Encountering God's Glory: Truth and Transformation in Faith

In our time together, we explored the profound truth of how we can know the Bible is true, not through complex arguments or sophisticated apologetics, but through a direct encounter with the "peculiar glory" of God as revealed in Scripture. This concept, inspired by Jonathan Edwards, emphasizes that the truth of the Bible is self-authenticating through the spiritual light that shines from its pages. This light is not seen with physical eyes but with the eyes of the heart, as the Holy Spirit enlightens us to see the glory of Christ. This is a truth accessible to everyone, regardless of their intellectual background or education.

We discussed the juxtaposition of God's majesty and meekness, a theme that runs throughout the Bible and is most vividly displayed in the person of Jesus Christ. This peculiar glory is what makes the Christian faith unique and compelling. It is not merely an intellectual assent to doctrines but a heartfelt response to the beauty and majesty of God. This response is not something we can manufacture on our own; it is a work of the Spirit, who opens our eyes to see and savor the truth.

In our journey of faith, we are called to be both knowers and lovers of God. True Christianity involves both right doctrine and right affections. It is not enough to know about God; we must also delight in Him. This dual focus shapes our preaching and teaching, as we aim to engage both the mind and the heart of our listeners.

We also touched on the importance of authenticity in our spiritual lives. We cannot impose fake affections or project a false view of God. Instead, we must continually seek to know God better through His Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. In times of spiritual dryness, we are encouraged to pray for God to incline our hearts, open our eyes, unite our hearts, and satisfy us with His steadfast love.

Finally, we acknowledged the challenges of ministry, including dealing with praise and criticism. It is crucial to remain humble and grounded, recognizing that any success is a gift from God. We must also surround ourselves with trusted individuals who can provide honest feedback and support.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The truth of the Bible is self-authenticating through the spiritual light of God's glory, which is seen with the eyes of the heart, not through intellectual arguments. This truth is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. [12:26]
• 2. God's peculiar glory is a unique blend of majesty and meekness, most clearly seen in Jesus Christ. This juxtaposition is what makes the Christian faith compelling and transformative. [19:19]
• 3. True Christianity involves both knowing and loving God. It requires right doctrine and right affections, engaging both the mind and the heart in our spiritual journey. [27:21]
• 4. Authenticity in our spiritual lives is crucial. We must seek to know God better through His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts, especially in times of spiritual dryness. [38:01]
• 5. In ministry, it is important to remain humble and grounded, recognizing that success is a gift from God. Surrounding ourselves with trusted individuals for honest feedback and support is essential. [01:04:16]
  ** [64:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [08:48] - Introduction to Peculiar Glory
• [09:24] - Jonathan Edwards' Influence
• [10:33] - The Heart's Ascent to Truth
• [11:31] - Spiritual Light in Scripture
• [12:41] - The Role of Apologetics
• [13:19] - True Interpretation of Text
• [15:50] - The Call to Martyrdom
• [17:17] - Inner Conviction vs. Subjective Feeling
• [18:05] - Peculiar Glory Defined
• [19:33] - God's Majesty and Meekness
• [22:32] - The Cross as Revelation
• [23:50] - The Role of the Trinity
• [27:07] - Knowing and Loving God
• [38:01] - Praying for Spiritual Affection
• [50:51] - Devotional Reading and Study
• [54:04] - Humility in Interpretation
• [57:24] - Historical Mentors
• [60:12] - Handling Praise and Criticism

1. 2 Corinthians 4:4 - "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
2. Ephesians 1:18 - "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."
3. Psalm 119:18 - "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."

1. How does the sermon describe the way we can know the Bible is true, according to Jonathan Edwards' influence? ([09:24])
2. What is meant by the "peculiar glory" of God, and how is it demonstrated in the person of Jesus Christ? ([18:05])
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping us see the glory of Christ, according to the sermon? ([12:05])
4. How does the sermon suggest we handle times of spiritual dryness? ([38:01])

1. In what ways does the "peculiar glory" of God challenge our understanding of greatness and humility? How does this relate to the character of Jesus? ([19:19])
2. How does the concept of the Bible being self-authenticating through spiritual light differ from traditional apologetic arguments? ([12:26])
3. What does it mean to be both knowers and lovers of God, and how does this dual focus shape our spiritual journey? ([27:21])
4. How can authenticity in our spiritual lives impact our relationship with God and others? ([38:01])

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced the "peculiar glory" of God in your life. How did it affect your faith and understanding of God? ([19:19])
2. How can you cultivate a balance between knowing about God and delighting in Him in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week? ([27:21])
3. In moments of spiritual dryness, what specific prayers or practices can you incorporate to seek God's presence and guidance? ([38:01])
4. How do you handle praise and criticism in your ministry or personal life? What steps can you take to remain humble and grounded? ([01:04:16])
5. Identify a trusted individual in your life who can provide honest feedback and support. How can you strengthen this relationship to aid your spiritual growth? ([01:04:16])
6. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you be more open to the Spirit's work in transforming your heart and mind? ([12:05])
7. What specific actions can you take to ensure authenticity in your spiritual life, avoiding the projection of a false view of God? ([38:01])