evans, our god is awesome - the glory of god

Tuesday 1 February 2011

The Glory of God


glory |ˈglôrē|noun ( pl. -ries)

high renown or honor won by notable achievements

magnificence; great beauty


Evans says,

“Glory is the process of manifesting, demonstrating one’s attributes; letting everyone in the stands see you strut your stuff; letting people in on who you are on what makes you tick. That’s glory.

“Only God has true glory. Nothing can ever happen to dim or diminish his glory.”


1. God’s glory manifested in his nature

The glory of God is, “the visible manifestation of his attributes, his character, his perfections”

The OT word for glory means “to be weighted, to be heavy”.

Awesome is used of God’s glory - because that is what he is!


The glory of God is the composite of all that he is - the sum of his being, the comprehensive grouping of all his qualities, attributes etc.

Evans examines God’s glory further through Exodus 33:13-23. Moses makes three requests of God.

1. Verse 13 -If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. To follow God you need to know him, his ways are different to ours.

The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you...”

Aluminum Composite Panel - widely used in

construction


2. Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

Important principle - if God is not with you it is not worth going anywhere.

And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”


3. Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”In other words “I want to see and know all that you are God, show me everything”....the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”


The Hebrew word for goodness was also used for jewelry, it means splendour. God has intrinsic glory - it is part of who he is.

We try to look or be glorious, make up, plastic surgery, possessions etc. - God has it within himself, and it is there whether you recognise it or not.


“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.

Isaiah 42:8

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115:1

The glory of God does not depend on what he does but is about who he is

Psalm 29:3 - he is the God of glory


2. God’s glory manifested in history

God’s internal essence ins shown by his external actions - the manifest glory of God, Shekinah glory - meaning to reside or dwell with, so men can see it.

Evans says, “The internal essence of God would be a huge, radiating light. If God were to come to show us his inner self, we would see a big light. Where do I get that...?”


which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

1 Tim 6:15-16

The sun is 93 million miles from us, yet we feel its effects and couldn’t get within 1,000,000 miles without being burnt to bits

God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5


When God shows up in history it is always in relation to light;

Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

Rev 21:23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.


2.a.Revealed in creation

God reveals the light of his glory in a number of ways:

Psalm 19:1-2, 4-6

We cannot hide from God’s glory as it is revealed in the world around us. Go outside and see how glorious God is.

Our galaxy, the Milky way, has over 200 billion stars - and the universes is thought to have at least 1 million other such galaxies


2.a.Revealed in creation

God reveals the light of his glory in a number of ways:

Psalm 19:1-2, 4-6

We cannot hide from God’s glory as it is revealed in the world around us. Go outside and see how glorious God is.

Our galaxy, the Milky way, has over 200 billion stars - and the universes is thought to have at least 1 million other such galaxies

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they

use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their

words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a

champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to

the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.


2.b. Revealed in the tabernacle

God revealed his glory in and around the tabernacle, Exodus 40:34-38

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.


Why did God appear as a cloud of glory?

Evans suggests this as a principle for Christian living - don’t move until the glory cloud moves - if you have a passion for the glory of God look for it, then it will pull you forward and move you on at the right time.


2.c. Revealed in the temple

1 Kings 8:10-11 reveals God’s glory in the temple, the permanent dwelling pace of God.

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.


2.c. Revealed in the temple

1 Kings 8:10-11 reveals God’s glory in the temple, the permanent dwelling pace of God.

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.

Because God was present amongst his people so were all of his attributes - power, knowledge, truth, presence, guidance, revelation - thus we see the importance of the glory of God residing with us.

1 Sam 4:21 - ichabod = the glory has departed = no presence = disaster!


Zerubbabel's TempleThe rebuilding of Jerusalem's

temple was done in stages (c. 536–516 b.c.). First, the altar was built,

so that sacrifices could again be made (Ezra 3:2–3). The second

phase was the laying of the foundation of the temple.

The only information given in the biblical record about the

architecture of the temple is the dimensions, which were sixty

cubits (90 feet/27 m) high and wide (Ezra 6:3). As there is no mention of the length of the building, these

dimensions must refer to the facade of the temple, i.e., the Porch.


http://www.esvonline.org/Ezra%2B3.2-3

http://www.esvonline.org/Ezra%2B3.2-3

http://www.esvonline.org/Ezra%2B6.3

http://www.esvonline.org/Ezra%2B6.3

Herod's Temple in the Time of Jesus

Herod began construction of this magnificent temple

in 20/19 b.c., the main construction

phase was completed within

about a decade. The Roman army under Titus destroyed the temple during the

capture of Jerusalem in a.d.

70.


2.d. Revealed in christThe ultimate revelation of God’s glory is Jesus Christ. John 1:1, 14, 18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.


2.d. Revealed in christ

On earth Jesus was God’s glory in human flesh - because of this he could do the miracles and things that only God can do.

During the Transfiguration we see Jesus in a glorified form - as if there was a bursting out of the glory of God from within him - and even the voice from heaven made them all hide their faces. Matt 17:1-8


2.d. Revealed in the church

Eph 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

God’s glory is shown through the people of God - we reflect and mirror what God is like

Eph 1:12 -in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.


3. God’s glory: the basis of blessing and cursing

2 Cor 4:3-4 -And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Rom 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

We are sinners because we are not like God - his inner being and ours are totally different - we have sinned and don’t match up to his glory


Evans suggests that the glory of God which proved us sinners now becomes the basis of our blessing:

2 Cor 4:6-7 - For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Where’s the blessing? It is shown in 8-9,

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.


When you have God’s glory the problems do not crush you, you might get confused but you don’t commit suicide - there maybe problems all around but God’s glory surounds you and therefore means you are not destroyed.

So the glory of God brings his support, encouragement, blessing, strength etc. - it does not mean there will never be difficulties, simply that God promises strength for you to go through it.


God’s glory demands a response

Only fallen men and fallen angels don’t voluntarily glorify God.

Claiming to esteem God has to be shown - how much you esteem God is shown by what you do - how do you respond to God?


1. Sing to him

Psalm 96:1-3 - Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

According to Evans, cows mooing, cats meowing and the rest are all giving glory to God - verse Psalm 96: 11-13a


Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Let all creation rejoice before the LORD, for he comes,

And we should be doing the same, look at verses 7-9;

Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.


2. Praise himWe cannot give glory to God - it is intrinsic to him - but we can ascribe it to him.

A judge or policeman becomes glorious by putting on a robe or uniform and becomes less glorious by taking it off - God never takes his glory off - he is glorious

How much - Ps 113:3 - From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. All times, all places, all events


3. Glorify Him

Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one came back to praise him - Luke 17:13-19

V. 17 “Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

Where are we when it comes to glorifying God - in bed, too tired...God has given us life in him, our response should be to glorify him - something that can be dome in many ways:


1. Bearing much fruit - Jn 15:8

2. Doing good works - Matt 5:16

3. Being sexually pure - 1 Cor 6:18-20

4. Confessing sins - Josh 7:9

5. Living by faith - Rom 4:19-21

6. Proclaiming his word - 2Thess 3:1 Etc.


And even if non-believers won’t glorify God, God will still get the glory

Look at pharaoh - would not let Israel go - Ex 14:17 - I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.

The question is not whether God will be glorified but whether we will give it to him voluntarily!


God’s glory transforms those who respond

2 Cor 3:18

18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

TM -And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.


A Temporary glowExodus 34

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him...

When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out.


A permanent glowMeeting Jesus, becoming a Christian, puts a glow in our lives. If we expose ourselves to God’s glory this remains - if not we need to re-enter his presence and be transformed.

David in Ps 16:8-9 said - I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

The presence of God (eyes fixed on) produces gladness and rejoicing.


A permanent glowMeeting Jesus, becoming a Christian, puts a glow in our lives. If we expose ourselves to God’s glory this remains - if not we need to re-enter his presence and be transformed.

David in Ps 16:8-9 said - I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

The presence of God (eyes fixed on) produces gladness and rejoicing.

The bottom line in seeing God’s glory: 1 Cor 10: 31

So whether you eat or drink or

whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.


Responding to the glory of God

1. Look at your daily routine - how much of your time and energy is focussed around giving glory to God - how much is “activity”

2. Have circumstances worn you down - recommit to God and to seeking his glory

3. Memorise 2 Cor 3:18 and 1 Cor 10:13






And we all, who with unveiled faces

contemplate the Lord’s glory, are

being transformed into his image with

ever-increasing glory, which comes from the

Lord, who is the Spirit.






And we all, who with unveiled faces

contemplate the Lord’s glory, are

being transformed into his image with

ever-increasing glory, which comes from the

Lord, who is the Spirit.

No temptation has overtaken you except

what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But

when you are tempted,he will also provide a way out so

that you can endure it.


evans, our god is awesome - the glory of god

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