The Glory of God
A Sermon on Ephesians 1:6
Scripture
6To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Sermon Description
Forgiveness of sin is the heart of redemption in Christ. But that is different than saying God’s primary motivation for redemption is forgiveness of sin. In this sermon on “The Glory of God” from Ephesians 1:6, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones remarks that errant thinking places the human being at the center of salvation rather than God. Instead, the glory of God is the great motive that led God to plan and purpose redemption in Christ. Christians are often lethargic about their salvation but Paul says Christians are redeemed to praise Him. Why should Advent illicit praise to God? Chiefly because in the coming of Christ the revelation of God’s glory is seen. Although the glory of God is difficult to define, the term implies God’s beauty, majesty, splendor, greatness, might and eternity. Dr. Lloyd-Jones walks through various passages in order to demonstrate how this theme runs throughout Scripture (Genesis 3:24; Exodus 40:34–37; Isaiah 6; Luke 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6). Placing the glory of God at the front of one’s mind can have great effects in evangelism. By emphasizing the glory of God in their proclamation of the gospel, Christians shall be much more apostolic in their method. While God is about His glory, the highest manifestation of that glory is found in the salvation of sinners.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon focuses on Ephesians 1:6 which states "to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
- The sermon begins by providing context about the setting and surrounding verses (Ephesians 1:3-5) which speak of God blessing us, choosing us, and predestining us to adoption as sons.
- The sermon then states that verse 6 reveals the motive and ultimate purpose behind God's redemptive work - "to the praise of the glory of his grace." This means salvation is for the glory of God.
- The sermon explains that "the glory of God" refers to God's essential being, including his beauty, majesty, splendor, greatness, might, and eternity.
- The sermon shows how the glory of God is revealed throughout the Bible, including in the Old Testament tabernacle, in prophecies of Christ's coming, in Christ's birth, and in God's wisdom, power, holiness, righteousness, and grace as displayed in redemption.
- The sermon emphasizes that redemption reveals God's glory in the highest way. While God's glory is seen in creation, providence, and history, it shines brightest in redemption.
- The sermon states that God's glory is revealed in and through us as Christians. We have been called to live in a way that leads others to glorify God.
- The sermon examines how we should view ourselves in light of this calling. It says we should view ourselves as "highly favored" in Christ, just as Mary was highly favored to bear Christ. We have been chosen by grace to have Christ dwell within us.
- The sermon concludes by saying that we should give God all the glory for our salvation. Our faith and believing did not accomplish it - it was God's grace alone.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.