Finding our place in the Glory
Ian Johnson
Mar 17, 2005
Finding our place in the Glory
March 2005.
One of the greatest scientists of our time was Albert Einstein. He was a man who was so focused on his scientific theories. He was so focused; he often neglected even the simplest things of life, such as personal appearance (as evidenced by his hair). One time, Albert Einstein was taking a train out of town for a speaking engagement. As he sat in his seat engrossed in his work, the conductor stopped by to punch his ticket. Looking up in shock, Einstein realized he didn’t know what he had done with his ticket. Frantically, he began to search his coat pockets, and then his briefcase. Gently, the conductor said, "We all know who you are, Dr. Einstein. I’m sure you bought ticket. Don’t worry about it." But, as the conductor moved along, he looked back to see Einstein on his hands and knees searching under the seats for his ticket. The conductor walked back, "Dr. Einstein, please, don’t worry about it. I know who you are." Exasperated, Einstein looked up and said, "I, too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going."
Where are you Going? and who is in Charge?
The Apostle Paul was on a journey before he knew the Lord:
Saul’s Conversion ACTS 9 9 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath. He was eager to destroy the Lord’s followers,* so he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was nearing Damascus on this mission, a brilliant light from heaven suddenly beamed down upon him! 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" 5 "Who are you, sir?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men with Saul stood speechless with surprise, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice, but they saw no one! 8 As Saul picked himself up off the ground, he found that he was blind. 9 So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days. And all that time he went without food and water. 10 Now there was a believer* in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord!" he replied. 11 The Lord said, "Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you arrive, ask for Saul of Tarsus. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again."
This encounter with the Glory of God changed Saul from a committed Pharisee to Paul Apostle extraordinaire
You see Saul knew what it was to be committed to a cause. He knew about Lordship and authority before his encounter.
To understand this we need to understand Paul’s life.
He was a Pharisee after the Law, totally committed to the Old covenant and its ways. A star pupil of Gamiael one of the greatest teachers in Judaism. Galatians 1:13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted the Christians.* I did my best to get rid of them. 14 I was one of the most religious Jews of my own age, and I tried as hard as possible to follow all the old traditions of my religion.
And yet when surrounded by the Light of His Glory Paul could only say V5 "Who are you...Lord?
This encounter in Glory and Holiness changed history!
Who are you Lord? Adoonai who are you? Paul had the same revelation that Peter had at Pentecost
Acts 2 32 "This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this. 33 Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ’The LORD said to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’* 36 So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!"
Paul would have been aware of all the claimants around at the time to being Messiah. But the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is seated at the Fathers right hand in heaven put the true messianic seal on him! He is both Adonai & Messiah . The scales fell off Pauls eyes and he understood! Psalm 110 The Lord Yahweh said to my Lord Adonai Sit at my right hand!
The key for Paul was Who was Lord of His life! He saw this in the Glory that surrounded Jesus and yielded to His Lordship
The key for us then is Who is Lord!
For Paul before he encountered Jesus in all His Glory it was
A Religion
A system
A program.
Then he encountered Yeshua in all His Glory and He became Adonai Yeshua Lord Jesus the Messiah. Paul had been thinking one way (Pharisee) Suddenly in the Glory He was changed forever. It was a matter of allegiance Who was master/Lord! So the question remains who is our Lord? And what does this mean?
If it hasn’t happened to you yet there will be a time when you must decide who to align yourself with. Who is Lord of your life?
Jesus teaches the about "Lordship"
"You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:13-15)
I. The question I want to ask today is: what do we mean by "Lord?" In Jesus’ day, the term meant: "Master," "owner." It was a term used by one of lesser standing to a someone of greater status.
A similar term is used in the military. • A private approached by officer –will snap off a salute without hesitation • IF ASKED A QUESTION: how are they to respond? The Military is very strict about this. If you don’t respond to a commanding officer properly, they’re bound to shout "drop and give me 50!" When that type of recognition ("yes sir!") is given, it denotes acceptance of authority. The phrase immediately establishes who is giving the orders. It goes to heart of who is in charge.
Likewise, Jesus says to His disciples: "You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am." (vs. 13) respond (yes, Sir) If we dont he has the right to say drop and give me 50!
So, the heart of mankind’s problem with LORDSHIP is that we think we know best. AND THEREFORE, we are best qualified to make the decisions and run things our way. Our way no Glory His way all Glory!
Romans 10:9 "…if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
That’s the good confession: "I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…" BUT it can’t stop there . In Matthew 7:21 Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to me, ’Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Paul had no trouble with this transition, He was already totally committed to a cause, it just took a re-alignment of his heart.
Its just a matter of Lordship! That’s why I never sell real estate on Sunday when Church is on. Because my commitment is to Jesus and my provision is the Lord, not my real Estate.
When you are confronted with a worship service or going to the movies or a celebration in the world which would you choose. Be honest! That’s who your Lord is! You need a confrontation of the Glory that levelled Paul. To enter higher realms of glory, there needs to be a greater submission to His Lordship!
The word Adonai translated always in the bible as Lord has an interesting meaning.
Adon = Master of Slaves or an Absolute ruler.
Ai = a covenant name for God
which is one step higher, In Covenant = You accept that all you own, all your time, your life belongs to the one with whom you have made the covenant, In return your covenant partner agrees to the same.
Time Psalm 139, Always thinking about you
Possessions Phil 1: My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory
Life: Jesus laid down his life for you.
God keeps his side of the Covenant!
So as a covenant partner we are totally His
Not ¼
Not ½
Not ¾
But 100% your life is not your own it was brought with a price
Adam deliberately sinned, Eve was deceived by the serpent but Adam put his love for his wife above his commitment to God
Pilot knew Jesus was innocent but put His position and power before truth
Pauls commitment to the new covenant was what set him apart. And your committment to the Lordship of Jesus is what will set you apart in the Glory!
The Glory of the New Covenant
7 That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant. 11 So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory. 12 Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. 17 Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. 18 And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect* the glory of the Lord.
And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
The Spirit guides us into Lordship!
The Spirit confronts us on the road
The Spirit seeks to reveal this Glory through us
Paul was confronted with this question "Who is Lord"? And I leave you with the same question in order to enter higher realms of Glory. Who is Lord? If we can answer Jesus! Then our journey is well planned and Glory will follow! Time to seek his Glory!
www.papelim.org.nz
