June 12, 2005 Sermon by Pastor Daniel Dahling

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church-Friedheim
Celebrating our 167^th Year

A 21^st Century Parish with a 1^st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Pentecost 4
June 12, 2005
Romans 5:6-11
May We Thy Glory See

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Introduction: Glory is a popular word in today’s word and points to human achievement. Olympic athletes train and compete to win the gold medal. Candidates for political office hit the campaign trail to win a major election. Young business executives work long, hard hours to gain promotions and more prestigious jobs. We Christians are on the road to glory, yet how will we achieve it? Paul in our Epistles lesson for today gives us a new perspective on glory.

I. Glory is wrongly perceived if we view it from the vantage of human achievement.

A. We often deny God’s glory and seek our own. Paul reminds us, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” (NIV) Romans 1:21-23

We give God token glory knowing He made the world, coming to church occasionally for worship, going to Him for help in a pinch; but practically we seek our own glory through a comfortable, secure home environment, successful careers with advancement and salary raises, and enjoyable social activities and leisure.

B. In reality we are ungodly sinners and enemies of God. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” {Romans 5:6, 8, 10} (NIV) God simply exposes our self-glory.

1. In the home we experience illness, strife, confrontations between parents and children, to name just a few. We may be tempted to blame others but are exposed as sinners and enemies of God by the mirror of God’s perfect Law.

2. In the business world we experience loss of employment, power struggles, or unbridled success without satisfaction. We blame others but are exposed as ungodly sinners and enemies of God.

3. In the social arena we experience relocation, possibly quarrels with friends, or weariness with unbridled pleasure. Again, we blame others but are exposed as ungodly sinners and enemies of God.

Transition: What shall we do? Our sins rise up to condemn us. Our personal piety is lacking. False glory gives us nothing but shame. In humbleness and meekness we turn with contrite hearts, and in repentance and faith we seek the only consolation, which Christ alone can give.

II. God leads us to glory only in Him through the dead and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

A. God loves us in spite of our weakness. Paul reminds us, “You see, at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” {Romans 5:6-7} (NIV)

B. But God would not stop at remembering our sin. He does something about it. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” {Romans 5:8} (NIV)

C. He has “justified” us reconciling us back to pieces. “All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn’t put humpty dumpty back together again. As the nursery rhyme reminds us. But God does what no one else could do. He redeems and saves us!

“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath {of God} through Him. For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” {Romans 5:9-10} (NAS)

Now you and I give glory to God through the works and merits of Christ. God now fills us with praise to glorify Him in our daily lives; at home, at work, and in the community.

Conclusion: Thus we can now sing with the hymn writer Martin Luther, “All glory be to God alone, Forever more the Highest One. He is our sinful race’s friend’ His grace and peace to us extend. May humankind see His good will, May hearts with deep thanksgiving fill.”

+ Soli Deo Gloria +