GLORY

Glory Defined• Great honor, praise, renown.• Highly praiseworthy.• Worthy of adoration, praise, and worship.• Majestic beauty and splendor.

Part I Recap:• Our God is a God of immutable

(unchanging) attributes, regardless of circumstances.

• Our God is a God whose glory we cannot fully behold or comprehend in the flesh.

• Yet, our desire to see more of God’s glory increases as we grow closer to Him. (Moses)

Part I Recap:• From unbeliever to committed Christian,

we all experience stages of progressive revelation.

• There is a cyclical aspect to God’s glory where it is:–Revealed–Received–Reciprocated

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creati on of the world God's invisible qualiti es—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorifi ed him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futi le and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and repti les.

Romans 1:18-23

God's Clear Attributes• God’s attributes (eternal power and divine

nature) are clearly seen in creation.• Men are without excuse solely on the basis

of what has been made.• Through foolishness of “wisdom,” man

exchanges God’s glory for pale substitutions.

Receiving God's Glory• The Romans passage also reveals three key

points about God’s glory:–God’s glory is a valuable gift, of which we are

the recipients.–We have the capacity to squander this gift.–We have a reciprocal role in glorifying God.

Visualizing God's Glory• What are some of the most commonly

displayed manifestations / attributes / symbols of God’s glory?– Light– Thunder–Consumption

• (More on this next week!)

Visualizing God's Glory• Revelation 1:14-16–His head and hair were white like wool, as

white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Visualizing God's Glory• The description of Jesus is telling:– Long garments – status and authority.–Golden band – superior to a high priest’s.–White hair – purity, longevity, wisdom.– Flaming eyes – searching judgment.–Brass – refined, strong, judgment.–Voice of rushing waters – majestic and

mighty.

Visualizing God's Glory• The description of Jesus is telling:– Seven stars – He holds the entire Church in

His hand!– Two-edged sword – divining and powerful,

penetrating authority.–Countenance like the sun – clothed in light.

• John’s response?– Fell at his feet as dead.

Visualizing God's Glory• John goes on to describe God on His

throne in Revelation 4:–God’s appearance is likened to precious

stones, rainbows, flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, blazing lamps, and a sea of crystal.

Thus says the LORD:

“ Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NKJV)

Our Purpose: Glorifying God• Isaiah 43:7–everyone who is called by my name, whom I

created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

• Ephesians 3:21– To Him be the glory in the church and in

Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.

Our Purpose: Glorifying God• Romans 9:22-24–What if God, although willing to demonstrate

His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles

Our Purpose: Glorifying God• Romans 15:5-7–Now may the God who gives perseverance

and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus; that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

The Plumb Line• I Corinthians 10:31– So whether you eat or drink or whatever you

do, do it all for the glory of God.

• In this passage, Paul was advising us on how to apply our individual liberties and freedoms in Christ Jesus.

The Plumb Line• Paul reveals, however, a fundamental tool

that we can apply to our life.

• “Does this glorify God?”– This question can guide our actions, great and

small.– The answer to this question can frequently

bring clarity to following God’s will.

Application Questions• What is your understanding of the nature,

attributes, and glory of God?• Do you desire to see and learn more about

God?• Do you recognize and act upon your God-

given purpose to bring glory to Him?

Painting Pictures with Words• We are often treated to symbolic

descriptions of God’s presence and glory.

• Example: Pillar of Fire