All Praise to God

We as followers of Jesus are called to help unbelievers come to know Him as well as help other believers grow in their relationship with Him, but He empowers us to do this work!

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All Praise to God

"To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."

(Jude 25)

We have stated this week that we have a responsibility to grow and mature in our walk with God. We also as followers of Jesus are called upon by God to help unbelievers come to know Jesus as well as help believers grow in their relationship with Jesus. But the one thing I want to stress the most is that it is the Lord who empowers us, both in our sanctification and in our attempts to help others know and serve Christ.

Jude closes his epistle with a theologically rich doxology in verse 25. He offers this anthem and doxology of praise to God. He is the one true God, monos theos, no other god but Him! Jude calls Him our Savior. He is the only One who can truly save us from ourselves, sin, Satan, and eternal hell. He willingly saves all who call upon Him in faith. Note Jude says, "who alone is wise." That jumped out at me, because wisdom is a prized spiritual commodity that I ask God for every day. I read a chapter in Proverbs every day, relying on the Lord, pleading to Him for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

Notice the four words of praise to God given in this verse:

1. Glory or doxa is where we get the English word doxology. Doxa is only used in the New Testament in a positive and affirming light. There is value in the one receiving the glory that results in praise, worship, and honor. The word can also mean splendor, brightness, preeminence, and majesty. (Source.) James Merritt, pastor at Cross Pointe Church in Georgia, states: "Glory is as essential to God as light is to the sun, as blue is to the sky, as wet is to water. . . . Likewise, you do not make God glorious, God is glorious. You do not really give God glory; you acknowledge the glory that God already has." (Source: Shaddix & Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude)

2. Majesty is the translation of the Greek word megalōsynē. "It is his greatness being loosed and spread throughout all of his creation." (Ibid.)

3. Dominion is the translation of the Greek word kratos, which means strength, might, and power. I love this word. God alone has the strength to do what needs to be done in your life today. You can trust Him because He is omnipotent, all powerful.

4. Power is the translation of the Greek word exousia, often translated as authority, as it is in Matthew 28:18, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.'" This word speaks of God's intrinsic right to rule everything, and He has it all in His hands. Praise God! (Ibid.)

This text reminded me of Seth Schlueter's new song that I love so much, "Words We Will Sing Forever":

Singing holy (You're so worthy, God)
You are worthy (and we sing glory)
Singing glory (oh, we praise You)
In the highest (oh, we praise You)
In the highest (oh, so holy God)
You are holy (forever worthy God)
Worthy (we give You all the-)
Glory

Have a blessed weekend. May the Lord bless you and empower you to walk close with Him and point many to Him.

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Podcast of the Week

A Man on Fire for Jesus

Danny welcomes to the show his friend Pastor David Burton who has faithfully served the Lord in ministry for over 50 years! David has served in various capacities, including as the Director of Evangelism for the Southern Baptist Convention for over 25 years, and now serves as the president of his own ministry based in Florida. He shares a lot about what he has learned about sharing the Gospel with people in various conexts, including in his motorcycle ministry!

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