People love to have glory for things.  Some just feed on it like a chicken burrito dropped into the middle of a starving
village in Ethiopia.  Yes, sometimes it is preachers who are the greatest glory seekers in the body of Christ.  Before you hear
them preach they will be sure to mention, “How Great I Am”, as their own song of praise.  However, it is not just preachers
who are glory hungry.  Song leaders, men leading prayers, those heading the table, and even those who are not serving
publically all have problems with glory seeking in many congregations.  The one who preaches a sermon in a prayer as though
God does not know His word is just as bad as an arrogant woman who will be sure to toot her own stinking horn about how
great of a wife / mother she is.  

      We are not in a unique time.  Jesus had to deal with glory seekers during His time walking upon this earth in the flesh.  
Notice: “Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the
synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…   And
when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward…  But when ye
pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be
not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him…   Then
spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:  All
therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do
not.  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will
not move them with one of their fingers.  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments” (Matthew 6:2; 5; 7-8, and Matthew 23:1-5).  More examples
could be given of both our day and Jesus’.  Sad, isn’t it?  Glory does not belong to us!


      The Apostle Paul wrote: “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world
without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).  Paul’s inspired writing above removes the preacher, elders, deacons, song
leaders, prayer leaders, sisters in Christ, plain ole’ babes, etc. from getting the glory in the church!  Regardless of how great
thou art, God is greater.  Much more, He is the granter of all the abilities you have in His service (I Peter 4:11).  

      Regardless of what we do, God is to get the glory.  Again, we can quote the inspired words of Paul and see this plainly:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).  Whether in
providing for needy saints (II Corinthians 9:10-13) or suffering for the cause of Christ (I Peter 4:16), God is to be glorified.  
Some Christians seem to suffer from an inability to step aside so that God may be glorified.  They think they have done
something great and they want others to notice.  Read what Jesus said about our good works and whom they should glorify:
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

      Jesus lived by the very principles He taught.  Jesus came to this earth as the Savior of the world (John 4:42).  Jesus could
have easily had an attitude wherein He would have sought glory.  Truly, unlike anything you are good at, He was the only one
that could die offering the remission of sins (Hebrews chapters 9-10).  Jesus was, is, and always will be God (John 1:1,
Romans 9:5, I Timothy 3:16, and Revelation 1:11).  Jesus came into this world to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8).  
He could have screamed from the housetops, “I am the man, the conqueror, the King” etc.  This is not what Jesus, our example
(I Peter 2:21 and I John 2:3-6), did.  Instead, He showed us the mindset we all should have.  Paul wrote: “Let this mind be in
you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross”
(Philippians 2:5-8).  Jesus was not a glory seeker, but rather glorified our Father which is in Heaven (John 8:50 and John 14:
13).

      Jesus gave us a good test to find the glory seekers: “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that
seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him” (John 7:18).  It is important to know
those who are glory seekers, for they are not the true servants of our Lord.  Notice what happened to Herod as an example of
how much God hates glory seekers: “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made
an oration unto them.  And the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not of a man.  And
immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and
gave up the ghost” (Acts 12:21-23).  What do you suppose the excuse could be for a glory seeker today?  The answer is,
there is no excuse.  They are pathetic morons who will be humbled by the true Almighty (James 4:6-8).


      Within the body of Christ and without, all glory for all things belongs unto our Creator.  Notice the following passages
which will serve as our conclusion to this article: “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the
earth…  The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.  His work is honourable
and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever…   To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.  
Amen” (Psalms 108:5, Psalms 111:2-3, and Romans 16:27).
Volume VIII    ~    Issue XXXVI   ~   June 1st, 2008
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
Who Is To Be Glorified In the Church?
By: Brian A. Yeager
ALL Glory Belongs To God
Conclusion