Refocusing on the Glory of Christ: Our Hope
Summary
In the midst of despair and hopelessness, the call is to refocus our gaze upon the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ, the King of Glory. Our troubles often stem from looking too much at the world and forgetting the truth about Him. The prophet Isaiah invites us to behold the glory of His person, stately in strength and majestic in His apparel. This is the starting point for our hope and encouragement. Jesus, though He appeared weak and lowly, is the Son of God, the King of Glory, and the only hope for the church. He is the everlasting Son of God, and His righteousness is His defining characteristic. In a world full of deceit and unrighteousness, He stands as the King of Righteousness, concerned with restoring righteousness on earth as it is in heaven.
His anger and fury are directed against sin and unrighteousness, and His passion is for the glory of God. He came to vindicate God's glory, not just to save us, but to reestablish God's honor. His conquest is assured, and He has triumphed over sin and death alone. Salvation is entirely the work of Jesus Christ, and He alone is worthy to open the scroll of history. His victory is complete, and He will return in glory to finally destroy all that opposes Him. The essence of Christianity is the hope of His coming, and the assurance that He will destroy all enemies by the word of His mouth and the brightness of His coming.
For those who belong to Him, there is joy and comfort in knowing that His victory is assured. We are called to look to Him, plead with Him, and ask for a visitation of His power. The tragedy lies in not belonging to Him, for those who live for the world will face destruction. This should press upon our hearts and drive us to pray for revival and the salvation of souls. The encouragement given to the prophet is still available to us today. Have you seen Him? Do you know Him as your Lord, Savior, and Redeemer?
Key Takeaways:
- The glory of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our hope. In times of despair, we must refocus our gaze on His majesty and strength, recognizing Him as the King of Glory and the Son of God. This perspective shifts our focus from worldly troubles to divine assurance. [18:37]
- Jesus is the King of Righteousness, and His mission is to restore righteousness on earth. In a world filled with deceit, His concern for righteousness offers a path to peace and justice, reminding us of the importance of aligning our lives with His righteous standards. [25:04]
- The passion of Christ is for the glory of God. His anger and fury are directed against sin, and His mission is to vindicate God's honor. This understanding calls us to live with a zeal for God's glory, recognizing that our salvation is part of a larger divine purpose. [30:12]
- Salvation is the exclusive work of Jesus Christ. He alone has triumphed over sin and death, and His victory is complete. This truth assures us that our salvation is secure in Him, and we are called to trust in His finished work rather than our own efforts. [33:02]
- The return of Christ is the ultimate hope for believers. He will come in glory to destroy all that opposes Him, and His victory will be final. This future hope encourages us to live with confidence and urgency, sharing the gospel and praying for revival. [44:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [18:01] - The Glory of His Person
- [19:28] - The Hope for the Church
- [20:35] - The Son of God
- [21:39] - The Prophetic Vision
- [22:54] - Seeing Jesus
- [23:49] - The Everlasting Son of God
- [25:04] - The King of Righteousness
- [27:40] - Faithful and True
- [29:26] - His Anger and Fury
- [32:09] - His Conquest
- [33:02] - Salvation in Christ Alone
- [38:10] - The Cross and Victory
- [40:22] - Triumph Over Death
- [44:29] - The Return of Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 40:3-5
2. Hebrews 2:9
3. Revelation 19:11-16
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Isaiah 40:3-5, what is the significance of preparing the way for the Lord, and how does this relate to the glory of Jesus Christ as described in the sermon? [21:06]
2. In Hebrews 2:9, what does it mean to see Jesus "crowned with glory and honor," and how does this vision provide hope for believers? [22:54]
3. Revelation 19:11-16 describes Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How does this passage illustrate His ultimate victory over sin and death as mentioned in the sermon? [43:11]
4. The sermon emphasizes Jesus' righteousness. How is this characteristic of Jesus highlighted in the passages from Isaiah and Revelation? [25:04]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the imagery of Jesus as the King of Glory in Isaiah 40:3-5 challenge or change the way believers view their current struggles and despair? [18:37]
2. In what ways does the description of Jesus in Hebrews 2:9 as "crowned with glory and honor" provide a foundation for Christian hope and perseverance? [22:54]
3. Revelation 19:11-16 portrays a powerful image of Jesus' return. How does this future hope influence the way believers live their daily lives and engage with the world? [44:29]
4. The sermon speaks of Jesus' passion for righteousness. How does this align with the biblical call for believers to live righteously, and what implications does this have for personal conduct? [25:04]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by worldly troubles. How can refocusing on the glory and majesty of Jesus Christ help you find hope and encouragement in similar situations? [18:37]
2. Jesus is described as the King of Righteousness. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with righteousness. What steps can you take this week to align more closely with His righteous standards? [25:04]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living with a zeal for God's glory. What practical actions can you take to demonstrate this zeal in your daily life? [30:12]
4. Consider the complete work of salvation accomplished by Jesus. How does this truth impact your reliance on your own efforts versus trusting in His finished work? [33:02]
5. The return of Christ is a central hope for believers. How does this future event shape your priorities and actions today? What changes might you need to make to live with greater urgency and confidence? [44:29]
6. The sermon calls for prayer for revival and the salvation of souls. How can you incorporate this call into your personal prayer life and community involvement? [49:02]
7. Reflect on the tragedy of not belonging to Christ. How can this awareness motivate you to share the gospel with those around you who do not yet know Him? [48:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Refocus on the Majesty of Christ
In times of despair, it is easy to become consumed by the troubles of the world and lose sight of the true source of hope and strength. The glory and majesty of Jesus Christ, the King of Glory, provide a foundation for our hope. By shifting our focus from worldly concerns to the divine assurance found in Christ, we can find encouragement and strength. Jesus, though He appeared weak and lowly, is the everlasting Son of God, and His righteousness is His defining characteristic. In a world full of deceit and unrighteousness, He stands as the King of Righteousness, concerned with restoring righteousness on earth as it is in heaven. [18:37]
Isaiah 40:25-26 (ESV): "To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing."
Reflection: What specific worldly concern is currently consuming your thoughts? How can you intentionally refocus your gaze on the majesty and strength of Christ today?
Day 2: Align with the King of Righteousness
Jesus Christ is the King of Righteousness, and His mission is to restore righteousness on earth. In a world filled with deceit and unrighteousness, His concern for righteousness offers a path to peace and justice. This calls us to align our lives with His righteous standards, recognizing that true peace and justice come from living according to His ways. By embracing His righteousness, we can become agents of change in a world that desperately needs it. [25:04]
Psalm 85:10-11 (ESV): "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky."
Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily actions with the righteousness of Christ? Identify one specific area where you can make a change today.
Day 3: Live for the Glory of God
The passion of Christ is for the glory of God. His anger and fury are directed against sin, and His mission is to vindicate God's honor. This understanding calls us to live with a zeal for God's glory, recognizing that our salvation is part of a larger divine purpose. By living for His glory, we participate in His mission to restore honor to God and bring about His kingdom on earth. [30:12]
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: What is one way you can actively seek to glorify God in your daily life? Consider a specific action or attitude you can adopt today to honor Him.
Day 4: Trust in Christ's Complete Victory
Salvation is the exclusive work of Jesus Christ. He alone has triumphed over sin and death, and His victory is complete. This truth assures us that our salvation is secure in Him, and we are called to trust in His finished work rather than our own efforts. By resting in His victory, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that our salvation does not depend on our own strength but on His. [33:02]
Colossians 2:13-15 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust in Christ's victory? How can you surrender this area to Him today and rest in His finished work?
Day 5: Anticipate the Return of Christ
The return of Christ is the ultimate hope for believers. He will come in glory to destroy all that opposes Him, and His victory will be final. This future hope encourages us to live with confidence and urgency, sharing the gospel and praying for revival. By anticipating His return, we are motivated to live faithfully and share the hope we have in Christ with others. [44:29]
2 Peter 3:10-13 (ESV): "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!"
Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence your daily life? What is one specific way you can live with greater urgency and purpose in light of His coming?
Quotes
Our troubles often stem from looking so much at the world and forgetting the truth about Him. Hence our excitement and our feverishness and our sense of despair and hopelessness. No, no, our business, I say, is to look at Him. [00:18:00]
The first thing that struck the prophet is the glory of His person. This that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength. Here is the point at which we must ever start. [00:18:22]
He is the King of Glory, the Son of God. My dear friends, that's the whole of Christianity. That's the whole meaning of our being together here this morning. In all our situation, this is the thing I say that we must hold on to and never look at. [00:20:19]
He is the Everlasting Son of God. He is the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, God in the glory of His apparel, in the dignity and the stateliness of the greatness of His strength. [00:24:29]
His whole concern is with righteousness. The world is full of liars and deceit and vanity. Because God Himself is righteous, and God is just and holy, and God made a perfect world, and it was a righteous world. [00:25:04]
He came from Heaven primarily to vindicate God's glory and God's honor. No, no, not just to save us, you know, that's incidental in a sense. Don't misunderstand me, but the great motive was the glory of God. [00:30:12]
The work of Salvation is entirely and only and exclusively that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nobody has a share in it. There was nobody with Him. All that has been done, He has done alone. [00:33:02]
Salvation is altogether and entirely and exclusively in the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't bring a scrap or a shred or a rag of your filthy righteousness anywhere near Him. Thank God it is. [00:37:58]
There is a day coming when there will be a sight of someone coming on the Clouds of Heaven, riding upon them, surrounded by His holy angels, and the peoples will cry, "Who is this?" [00:44:29]
He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He's come to finally destroy every enemy and everything that is opposed unto Him. [00:45:10]
The tragedy of men and women who belong to the world and not to Christ and His kingdom. Are there any of you in this congregation this morning, you who live for the world? [00:47:47]
Don't you think it's about time we begin to feel the burden of their souls upon our spirits? Don't you think we should be praying without ceasing, asking Him to give power and to His gospel to visit us and to revive us? [00:49:02]
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