In a service filled with worship and heartfelt praise, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome offered a profound and practical teaching on what it truly means to glorify God. Although many believers sing songs declaring “Lord, we glorify You” or “I worship You,” Pastor Chris explained that not everyone understands how to carry out those words in action.
“A lot of people sing songs and say ‘We glorify You, Lord,’ but they don’t know how to do it,” he said. “How do you glorify God? Number one — your life, the things you do, your actions. The things you do that cause other people to give thanks to God.”
He reminded the congregation that glorifying God is not merely an emotional expression during singing; it is a lifestyle that reflects His nature and goodness. Yet within the moment of worship, the Bible gives clear instruction on how to demonstrate reverence.
Lifting Hands: Pastor Chris Explains
When believers declare “I glorify You” in a song, Pastor Chris explained that the appropriate action is the lifting of hands. This simple yet powerful gesture is a biblical expression of honor, submission, and adoration before God.
“The Bible tells us it’s by lifting your hands,” he said. “So when you say ‘I glorify Him,’ you lift your hands. When you say ‘I worship You, Lord,’ you lift your hands.”
He added that other forms of worship: acts of service, obedience, giving, and love, are carried out in daily life. But during the moment of praise, when those words rise from heart and lips, the physical act that corresponds to them is the raising of hands.
“During the song of praise, that’s what you do. You lift your hands,” Pastor Chris emphasized. “You observe those moments when words are being uttered in the song to God.”
The Sacrifice of Praise: Offering the Fruit of Our Lips
Turning to Scripture, Pastor Chris read from Hebrews 13:15, this time from the Amplified Classic Translation to reveal deeper understanding:
“Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.”
He highlighted the phrase “fruit of lips”, explaining that the fruit of a believer’s lips is words—grateful, faith-filled, God-honoring words.
“What are fruits of lips? Words,” he said. “Words that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.”
These, he explained, are not random expressions but deliberate declarations spoken in worship. To “confess His name” is to proclaim who God is, what He has done, and the greatness of His works.
“When you confess His name, you are making declarations,” he explained. “Ascribing marvelous works to His name. Ascribing glorious things to His name.”
Words That Glorify God
Pastor Chris taught that glorifying God with words includes:
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Thankfully acknowledging Him — recognizing His grace, His provision, His intervention
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Confessing His name — declaring His power and identity
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Ascribing greatness to Him — giving Him credit for His marvelous works
He explained that these spoken praises carry power. They are not poetic embellishments but spiritual offerings rising before the Lord. The believer’s words are tools of worship, instruments that exalt God’s name and create an atmosphere of His presence.
“We’ve got all these in so many songs we’ll be using today,” he said, noting that songs in worship services are structured to help believers articulate thanksgiving, confession, and glorification of God. “These songs are tools of praise.”
Praise as an Offering to God
Pastor Chris reminded the congregation that the sacrifice of praise is not occasional but constant. Hebrews 13:15 teaches believers to offer praise “at all times,” not only when emotions are high or circumstances are favorable.
This kind of praise requires recognition, intention, and spiritual maturity. It is the offering of a heart fully aware of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty.
“It is through Him,” Pastor Chris emphasized, “through Jesus Christ, that we offer this sacrifice. He makes our worship acceptable.”
He explained that praise is not merely a moment of singing; it is an act of spiritual priesthood. Believers are called to lift holy hands, speak holy words, and live holy lives that reflect the glory of God.
Worship Beyond the Song
While praising God through words and lifted hands is essential, Pastor Chris taught that glorifying God extends into everyday life. The believer’s conduct, decisions, and acts of love are expressions of worship just as meaningful as singing during a service.
“How do you glorify God?” he asked. “Your life, the things you do, your actions. The things you do that cause other people to give thanks to God.”
He explained that worship is not limited to the church auditorium; it is carried into the world through kindness, integrity, generosity, and obedience to God’s Word. True worship is a lifestyle.
Songs as Instruments of Praise
Reflecting on the worship sequences used during the service, Pastor Chris noted that songs are more than melodies—they are vessels of spiritual truth. They help believers frame their praise, express gratitude, and make bold declarations of faith.
“These songs are tools of praise,” he said. “The instruments of praise—we’ll be using them and praising the Lord.”
By engaging with the words of the song and matching them with the corresponding act of lifting hands, believers participate in worship with deeper understanding and spiritual accuracy.
Living a Life That Glorifies God with Pastor Chris
Pastor Chris’ teaching offered a refreshing and enlightening look at what it means to glorify God both in worship and in daily life. It calls every believer to:
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Lift their hands when declaring worship in song
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Speak words of praise that confess and glorify His name
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Live in a way that causes others to give thanks to God
Through simple yet profound instruction, he showed that glorifying God is not mysterious — it is scriptural, practical, and beautifully powerful.
As believers offer the fruit of their lips, lift their hands in praise, and live out God’s love in their world, they become true worshippers who honor God “constantly and at all times,” just as Hebrews 13:15 teaches.