1. Chaos
Three people were arguing about what profession was used first in the bible. The Surgeon says, "The Medical profession was used first when God took a rib from Adam and made Eve. The Engineer says, "No, engineering was used first. Just think of the engineering job it took to create the world out of chaos." But the Politician says, "You would have nothing if we didn't create chaos in the beginning?" Politicians see themselves as people of power, but more likely, most Americans view them as creating chaos in our country. Power is not found in politics. THERE IS REAL POWER in JESUS!
a. Tohu V'Vohu (chaos -- without form and void) in the beginning
b. Tohu V'Vohu in the storm on Sea of Galilee
c. Tohu V'Vohu in the world because of our sinful choices
2. There is a God who sets things in order
a. In creation/Sea of Galilee
b. In our hearts -- Ecclesiastes 3.11 (Eternity in our hearts)
c. He is a God of Glory -- real glory, not our illusions
[Lesser things of creation do not give glory to greater -- hills to mountains; shrubs to redwoods; planets to sun; solar system to Galaxy; people to people -- glory is for God
3. The church is fueled by God's glory -- Ephesians 3.14-21
a. Within the church we have the manifestation of his presence
b. Within the church we have the magnification of his person
4. The focus of the glory of God
I. The Glory of God was Manifest in the Person of Jesus
A. A Proclamation of Creation -- Psalm 19.1
1. Universe shouts glory to its Creator
2. Jesus IS the Creator -- John 1.1-14; Hebrews 1.2 -- in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
B. A Portrayal of a Glorious New Creation by Jesus -- John 1.14 14 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.
1. DBR reaches to our past rejections and lovingly draws us to God -- This is GLORY!
2. Occasions of the Manifestation of His Presence:
a. Glory in Revealed Miracles -- 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.
* In the culture of the Middle East, honor is of paramount importance. For this family to run out of wine, their honor and the honor of their village would be tarnished. Jesus restores their honor and removes their shame. This was part of his mission to us -- removing our shame and restoring our honor.
* Joel 3.16-18 -- mountains dripping with new wine
b. Glory in Revealed Suffering -- John 11.4 (News of Lazarus' illness)
"This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."
c. Glory Revealed in Faith -- John 11.40
"Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"
d. Glory Revealed in Christ's Prayers -- as in John 17
* In the Son -- 17.1
"Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,
* Through the Church -- 17.20-26
* IF GOD IS NOT HERE, WHY ARE WE?
II. The Glory of God is Magnified in the People/Church of Jesus -- (Ephesians 3.20-21)
This is the only place God promised to reveal His glory -- not in social or civic clubs; not at sporting events; not at Political conventions -- the CHURCH
A. The Church is God's Plan to Do MORE -- 3.20-21
An American with an English gentleman was viewing the Niagara whirlpool rapids, when he said to his friend: "Come, and I'll show you the greatest unused power in the world." And taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, "There," he said, "is the greatest unused power in the world!" "Ah, no, my brother, not so!" was the reply. "The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God."
1. God does not fit into our boxes -- able to do immeasurably more than we can imagine
2. The metric of measurement is GOD'S ability, not ours
3. The Church is a place to see and declare the glory of God
4. Again, if he is not here, why are we?
B. The Church is God's Passion in Jesus -- Ephesians 5.1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. [Husbands love wives -- v.25
1. Loves us in spite of us
2. Many do not love church -- "Church would be a great place if it wasn't for the people."
a. Some have been Wounded by the church -- That should not happen; solution: Keep eyes on Jesus, he is everything he promised to be -- Hebrews 12.1; Peter on Sea of Galilee
b. Hypocrites are at Church -- "If you put a hypocrite between you and God, the hypocrite is closer to God than you are." Zig Ziglar
c. I am Fatigued/Burned Out/Unappreciated by church
* Remember, it's not pay day yet -- Galatians 6.9
* God Remembers and Rewards -- Hebrews 6.9-12
C. The Church is God's Point of Attack Through Jesus -- Matthew 16.18
1. People may fail, but he will not -- "Who do men say I am?" Failure in answers; Peter was correct
2. He continues to build his unstoppable witnessing community [Gates of Hell - 2
3. [Many attend church growth conferences -- Is this just about getting a set of skills to fill seats or is it about the glory of God?
[Church in Madison, TN -- "WE like the way WE do it better than the way YOU don't." What about GOD doing it? -- I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH!
What can we say has happened in the last 1; 5; __ years that only God has done? -- it is his glory.
1. A little boy was digging in his sandbox and discovered a huge rock in the middle of the sand. He dug till he loosened the stone. Once loosened, he pushed and shoved, even using his feet to the edge of the sandbox. The problems then began for the young boy. No matter how hard he tried, the stone just rolled back into the sand. His dad was watching from a window and noticed that the little boy was so frustrated that he began to cry. When his father came to the sandbox, he asked, "Why didn't you use all of your power to remove the stone?" He replied, "I did. I pushed with hands and feet only to fail." "No son, his father answered, you didn't call for me." With that said, the father moved the rock outside the sandbox.
2. Our God is able to do beyond our imaginations and manifest his presence.
3. In turn, we magnify his person!
