Living Toward the Glory of God
Living Toward the Glory of God
This week, Pastor Bob brought our series on the Lord’s Prayer to a close by focusing on the familiar ending many of us have heard or prayed:
“For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Even if those words are familiar, they invite us to slow down and ask: What are we really saying when we pray them?
Pastor Bob began by reminding us that the Lord’s Prayer is something we pray together. It is not just a private prayer for “me and God,” though it can certainly be prayed alone. It is a prayer that forms us as a people. It teaches us what matters most: God’s name, God’s kingdom, God’s will, daily needs, forgiveness, protection, and ultimately, God’s glory.
Glimpses of Glory
We all have things that come to mind when we hear the word “glorious.”
Maybe it is the ocean at night, with moonlight shining over the waves. Maybe it is a mountain view, a sky full of stars, the northern lights, or someone you love on a special day. Pastor Bob even joked that for some, it might be Michael Jordan in his prime—or the Steelers’ six Super Bowl rings.
We know glory when we see it. Beauty stops us. Greatness captures our attention.
But as wonderful as those moments are, they are only small glimpses. They point beyond themselves. The beauty of the world around us reflects the One who made it. God’s glory is greater than the most breathtaking view, the most inspiring performance, or the most meaningful human moment.
And that matters because, as Pastor Bob reminded us, the main concern of a follower of Jesus is the glory of God. That may sound like a “church phrase,” but it simply means this: our lives are meant to point toward God’s goodness, greatness, love, and truth.
Ordinary Life Can Point to God
One of the encouraging parts of the message was the reminder that glorifying God is not limited to singing songs or attending church services. Those things matter, but they are not the whole picture.
Jesus said that his followers are “the light of the world.” Like a lamp in a dark room, our lives are meant to bring light to others. When we love well, forgive, serve, tell the truth, show compassion, and live with integrity, people get a glimpse of God through us.
Pastor Bob also pointed to the Apostle Paul’s words that even eating and drinking can be done for God’s glory. In other words, no part of life is too small. Our work, relationships, decisions, conversations, meals, generosity, and daily responsibilities can all become ways of honoring God.
That is both humbling and hopeful. We do not need a platform to live a meaningful life. We do not need to be impressive. We can begin right where we are.
A Crescendo of Prayer
Pastor Bob used the image of a crescendo in music: something that starts quietly and gradually builds until it becomes full and powerful.
In many ways, the Lord’s Prayer works like that. It begins by addressing God as Father. It moves through God’s name, kingdom, will, provision, forgiveness, and protection. Then it rises into praise: the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to God forever.
Our lives can be like that too. As we grow in trust, as we learn to pray, as we learn to forgive, as we depend on God day by day, our lives become a growing song of praise to him.
Not perfect. Not finished. But building.
Forever Is Longer Than We Can Imagine
The word “forever” is easy to say but hard to grasp.
Pastor Bob invited us to think about eternity—not as a vague idea, but as the future hope of being fully with God. Revelation gives us a picture of people from every nation, tribe, and language worshiping God together. It is a scene of joy, rescue, healing, and awe.
For some people, the idea of worship forever may sound strange or even intimidating. Pastor Bob acknowledged that honestly. If we picture eternity as an endless church service in uncomfortable clothes, it may not sound very exciting.
But worship is much bigger than singing. Worship is life rightly lived with God. It is work without frustration, relationships without sin, joy without sorrow, and love without fear. It is finally being home.
What we experience now—the beauty, goodness, healing, and joy we taste in small ways—is only a shadow of what is coming.
A Note About the Ending of the Lord’s Prayer
Pastor Bob also addressed something many people may not know: the phrase “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” is not included in the oldest copies of Matthew’s Gospel.
That may sound unsettling at first, but Pastor Bob explained why it does not need to shake our trust in the Bible.
The Bible was copied by hand for centuries before the printing press. Because we have thousands of ancient copies and fragments, scholars are able to compare them carefully. In this case, the evidence shows that this ending was likely added very early as a way for Christians to close the prayer in worship.
That does not mean the words are wrong. The ideas are deeply biblical. God’s kingdom, power, and glory are found throughout Scripture and throughout the Lord’s Prayer itself. It simply means these words were probably not part of Matthew’s original text.
Pastor Bob emphasized that this should actually give us confidence. Christians have not tried to hide this. Modern Bible translations often include a footnote so readers can see the evidence for themselves. That kind of honesty matters.
It is okay to pray the ending. It is also okay to pray the Lord’s Prayer without it. Either way, the heart of the prayer remains the same.
What Does “Amen” Mean?
We often end prayers with “Amen,” but we may not always think about what it means.
Pastor Bob explained that “Amen” means something like, “Yes,” “Truly,” or “Let it be so.” It is a word of trust. When we say amen, we are saying, “God, I believe you hear me. I trust you with this.”
That is a powerful way to end the Lord’s Prayer because the prayer asks for things that touch every part of life: God’s will, our needs, our sins, our relationships, our temptations, and our hope.
Amen is not just a religious period at the end of a sentence. It is an act of trust.
Praying With Intention
As the series closed, Pastor Bob asked a simple but important question: What do we need to learn from the Lord’s Prayer?
For him personally, the Lord’s Prayer has become a helpful guide for daily prayer. He shared that he realized he often prayed about some parts—like provision or forgiveness—but not always every part. For example, asking God for protection from evil was something he wanted to be more intentional about.
That may be a helpful practice for many of us. We do not have to repeat the Lord’s Prayer without thinking. In fact, Jesus warned against empty, repetitive words. But we can use the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern, letting it shape what we bring to God each day.
We can pray with meaning. With honesty. With trust.
Because prayer matters.
And ultimately, prayer leads us back to where we began: God’s kingdom, God’s power, and God’s glory.
Forever.
Amen.
Scriptures Referenced
- Matthew 6:7-8
- Matthew 6:9-13
- Matthew 5:14-16
- Ephesians 2:8-10
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
- Revelation 7:9-12
- Luke 11:2-4
- John’s Gospel themes of Jesus glorifying the Father and the Father glorifying the Son
- Old Testament references to Israel’s rescue from Egypt, manna in the wilderness, water in the wilderness, Jericho, the prophets, exile, and return from exile.
This week, Pastor Bob brought our series on the Lord’s Prayer to a close by focusing on the familiar ending many of us have heard or prayed:
“For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Even if those words are familiar, they invite us to slow down and ask: What are we really saying when we pray them?
Pastor Bob began by reminding us that the Lord’s Prayer is something we pray together. It is not just a private prayer for “me and God,” though it can certainly be prayed alone. It is a prayer that forms us as a people. It teaches us what matters most: God’s name, God’s kingdom, God’s will, daily needs, forgiveness, protection, and ultimately, God’s glory.
Glimpses of Glory
We all have things that come to mind when we hear the word “glorious.”
Maybe it is the ocean at night, with moonlight shining over the waves. Maybe it is a mountain view, a sky full of stars, the northern lights, or someone you love on a special day. Pastor Bob even joked that for some, it might be Michael Jordan in his prime—or the Steelers’ six Super Bowl rings.
We know glory when we see it. Beauty stops us. Greatness captures our attention.
But as wonderful as those moments are, they are only small glimpses. They point beyond themselves. The beauty of the world around us reflects the One who made it. God’s glory is greater than the most breathtaking view, the most inspiring performance, or the most meaningful human moment.
And that matters because, as Pastor Bob reminded us, the main concern of a follower of Jesus is the glory of God. That may sound like a “church phrase,” but it simply means this: our lives are meant to point toward God’s goodness, greatness, love, and truth.
Ordinary Life Can Point to God
One of the encouraging parts of the message was the reminder that glorifying God is not limited to singing songs or attending church services. Those things matter, but they are not the whole picture.
Jesus said that his followers are “the light of the world.” Like a lamp in a dark room, our lives are meant to bring light to others. When we love well, forgive, serve, tell the truth, show compassion, and live with integrity, people get a glimpse of God through us.
Pastor Bob also pointed to the Apostle Paul’s words that even eating and drinking can be done for God’s glory. In other words, no part of life is too small. Our work, relationships, decisions, conversations, meals, generosity, and daily responsibilities can all become ways of honoring God.
That is both humbling and hopeful. We do not need a platform to live a meaningful life. We do not need to be impressive. We can begin right where we are.
A Crescendo of Prayer
Pastor Bob used the image of a crescendo in music: something that starts quietly and gradually builds until it becomes full and powerful.
In many ways, the Lord’s Prayer works like that. It begins by addressing God as Father. It moves through God’s name, kingdom, will, provision, forgiveness, and protection. Then it rises into praise: the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to God forever.
Our lives can be like that too. As we grow in trust, as we learn to pray, as we learn to forgive, as we depend on God day by day, our lives become a growing song of praise to him.
Not perfect. Not finished. But building.
Forever Is Longer Than We Can Imagine
The word “forever” is easy to say but hard to grasp.
Pastor Bob invited us to think about eternity—not as a vague idea, but as the future hope of being fully with God. Revelation gives us a picture of people from every nation, tribe, and language worshiping God together. It is a scene of joy, rescue, healing, and awe.
For some people, the idea of worship forever may sound strange or even intimidating. Pastor Bob acknowledged that honestly. If we picture eternity as an endless church service in uncomfortable clothes, it may not sound very exciting.
But worship is much bigger than singing. Worship is life rightly lived with God. It is work without frustration, relationships without sin, joy without sorrow, and love without fear. It is finally being home.
What we experience now—the beauty, goodness, healing, and joy we taste in small ways—is only a shadow of what is coming.
A Note About the Ending of the Lord’s Prayer
Pastor Bob also addressed something many people may not know: the phrase “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” is not included in the oldest copies of Matthew’s Gospel.
That may sound unsettling at first, but Pastor Bob explained why it does not need to shake our trust in the Bible.
The Bible was copied by hand for centuries before the printing press. Because we have thousands of ancient copies and fragments, scholars are able to compare them carefully. In this case, the evidence shows that this ending was likely added very early as a way for Christians to close the prayer in worship.
That does not mean the words are wrong. The ideas are deeply biblical. God’s kingdom, power, and glory are found throughout Scripture and throughout the Lord’s Prayer itself. It simply means these words were probably not part of Matthew’s original text.
Pastor Bob emphasized that this should actually give us confidence. Christians have not tried to hide this. Modern Bible translations often include a footnote so readers can see the evidence for themselves. That kind of honesty matters.
It is okay to pray the ending. It is also okay to pray the Lord’s Prayer without it. Either way, the heart of the prayer remains the same.
What Does “Amen” Mean?
We often end prayers with “Amen,” but we may not always think about what it means.
Pastor Bob explained that “Amen” means something like, “Yes,” “Truly,” or “Let it be so.” It is a word of trust. When we say amen, we are saying, “God, I believe you hear me. I trust you with this.”
That is a powerful way to end the Lord’s Prayer because the prayer asks for things that touch every part of life: God’s will, our needs, our sins, our relationships, our temptations, and our hope.
Amen is not just a religious period at the end of a sentence. It is an act of trust.
Praying With Intention
As the series closed, Pastor Bob asked a simple but important question: What do we need to learn from the Lord’s Prayer?
For him personally, the Lord’s Prayer has become a helpful guide for daily prayer. He shared that he realized he often prayed about some parts—like provision or forgiveness—but not always every part. For example, asking God for protection from evil was something he wanted to be more intentional about.
That may be a helpful practice for many of us. We do not have to repeat the Lord’s Prayer without thinking. In fact, Jesus warned against empty, repetitive words. But we can use the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern, letting it shape what we bring to God each day.
We can pray with meaning. With honesty. With trust.
Because prayer matters.
And ultimately, prayer leads us back to where we began: God’s kingdom, God’s power, and God’s glory.
Forever.
Amen.
Scriptures Referenced
- Matthew 6:7-8
- Matthew 6:9-13
- Matthew 5:14-16
- Ephesians 2:8-10
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
- Revelation 7:9-12
- Luke 11:2-4
- John’s Gospel themes of Jesus glorifying the Father and the Father glorifying the Son
- Old Testament references to Israel’s rescue from Egypt, manna in the wilderness, water in the wilderness, Jericho, the prophets, exile, and return from exile.
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