A. There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

B. The churches glorified God in the salvation of Saul of Tarsus. Galatians 1:22-24 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.

C. The church in Jerusalem glorified God when they heard of the salvation of the Gentiles in Antioch. Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

D. Since we are Gentiles, we ought to glorify God that he has granted repentance unto life to the Gentiles. Acts 13:47-48 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

A. Let us never draw back from glorifying God that he has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

B. Let us glorify God for choosing us in Christ before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

C. Let us glorify God for sovereignly predestinating us unto the adoption of children by Christ. Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

D. Let us glorify God for making us accepted in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

E. Let us glorify God for the redemption that we have through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood.

F. Let us glorify God for the riches of his grace through which we have the forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

G. Let us glorify God for how he has abounded toward us in making known to us some of the wonders of his great and eternal purpose. Ephesians 1:8-10 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.

H. Let us glorify God that we have obtained an inheritance in Christ. Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

I. Let us glorify God that he would use such as us to be to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

J. Let us glorify God that he has sealed us unto the day of the redemption of our bodies. Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

K. Pilgrims, there is so much more, even in this chapter for which we should glorify God but I must move to another point.

A. He has especially chosen his churches as the means of his being glorified. Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

B. He has chosen his churches and their ministers to do his evangelizing. Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

C. He has chosen his churches to be his baptizing agents here on earth.

D. He has chosen his churches to be his schools for Christians in this world.

E. He has chosen his churches to be the guardians of truth on this earth. 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

F. His churches are lampstands on this earth furnishing light in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation. Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 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. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Philippians 2:15-16 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

G. His churches are to serve as salt in this world. Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

H. If our service on this earth is to bring God the most glory, it must be rendered to him in his blood-bought bodies on this earth—his true, local churches. Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.