Seeking Divine Glory: Themes of Faith and Unity

 

Summary

In this sermon, I discussed the four key themes of Glory, Protection, Sanctification, and Unity, as found in John chapter 17. I emphasized the importance of seeking Glory from God rather than from the world, and how we often mistakenly prioritize temporal glory given by fellow creatures over the true Glory that God desires for us. I also highlighted the need for protection, not from trials and hardships, but to hold onto faith in Jesus amidst these challenges. The sermon further explored the concept of sanctification, urging believers to be purified and made holy as God is Holy, according to the standard of God's word. Lastly, I stressed the importance of unity among believers, as a testament to the world of God's love and power.

Key Takeaways:
- Seek Glory from God, not from the world. This is the true and lasting Glory that matters. [ 14:24]
- Pray for protection, especially that our faith may not fail in the face of trials and hardships. [ 20:03]
- Strive for sanctification, to be made holy as God is Holy, according to the standard of God's word. [ 21:21]
- Uphold unity among believers, as a testament to the world of God's love and power. [ 28:16]

Study Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 17:1-26 [[27:39]]
2. Luke 22:31-32 [[19:26]]

Observation Questions:
1. In John 17, what are the four key themes that Jesus prays for?
2. How does Jesus describe the concept of glory in his prayer?
3. In Luke 22:31-32, what does Jesus tell Peter about Satan's intentions and his own prayer for Peter?

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17 reflect his understanding of glory compared to the world's understanding of glory?
2. In Luke 22:31-32, what does Jesus' warning to Peter and his prayer for him reveal about the nature of spiritual warfare and the role of prayer?

Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Jesus' prayer in John 17, how can you seek to glorify God rather than seeking worldly glory in your life this week?
2. Considering Jesus' prayer for Peter's faith in Luke 22, who is someone in your life that you can commit to praying for their faith to not fail in the face of trials?
3. In what ways can you strive for sanctification in your life, based on the standard of God's word as described in John 17?
4. How can you contribute to unity among believers in your community, as Jesus prayed for in John 17?
5. How can you protect your faith from the enemy's attempts to snatch you away from God's hands, as Jesus prayed for in John 17?

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking Glory from God

We often fall into the trap of seeking glory from the world, from our peers, and from our accomplishments. However, the true glory we should seek is from God. This glory is not temporary or fleeting, but eternal and fulfilling. It requires a paradigm shift in our thinking, to value God's approval over the world's applause ([13:48]).

Psalm 84:11 - "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you sought approval or glory from others. How could you have sought God's glory instead?

Day 2: Protection from the Evil One

Jesus prayed for protection, not from trials and hardships, but from the evil one. He prayed that our faith may not fail, that we would hold on to Him amidst the storms of life. This is the kind of protection we should pray for ourselves and our loved ones ([19:26]).

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - "But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."

Reflection: How can you pray for protection from the evil one for yourself and your loved ones today?

Day 3: Sanctification by the Truth

Jesus prayed for our sanctification, our purification according to God's standard. This is not about becoming a better person by the world's standards, but about being made holy as God is holy. This sanctification is anchored in the truth of God's word ([20:43]).

John 17:17 - "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth."

Reflection: How can you allow God's word to sanctify you today?

Day 4: Unity Among Believers

Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. This unity is not just about getting along, but about a deep, spiritual unity that reflects the unity of the Father and the Son. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world about the reality of God ([27:39]).

Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Reflection: How can you contribute to unity in your church or Christian community?

Day 5: Glorification, Protection, Sanctification, Unity

These four themes - glorification, protection, sanctification, and unity - are the key elements of Jesus' prayer for His followers. They are the things we should be praying for ourselves and for each other. They are the things that matter most in our spiritual journey ([28:16]).

Colossians 1:9-10 - "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How can you incorporate these four themes into your prayers this week?

Quotes

1. "When I think of Glory, I think of this amazing sacrifice that this man did in order to save this world... I think of the beauty of nature, how Majestic and terrifying it can be. The glory of God is sometimes so hard to articulate, it's so hard to grasp." - 06:40

2. "Father, I pray that I may seek Glory from you rather than the glory that the world has to offer. Father, protect me and my loved ones from the enemy snatching us away from your hands. Father, Make Me holy As You Are Holy. Father, bring Unity amongst your people that the world may come to know you." - 28:53

3. "Unity is not uniformity but it's like-mindedness, synchronized complementing of one another... we need to extend grace and mercy to another, we need to approach one another with humility so that we can have healthy relationships with one another. True Unity is so hard and Jesus prays that we would experience this Unity." - 27:00

4. "We've bought into the world's view of Glory rather than God's view of Glory. We actually think that receiving Glory from those around us is weightier than receiving Glory from God... we are too interested in the temporary, the temporal Glory given by fellow creatures and so we often make that the reward in our life." - 14:24

5. "The most important thing is actually to be rewarded by the father, to hear from his lips 'well done good and faithful servant, enter into your Master's rest'. How God thinks of us is not only more important but infinitely more important... Jesus prays that he would experience the father's Glory but not only that, he prays that his followers would also participate in that Glory with him." - 16:20

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Transcript
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