What Does It Mean to Glorify?

To glorify someone means to show that they are worthy of glory or to tell about how great that someone is. Every Christian has a responsibility to glorify God in what we say and in what we do.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.(1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV)

It is also our responsibility when we meet or work together as a local congregation.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name."(Romans 15:5-9, ESV)

Not only do we sing to edify each other, but we sing praises to God and glorify Him. That is one part of our worship to God as a local church.

For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others(2 Corinthians 9:12-13, ESV)

Another way that the local congregation glorifies God is in contributing to the needs of the saints which we will discuss more about later. At least God is to be glorified in response to the giving in local churches to help poor brethren. I am not really sure if I would classify giving on the first day of the week as “an act of worship,” but it certainly is to lead to the worship of God.

What are often called the “Five Acts of Worship” are:

1. Preaching / Studying the word of God
2. Prayer
3. Singing
4. The Lord’s Supper
5. Collection of money

These are what we read about the Christians doing when they came together as a church to worship. The Lord’s Supper and the collection of money we only find happened on the first day of the week. The others were done regardless of the day.