Psalm 8
1. Glory
Glory means splendor, dignity, reputation and reverence.
True statements but the wrong emphasis for two reasons:
makes the Gospel transactional instead of relational
orients our lives around the wrong things: sin & gifts
”Shame is the deep sense that you are unacceptable because of something you did, something done to you, or something associated with you. You feel exposed and humiliated.” -Edward T. Welch
Here is the progressive nature of shame…
1) Because shame is a constant awareness of our defects, we develop what is known as shame-based thinking.
I am defective
I am dirty
I am incompetent
I am unwanted
I am stupid
I am weak
I am bad
I am pitiful
I am nothing
2) Our dominant thinking becomes I am not good enough (present) and I will never be good enough (future).
3) Therefore, it doesn’t matter what I do because I don’t matter. At this point I begin to act in keeping with what I believe about myself, others and the world.
4) In shame, what we do becomes who we are.
5) In glory, who we are determines what we do.
-Jeremiah 32:27
2. Honor
Honor is defined as a high respect and great esteem which expresses itself in an adherence to what is right.
3. Dominion, v. 6-8
Dominion is the power of being trusted to be responsible.
“When we talk about dominion, it’s helpful to think of it this way: As God’s image bearers in creation, we were intended to act as His representatives. We were designed, in a very real way, to show the world what God is like. So when God gave us the command to rule over the earth, the expectation was to do so in a way that reflected His character.” -Aaron Armstrong
Two things about dominion:
1) It has also been God’s design from the beginning.
- Genesis 1:26
2) Before we can exercise dominion externally we have to inwardly
Mental worship…
1. What would have to change about your life if you began thinking about yourself in terms of glory, honor and dominion?
2. What role, if any, have you allowed shame to play in your life and why?
3. Is there anything about you that you know in your head is right but you just don’t believe it by the way you live?
4. Are you currently living in submission to anything you should be exercising dominion over?
5. What do you think God believes you are capable of by giving you glory, honor and dominion?