“God Is Glorious”
John 17:1-5
Sermon Series: “God Is”
Introduction: Romans 11:36 says, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” What is the glory of God, and how do we glorify Him? Let’s answer these questions by looking at what Jesus had to say on this subject as He prayed to His Heavenly Father shortly before His death.
1. What is God’s glory?
A. It is the essence and expression of who God is. It is
both His perfect character and the outward, brilliant manifestation of all His perfections. Millard Erickson says that God’s glory is “the greatness of His entire nature.” It “conveys the meaning of brightness, splendor, magnificence, and fame.” Rick Warren says that “it [glory] is who God is. It is the essence of his nature, the weight of his importance, the radiance of his splendor, the demonstration of his power, and the atmosphere of his presence. God’s glory is the expression of his goodness and all his other intrinsic, eternal qualities.”
B. It is the passion and priority of Jesus. Even as He is about to be crucified, He is consumed with the glory of God. Are we consumed with the glory of God? Is it our passion and priority?
C. It is most brilliantly displayed through the work of Jesus on the cross that brings our salvation.
2. How do we bring glory to God? God is glorious, but how do we manifest and declare His glory? According to the words and example of Jesus, we do it through:
A. Our lips. We glorify God by what we say. We glorify Him through praise and worship (see Psalm 29:1-2).
B. Our lives. We glorify God in the same way that Jesus did, which is by surrendering our will to the Father, being obedient, and doing everything God calls us to do with our lives.
C. Ministry to others. This is what Jesus was about to do on the cross. Sacrificial service glorifies God. Bearing fruit through evangelism and missions glorifies the Lord.
3. Is Jesus’ passion and priority our passion and priority? In other words, are we living for the glory of God? This is the personal and practical question that each of us must answer for ourselves. Living for the glory of God is the only way to be satisfied and avoid wasting our lives. John Piper says, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
Conclusion: We have seen who God has revealed Himself to be. You can take Him or leave Him, but you can’t redefine Him. If you leave Him, He will give you what you want and leave you alone for eternity.
