Reviving God's Glory in the Church Today

 

Summary

In reflecting on the historical accounts from the books of Samuel and Exodus, we are reminded of the critical importance of the presence and glory of God in the life of His people. The narrative of Phinehas's wife, who named her child Ichabod, meaning "the glory has departed from Israel," serves as a poignant reminder of the spiritual desolation that occurs when God's presence is absent. This is contrasted with the account in Exodus, where the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle, signifying His presence among His people. These stories illustrate the fluctuating spiritual state of Israel, marked by periods of divine favor and times of spiritual decline.

Today, we find ourselves in a similar state of spiritual declension, where the church is often dismissed and derided. Despite the church's efforts to regain influence through various methods, including adopting worldly strategies, the situation continues to deteriorate. The root of the problem lies not in the methods but in the absence of God's glory. The church must first diagnose the cause of its troubles, which is the lack of God's presence, before seeking remedies.

The most vital aspect of the church's life is the realization of God's presence and glory. This awareness is what distinguishes true Christianity from mere religious practice. The church can have all the right structures, knowledge, and activities, but without the presence of God's glory, it is spiritually barren. The story of the Tabernacle in Exodus teaches us that even when everything is in place, it is the descent of God's glory that truly matters.

We must be sensitive to God's presence, as exemplified by Phinehas's wife, who valued God's glory above all else. Her spiritual sensitivity stands in stark contrast to the complacency of others in her time. The church today must regain this sensitivity and recognize the subtle ways in which spiritual decline can occur. The story of Samson serves as a warning of how easily one can lose the presence of God without realizing it.

To experience revival and the return of God's glory, the church must return to God's Word and pray earnestly for His presence. It is not enough to have orthodoxy or correct doctrine; we must also have the power of the Holy Spirit. The church must humble itself, recognize its inadequacy, and seek God's glory above all else. Only then can we hope to see a true spiritual awakening and the triumph of God's people.

Key Takeaways:

- The presence and glory of God are the most vital aspects of the church's life. Without them, all religious activities and structures are spiritually barren. The story of the Tabernacle in Exodus illustrates that even when everything is in place, it is the descent of God's glory that truly matters. [16:59]

- Spiritual sensitivity to God's presence is crucial. Phinehas's wife exemplified this by valuing God's glory above all else, even the birth of her son. Her spiritual sensitivity stands in stark contrast to the complacency of others in her time. [26:56]

- The church today must diagnose the root cause of its troubles, which is the absence of God's presence, before seeking remedies. The story of Samson serves as a warning of how easily one can lose the presence of God without realizing it. [31:35]

- To experience revival and the return of God's glory, the church must return to God's Word and pray earnestly for His presence. It is not enough to have orthodoxy or correct doctrine; we must also have the power of the Holy Spirit. [50:21]

- The church must humble itself, recognize its inadequacy, and seek God's glory above all else. Only then can we hope to see a true spiritual awakening and the triumph of God's people. [52:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Historical Context
- [02:31] - Israel's Spiritual Decline
- [04:24] - The Church's Current State
- [06:00] - Diagnosing the Church's Troubles
- [07:37] - The Importance of God's Glory
- [09:00] - The Presence of God in Israel's History
- [12:35] - Realizing God's Glory Today
- [14:35] - The Tabernacle's Lesson
- [17:16] - The Need for God's Glory
- [21:35] - The Story of the Tram Car
- [24:32] - Sensitivity to God's Presence
- [28:47] - The Tragedy of Losing God's Glory
- [34:35] - Recognizing God's Presence
- [42:56] - The Call to Return to God's Word

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Samuel 4:19-22
2. Exodus 40:33-35
3. Judges 16:20

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Observation Questions:

1. What significant event led Phinehas's wife to name her child Ichabod, and what does this name signify? ([01:15])

2. In Exodus 40:33-35, what was the visible sign of God's presence in the Tabernacle, and how did it affect Moses? ([02:13])

3. How does the story of Samson in Judges 16:20 illustrate the loss of God's presence? ([31:35])

4. According to the sermon, what are some modern methods the church has adopted in an attempt to regain influence, and why are they insufficient? ([05:29])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the absence of God's glory impact the spiritual state of a community, as seen in the story of Phinehas's wife and the Israelites? ([01:15])

2. What does the sermon suggest is the root cause of the church's current troubles, and how does this relate to the story of Samson? ([31:35])

3. In what ways does the sermon emphasize the importance of spiritual sensitivity, as exemplified by Phinehas's wife? ([26:56])

4. How does the sermon propose the church should seek revival and the return of God's glory? ([50:21])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually barren. How did the absence of God's presence manifest in your life, and what steps did you take to seek His glory again? ([01:15])

2. The sermon highlights the importance of spiritual sensitivity. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life? ([26:56])

3. Consider the modern methods the church has adopted to regain influence. How can you personally contribute to ensuring that your church focuses on seeking God's presence rather than relying solely on worldly strategies? ([05:29])

4. The story of Samson serves as a warning about losing God's presence. Are there areas in your life where you might be unknowingly drifting away from God? How can you address this? ([31:35])

5. The sermon calls for a return to God's Word and earnest prayer. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture and prayer? ([50:21])

6. How can you encourage your church community to humble itself and seek God's glory above all else? What role can you play in fostering a spirit of humility and dependence on God? ([52:58])

7. Reflect on the story of the Tabernacle in Exodus. How can you ensure that your spiritual life is not just about having the right structures and activities but truly experiencing the presence of God's glory? ([16:59])

Devotional

Day 1: The Essential Presence of God's Glory
The presence and glory of God are the most vital aspects of the church's life. Without them, all religious activities and structures are spiritually barren. The story of the Tabernacle in Exodus illustrates that even when everything is in place, it is the descent of God's glory that truly matters. The church today often focuses on structures, programs, and activities, but these are meaningless without the presence of God. The glory of God is what brings life and vitality to the church, transforming it from a mere institution into a living body of believers. We must prioritize seeking God's presence above all else, recognizing that His glory is the source of true spiritual life. [16:59]

Exodus 40:34-35 (ESV): "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize seeking God's presence in your daily life, ensuring that His glory is central to your spiritual journey?


Day 2: Cultivating Spiritual Sensitivity
Spiritual sensitivity to God's presence is crucial. Phinehas's wife exemplified this by valuing God's glory above all else, even the birth of her son. Her spiritual sensitivity stands in stark contrast to the complacency of others in her time. In today's world, it is easy to become desensitized to the presence of God due to distractions and complacency. However, cultivating a heart that is attuned to God's presence is essential for a vibrant spiritual life. We must learn to value God's glory above all else, recognizing that His presence is the most precious gift we can experience. [26:56]

1 Samuel 4:21-22 (ESV): "And she named the child Ichabod, saying, 'The glory has departed from Israel!' because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, 'The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.'"

Reflection: How can you cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's presence in your life, ensuring that you do not become complacent in your spiritual walk?


Day 3: Diagnosing Spiritual Decline
The church today must diagnose the root cause of its troubles, which is the absence of God's presence, before seeking remedies. The story of Samson serves as a warning of how easily one can lose the presence of God without realizing it. Many churches attempt to address their struggles through programs and strategies, but the true issue lies in the absence of God's glory. We must first recognize and address this spiritual deficiency before seeking solutions. By acknowledging our need for God's presence, we can begin to experience true spiritual renewal. [31:35]

Judges 16:20 (ESV): "And she said, 'The Philistines are upon you, Samson!' And he awoke from his sleep and said, 'I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.' But he did not know that the Lord had left him."

Reflection: What are some signs of spiritual decline in your life or church, and how can you address them by seeking God's presence?


Day 4: Returning to God's Word and Prayer
To experience revival and the return of God's glory, the church must return to God's Word and pray earnestly for His presence. It is not enough to have orthodoxy or correct doctrine; we must also have the power of the Holy Spirit. The church often relies on knowledge and doctrine, but true revival comes from a deep reliance on God's Word and prayer. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and seeking God through prayer, we invite His presence and power into our lives, leading to genuine spiritual transformation. [50:21]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV): "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to God's Word and prayer, inviting His presence and power into your life?


Day 5: Humbling Ourselves for Spiritual Awakening
The church must humble itself, recognize its inadequacy, and seek God's glory above all else. Only then can we hope to see a true spiritual awakening and the triumph of God's people. Humility is essential for experiencing God's presence and glory. By acknowledging our weaknesses and inadequacies, we open ourselves to God's transformative power. Seeking His glory above all else requires a posture of humility and surrender, allowing God to work in and through us for His purposes. [52:58]

James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to humble yourself before God, seeking His glory and presence above all else?

Quotes

The most vital and important thing in the life of the church is the realization of the presence of the glory of God. That is the most important thing in connection with the life of the church, the awareness, the realization of the presence and the glory of God. [00:07:37]

The story of these people as it's given to us in the Old Testament is a very checkered one and a very uneven one, great and marvelous days then followed by days of declension and of decay. And here in this chapter, we see them as it were at their very lowest. [00:02:31]

The church has tried drama, pop music, entertainments of various descriptions. There's scarcely anything that she's not prepared to do, but the position continues to deteriorate and to go from bad to worse. So the great question confronting us today, if we are concerned about these things, is this: what can we do? [00:06:00]

The first thing we have to do is really to discover the cause of our troubles. Why are things as they are? I see no hope for us until we start with that. The tendency of people is to start with methods of improving the condition. [00:06:00]

The most important thing for us therefore individually and collectively is to be sensitive to this presence of the glory and the power of God. Nothing is more important than that we should be sensitive to the presence of this glory. [00:24:32]

The alarming thing is this: that it is possible for us to have so much and to do so much and yet miss this glory. And if we miss this, all that we have is more or less entirely useless. [00:14:35]

To experience revival and the return of God's glory, the church must return to God's Word and pray earnestly for His presence. It is not enough to have orthodoxy or correct doctrine; we must also have the power of the Holy Spirit. [00:50:21]

The church must humble itself, recognize its inadequacy, and seek God's glory above all else. Only then can we hope to see a true spiritual awakening and the triumph of God's people. [00:52:58]

The presence of God, the glory, and the covenants and the giving of the law and so on. But you notice that he puts emphasis there upon the glory, and the glory means, of course, the presence of God. [00:09:00]

The story of Samson serves as a warning of how easily one can lose the presence of God without realizing it. This is something very subtle, and when he loses his sensitivity to the presence of God and His glory, he's losing his power, he's losing everything. [00:31:35]

The church has forgotten God. We put our emphasis on what? Well, in the early part of the century and perhaps going back into the last century, it was an emphasis on scholarship. I'm not here to say a word against scholarship or education. [00:07:37]

The glory of God, the presence of God, how do you know this? I think this question needs to be asked very urgently at the present time because one is hearing strange things. [00:42:56]

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Transcript
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