ONE HOPE Conference 2026 - Glory to God Alone: It's Not About You (Joel Kurz)

Text: Romans 11:36-12:1

From the ONE HOPE Conference: Soli Deo Gloria, this message from Romans 11:36–12:1 calls believers to recover a God-centered vision of ministry, worship, and life. Beginning with the phrase, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things,” the sermon confronts the temptation to make ministry about personal recognition, success, or platform instead of the glory of God alone.

Tracing the storyline of Scripture from Haggai to Moses to the cross of Christ, this message shows that the gospel begins with God, is accomplished through God, and ultimately exists for God’s glory. Joel emphasizes that the glory of God is most clearly displayed in His compassion toward sinners through Jesus Christ. At the cross, God’s mercy, holiness, justice, and love are fully revealed.

Because salvation is entirely the work of God, believers are freed from self-promotion, comparison, insecurity, and the exhausting pursuit of human approval. Instead, Christians are called to present their lives as living sacrifices in wholehearted worship.

This sermon also applies the doctrine of Soli Deo Gloria to urban ministry, church planting, sacrificial service, and gospel mission among the hardest and most broken communities. To God alone be the glory.

One Hope Conference 2026, Baltimore, MD March 7, 2026 Session 1

Joel Kurz is lead pastor at The Garden Church in Baltimore, MD, and director of ONE HOPE. Additionally Joel serves as Executive Director for the Baltimore Baptist Association.