Seeing Christ's Glory: The Heart of Saving Faith

Seeing the glory of Christ is essential for every believer. It is the epicenter of the Christian life, and without it, one cannot truly be a believer. The stakes are high, as highlighted by a listener named David, who expressed his struggle in seeing Jesus as beautiful and feeling blind to His glory. This raises the question: how does one have their eyes opened to the glory of Christ?

Saving faith is not merely agreeing with facts about Jesus or trusting Him to fulfill our desires. It is a treasuring trust in Jesus as the greatest gift of the Gospel, seeing Him as supremely desirable, great, beautiful, and valuable. This is encapsulated in the concept of Divine Glory. The Bible teaches that the Gospel is the Gospel of the glory of Christ, and seeing this glory is crucial for saving faith.

God has made His glory visible in nature, as seen in the magnificence of the galaxies, the power of lightning, and the majesty of mountains. However, without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot see this glory for what it truly is—God's glory. The inspired stories in the Gospels are written to reveal the glory of Christ and awaken faith. Jesus' life and work were meant to reveal the glory of God, and when we see this glory, we believe.

For those struggling to see Christ's glory, there are practical steps to take. First, renounce the love of human glory, as it is a great obstacle to faith. Second, immerse yourself in the Word of God, especially the Gospels, as faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ. Third, actively turn to Christ in your reading and listening, asking Him to reveal His glory to you. Finally, pray for the eyes of your heart to be opened, as modeled by Paul in Ephesians 1:18.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Saving faith is a treasuring trust in Jesus, seeing Him as supremely desirable and valuable, which is essential for true belief. This faith is not just agreement with facts but a deep appreciation of Christ's glory. [01:50]
• 2. God's glory is revealed in nature, but without the Holy Spirit's work, we cannot see it as His glory. Recognizing this glory in creation can help transition to seeing Christ's glory in the Gospels. [05:59]
• 3. The Gospels are written to reveal Christ's glory and awaken faith. Jesus' life and work were meant to show God's glory, leading us to belief when we truly see it. [07:34]
• 4. Renouncing the love of human glory is crucial, as it hinders faith. Seeking the glory that comes from God instead opens the way to true belief. [09:03]
• 5. Prayer is vital in opening the eyes of our hearts to see Christ's glory. As Paul prayed in Ephesians, we too should pray for enlightenment to know the hope we are called to. [11:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:17] - The Importance of Seeing Christ's Glory
• [00:32] - Listener's Struggle with Faith
• [01:05] - Nature of Saving Faith
• [01:50] - Treasuring Trust in Jesus
• [02:28] - The Gospel of Christ's Glory
• [03:09] - The Right Question to Ask
• [03:48] - Demystifying God's Glory
• [04:30] - God's Glory in Nature
• [05:23] - Partial Clarification of Glory
• [06:17] - Transition to Christ's Glory
• [06:56] - Purpose of the Gospels
• [07:34] - Awakening Faith through Glory
• [08:30] - Overcoming Spiritual Blindness
• [09:03] - Renouncing Human Glory
• [09:34] - Immersing in God's Word
• [10:09] - Actively Turning to Christ
• [11:04] - Praying for Enlightenment
• [11:40] - Embracing Christ's Glory

1. 2 Corinthians 4:4
2. John 1:14
3. Ephesians 1:18

1. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4, what is the role of the "god of this world" in relation to unbelievers? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual blindness? [02:49]
2. In John 1:14, how is the glory of Christ described? What does this passage suggest about the purpose of Jesus' life and work? [06:56]
3. What does Ephesians 1:18 reveal about Paul's prayer for believers? How does this relate to the theme of spiritual enlightenment? [11:04]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between seeing Jesus as useful versus seeing Him as the greatest gift of the Gospel? [01:50]

1. What does it mean to have a "treasuring trust" in Jesus, as described in the sermon? How does this differ from simply agreeing with facts about Him? [01:50]
2. How does the sermon explain the connection between nature and the revelation of God's glory? Why is the Holy Spirit's work necessary for recognizing this glory? [05:59]
3. In what ways do the Gospels serve to reveal the glory of Christ and awaken faith, according to the sermon? [07:34]
4. Why is renouncing the love of human glory considered crucial for faith, as discussed in the sermon? How does this relate to John 5:44? [09:03]

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be valuing human glory over God's glory? How can you begin to shift your focus? [09:03]
2. The sermon suggests immersing oneself in the Word of God, especially the Gospels. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture? [09:34]
3. Consider the role of prayer in opening the eyes of your heart. How can you incorporate Paul's prayer from Ephesians 1:18 into your daily routine? [11:04]
4. The sermon emphasizes actively turning to Christ in reading and listening. What specific actions can you take to ensure your Bible study is more intentional and Christ-focused? [10:09]
5. How can you recognize and address any spiritual blindness in your life? What role does community play in helping you see Christ's glory more clearly? [08:30]
6. Think about a time when you felt spiritually blind or distant from God. What steps did you take, or could you take, to seek His glory more earnestly?
7. Identify one aspect of God's glory in nature that you often overlook. How can you use this recognition to transition into seeing Christ's glory in your daily life? [05:59]