He Gets The Glory

  • Pastor Josh Smith
Are you living for your own glory or for God’s? Discover how emptying yourself of worldly attachments can lead to a life filled with the character of Jesus and bring glory to God. Join us as we explore the story of the rich young ruler and learn how to prioritize what truly matters.

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He Gets The Glory

Message Summary
Are you living for your own glory or for God’s? Discover how emptying yourself of worldly attachments can lead to a life filled with the character of Jesus and bring glory to God. Join us as we explore the story of the rich young ruler and learn how to prioritize what truly matters.
Key Scripture
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6
Additional Scriptures

5 Day Devotional

Day 1

Day 1: The Work God Began

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Devotional: Paul’s letter to the Philippians reminds us that God is actively working in our lives, shaping us into the image of Christ. This process requires us to empty ourselves of self-centered pursuits and allow God’s love to overflow through us. As we grow in knowledge and understanding, we begin to discern what truly matters, living lives that are pure and blameless. This transformation brings glory to God and reflects His character to the world.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean for you to be a partner in spreading the Good News?
  2. How can you allow God’s love to overflow more in your life?
  3. What are some areas where you need to grow in knowledge and understanding?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper understanding of God’s work in your life and the courage to let go of self-centered pursuits.
  2. Ask God to help you discern what truly matters and to live a life that brings glory to Him.

Day 2

Day 2: The Rich Young Ruler

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

Devotional: The story of the rich young ruler challenges us to examine our attachments. Jesus invites us to empty ourselves of anything that holds us back from fully following Him. The young man’s wealth was his stumbling block, but Jesus lovingly pointed him towards a life of true fulfillment. We are reminded that with God, all things are possible, including the transformation of our hearts.

Response Questions:

  1. What possessions or attachments might be holding you back from fully following Jesus?
  2. How does Jesus’ invitation to the rich young ruler speak to your own life?
  3. What steps can you take to begin emptying yourself of these attachments?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the courage to identify and let go of attachments that hinder your relationship with Jesus.
  2. Ask God to transform your heart and help you prioritize His kingdom above all else.

Day 3

Day 3: The Overflow of Love

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Devotional: Love is the defining characteristic of a life transformed by Christ. As we empty ourselves of worldly attachments, God’s love fills us and overflows to those around us. This love is not based on our own efforts but is a reflection of God’s love for us. When we love others, we make God’s presence known in the world, bringing glory to Him.

Response Questions:

  1. How does understanding God’s love for you change the way you love others?
  2. In what ways can you allow God’s love to overflow in your relationships?
  3. How can you make God’s presence known through your actions and words?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper understanding of God’s love and the ability to reflect that love to others.
  2. Ask God to help you be a vessel of His love, bringing His presence into every interaction.

Day 4

Day 4: Treasures in Heaven

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Devotional: Jesus teaches us to focus on storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth. Our earthly possessions are temporary, but the treasures we store in heaven are eternal. By emptying ourselves of material attachments, we align our hearts with God’s kingdom and allow His light to fill our lives. This shift in focus helps us serve God wholeheartedly, free from the enslavement of worldly desires.

Response Questions:

  1. What are some earthly treasures you find yourself holding onto?
  2. How can you shift your focus to storing treasures in heaven?
  3. What does it mean to serve God wholeheartedly in your daily life?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for the wisdom to discern between temporary and eternal treasures.
  2. Ask God to help you serve Him wholeheartedly, free from the enslavement of worldly desires.

Day 5

Day 5: The Joy of Salvation

Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

Devotional: David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is a heartfelt plea for renewal and restoration. As we empty ourselves of attachments and distractions, we invite God to create in us a clean heart and renew our spirit. The joy of salvation is found in a life fully surrendered to God, where His presence and guidance are our greatest treasures. This joy empowers us to live obediently and faithfully, bringing glory to God.

Response Questions:

  1. What does it mean for you to have a clean heart and a renewed spirit?
  2. How can you experience the joy of salvation in your daily life?
  3. In what ways can you live obediently and faithfully to bring glory to God?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a clean heart and a renewed spirit, inviting God to transform your life.
  2. Ask God to restore the joy of salvation in your heart and empower you to live obediently.

GrowGroup Guide

A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.

“Emptying for Glory: The Path to True Fulfillment”

Opening Prayer: Begin with a prayer asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word and to guide the discussion towards understanding and application.

Introduction: Briefly summarize the sermon, emphasizing the importance of living for God’s glory by emptying ourselves of worldly attachments. Highlight the story of the rich young ruler as a key example of how attachments can hinder our relationship with Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to live for God’s glory rather than our own?
    • Context: The sermon emphasized that Jesus lived His life for the glory of the Father, and we are called to do the same. This involves emptying ourselves of self-importance and worldly attachments.
    • Follow-up: How can we identify areas in our lives where we might be seeking our own glory?
  2. How does the story of the rich young ruler illustrate the challenge of emptying ourselves?
    • Context: The rich young ruler approached Jesus with a desire for eternal life but was unable to let go of his wealth, which had a hold on him. Jesus invited him to sell his possessions and follow Him, highlighting the need to detach from worldly things.
    • Follow-up: What are some “possessions” or attachments in our lives that might be holding us back from fully following Jesus?
  3. Why is it important to have the love of Christ overflow from our lives?
    • Context: The sermon referenced Philippians 1:9-11, which speaks about love overflowing and growing in knowledge and understanding. This love is a key fruit of our salvation and brings glory to God.
    • Follow-up: In what ways can we cultivate a life where the love of Christ overflows more and more?
  4. How can we practically “empty ourselves” to make room for God’s work in our lives?
    • Context: The sermon encouraged a pattern of emptying ourselves to allow God to produce the character of Jesus within us. This involves identifying and letting go of unhealthy attachments.
    • Follow-up: What practical steps can we take to begin this process of emptying in our daily lives?
  5. What role does faith play in trusting God with our attachments and desires?
    • Context: The sermon highlighted the importance of trusting God with our lives, even when it means letting go of things we hold dear. Jesus’ invitation to the rich young ruler was an invitation to trust.
    • Follow-up: How can we grow in our faith to trust God more fully with our lives and attachments?

Closing Activity: Encourage group members to take a moment of silent reflection, asking God to reveal any attachments they need to let go of. Invite them to write down one thing they will commit to emptying from their lives this week.

Closing Prayer: Conclude with a prayer asking God to help each member of the group to live a life that brings glory to Him, to guide them in the process of emptying, and to fill them with His love and character.

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