So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
the highest priority of God.
(sermon notes for August 27, 2017)
We frequently hear people talk about going back to the “basics” of Christianity.
They rightly say that we should set aside human traditions and external
religiosity-- and strive to simply live like Jesus did. What would Jesus do? What
would Jesus say? How would Jesus handle it?
That is certainly correct! As disciples of Jesus, we should always strive to live
as He did. But to truly live like Jesus did, we need to understand what mattered
the most to Him. After all, Jesus’ life and behavior flowed from His priorities and
purposes. To live like He did, we need to share those same priorities.
In today’s passage, we can gain some important insight on what was most
important to Jesus.

 see John 12:27 (page 1068)
 In this verse, Jesus says that his soul was troubled. Literally, his soul was
agitated, stirred up, distressed. Why was Jesus troubled? Because of what
was immediately ahead of him.
The “hour” Jesus refers to here is clearly the time of his death. That is
clear from the context. These words were spoken by Jesus sometime after
Palm Sunday (12:12-17) and before the Last Supper (John 13). Within a few
days or perhaps hours, Jesus would be crucified. (See also John 12:33)
The verse break between verses 27 and 28 is somewhat unfortunate
because the thought becomes separated. The idea here is that Jesus was
agitated because of what would happen to Him in a matter of hours. Jesus,
however, would not turn away from the Cross -- because His higher priority
was the glory of His Father. His request was not, “Father save me” but
rather, “Father, be glorified.”
In short, Jesus’ highest priority was not His own safety or well-being… it
was the glory of His Father.
Jesus showed us that the highest priority and the
greatest goal in life…
is to ____________________________________________.
(to honor Him, to worship Him, to please Him)
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him
be glory forever. Amen. -Romans 11:36
-1 Corinthians 10:31
...in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
-1 Peter 4:11
11
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor
and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed
and were created.” -Revelation 4:11

The Scriptures teach us that the highest goal of life is to glorify God. But what
does that look like for us? How can I honor Him in my life?
Here are two things we learn from the example of Jesus:
 see John 12:28-32 (page 1068)
 In verse 28, the Father says that His name had been glorified in the past and
would be glorified again (pointing to the immediate future).
 It is easy for us to see how God was glorified through the life of Jesus-- but
how would God possibly be glorified in what was immediately ahead for
Jesus? How could God be honored even through a crucifixion?
Through the Cross, Jesus’ victory vanquished the Enemy. Because of the
Cross, all people can come to God through Christ (see 12:31-32). God
ultimately received honor even through the Cross.
God is honored when we ____________________________…
regardless of the situation or circumstance.

 see John 12:27-28 (page 106)
 It is interesting that the emphasis in verse 28 is on the word “Your.” That word
stands in contrast to the words “My soul” and save Me. What Jesus is saying
is that the Father’s will is more important than “my” comfort and well-being.
God is honored when we set aside our own ____________
and choose to do ___________________________.