Your Story of Glory: Part I - True Grit Gives Glory
December 9, 2007
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Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Man on the street - What is the best gift you could give God? Results - What happens - You would give Him Glory as a glimpse of glory! What keeps us from giving God glory? The tempter! How can we give God glory as a glimpse of glory? True Grit gives God glory - How do you have true grit? Rooster Cogburn - double tough - fear don’t enter into his thinking.
1) Thinks Mouth
V3-4 - Two words – world - God’s - feed self - feed soul.
Times of scarcity bring vulnerability - The Tempter knows your hunger! In tiger country - Be alert - what hunger can the tempter use against you? Rely on God’s word!
Instant gratification or inner satisfaction? Instant potatoes - Ryan’s feeding frenzy - Got the shakes! The good stuff takes to much time! It’s all about feeding my mouth not what is coming from God’s mouth! True grit lives by and on the word of God – How - be an eater! Clean your plate! Take notes - get a Bible - mark it up. GOOD!!
2) Thinks Hand
V5-7 - The tempter wants you to jump! To put God to the test - means you doubt God! Promises - V6 - commands - V7 - God is not a juggler - We keep hand in hand with God! Promises and commands – Stupid - floating trip - no life jacket -Chemistry class - Don’t go numb! Jumping without the commands! Prom. And Command go hand in hand - Will you trust in God’s hand? Or take matters into your own hand?
“Jewels lose their glory if neglected.” The tempter wants us to lose our ability to give a glimpse of glory - to neglect our allegiance and loyalty to God - V8 - The lust of the eyes - flesh, pride of life - all draw our attention and loyalty - The tempter lures us to sell out to the world.
3) Thinks Knees
V8 - What’s bringing you to your knees? What has your allegiance? Dreams of owning Fort Knox, being the next Elvis, dreams of eternal leisure and luxury. The tempter wants people to sell out to him - to rank under him - and he offers the world! He wants the glory!
To worship - means like a dog licks the hand of his master - Scotty dog - loyalty!
Who/what do you kneel before? Evaluate your life.
A) Are you first?
B) Blues Brothers - “on mission from God” - V10 - Is God first? Is he foremost? Are you a true worshiper? Seeking, serving, singing. What brings you to your knees?
Thought - These things serve me for me to serve God! To give a glimpse of glory?!
Conclusion
The story of Glory – Jesus - you? Spotlights - What if we each were giving glimpses of glory –MOSES - What if we gave God glory? What if we were a people of true grit?
People would come to Christ! Salvations – disciples - real joy, goodness, and peace? Is it possible?
YES - if you will write your story of glory - Today have true grit!