God’s Glory

  • If we don’t see that God is truly glorious then it reveals there is something lacking within us.
  • God desires that we would be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4)
  • In part, what if we are to glorify Him for our own good? So that we may see clearly and accurately?

CS Lewis talked about weight being ascribed to glory.  Things that are important, carry weight and are in a position of high importance in our minds.

  • Imagine your reaction to being told you’re being given a million dollars. Weight – Significance – Glory!
  • Imagine you’re given an ugly rock only to later realize it’s a rare and valuable diamond under the surface worth a fortune. There is a monumental shift in your state of understanding from no glory to immense glory!

As we perceive and understand God more accurately then His value and weight increases significantly and we automatically acknowledge this.  This leads us to walk in the fear of the Lord, in humility and in deep, genuine worship. 

  • The closer we walk with Him the more we become like Him.
  • If we remain stunted and stagnant in our growth we will not grasp the weight of His glory, we will not grow closer to Him.
  • No growth = no or less blessing in our lives.
  • What carries more “weight” in our lives than God?
  • If that something is compromised, taken away or disrupts our lives in a major way, then that weight is misplaced.

What happens when a person, thing, belief or situation matters to us more than God? 

  • We are placing our trust and affection’s into something that is not worthy.
  • We invite disorder into our lives. God is no longer of utmost importance to us.
  • We begin to nurture, feed and worship what is of utmost importance.
  • As a result, we become twisted & distorted. The enemy has also been given an invitation (space & authority) in our lives as our desires and actions of disordered worship reflect his own nature.

We perceive the value of God and glorify Him because He is truly glorious therefore it’s our natural reaction!  We are attracted to Him and our desires are directed toward Him. 

It is God’s desire that we mature and grow in our walk with Him so that we are truly living as the workmanship of His hands; living as new creatures in Christ Jesus. 

When we fully and accurately perceive and understand the weight of His glory then we lift and exalt Him to the highest position of our lives.  We perceive Him as a treasure beyond the highest value imaginable and so the natural course of our thoughts, priorities and actions fall in line. 

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

  • Embedded within His brilliance & majesty is confidence, light and joy. These riches are Christ within us to live here and now and also the hope in what is to come for all eternity!

2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

  • Occupation with self brings defeat
  • Occupation with others brings disappointment
  • Occupation with Him, therefore His glory, brings transformation!

John 11:40  Jesus raises Lazarus - Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe (trust, faith) you would see the glory of God?" *Be occupied with Him – a lifestyle of affection for Him!

John 17:24 - "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold (discern, acknowledge, experience) My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Luke 2:14 - Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 

  1. Primary and Utmost – Glory & praise to our King
  2. Through Him is peace, prosperity, quietness, rest
  • A proper order of our lives – If He is highest then this fruit will bear out
  1. Good will toward God and one another
  • Being reconciled with God through Christ Jesus brings peace with Him and within ourselves. The natural outflow is this new life of peace toward others.  Some will soften and accept and some will harden and reject.
  • Luke 10, 5 and 6 says we are to speak, “Peace be to this house” as we enter. If a man of peace is there our peace will rest upon him.  If not, it will return to us.

Philippians 4:19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

  • Paul’s heartbeat in vs 17 was not to seek the gift (aid) but the fruit that abounds to your account.  He wanted all to understand “good will toward men” as the natural outflow of their new lives in Christ in both the spiritual and the natural practical sense. 

Psalm 115:1 - Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. 

  • This passage speaks of the idols of the Gentiles.
  • They are the work of men’s hands
  • They have mouths but do not speak
  • They have eyes but do not see
  • They have ears but do not hear
  • They have noses but do not smell
  • They have hands but do not handle; feet but do not walk

Those who MAKE them are LIKE them.  So is everyone who trusts in them.  It is not our truth, not our own godless selfish definition of love, not our worldly beliefs and ways that bring life but God and His ways alone.