Experiencing God's Glory: The Heart of Revival

 

Summary

In Exodus 33, Moses makes a profound request to God: "Show me thy glory." This request encapsulates the ultimate desire of every believer—to witness the glory of God. The passage reveals that while God is willing to reveal His glory, He does so in a manner that both reveals and conceals, blesses and protects. God places Moses in the cleft of a rock, covering him with His hand, allowing Moses to see only His back parts. This act illustrates the paradox of divine revelation: God’s glory is too overwhelming for humans to behold in its fullness, yet He graciously provides glimpses of His majesty.

The sermon draws a parallel between this Old Testament event and the New Testament revelation of God’s glory in Jesus Christ. The incarnation of Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to reveal His glory. In Jesus, the glory of God is both concealed and revealed. Concealed, because Jesus came in the form of a servant, veiling His divine majesty; revealed, because through His life, death, and resurrection, the fullness of God’s character—His mercy, grace, and sovereignty—is made manifest.

A true Christian is one who has experienced this revelation of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. It is not merely about moral transformation or religious experience, but about encountering the divine glory that transforms the heart. This revelation is both a blessing and a protection, as it shields us from the consuming holiness of God while drawing us into His presence.

Revival, then, is a time when the church collectively experiences this revelation in a profound way. It is a period when the reality of God’s glory becomes overwhelmingly real and transformative. The sermon calls believers to seek this revelation, both personally and corporately, as the ultimate need of the church and the world.

Key Takeaways:

- The ultimate motive for desiring revival is the glory of God, not merely the conversion of souls. Our deepest desire should be to see God's glory manifested among us, as Moses desired. This aligns our hearts with God's ultimate purpose. [02:21]

- God's revelation is a paradox of revealing and concealing, blessing and protecting. In every divine encounter, God reveals His glory while simultaneously protecting us from its overwhelming power. This duality is essential to understanding God's interactions with humanity. [09:11]

- The New Testament fulfillment of God's revelation is found in Jesus Christ. In Him, the glory of God is both concealed and revealed. His incarnation, life, and work on the cross are the ultimate expressions of God's glory and love. [12:42]

- A Christian is defined by the realization of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. This revelation is transformative, going beyond moral change or religious experience to a profound encounter with the divine. [15:04]

- Revival is a period when the church experiences an exceptional glimpse of God's glory. It is a time when the reality of God's presence becomes overwhelmingly real, leading to a renewed passion and worship among believers. [44:28]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Exodus 33
- [01:45] - The Glory of God in Revival
- [03:14] - Moses' Desire for God's Glory
- [04:20] - God's Manifestation in Revival
- [06:01] - The Method of God's Revelation
- [08:25] - Principles of Divine Revelation
- [11:02] - Prophecy and Fulfillment in Christ
- [13:02] - Defining a Christian
- [16:19] - The New Testament Fulfillment
- [19:04] - God's Way of Revelation
- [22:21] - The Gospel of God's Glory
- [27:17] - Concealing and Revealing in Christ
- [35:03] - Protection Through Christ
- [44:28] - Revival and the Glory of God

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 33:18-23: "And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

#### Observation Questions
1. What specific request does Moses make to God in Exodus 33:18, and how does God respond to this request? [00:13]
2. How does God protect Moses while revealing His glory, according to Exodus 33:21-23? [06:50]
3. In the sermon, what is described as the ultimate motive for desiring revival? [02:21]
4. How does the sermon describe the dual nature of God's revelation as both revealing and concealing? [09:11]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the significance of Moses' request to see God's glory in the context of a believer's spiritual journey? [03:14]
2. How does the sermon explain the relationship between God's glory and the incarnation of Jesus Christ? [12:42]
3. In what ways does the sermon describe a true Christian's experience of God's glory? [15:04]
4. How does the sermon define revival, and what role does the revelation of God's glory play in it? [44:28]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Moses' desire to see God's glory. How can you cultivate a similar desire in your own spiritual life? What steps can you take this week to seek God's presence more earnestly? [03:14]
2. The sermon emphasizes that God's glory is both revealed and concealed. Can you identify a time in your life when you felt God's presence in a way that was both overwhelming and protective? How did it impact your faith? [09:11]
3. Consider the idea that a true Christian is transformed by the revelation of God's glory in Jesus Christ. How has your understanding of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection transformed your heart and actions? [15:04]
4. Revival is described as a time when the church collectively experiences God's glory. How can you contribute to fostering a spirit of revival in your church community? What practical steps can you take to encourage others to seek God's glory? [44:28]
5. The sermon suggests that the ultimate motive for desiring revival is the glory of God. How can you align your personal prayers and desires with this motive? What changes might you need to make in your prayer life? [02:21]
6. Reflect on the paradox of God's revelation as both a blessing and a protection. How can you embrace this duality in your relationship with God, especially during challenging times? [09:43]
7. The sermon calls believers to seek the revelation of God's glory both personally and corporately. How can you encourage your small group to pursue this revelation together? What specific actions can you take as a group to seek God's presence? [46:32]

Devotional

Day 1: The Glory of God as Our Ultimate Desire
The ultimate motive for desiring revival is the glory of God, not merely the conversion of souls. Our deepest desire should be to see God's glory manifested among us, as Moses desired. This aligns our hearts with God's ultimate purpose. The longing to witness God's glory is a profound expression of faith, reflecting a heart that seeks to know and experience God in His fullness. This desire transcends personal gain or achievement, focusing instead on the divine presence that transforms and renews. As believers, we are called to align our desires with God's, seeking His glory above all else. [02:21]

"And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 40:5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally seek God's glory in your daily life this week, beyond your personal needs and desires?


Day 2: The Paradox of Divine Revelation
God's revelation is a paradox of revealing and concealing, blessing and protecting. In every divine encounter, God reveals His glory while simultaneously protecting us from its overwhelming power. This duality is essential to understanding God's interactions with humanity. The story of Moses in Exodus 33 illustrates this beautifully, as God places Moses in the cleft of a rock, covering him with His hand to shield him from the full force of His glory. This act of divine protection highlights the balance between God's desire to reveal Himself and His understanding of our human limitations. [09:11]

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt God's presence in a way that was both awe-inspiring and humbling? How did it change your understanding of Him?


Day 3: The Glory of God in Jesus Christ
The New Testament fulfillment of God's revelation is found in Jesus Christ. In Him, the glory of God is both concealed and revealed. His incarnation, life, and work on the cross are the ultimate expressions of God's glory and love. Jesus, in His humanity, veiled His divine majesty, yet through His actions and teachings, He revealed the fullness of God's character. This paradox invites us to see the divine in the ordinary, recognizing that God's glory is present in the life and work of Jesus. [12:42]

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)

Reflection: How does the life of Jesus challenge you to see God's glory in the everyday moments of your life?


Day 4: Transformation Through Divine Encounter
A Christian is defined by the realization of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. This revelation is transformative, going beyond moral change or religious experience to a profound encounter with the divine. It is through this encounter that believers are changed, as the glory of God in Christ reshapes our hearts and minds. This transformation is not merely about adhering to a set of rules but about experiencing a deep, personal relationship with God that impacts every aspect of our lives. [15:04]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced transformation through your relationship with Jesus, and how can you continue to grow in this transformation?


Day 5: Revival as a Collective Experience of God's Glory
Revival is a period when the church experiences an exceptional glimpse of God's glory. It is a time when the reality of God's presence becomes overwhelmingly real, leading to a renewed passion and worship among believers. This collective experience of God's glory is not just about individual renewal but about the church as a whole being drawn closer to God. Revival ignites a passion for worship and service, as believers are inspired by the tangible presence of God in their midst. [44:28]

"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering an environment of revival in your church community, where God's glory is sought and celebrated collectively?

Quotes


The ultimate motive for Desiring Revival and for praying for it is the glory of God. I emphasize that for this good reason, the first reason for Desiring Revival is not that a large number of people may be converted that is a motive, but it is not the first motive. [00:02:17]

Moses says show me thy glory and God replies saying thou canst not see my face for no men shall see me and live but nevertheless God is going to Grant a glimpse of his glory his glory is going to pass by as it were and Moses is to be given a glimpse. [00:03:49]

The principles that are taught here in these details are the principles that always govern every manifestation of God and His glory to his people. You go right through your Bible from beginning to end and you'll find always at every moment of Revelation there is this same teaching given. [00:08:28]

There is a combination here of revealing and concealing God is revealing yes but at the same time he is concealing he puts his hand upon Moses he puts him in the cliff to the Rock he's showing him something of his glory yet he is hiding something of his glory at the same time. [00:09:11]

The New Testament is equally clear about that John 1:18 no man hath seen God at any time and it's correct it's true the New Testament starts from that postulate there it is in John's prologue he's introducing the message of his gospel no man has seen God at any time. [00:16:27]

God is to be known only in his own way there is no other way there are people who say they can find God in their own way but according to the Bible that is a sheer impossibility you can arrive at what you imagine to be God you can have some spirous experience many things can happen to you. [00:18:23]

A Christian is a man who believes that a Christian is a man who has experienced that in a measure or to a certain extent now this is I I say the thing that constitutes the Christian not a change of life or habits sort of behavior not merely being religious not merely attempting to worship god. [00:15:39]

The New Testament counterpart of it all and yet you must notice and I must emphasize that the same paradoxical features characterize this Fuller Revelation in the New Testament as characterize the former incomplete Revelation that was given to Moses at this juncture let me just remind you. [00:26:50]

Revival is a period in the history of the church when the things of which I've just been reminding you become the greatest reality in the world to God's people we believe them now yes but do we feel their power do we thrill at them are we move by them do we glory and exalt in them. [00:44:20]

Revival is a time when these things are made so clear by the holy spirit that the whole church is filled with this glimpse of his glory the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ he said that the Holy Spirit when he came would glorify him. [00:44:46]

The need of the hour individually and collectively is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ amen we do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of Dr Martin lyd Jones all of the sermons contained within the mlj trust audio library are now available for free download. [00:46:37]

Seek it my friend friends seek it personally seek it for the church in general not only in this country but everywhere throughout the world the need of the hour individually and collectively is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ amen. [00:46:29]

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Transcript
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