Longing for the Glory of God
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of longing for the glory of God, as part of our series "Glory in the Highest." We delved into the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2, where the shepherds in the field witnessed a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God. This moment marked the breaking of 400 years of silence, heralding the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the radiance of God's glory. This was not merely about a baby in a manger but about the glory of God incarnate, coming to earth to fulfill the long-held promises of salvation.
We discussed the concept of God's glory, which is His presence, honor, splendor, and majesty. The Greek word "doxa" and the Hebrew "kavod" both signify the weightiness and importance of God's manifest presence. This glory is not just a historical event but a present reality that we can experience today. It is evident in the transformation of lives, healings, and the stirring of our hearts during worship. We are created to live in this glory, and our lives suffer when we are outside of it, much like a fish out of water.
The story of Simeon and Anna in the temple illustrates the longing and expectation for God's glory. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise. Anna, a prophetess, spent her life in worship and prayer, waiting for the Messiah. Their stories remind us that the glory of God is for all who welcome Him, not just a select few. We are called to live lives of worship and expectation, inviting His presence into our midst.
As we reflect on these truths, we are challenged to examine our own hearts. Are we indifferent to God's glory, or are we actively welcoming Him into our lives? We are encouraged to cultivate a longing for His presence, to live in the atmosphere where anything is possible. This is not about seeking blessings or emotional experiences but about desiring Jesus Himself. Let us be a church that waits and welcomes the King of Kings, preparing a place for His glory to dwell among us.
Key Takeaways:
- The glory of God is His manifest presence, honor, and splendor. It is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms lives and brings healing. We are created to live in this glory, and our lives suffer when we are outside of it, much like a fish out of water. [50:56]
- Simeon and Anna exemplify the longing and expectation for God's glory. Their stories remind us that the glory of God is for all who welcome Him, not just a select few. We are called to live lives of worship and expectation, inviting His presence into our midst. [01:06:56]
- We must examine our hearts to see if we are indifferent to God's glory or actively welcoming Him. Cultivating a longing for His presence means living in the atmosphere where anything is possible, desiring Jesus Himself above all else. [01:03:47]
- The deepest longing of the human heart is to know and enjoy the glory of God. We were made for this, and nothing else will satisfy the void in our hearts. Let us be a church that waits and welcomes the King of Kings, preparing a place for His glory to dwell among us. [01:04:47]
- There is an outpouring of God's Spirit coming, and we are called to be a people who long for His presence. As we wait and welcome Him, we will see His glory revealed in our lives and our church. Let us not lose hope but continue to press in and seek Him with all our hearts. [01:08:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction and Greetings
[02:15] - Series Overview: Glory in the Highest
[04:00] - The Christmas Story in Luke 2
[06:45] - Longing for Glory
[08:30] - The Glory of God Explained
[10:50] - Experiencing God's Glory Today
[13:20] - Simeon's Expectation and Revelation
[15:45] - Anna's Devotion and Worship
[18:00] - Welcoming God's Glory
[20:30] - A Call to Long for His Presence
[23:00] - Personal Story of Encounter
[25:45] - Invitation to Respond
[28:00] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Longing for the Glory of God
Bible Reading:
- Luke 2:13-20
- Hebrews 1:3
- John 1:14
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 2:13-20, what was the reaction of the shepherds when they witnessed the multitude of heavenly hosts? How did they respond to the message they received? [48:02]
2. According to Hebrews 1:3, how is Jesus described in relation to the glory of God? What does this imply about His nature and mission?
3. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the Greek word "doxa" and the Hebrew word "kavod." What do these words signify about God's glory? [50:56]
4. How did Simeon and Anna demonstrate their longing and expectation for God's glory in Luke 2? What actions did they take that showed their devotion? [01:06:56]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon emphasized that God's glory is not just a historical event but a present reality. How can believers today experience God's glory in their daily lives? [50:56]
2. Simeon and Anna were described as longing for the Messiah. What does their story teach us about the importance of waiting and expecting God's promises to be fulfilled? [01:06:56]
3. The pastor mentioned that our lives suffer when we are outside of God's glory, much like a fish out of water. What might this look like in a believer's life, and how can one remain in the atmosphere of God's presence? [50:56]
4. The sermon challenged listeners to examine their hearts regarding their desire for God's glory. What are some signs that someone might be indifferent to God's presence, and how can they cultivate a longing for Him? [01:03:47]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel like a "fish out of water," suffering outside of God's presence? What steps can you take to invite His glory into those areas? [50:56]
2. Simeon and Anna were devoted to waiting for God's promises. How can you incorporate a similar sense of expectation and devotion in your spiritual practices this week? [01:06:56]
3. The sermon mentioned that God's glory is evident in transformed lives and healings. Can you recall a time when you witnessed or experienced God's glory in a tangible way? How did it impact your faith? [50:56]
4. The pastor encouraged the congregation to not be indifferent to God's glory. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to actively welcome God's presence into your life? [01:03:47]
5. Consider the deepest longings of your heart. How do they align with the desire to know and enjoy the glory of God? What might need to change for you to prioritize this longing? [01:04:47]
6. The sermon spoke of an outpouring of God's Spirit. How can you position yourself and your community to be ready for this move of God? What role can you play in preparing a place for His glory to dwell? [01:08:49]
7. Reflect on the story of Anna, who spent her life in worship and prayer. How can you create a lifestyle of worship and expectation in your own life, regardless of your current circumstances? [01:06:56]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Experiencing God's Glory as a Present Reality
The glory of God is not just a historical event but a present reality that transforms lives and brings healing. This glory is His manifest presence, honor, and splendor, which we are created to live in. When we are outside of this glory, our lives suffer, much like a fish out of water. The Greek word "doxa" and the Hebrew "kavod" both signify the weightiness and importance of God's manifest presence. This glory is evident in the transformation of lives, healings, and the stirring of our hearts during worship. We are encouraged to seek and live in this glory, allowing it to permeate every aspect of our lives. [50:56]
Isaiah 60:1-2 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel like a fish out of water? How can you invite God's glory into those areas today?
Day 2: Longing and Expectation for God's Glory
Simeon and Anna exemplify the longing and expectation for God's glory. Simeon, a righteous and devout man, recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise. Anna, a prophetess, spent her life in worship and prayer, waiting for the Messiah. Their stories remind us that the glory of God is for all who welcome Him, not just a select few. We are called to live lives of worship and expectation, inviting His presence into our midst. This longing is not passive but active, requiring us to seek and welcome God's glory in our lives. [01:06:56]
Psalm 27:4 (ESV): "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple."
Reflection: How can you actively cultivate a longing for God's presence in your daily routine? What specific steps can you take to invite His glory into your life?
Day 3: Examining Our Hearts for Indifference
We must examine our hearts to see if we are indifferent to God's glory or actively welcoming Him. Cultivating a longing for His presence means living in the atmosphere where anything is possible, desiring Jesus Himself above all else. This is not about seeking blessings or emotional experiences but about desiring Jesus Himself. We are encouraged to be a church that waits and welcomes the King of Kings, preparing a place for His glory to dwell among us. [01:03:47]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have become indifferent to God's presence? How can you rekindle your desire for Jesus above all else?
Day 4: The Deepest Longing of the Human Heart
The deepest longing of the human heart is to know and enjoy the glory of God. We were made for this, and nothing else will satisfy the void in our hearts. This longing is not just for a select few but for all who welcome Him. We are encouraged to be a church that waits and welcomes the King of Kings, preparing a place for His glory to dwell among us. This involves living lives of worship and expectation, inviting His presence into our midst. [01:04:47]
Psalm 63:1-2 (ESV): "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory."
Reflection: What are the deepest longings of your heart? How can you align these longings with the desire to know and enjoy God's glory?
Day 5: A Call to Long for His Presence
There is an outpouring of God's Spirit coming, and we are called to be a people who long for His presence. As we wait and welcome Him, we will see His glory revealed in our lives and our church. Let us not lose hope but continue to press in and seek Him with all our hearts. This involves living in the atmosphere where anything is possible, desiring Jesus Himself above all else. We are encouraged to be a church that waits and welcomes the King of Kings, preparing a place for His glory to dwell among us. [01:08:49]
Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV): "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart and your community to welcome the outpouring of God's Spirit? What practical steps can you take to foster a longing for His presence in your life and church?
Quotes
"This is a scene. This is the Christmas story. This is a moment in time as Pastor Rich was talking about. These shepherds are out in the field. And you guys know how I like to kind of envision the Bible. I'm thinking shepherds out in this dark field. They're watching the, you know, the sheep, making sure everything's safe. Out of nowhere appears a mighty angel. Like what? And then not only that, it says there was a multitude of heavenly hosts. So then they begin a worship service right then and there." [00:46:12] (25 seconds)
"And the shepherds are like, OMG, like this is history being made. And the Messiah had come. This was a big deal because you have to understand at this time, there was 400 years of silence. There was no word. There was no revelation from God. There was no fresh revelation. There was no glory in that moment. And the Christmas story breaks the silence." [00:48:02] (24 seconds)
"Hebrews 1, 3 says that he, Jesus, is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature. John 1, 14 says, and the word became flesh and dwell among us. And we have seen his glory. First Samuel 15, 29, it calls Jesus the glory of his people. So this was not about a baby, right? Your little Christmas card with a little manger on there and little things out in the yard. Oh, baby Jesus. This was not about a baby. This was about the glory of God coming to the earth." [00:49:05] (34 seconds)
"What is the glory of God? Simply stated, very simply, the glory is his presence and his presence is his glory. Now the New Testament was written in the Greek and this Greek word for glory that's used throughout these verses is this word doxa. And the definition is right here. It says was used to translate the Hebrew word kavod, which signifies weightiness or importance, often in the context of God's manifest presence." [00:50:08] (29 seconds)
"And in the New Testament, doxa takes on a richer theological meaning, emphasizing the divine glory revealed in Jesus Christ. So it's glory. It's his honor. It's his splendor. It's his majesty. It's his renown. It's his manifest presence that is with us. This is the glory of God." [00:50:37] (20 seconds)
"The atmosphere of his presence, that is his glory. And sometimes we can go through life and we don't even recognize that the glory is with us, even in our services today, because obviously, you know, it's not in a form of a baby right now. It's not coming in, you know, these light strikes down. It's not in the multitude of the host opening up heaven and being like, hey, TFH, glory to God." [00:51:14] (22 seconds)
"Maybe in times of worship, you're just lifting up your, your hands or you're, you're in his presence and you begin to just like weep a little bit or feel kind of emotional. Or maybe during this preaching of the word, your heart begins to burn in this faith thing. It begins to rise up inside of you. What is that? Is that emotionalism? No, it is the glory of God with us." [00:52:36] (21 seconds)
"This is phenomenal, this moment in history and time. And it just shows us that it's not for a chosen few. There's not just some people that can encounter the glory of God, but it's for all who will welcome him. It's for all who will invite him and usher him in and say, Lord, I've been longing. I've been waiting. Will you come and have your way? Because the glory of God comes where he is welcomed." [01:02:24] (27 seconds)
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