Go! And Behold the Glory of Christ
Introduction: The Glory of Christ in Our Midst
Have you ever tried to look at the sun? Even for a brief second, its brilliance is overwhelming, blinding. And yet the glory of the eternal Son of God is infinitely greater. From the beginning of time, the glory of God has been revealed in creation, in covenant, in commandment—and ultimately in Christ.
This morning, in our Go! And… series, we turn our eyes to behold the glory of Christ. The One who left the splendour of heaven, clothed Himself in humanity, and came to dwell among us. The One who died to rescue sinners, rose in power, and reigns eternally.
The call today is simple: Go! And Behold the Glory of Christ. Because when you see His glory, you cannot remain the same.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLT): “For God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 2:6–7 (NLT): “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form…”
Luke 2:13–14 (NLT): “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’”
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT): “You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”
Matthew 1:22–23 (NLT): “All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.”’”
Hebrews 13:8 (NLT): “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Proverbs 3:6 (NLT): “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Point 1: The Glory of Christ Revealed in His Light (2 Corinthians 4:6)
Paul draws us back to Genesis 1:3—God spoke: “Let there be light.” Just as physical light drove back the darkness of creation, so the light of Christ pierces the darkness of human hearts.
The Greek word for light here is phos (f??), not just illumination but divine radiance—the same word used in John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
Jesus does not simply bring light—He is the Light. When you see Christ, you see the glory of God’s face revealed.
Imagine a man lost in a pitch-black cave, stumbling, afraid, hearing only his own echo. Suddenly a torchbeam breaks through—hope floods in. That’s what Christ does for every sinner lost in sin.
John Piper: “The glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ is the highest good of the gospel.”
Piper is right—the good news is not just forgiveness, not just heaven, but seeing and knowing the radiant glory of God in Christ.
Friend, are you walking in darkness? Are you stumbling in sin, fear, or confusion? Look to the face of Christ. Let His light guide you, expose sin, and bring life.
Point 2: The Glory of Christ Revealed in His Humility (Philippians 2:6–7; 2 Corinthians 8:9)
Christ’s glory is not just in dazzling splendour but in humble descent.
“Though he was God…” (Phil. 2:6) — the Greek word here, morphe theou (µ??f? ?e??), means “the very essence of God.” Jesus was not a lesser being; He is fully God.
Yet He “gave up his divine privileges”—literally, He “emptied Himself” (ekenosen, ?????se?). He didn’t cease to be God; He chose to veil His glory and take on humanity.
2 Corinthians 8:9 says: “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” The eternal Son left heaven’s riches, stepped into our poverty, and lived among us.
Imagine a billionaire giving up wealth, living among the homeless—not for show, but to rescue them. That is a faint glimpse of Christ’s incarnation.
Tim Keller: “The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me.”
Keller captures the paradox—Christ’s humility both exposes our sin and magnifies His love.
True glory is not in status or power but in humble service. If Christ stooped to wash feet, to suffer, to die, how can we live in pride?
Point 3: The Glory of Christ Revealed in His Presence (Matthew 1:22–23; Luke 2:13–14)
The Christmas story is not sentimental—it is incarnational.
“Immanuel… God with us” (Matt. 1:23). The Hebrew word ‘Immanu-El (???????????) literally means “with us is God.” God did not remain distant; He stepped into history, into our mess.
In Luke 2:13–14, heaven erupts in praise: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth…”
Peace (Greek: eirene, e?????) is not just the absence of conflict—it’s the wholeness and reconciliation Christ brings through His cross.
Max Lucado: “God came near… He came, not as a flash of light or an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter.”
Lucado reminds us of the tenderness of God’s approach. Christ is approachable, accessible, available.
Do you feel abandoned or alone? Remember—Immanuel. God is with you in your struggles, your doubts, your suffering.
Point 4: The Glory of Christ Revealed in His Permanence (Hebrews 13:8; Proverbs 3:6)
The glory of Christ is not fleeting.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). He is unchanging, faithful, reliable.
Proverbs 3:6 calls us to “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” His constancy means His guidance can always be trusted.
The Greek word for “same” is ho autos (? a?t??)—literally “the identical one.” Christ never changes in character, promise, or power.
Charles Stanley: “When you experience the faithfulness of Jesus in the past, you can rest in His faithfulness for the future.”
Stanley points us to anchor in Christ’s unchanging nature.
In a world of shifting values, economic uncertainty, and moral confusion—Christ remains. His truth is timeless. His gospel is eternal.
The Gospel Presentation:
The glory of Christ is fully seen at the cross. The Light of the World was crucified. The Rich became Poor unto death. The Humble was humiliated. The Eternal entered mortality. Why? For you.
Romans 3:23 (NLT): “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Romans 6:23 (NLT): “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins… He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day.”
Friend, the glory of Christ is not just something to admire—it’s a gift to receive. His death paid your penalty. His resurrection offers you new life.
Call to Action:
Believer, Go! And Behold the Glory of Christ. Live in His light. Walk in His humility. Trust His presence. Rest in His permanence.
Unbeliever, today is the day of salvation. Repent—turn from sin—and trust Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you have never surrendered to Jesus, hear His call. He came for you. He died for you. He rose for you. Will you bow before His glory today?
Pray: “Lord Jesus, I confess I am a sinner. I believe You died and rose for me. I turn from my sin and trust You as my Lord and Saviour. Shine Your light in my heart. Amen.”
Benediction:
Beloved, as you go this week, walk in the light of Christ, clothed in His humility, strengthened by His presence, and anchored in His unchanging glory.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20, NLT)
Go! And behold the glory of Christ.
