THE REVELATION OF GOD’S GLORY (PART 1) – 2 CORINTHIANS 3:7-18

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TOPIC: THE REVELATION OF GOD’S GLORY (PART 1)

TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:7-18

 FOCUS: DESCRIPTION OF GOD’S GLORY

 2Co 3:7  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:  2Co 3:8  How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?  2Co 3:9  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.  2Co 3:10  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.  2Co 3:11  For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.  2Co 3:12  Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:  2Co 3:13  And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:  2Co 3:14  But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.  2Co 3:15  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.  2Co 3:16  Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.  2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Introduction: The glory of God is something that cannot actually be intellectually defined but can be spiritually described. It is something that is deeper beyond any human sense. Therefore, the glory of God is the manifestation of His essential character or qualities, or the brightness or the visible splendor. 1 Cor. 2:9-11.

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.  1Co 2:11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Note:

  1. The Hebrew word for Glory is KABOD OR CHABOD; So, IKABOD or ICHABOD means lack of glory. 1 Sam. 4:19-22.
  2. The promise and plan of God for every believer is to enter into His glory.  John 11:40
  3. The purpose of redemption is to restore to us the glory that was lost through the first Adam. Rom. 5:18
  4. Every believer in Christ is an ordained glorious personality.
  5. Glory is the destiny of every believer in Christ not any other gift. 2 Cor.3:18
  6. God is ready to show us His glory’ if we seek Him wholeheartedly. Exo.16:10

DESCRIPTIONS OF GOD’S GLORY

To human mind or sense, glory could mean power, fame, reputation, wealth, goodwill, influence and affluence, life achievements and attainments and so on. Prov. 3:35; Gen. 45:13.

However, the glory of God is beyond human minds:

1. The glory of God is the weight of the presence of God.  The exhibition of His divine attribute of perfection. This is called DOXA in Greek word. (Exo.24:16-17; Luke 2:9; Psalm 138:5).

2. The glory of God is the RADIANT BEAUTY of God’s presence that shines powerfully.  It is brighter than the noonday Sun. (1 John 1:5; Rev. 21:10-11)

  • The case of Moses – Exo.33:18,22
  • The case of Peter, James and John at Mount of Transfiguration – Matt. 17:1,2,6
  • The case of Apostle Paul on his way to Damascus – Acts 9:3,8

3. The Glory of God is primarily the display of God’s essential character in Jesus’ life, works, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension. (John 1:14; John 17:22,24; Romans 6:4)

KINDS OF GLORY

  1. Temporary Glory or Corruptible – That is, your achievements, fame, fleet of investments and properties, academic laurels, career excellence and so on. We need to be aware that Satan knows that people love glory so he seduces with temporary glory. (Gen. 45:13; 1 Cor. 9:25; Exo. 28:2,40; Matt. 4:8-9; Dan. 2:37)
  2. Spiritual Glory – That is, your attribute as a believer. This is who you are in Christ. This we inherited through redemption in Jesus Christ. (Ps 84:11; 2 Cor.3:18)
  3. Eternal Glory or Incorruptible – It is the glory conferred on us when we surrendered our life to Christ; that is, when we become born again and it is the glory awaiting us in Heaven. (1 Pet. 1:23; 1 Pet.5:10; 2 Tim.2:10; Heb.2:10;Rev.3:21).  This is the glory that doesn’t perish even if a man dies.

Conclusion: Glory is our destiny as believers by the virtue of the understanding of the Scriptures, no child of God is absence of glory of God. 2 Cor.3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 

Hallelujah!

Prayers:

  • O Lord, let my life be a reflection of your glory, in Jesus’ Name
  • Dear Father, make me a rising star and a shining light in generation, in Jesus’ Name
  • O Lord, let your glory be seen in my life, family, job, academic, ministry and destiny
  • O Lord, give me the grace to dwell in your glory permanently and forever, in Jesus’ Name.

 

 

Written by

Pastor Sunday Adeola is dynamic young missionary with hardened passion for souls winning. He's a trained Banker as a profession but works as full time missionary due to the call of God upon his life. His desires are to see the Kingdom of God established on earth and to help the youths in his community to discover, develop and deploy their potentials. He's an erudite preacher and teacher of the Word of God as well as capacity to motivate people around him in actualizing their set goals and fulfil their dreams. He's Certified Member of John Maxwell Team as a Coach, Speaker, Trainer, and Youth Program Facilitator. He's a founder of Purposeful Youth Network International (PUYON International), a not-for-profit youth organization established for the purpose of reaching out to the youths in his generation. He's married to a woman and blessed with godly children.

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