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.
1. It is Following Our Rabbi/LORD
2. It is choosing to make God more than a good opinion (doxa) but THE opinion for ALL that He is
a. In decisions about Free Time
b. In decisions about Friends we select
c. In decisions about Marriage Partners
d. In decisions about Social Media
e. In decisions about Employment
3. How to make the choices:
a. Eliminate unbiblical options (requires knowing the bible)
b. Pray for wisdom
c. Yield to HS’ Leading
d. Receive Godly Counsel
e. Trust God
II. The Giving of God
John 17.1-5 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. Given Authority Over All Flesh
1. People of EVERY Generation are under his authority – Philippians 2.9-11
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.”
2. Even Authority over His death and decay – Psalm 16.10
3. Authority over our death and decay – 1 Corinthians 15.52 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
B. Given Eternal Life
1. EL is Present and Future for Us (1 John 5.13)
2. Jesus’ definition – knowing God and Him – John 17.3 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
C. Given People with Whom to Work
1. Jesus was given disciples by God
2. We don’t serve God in a vacuum
3. We are a community – a unified gathering of individuals as the temple of God
D. Given Work to Do
1. The Word of God is about ACTION
2. Jesus had a special activity/work to do – John 17.4 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
3. The focal point is the cross and the resurrection (cross by itself is incomplete)
1. [Two families lose a loved one. One is angry: “Why us?” The other is saddened and responds, “We want to honor God in our lives through this tragedy.” What is the difference between the two families? It is the work of the Spirit in the lives of his people.
a. Jesus defeated Satan face to face in the wilderness – Matthew 4; Luke 4;
b. Jesus defeated Satan in his manipulative power – “Crucify him!”
c. Jesus defeated Satan in his resurrection
2. We are designed to give glory to God as Jesus did by involvement in the work of God in our lives
a. Not Just when we feel like it – even when we don’t
b. Deuteronomy 6.4ff
3. The Glory Cycle:
a. Jesus and the Father; We and the Father
b. In Jesus we have received a “good opinion” (doxa) from God; we live so that God receives Glory (Matthew 5.16); God blesses with approval and so on
c. UNTIL we stop bringing glory to God and seek it for ourselves
d. What is required? A humble spirit before God – Micah 6.8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
4. We we participate in God’s Mission and Vision for HIS Glory.
