How Is The Son Of Man Glorified?

HOW IS THE SON OF MAN GLORIFIED? (Outline)

May 10, 2009 --

EASTER 5 --

John 13:31-35

INTRO: Glory, praise, and honor can be very intoxicating. Many people seek these things above all else. Our world places undue emphasis on fame, money, and power that is connected to glory, praise, and honor. All too often our world displays flawed examples as role models. The media holds up Hollywood types, athletes, or even politicians as great success stories. Look closely at their lives and you soon discover deceit and dishonesty. Is this the glory that the Christian ought to seek? Hardly.

Man’s thinking runs contrary to God’s mind. God’s glory is seen in the humble, loving service of those who follow him. Paul prays: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"(ROMANS 15:5,6).

HOW IS THE SON OF MAN GLORIFIED? Jesus is glorified when:

I. We know Jesus’ love, and:

II. We show Jesus’ love.

I. WE KNOW JESUS’ LOVE

A. Verse 31a. It was Judas who left. The setting is the upper room on Maundy Thursday.

1. Jesus gathered his disciples to celebrate the Passover before his death on Good Friday.

2. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. Jesus gave bread (body) and wine (blood) for forgiveness.

3. Judas leaves to betray the Savior. Jesus responds verse 31b. Jesus is now to be glorified.

B. If Jesus, the Son of Man, is glorified – so is his Father. Verse 32. How is the Son of Man glorified?

1. Jesus is glorified in betrayal, rejection, condemnation, and even crucifixion.

2. This is not the glory the world seeks. This is divine glory: God’s plan of salvation is fulfilled.

C. The disciples begin to know the depth of Jesus’ love, verse 33. Jesus calls them children = love.

D. How is the Son of Man glorified in our lives today? The glory of Jesus is seen in our lives very sim-ply by God’s grace. God’s grace is his undeserved love for mankind. God’s grace is shown to each one of us as he calls us out of darkness to live in his light. Let’s face it, we do not deserve God’s love, cannot earn it, and cannot pay for it. We are born into this world full of sin and as enemies of the Lord God Al-mighty. In spite of all against us, God in his infinite mercy and love saves. "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved" (EPHESIANS 2:4,5). By the grace of God we now know Jesus’ love.

E. How is the Son of Man glorified in our lives today? Jesus is glorified in our lives because our lives are changed. We have been changed from the offspring of Satan into the very children of God. By faith God reveals to us the love of Jesus, our Savior. Because we know the love of Jesus we are able to live our lives in that saving love of Jesus every day. We have been blessed beyond all comparison. Each of us has known the love of Jesus our entire lives. So we probably do not daily stop to think just how much of a difference Jesus’ love has made in our lives. This difference is great. "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me"(GALATIANS 2:20). Now is the Son of Man glorified.

F. Our world would want us to believe that is has all the answers. Do the experts in this world really know the answers? Worldly advice is to save up money for retirement in the stock market. Not such good advice today. A house is always a good investment declare the experts. Presently this is not such advice. Worldly wisdom does not and can not compare to the value of the wisdom of God. "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (PHILIPPIANS 3:8). Paul lived for a time without true knowledge of God. To know Jesus is to know God’s love.

HOW IS THE SON OF MAN GLORIFIED?

Jesus is glorified when believers know his love.

II. WE SHOW JESUS’ LOVE

A. Verse 1 of this chapter states that Jesus showed the disciples the “full extent of his love”.