Today’s message summary of April 7, 2019 from Pastor Gus Brown:
John 1:14 ESV
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Even with this, do you understand that we are only beginning to see the completeness of God’s glory?
There is no other Son of God. There is no one else who is the anointed one. There is only Jesus Christ.
Exodus 15:11 NIV
Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you–majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?
When you behold God’s glory, it draws your attention and captivates you.
Exodus 16:6-10 ESV
So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”
Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
God’s glory was in a cloud (Exodus 16:16-17). It was something to behold. In His glory is His goodness. It is God’s mercy and compassion that become apparent as you study Him and learn more about Him. His glory is in His works, deeds and His Word. He is a compassionate God that desires for all to see His true character.
Moses asked God if he could see God’s glory.
Exodus 33:18-23
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”
God describes His glory as goodness, mercy and compassion. He shows it in the lives of His people. His goodness is revealed in your life.
2 Corinthians 3:10-16
Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
Moses’ radiance was fading away. Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (v. 18)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
We should note that we are not like Moses. We do not need to make an effort to be seen as children of God. Jesus Christ is the one who brings believers to the forefront. Only in Christ is the veil removed. God wants people to see His glory through His people.
We should be able to see God working in the lives of people and, in turn, the glory of God at work.
God’s glory is visible. It will captivate you and fascinate you. It will hold your interest and make you wonder with amazement!
What of this glory of God have you seen within your life in Jesus and in the life of others? John said that he had seen His glory.
Being a Jew, John had to compare the appearance of glory in Jesus Christ with his previous teaching. Jesus Christ brought compassion and teaching to the disciples and to the people. He showed his glory to others in the work that He performed before everyone.
What hard thing is God taking you through right now? As you move through it, you will see His work in you and, as a result, His glory.
As John followed the teachings of Jesus and saw His glory, what do you see that you need to do to experience His glory?
Jesus’ life became more public, and He made Himself available for people to come and see who He was, and to watch what He could do. If you are living in Christ, it should prompt you to live in the same way. To live in privacy is to live with a veil over what God has done for you.
2 Corinthians 3:2-3
You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Exodus 24:17
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Isaiah 6:3
And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Acts 7:2-3
And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’
The result of our ministry before others is that Christ becomes prominent in our hearts and minds, and others will see this very thing. The work of God in your life will reflect His glory.
God Himself, in His mercy and compassion, will make a way for each of us that trust in Him.
Not all eyes will see the glory of God. The eyes of faith will see it.
The people of Israel did not see what Moses could see. In the same way, the teachings of Jesus were not accepted or there was a choice not to accept them.
Even if you can’t see everything before you, by faith, step out and believe Jesus.
Exodus 14:19-25
Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”
John 9:24-33
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see. They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?” And they reviled him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from.” The man answered, “Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
Matthew 9:32-34
As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Isaiah 42:8
I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
If you choose not to see what God is doing in your life, you can miss your own blessings.
Jesus’ glory is seen at the transfiguration by Peter, John and James.
Luke 9:28-36
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
When you are fully awake and walking in the Spirit, you will see Jesus differently. It is this awareness where you will see the fullness of His glory.
John 2:11
This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
He revealed His glory. His disciples put their faith in Him.
God wants to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him, in prayer, to reveal Himself to you. He will do it, and you will believe.
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