Sermon:The glory of God

WHAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD?

The glory of God is the manifestation of His divine excellence,majesty,and power, which is revealed in creation, redemption, and the person of Jesus Christ. 

The glory of God is seen in worship, the natural world, and in the transformative effects of His grace on believers.

 It serves to reveal His character and purpose,encouraging awe and reverence among humanity.

BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF GOD'S GLORY

In the Bible, the glory of God is often described as the visible manifestation of His divine attributes, such as holiness, power, and majesty.

It is the radiance of His divine nature, shining brightly in all that He is and does (Psalm 19:1-6). 

HOW IS GOD’S GLORY DEPICTED?

God's glory is depicted in following ways: 

□ Shekinah Glory:A tangible presence of God,seen in events like the burning bush (Exodus 3) or the cloud that filled the temple (1 Kings 8).

-Exodus 3:2,"So he looked,and behold,the bush was burning with fire,bit the bush was not consumed."

-1 kings 8:11,"For the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord."'

□Reflective Glory:Believers reflect God's glory through their lives and actions (2 Corinthians 3:18).

-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."

□Ultimate Purpose:The ultimate goal of creation and redemption is to glorify God. (Isaiah 43:7, Romans 11:36).

-Isaiah 43:7,"Everyone who is called by my name,whom I have created for my glory;I have formed him,yes,I have made him."

-Romans 11:36,"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things,to whom be glory forever.Amen

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD'S GLORY

◇God’s holiness:This refers to God’s perfect purity,separateness,and moral excellence.God’s holiness is beyond human comprehension and is a key part of His glory, signifying that He is utterly distinct from creation.

  - Isaiah 6:3,‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!’”

 -1 Samuel 2:2," No one is holy like the Lord;For there is none besides you; nor is there is any rock like our God.”

◇God's majesty:This refers to His supreme greatness and the splendor of His being. It is the royal grandeur that is associated with His kingship,authority, and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. 

  - Psalm 104:1,“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great:You are clothed with honor and majesty.” 

   - Psalm 145:5,“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of your majesty,and on your wondrous works.”

◇God’s power:This is an essential attribute of His glory.His omnipotence is evident in His ability to create,sustain,and govern all things.The power of God is a demonstration of His ability to do anything and everything,unchallenged by any force.

  - Jeremiah 10:12,"He has made the earth by His power,He has established the world by His wisdom,And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion."

 - Ephesians 1:19-20: “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”

   

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD'S GLORY OVERSHADOWS US?
▪︎Divine Presence:God's glory manifests His presence,bringing comfort and assurance.(Exodus 40:34)

-Exodus 40:34,"Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting,and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

▪︎Transformation:God's glory transforms us into His image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

-2 Corinthians 3:18,"But we all,with unveiled face,beholding as on a mirror the glory of the Lord,are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory."
▪︎Guidance and protection:God's glory leads and directs your path(Isaiah 58:8)

-Isaiah 58:8,"The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard."
▪︎Communion with God:Being covered by His glory allows for intimate fellowship with Him.(Psalm 31:20)

-Psalm 31:20,"You shall hide them in the secret place of your presence from the plots of man.".

HOW TO REFLECT GOD'S GLORY IN OUR LIVES

Reflecting God's glory in our lives involves embodying His attributes and living in a way that honors Him.

◇Pursue holiness:Living a life of holiness means striving to align our thoughts,words,and actions with God's standards.This involves rejecting sin and embracing righteousness.

-1 Peter 1:16,"Be holy, for I am holy."

◇Exhibit love and compassion:God's love is a fundamental aspect of His glory.By showing love and compassion to others,we reflect His character.

- 1 John 4:19,"We love Him because He first loved us."

◇Demonstrate faithfulness:Being faithful in our commitments and in our relationship with God reflects His faithfulness to us.

- Lamentations 3:23,"Great is your faithfulness."

◇Serve others:Service is a powerful way to reflect God’s glory.Jesus modeled this through His life,and following Christ’s example in serving others brings glory to God.

-Mark 10:45,“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

◇ Share the gospel:Proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ is essential in reflecting His glory. By sharing our faith, we invite others to experience His love and grace.

- Matthew 28:19,"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

◇Cultivate gratitude:A heart of gratitude acknowledges God’s blessings and provisions.Recognizing God’s hand in our lives reflects His glory and encourages others to do the same.

-1 Thessalonians 5:18,"In everything give thanks."

◇Seek justice and mercy:Engaging in social justice and caring for the marginalized honors God’s heart for the oppressed.

- Micah 6:8,"And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly,to love mercy,And to walk humbly with your God?

 BIBLE FACTS ABOUT THE GLORY OF GOD
•The Lord of hosts is the king of glory, affirming His Supreme authority and majesty.

-Psalm 24:10,"Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts,He is the King of glory."

•The glory of God is embodied in Jesus who is full of grace and truth.

-John 1:14,"And we beheld His glory,the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,full of grace and truth."
•The glory of God transcends all creation, showing His greatness above all the earth.

-Psalm 108:5,"Be exalted,O God,above the heavens,And your glory above all the earth."
•God makes known the riches of His glory to His people. Christ in us is the hope of glory, assuring God’s presence. 

-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."
•All glory belongs to God alone forever.

-1Timothy 1:17,"Now to the King eternal,immortal,invisible,to God who alone is wise,be honor and glory forever and ever.Amen
•The heavens declare the glory of God, signifying that creation itself testifies to His majesty.

-Psalm 19:1,"The heavens declare the glory of God;And the firmament shows his handiwork."
•The Lord has called us by His glory, inviting us into a relationship with Him.

-2 Peter 1:3,"As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue."
•The glory of God cannot be given to another person.

-Isaiah 42:8,"I am the Lord,that is my name;And my glory I will not give to another."
•The glory of God is powerful and awe-inspiring:The sight of the glory of God appears like a consuming fire

 -Exodus 24:17,"The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel."
•The God of glory thunders.

-Psalm 29:3,"The God of glory thunders."
•The glory of God can manifest visibly as seen in the experiences of Abraham in Mesopotamia.

-Acts 7:2,"The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia."
•The glory of God covered the heavens. 

-Habakkuk 3:3,"His glory covered the heavens."
•The glory of God overshadows his creation.

-Ezekiel 10:19,"And the glory of the God of Israel was above them."
•The glory of the Lord is above the earth. 

-Psalm 57:5,"Be exalted,O God,above the heavens,Let your glory be above all the earth."
•The glory of God illuminates.

 -Revelation 21:23,"The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it,for the glory of God illuminated it."
•Belief in Jesus, allows one to see the glory of God.

 -John 11:40,"Jesus said to her,"Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God."
•Those who behold the glory of God shall be transformed.

-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."

HOW CAN WE SEEK GOD'S GLORY?

Seeking God’s glory means actively desiring to honor,reflect,and magnify God's greatness in our lives.It involves aligning our hearts and actions with His will and recognizing His supremacy in all things. 

□Pursue a deep relationship with God.

To seek God's glory, we must cultivate an intimate relationship with Him through prayer,worship,and studying His Word. Knowing Him more deeply helps us understand the depth of His glory and how to reflect it in our lives.

- 1 Corinthians 1:31,"He who glories,let him glory in the Lord."

□Live to honor Him

Our actions—whether in work, relationships,or everyday decisions—should be done in a way that honors Him.

-1 Corinthians 10:31,“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

□Pray for God’s glory.

Prayer is a powerful way to express our desire for God's glory.Jesus prayed that God’s name be glorified,we are called to pray similarly, desiring God’s glory above all things.

-John 12:28,“Father, glorify Your name.” 

□Praise and worship Him.

God’s glory is revealed through our worship. Praising God, both individually and corporately, acknowledges His majesty, power, holiness, and love. Worship is a way to give glory to God and align our hearts with His purposes.

-Psalm 63:3,"Because your lovingkindness is better than life,My lips shall praise you."

□Serve others in love.

Serving others in love brings glory to God by showing His love through us.When we love and serve those around us, we are demonstrating God’s nature.

-John 13:25,“By this all  will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

□Share the gospel.

Seeking God’s glory involves sharing the message of salvation with others.When we share this message, we participate in the glorification of God’s redemptive work.

-Psalm 96:3,“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all the peoples.”

□Live in humility.

Seeking God’s glory requires us to humble ourselves, recognizing that all honor and glory belong to Him.Humility before God is essential in seeking His glory because it acknowledges that all good things come from Him.

-James 4:10,"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,and He will lift you up."

□Trust in His Sovereignty

Trusting in God’s sovereign control over every aspect of life is a way to seek His glory. Recognizing that God works all things for His glory, even in suffering or hardship, allows us to submit to His plans and trust that He is ultimately glorified through everything.

-Psalm 24:1,“The earth is the Lord’s,and all its fullness , the world and those who dwell therein."

□Live with eternal perspective.

Living with an eternal perspective shifts our focus from temporary things to the eternal glory of God.

-2 Corinthians 4:17,"For our light affliction,which is but for a moment,is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

WAYS TO GLORIFY GOD

Glorifying God means living in a way that honors, magnifies, and reflects His greatness, love, and power. 

•Worship Him.

True worship involves recognizing God’s greatness,love,and holiness,and responding with reverence,adoration,and praise.

-Psalm 34:3,"Oh,magnify the Lord with me,And let us exalt His name together."

•Obey His word.

Obeying God’s commands is one of the primary ways to glorify Him.Obedience to God's Word is a direct expression of our love and reverence for Him.

-John 14:15“If you love me, keep my commandments.”

•Serve others.

Serving others in love and humility reflects God’s character and brings Him glory. 

-Matthew 20:26,"Whoever desires to be first among you,let him be your servant."

•Live a life of integrity and honesty.

 Our lives and actions should point others to God,leading them to give Him the glory.

-Matthew 5:16,"Let your light so shine before men,that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

•Be grateful.

A thankful heart acknowledges God’s goodness,grace,and provision in our lives,and recognizes His greatness and sovereignty over all situations.

-1 Thessalonians 5:18,"In everything give thanks;for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

•Proclaim His gospel.

Spreading the good news of God’s salvation is a way to glorify Him by making His glory known to others

-Psalm 96:3,"Declare His glory among the nations,His wonders among all peoples."

•Live by faith.

Our faith in God, trusting Him even in uncertainty, brings glory to Him as it demonstrates our confidence in His ability and goodness.

- Hebrews 11:6,"But without faith it is impossible to please Him."

•Seek justice and show mercy.

When we act justly and mercifully,we reflect His character and bring Him glory.

- Micah 6:8,"But to do justly,to love mercy,And to walk humbly with your God?

•Live in unity

Pursuing unity with others,especially in the body of Christ, glorifies God.

-John 13:35,"By this all will know that you are My disciples,if you have love for one another. "

•Suffer for His name.

Suffering for God’s sake,with joy and trust in Him, can magnify His glory.

- 1 Peter 4:16,"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian,let him not be ashamed,bit let him glorify God in this matter."

•Use your gifts for His glory.

God has gifted each of us uniquely, and using those gifts to serve others and build up the body of Christ brings glory to God.

-1 Peter 4:10,"As each one has received a gift,minister it to one another,as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

PRAYER
1)Father, may I behold the glory of the Lord, in Jesus name.
2)Transform me, O Lord, in the image of Christ from glory to glory, in Jesus' name.
3)Let the glory of the most high God overshadow me, in Jesus's name.
4)Lord, may your presence be evident in my life and family, in Jesus' name.
5)Help me, Lord, to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,in Jesus name.
6)Lord Jesus, deliver me from every evil work of darkness, in Jesus' name.
7)Glory be to Him who sits on the throne, in Jesus' name.
8)Father, may your glory illuminate my path and the lives of those around me, in Jesus' name.
9)Heavenly Father, may my life reflect your greatness, in Jesus name.
10)Lord, I invite your glory to fill my heart and home, just as it filled the tabernacle, in Jesus' name.
11)Lord Jesus, may the glory of God be my rear guard, guiding me in all I do, in Jesus' name.
12)O Lord, let my life glorify God, in Jesus name.
13)God of glory, reveal yourself to me as you did to your servants, in Jesus' name.
14)Father,may I never seek to share your glory but instead honor you alone, in Jesus' name.
15. God,be exalted above the heavens and let your glory be over the earth, in Jesus' name.
16. O Lord, I acknowledge you as the king of Glory.May your majesty reign in my life and in all the earth,in Jesus name.
17. Lord, thank you for calling me by your glory and goodness, in Jesus' name.
18. Lord Jesus, surround me with favor as with a shield,in Jesus' name.
19. Father, thank you for revealing your glory through Jesus, full of grace and truth, in Jesus' name.
20. Thank you, Lord, for the hope of glory in Christ within me, in Jesus' name.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen