Glory Story Series

1. The Messiah was referred to as the “Coming One.”

• Are you the One? Luke 7.18-19 18 The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, 19 calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” [Jesus quotes from Isaiah 35; 42; and 61 – Messianic passages]

• “I have come” – John 10.10

• Preparing the way of the LORD (Isaiah 40.3) – coming from the desert; fulfilled by Jesus and brought glory of the LORD – Isaiah 40.5 – And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

2. Jesus’ Final Night with His Disciples Reveals Much About His Coming

• John 13-14 – Upper Room; Passover; Holy Spirit

• John 15 – Vine and Branches – Temple

• John 16 – Holy Spirit

• John 17 – Great Prayer

3. Jesus raised his eyes to the Father and prayed: John 17.1-5

a. Jesus prays about Glory

b. Jesus prays about Giving – This prayer unlocks the characteristics and actions we are to carry out for the glory of God and HIS purposes.

I. The Glory of God

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

A. Consider what the “Glory of God” means.

• Early on, the Greek word “doxa” or “glory” meant “an opinion”, any opinion, but the word came to mean “a good opinion” and then “that which merits a good opinion”. The word at that time took on the meanings of “praise, honor, good standing, reputation or renown.”

• When “glory” is used in the Bible to apply to God, it applies to His attributes and characteristics AS God.

o Psalm 24:8, 10 are good examples: “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle… 10Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”

o A correct or proper opinion of God’s attributes (orthodox view-from doxa) pertains to ALL of God’s intrinsic worth or character as an expression of God’s glory- in other words, all of who God is.

• Old Testament Verses which describe God’s Glory.

• 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.

• 2 Chronicles 7.1-3 As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD's house. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

• Isaiah 42:8, “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”

B. Jesus’ Signs and God’s Glory – His Number One Purpose was to Glorify the Father

John 2.11 11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 11.4 “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him (Jesus) and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

C. Our Lives – God’s Glory

1 Corinthians 10.31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.