Where God’s Glory Can Take You
August 15, 2010 (PM)
Introduction
A The older I get, the more I appreciate my parents.
1 Not because we share more, but because I get to experience what it must have been like for them.
a Guarded, protective, nosy, adamant
b So it is with us & God
aa We begin to understand so much more, deeper, fuller after we’ve decided to simply stay in His presence.
bb Things we didn’t get before come into focus.
2 His “glory” is one of those fuzzy things.
a Over all the earth (pixie dust?)
b Shakanah glory? Light?
3 Tonight, you’ll discover your role in bringing about God’s glory over the earth.
B Bringing about God’s glory is something you are destined for.
1 There are people all over the world convincing people Jesus is Lord through their testimony & witness.
a Children’s Home in Carmi, Angel’s Cove in Mt. Vernon
b Feeding poor, praying, preaching, others take care of addicts...
aa None of them fulfilling their own desires, doing the job God gave them to do.
bb Work has to come from within the veil.
c They shine with a light from beyond the earthly realm.
2 These all shining God’s glory!
a Where God’s glory shines, people are convinced Jesus Christ is Lord.
b For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren...Romans 8:29 (NASB) God is conforming us into His Son’s likeness.
aa We are daily made/given opportunity to look more like Jesus.
bb 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 from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18 (NASB)
3 Our lives, lived by faith, are living examples that Jesus is Lord: alive, restores, heals.
a God is pouring out His “glory” over the earth, but not out of a pitcher...but rather us.
b It’s not some “otherworldly” thing...it’s found in us pointing people to God.
aa Moves us from our own trouble, problems, difficulties, to God’s compassion & caring.
bb God can work through whatever He wants, He chooses to work through people the most.
c You’re the vessel He chooses to carry His glory/ anointing to cover the earth. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Hab 2:14 (NASB)
C People are watching your life.
1 When you glow with peace even in difficulties; shine Jesus on dark days.
a Respect/love your spouse, hold a job for the first time in your life, happy to share with those in need.
b Shine His glory
2 ...so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil 2:10-11 (NASB)
a When they see His glory in you, they are seeing Jesus.
b When people see Jesus, they...
aa Repent & seek His face
bb Suddenly people will listen to you, doors open.
3 Do anything without His glory, or not for His glory...opposite also true.
a Sermon, write books, sing songs, teach lessons, & if Jesus isn’t in it...little to no impact.
b People crave reality, real
aa Want marriage, purpose, make a difference
bb Hungering & thirsting (New Age, occult, cults, planet worship, good deeds).
c They said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah, 'This day is a day of distress, rebuke and rejection; for children have come to birth, and there is no strength to deliver . Isaiah 37:3 (NASB)
aa The baby is ready, but no strength for the birth.
bb People are looking for His glory, divine...the church has become silent.
cc Christmas, Bible, prayer, tolerant, sit down & shut up.
dd The only way to defeat it is to defy it in Jesus’ name.
4 People are hungry & starving for words of life.
a 'I am the God of Abraham , and the God of Isaac , and the God of Jacob '? He is not the God of the dead but of the living. Matt 22:32 (NASB) He’s not the God of the dead, but of the living.
aa Spurgeon, Edwards, Sunday, Smith Wigglesworth, Moody, Cartwright, Hamm, Gypsy Smith...all have gone silent.
bb Where is the voice of truth? Lamps of His glory?
b He’s alive in you! (Transforming, breathing life, blooming deserts)
D God has been preparing you your whole life to live for His glory.
1 Every event, tear, struggle, battle, crisis: He was there.
a Involved, getting you ready to see yourself as He sees you.
aa Perfect? No. Forgiven? Yes. Free from guilt? Absolutely!
bb Being conformed to His image? Everyday. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren... Romans 8:29 (NASB)
b What is going on with you, in you is real, & people will want to be a part of it.
2 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Eph 2:10 (NASB)
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NASB)
a We don’t have to try to look super-spiritual; Christians try to impress people, work at being righteous, or try to be holy.
b Self-righteousness, fake holiness have turned off enough people (backfires).
c He has begun a good work in you!
aa You don’t have to pretend, try to make something happen.
bb Surrender/yield yourself to Him, that’s all that is required.
3 This begins within the veil.
a This is His glory, & only His glory will change the world.
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Mike Fogerson
