Sunday 09:29:13

Eric Metaxas' book, Seven Men It was March of 1783. the American war for independence was won. It would be another 6 months until a peace treaty with England was signed. But the mood among the American army was turning ugly. The new government was broke. Congress had made promises to pay the men who gave so much over the years of the war, but the promises could not be kept. The US government could not pay the back pay and pensions it had promised. George Washington became aware of a meeting of officers that was set to discuss what has become known as the "Newburgh Conspiracy." The conspiracy was an idea by US congressmen and American officers to either seize control of the government or to disband the army all together and let the British overthrow the fledgling government. Their threat was to force congress to pay the men who fought for independence. General Washington sent orders that the meeting of the officers was canceled and called a meeting of his own with them on March 16, 1783. He spoke to them about their own honor. He told them that they had fought bravely and that to commit treason or tyranny would tarnish the honor that they had fought for. His address was eloquent, but they were angry and not convinced. After his speech, the room was silent. They were unmoved. He told the officers he had something else to read them. He pulled out a letter from a Virginia congressman. He stumbled over the words, so he reached in his pocket and pulled out a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. His men had never seen him in them before. He said, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind." At that moment, the anger in the room subsided. Those battle-hardened men were utterly changed. Many wept openly as Washington read the letter and then quietly walked out of the room. His quiet action reminded them that they had given years of their lives together for something greater than themselves. Their general had given years of service with them for American independence, it changed their hearts and minds to act honorably. It was something bigger than themselves and it changed the history of our nation. We all long to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We were created with a longing for a deep sense of purpose. To follow Jesus is to abandon self and live for the glory of God John 8:48-59 v. 49 I honor my Father - Jesus lived to glorify His Father The Father is worthy of our honor because of who He is He is the king of glory, the creator, the God who is abounding in love, slow to anger, perfect in holiness, The Father is worthy of our honor because of what He's done He has a purpose to rescue and redeem mankind. Jesus said He came to preach this good news, he came to seek and save the lost, he came that we who were dead in our sins might have eternal life This is the great glory of the Father, and Jesus said, I will honor Him v. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself Jesus set the example for us - we are not to live for our own glory We are not to live for our own purpose. We were created to give our lives for God's greater glory v. 54 if I glorify myself, my glory means nothing Jesus said this. How much more true in our lives. When we live like we are worthy of glory, our lives are out order We are born with a sinful desire to glorify ourselves But the problem is, that makes us and our happiness supreme in our lives When the biggest thing you are concerned with is your own happiness, you're in trouble We all started our marriages thinking, "he/she will make me happy, he/she will meet my needs." You got into marriage for a couple of years and you realize that you are one needy being You're hard to keep happy. And so is your spouse But then you heard the truth of the Scripture that your marriage is not about you, it's about showing the love Jesus to each other - and that changed your life God has to reorient our priorities Like the compass in Pirates of the Caribbean, we are always looking for what we want. Always pointing to our own desires But God has something greater for us to live for He changes the focus of our desires YOU AND I ARE MADE TO GLORIFY GOD. from John Piper We were made for the express purpose of glorifying God in all times and places and circumstances. All creation reflects the glory of God, but people are different. The stars and the trees have no choice They have no ability to see Gods glory and reason that He is worthy of glory. Everything in our life is an opportunity to glorify God or to not glorify God. Paul just said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all,” everything, the whole lot of life, “to the glory of God.” So, every moment of every day you and I will make decisions that either glorify or do not glorify God. This means that everything in our life is an opportunity to glorify God. In our lives, in our church, the key question to ask about everything is, "will it bring glory to our great God? My life is not about me. When I make life about me, I'm miserable. I want the world to revolve around me, but it doesn't. It's a constant struggle for me to be happy. The glory of God -Gives us a purpose greater than ourselves, our sins, troubles -it frees me from being constantly troubled about my own unhappiness -Keeps us from striving to be perfect -it frees us from hopelessly working to make ourselves perfect. I live for a perfect God. -Puts our lives in the rightly created order - food, sex, material things, even people - they are not ultimate, God is. The Westminster Larger Catechism What is the chief and highest end of man? Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever. God, I've been living as though my own happiness was supreme It's making me and the people around me miserable I want your greater glory as my purpose I have seen your great purpose to save and redeem and I want to live for that greater glory