving various aspects of a preacher's life and ministry. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, glorifying God is commanded [3]. It involves relying on God's promises, praising Him, and doing all to His glory [3]. Preachers are called to give thanks to God, call upon His name, and make known His deeds among the people [7].
In their personal examples, preachers can glorify God by demonstrating humility, a characteristic highly regarded in Christian teachings. Christ is cited as an example of humility [4]. Preachers are encouraged to follow this example, as humility is considered necessary for the service of God [4].
The practice of giving glory to God is not confined to personal conduct but is also reflected in the preacher's ministry. Paul's ministry is a prime example, where he gloried in the success of his work "through Jesus Christ" [1]. This glory is attributed to God's power and grace, as seen in Acts 20:24, where Paul states that he holds his life dear only to finish his ministry and testify to the Gospel of God's grace [2].
Different Christian traditions interpret the concept of glorifying God in a preacher's personal examples in similar ways, emphasizing the importance of humility, reliance on God's promises, and attributing success to God's glory. For instance, John Gill notes that Paul's glorying is "through Jesus Christ" and "in those things which pertain to God," highlighting the centrality of Christ in glorifying God [5]. Similarly, Matthew Henry emphasizes the importance of giving thanks and calling upon God's name as a means of glorifying Him [7].
The biblical basis for preachers giving glory to God in their personal examples is clear. It involves a life of humility, thanksgiving, and reliance on God's promises, with the ultimate goal of attributing all glory to God through Jesus Christ. As Adam Clarke notes, even the success of a preacher's work should be attributed to God's blessing, and thus, the glory should be given to God [8].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 15:17 (KJV) — I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.”
- Acts “But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. -- Acts 20:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:16: I have therefore whereof I may glory,.... Not in himself, for he that taught others not to glory in men, would not glory in himself; not in his carnal descent and fleshly privileges; nor in his knowledge of, and compliance with, the ceremonies of the law; nor in his legal, moral, and civil righteousness before God; nor in his gifts and attainments, as merited and procured by himself; nor in his labours in the ministry, and the success of it, as of himself: but through Jesus Christ; or "in Jesus Christ", as read the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions; in wha”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 15:17: I have therefore whereof I may glory--or (adding the article, as the reading seems to be), "I have my glorying." through--"in" Christ Jesus in those things which pertain to God--the things of the ministry committed to me of God.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 105:1: Our devotion is here warmly excited; and we are stirred up, that we may stir up ourselves to praise God. Observe, I. The duties to which we are here called, and they are many, but the tendency of them all is to give unto God the glory due unto his name. 1. We must give thanks to him, as one who has always been our bountiful benefactor and requires only that we give him thanks for his favours - poor returns for rich receivings. 2. Call upon his name, as one whom you depend upon for further favours. Praying for further mercies is accepted as an acknowledgment of fo”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 10:17: He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord - Instead of boasting or exulting even in your own success in preaching the Gospel, as none can be successful without the especial blessing of God, let God who gave the blessing have the glory. Even the genuine apostle, who has his commission immediately from God himself, takes no praise to himself from the prosperity of his work, but gives it all to God. How little cause then have your uncommissioned men to boast, to whom God has assigned no province, and who only boast in another man's line of things made ready t”