Restoring God's Glory: A Call to Action

 

Summary

In reflecting on the prayer of David, "Let the whole earth be filled with His glory," we are reminded of a time when such a prayer was unnecessary. There was an era when rebellion against God was unknown, and the universe was in perfect harmony, with every creature and creation praising the Creator. However, sin has marred this harmony, and now it is our duty to pray fervently for the restoration of God's glory across the earth.

This prayer is not about God's glory as Creator, which is already evident in the beauty and order of the universe. Instead, it is a plea for His glory as a moral governor and ruler to be recognized and revered by all humanity. It is a call for the dismantling of false religions and the conversion of every heart to the true worship of God. This is not a naive wish but a prophetic vision of a future where God's kingdom is fully realized on earth.

The prayer is comprehensive, encompassing every nation and individual, from the most civilized to the most remote. It is a call for the spread of true religion and the conversion of every family and individual. The vision is for a world where every household is a place of worship, every meal a Eucharist, and every garment a priestly vestment. It is a vision of holiness and devotion that transforms every aspect of life.

To desire this vision is to be moved by the majesty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. It is to be stirred by the sight of the crucified and risen Savior and to long for His reign over all the earth. It is to be driven by compassion for the lost and a desire for the happiness and blessedness that comes from knowing God.

However, this prayer cannot be sincerely offered unless we are willing to remove every impediment to the spread of Christ's kingdom in our own lives. It requires a commitment to live in a way that reflects God's glory and to labor for the extension of His kingdom. It is a call to action, to be part of the great work of filling the earth with God's glory.

Key Takeaways:

- The prayer for the earth to be filled with God's glory is a call for the restoration of divine harmony, where every creature and creation praises the Creator. It is a vision of a world where God's moral governance is recognized and revered by all. [04:48]

- This prayer encompasses the dismantling of false religions and the conversion of every heart to true worship. It is a prophetic vision of a future where God's kingdom is fully realized on earth, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. [09:56]

- The vision is for a world where every household is a place of worship, every meal a Eucharist, and every garment a priestly vestment. It is a call for holiness and devotion that transforms every aspect of life. [11:22]

- To desire this vision is to be moved by the majesty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. It is to be stirred by the sight of the crucified and risen Savior and to long for His reign over all the earth. [18:28]

- This prayer requires a commitment to live in a way that reflects God's glory and to labor for the extension of His kingdom. It is a call to action, to be part of the great work of filling the earth with God's glory. [25:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to David's Prayer
- [01:01] - The Harmony of Creation
- [02:27] - The Change Brought by Sin
- [04:19] - God's Glory as Creator
- [05:02] - David's Vision for God's Glory
- [07:07] - Explaining the Prayer
- [08:28] - The Scope of the Prayer
- [10:37] - Conversion of Families and Nations
- [12:20] - Individual Salvation
- [13:58] - Stirring Desire for God's Glory
- [15:21] - Contemplating God's Majesty
- [17:36] - The Cross and Christ's Sacrifice
- [21:30] - The Urgency of the Prayer
- [25:41] - Removing Impediments to God's Kingdom

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 72:19: "Let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the state of the universe before sin, according to the sermon? How did every creature and creation relate to God during that time? [00:23]
2. How does the sermon describe the current state of the earth in terms of God's glory as Creator? [02:40]
3. What is the scope of David's prayer for God's glory, as explained in the sermon? [08:16]
4. What does the sermon suggest is necessary for the prayer "Let the whole earth be filled with His glory" to be sincerely offered? [25:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon differentiate between God's glory as Creator and as a moral governor? Why is this distinction important for understanding David's prayer? [04:48]
2. The sermon mentions the dismantling of false religions and the conversion of every heart. What might this look like in today's world, and what challenges could arise? [09:56]
3. The vision described in the sermon includes every household being a place of worship. How might this vision challenge or inspire current family practices? [11:22]
4. The sermon calls for a commitment to live in a way that reflects God's glory. What might this commitment entail for individuals in their daily lives? [25:41]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there any "impediments" that might hinder the spread of Christ's kingdom through you? How can you address these obstacles? [25:41]
2. The sermon speaks of a world where every meal is a Eucharist and every garment a priestly vestment. How can you incorporate a sense of holiness and devotion into your daily routines? [11:22]
3. Consider the people in your life who do not yet know God. What specific steps can you take to share the message of God's glory with them?
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being moved by the majesty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of awe and gratitude in your spiritual life? [18:28]
5. How can you actively participate in the "great work of filling the earth with God's glory" within your community or church? What practical actions can you take this week? [25:41]
6. The sermon mentions the conversion of every family and individual. How can you support and encourage spiritual growth within your own family or close relationships? [10:37]
7. Reflect on a time when you felt a strong desire for God's glory to be recognized by all. How can you keep that desire alive and let it influence your actions and decisions? [13:58]

Devotional

Day 1: Restoring Divine Harmony
In a world once filled with perfect harmony, sin introduced discord, making it necessary for us to pray for the restoration of divine harmony. This prayer is a call for the earth to be filled with God's glory, where every creature and creation praises the Creator. It is a vision of a world where God's moral governance is recognized and revered by all. This vision is not just a distant hope but a call to action for believers to work towards a world that reflects God's glory. [04:48]

"For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Habakkuk 2:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you can actively work to restore harmony and reflect God's glory today?


Day 2: Dismantling False Religions
The prayer for the earth to be filled with God's glory encompasses the dismantling of false religions and the conversion of every heart to true worship. It is a prophetic vision of a future where God's kingdom is fully realized on earth, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. This vision calls for a transformation that begins with individuals and extends to nations, urging believers to be part of this divine mission. [09:56]

"And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one." (Zechariah 14:9, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a belief or practice in your life that may not align with true worship. How can you begin to dismantle it and embrace God's truth?


Day 3: Transforming Every Aspect of Life
The vision is for a world where every household is a place of worship, every meal a Eucharist, and every garment a priestly vestment. It is a call for holiness and devotion that transforms every aspect of life. This transformation is not limited to religious practices but extends to daily living, where every action and decision reflects a commitment to God's glory. [11:22]

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

Reflection: Consider your daily routine. What is one practical change you can make to ensure that your actions reflect a life of worship and devotion?


Day 4: Stirred by the Majesty of God
To desire this vision is to be moved by the majesty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. It is to be stirred by the sight of the crucified and risen Savior and to long for His reign over all the earth. This longing is fueled by a deep compassion for the lost and a desire for the happiness and blessedness that comes from knowing God. [18:28]

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." (Psalm 73:25, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on the majesty of God and the sacrifice of Christ. How does this stir your heart to act with compassion and share His love with others today?


Day 5: Commitment to Reflect God's Glory
This prayer requires a commitment to live in a way that reflects God's glory and to labor for the extension of His kingdom. It is a call to action, to be part of the great work of filling the earth with God's glory. This commitment involves removing any impediments in one's life that hinder the spread of Christ's kingdom and actively participating in God's mission. [25:41]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: What is one impediment in your life that hinders the spread of Christ's kingdom? How can you begin to remove it and commit to reflecting God's glory in your daily life?

Quotes


There was a time when every star was bright when all space was filled with loveliness when holiness purity and happiness were like a robe which mantled the entire creation this world itself was once fair and lovely so fair and lovely that we who live in these erring times can scarcely guess its beauty. [00:01:32]

But now, how changed, how different, now it is our duty devoutly to bend our knees and pray that the whole earth may yet be filled with his glory. In one sense this prayer is still unnecessary, for in a certain sense the whole earth is filled with God's glory. [00:02:29]

David intended this prayer in another sense let the whole earth be filled with his glory our men and our men not as creator but as a moral governor and a ruler. It is as governor that we have revolted from God and done dishonor to him. [00:04:37]

He desired that every idle temple might be cast down that the name of Jehovah might be sung by every lip, that he and his person might be loved by every heart and be forever adored as God over all blessed forever. [00:05:07]

Let the whole earth be filled with his glory our men and our men it does not exempt one single country however trodden under the foot of superstition it does not leave out one single nation however abandoned for the cannibal as well as for the civilized. [00:07:45]

We ask not merely the nominal Christianity of any country but the conversion of every family in every country that the whole earth be filled with his glory our men and our men. Is that wish too great too high are we too sanguine in our expectations? [00:10:35]

Our desire is that men may become so holy that every meal may become a eucharist and every cup a chalice and every garment a priestly vestment and that all their labors may be consecrated to the Lord we are bound to expect it for it is said even the bells upon the horses shall be holiness to the Lord. [00:11:47]

You cannot bow before God yourself and adore him without wishing that all the rest of mankind should do the same. Ah and the thought has gone further ye have wished that even inanimate objects might praise him. [00:16:45]

Lovers of Jesus can you love him without desiring that his kingdom may come what can you bow before him and yet not wish to see your monarch master of the world out on you men if you can pretend to love your master and yet not desire to see him the conqueror. [00:19:41]

You cannot pray this prayer unless you seek in your own life to remove every impediment to the spread of Christ's kingdom. You cannot pray it sir you cannot say let the whole earth be filled with his glory our men and our men you who cursed God yesterday. [00:25:41]

We must look well to ourselves by God's spirit or else we must not pray the prayer let the whole earth be filled with his glory our men and our men and there is my friend Mr. Savelle I'm sure he cannot pray this prayer at least I think I hear him in his soul say. [00:28:22]

And now my friends have I been urging you to an impossible toil have I been telling Christian men to pray for that which never can be granted oh no blessed be God we are taught to pray for nothing but that which God has been pleased to give. [00:33:05]

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Transcript
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