Carriers of the glory

“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

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We sing songs about the Glory of the LORD, we ask GOD for more of HIS Glory…but do we really have a grasp of the Glory of the LORD? Today, we are diving into an understanding of GOD’s Glory. Our study begins with this verse:

“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

The knowledge of the glory of the LORD is likened to the waters that cover the basin of the sea. Notice – the knowledge shall not only be spread far and wide (or universal), but it also shall be deep. And this knowledge, my friends, is what our goal is today.

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Our foundational question is: What is the Glory of the LORD?

According to 1 Corinthians 2:8, JESUS is the “LORD of glory.”

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power." Hebrews 1:3a (ESV)

JESUS is the Glory of GOD! And as long as HE was here physically as a human being, the knowledge of HIM could not be universal, for HE was restricted by space and time. HE could not physically be in more than one place at a time.

While HE was here on earth, JESUS, the LORD of Glory, glorified the FATHER. How? We find our answer in a conversation (i.e., prayer) that JESUS had with HIS FATHER:

"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4 ESV

JESUS brought glory to the FATHER through HIS obedience in fully accomplishing the work GOD gave HIM to do. (Side note…how do we glorify GOD? Do we obey HIM even to the point of suffering, or do we do our own thing? Do we fully accomplish the work that HE has given us, or do we quit before it is done?)

Once JESUS, the LORD of Glory, fully accomplished the purpose given to HIM by the FATHER, thus glorifying GOD, HE ascended into Heaven…but not before giving HIS disciples some instructions:

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5 ESV

Once JESUS went back to Heaven, HE sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to earth, to inhabit and empower each of us. So, rather than the Glory of GOD being localized in just one person (JESUS), HIS Glory is now in each of us through HIS HOLY SPIRIT!

“All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.” John 17:10 ESV

With the initial outpour of the HOLY SPIRIT, Peter was so transformed that he preached boldly before thousands, and 3,000 came to CHRIST that day (see Acts 2). This was the Glory of GOD, manifest. These 3,000 were gathered in Jerusalem from all over the world. So, when they went home, they took JESUS, the LORD of Glory, with them!

The early Church enjoyed peace for a while, until persecution broke out.

“And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.⁴ Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” Acts 8:1,4 ESV

And what do you think happened when they were scattered? They took JESUS, the LORD of Glory, with them! They preached the word, thus glorifying the FATHER!

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This is how the knowledge of the Glory of the LORD began to be spread far and wide, universal, as the waters cover the sea.

When HIS SPIRIT dwells within us, we become Carriers of HIS Glory! As Carriers of HIS Glory, we spread HIS Glory to those around us by sharing the hope that is in JESUS CHRIST.

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

But what about the knowledge of the Glory of the LORD being deep, as the waters cover the basin of the sea?

Once we come to JESUS and receive the gift of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, our growth does not stop there. We continue to be sanctified and transformed from one degree of glory to another.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV

And as we are sanctified and transformed, HE draws us deeper and deeper into intimacy of HIS Presence. As we submit ourselves fully to HIM,HE shows us the secret things of the KINGDOM.

“And he answered them, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.’” Matthew 13:11 ESV

“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. ⁷ But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ But,as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’—¹⁰ these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 ESV

Brothers and sisters, as with everything, there is a process. As with everything, there is a sacrifice. We only just began to scratch the surface of the knowledge of the Glory of the LORD. Check out this blog to go a little deeper. And may HIS Glory rise upon each of us, that nations and kings shall be drawn to the Glory of the LORD.

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. ² For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. ³ And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3

In JESUS’ Name. Amen and amen.

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