Tag Archives: glory

The Face Of The Father

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THE FACE OF THE FATHER 

“‘I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me, but if someone comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes only from God?

”But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?'” John 5:41-47 (NIV).

Listen to this man! Every word He spoke to the Pharisees drove the nails deeper into their coffins.

Jesus claimed to be the truth (John 14:6) and if He was who He said He was, these men who were so convinced that they were right, ought to have taken heed to what He was saying because it was His word that would, in the end, be their judge (John 12:48).

He put His finger on the thing that was the chasm between them and Him — ‘I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.’ Had they captured God’s heartbeat throughout the course of their history, when He agonized over their failure to understand the love He had for them and His passion that they would be to one another what He was to them, they would have recognized that Jesus was the mirror image of the Father.

They claimed Moses as their authority and yet Moses was the one who recorded all God’s dealing with them through their years of wandering in the wilderness. The evidence of God’s love was there if they would open their eyes and ears, but all they could see was the rules and ritual that turned them into the very slave-drivers from whom God had set them free.

The face of Jesus is visible throughout the pages of the Old Testament if they would only look for it but they were too blinded by their own self-interest to see it. They were too drunk on the accolades they received from others to recognise the glory of God in the face of Jesus.

There is great pathos in the words of Jesus. He does not utter them with accusation but with grief because He knows what of what they have forfeited by their blindness. He knew that the day would come when their lives would be paraded before them, every scene, every response and every choice. The blindfold would be off and they would see the implications of every refusal and every rejection of the potential that was in them.

God is not a vindictive judge, waiting to get even with those whose blindness prevents them from seeing the glory that could be theirs if they would only take Him seriously. His heart breaks for the wasted potential of those who throw their lives away on useless pleasure, self-indulgence and even self-contempt that leads them down the road of self-destruction.

The arms of Jesus were wide open to the very men who were planning to kill Him. Hear the sob in His voice when He said, ‘You will not come to me that you might have life.’ It takes courage to admit that you have been wrong; that your way does not work; and that the road you have chosen leads to a dead end.

His adversaries were nit-picking about carrying a mat on the Sabbath. Jesus was offering them the gift of eternal life which no amount of rule-keeping could earn for them. They walked away in disgust and resolved to silence Him when they got the opportunity because they did not want the life He offered.

What about you?

Perfectly God!

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PERFECTLY GOD! 

“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

“(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.'”)

“Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

“No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is the closest in relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” John 1:14-18 (NIV).

Don’t you love John’s positive declaration? No beating about the bush! In the most magnificent poetic language he could think of, he declared, no kidding, that Jesus is God! He didn’t even tell us how it happened. It happened — God, in the person of His Son, came to us — a man, yet so much more than a man, the God man, God in human flesh.

God the Father clothed His living Word, the Son, in a human body and sent Him to earth to live among His people in order to show them, through the life of a flesh-and-blood person, exactly what He is like because, ever since He met Moses at the burning bush in Arabia and called His people into covenant with Him at Mount Sinai, they just didn’t get it.

They wanted a god they could see and touch, so they made their own and worshipped what they had created out of their own imagination. And the gods they made were pretty awful!

And so God said, ‘If you want a god you can see, I’ll send you one — just like me — so that you can get a feel of the real thing!’ And when He came, they were so out of touch with the real God that they didn’t recognise Him. They were so used to their distorted, out-of-shape God who was a stickler for keeping impossible and unrealistic laws, and was thirsty for blood and punished people who sinned that they were uncomfortable with the One He came to reveal. He was too nice, too kind and too full of mercy — so they killed Him!

How can you be comfortable with someone who is full of grace and truth when you are full of laws and rituals and sacrifices and being so “holy” that you despise everyone who isn’t, especially despicable people like tax collectors and prostitutes? But, in spite of all that, He just kept on being kind to everyone and telling them the truth whether they believed it or not.

Moses…Jesus…the Law…grace and truth? Are they really opposites? How can they be when the instructions given at Mount Sinai on the best way to live, came from God. It’s just that the people didn’t really understand what it was all about. They were introduced to a life that would show all the nations around them what their God was really like based on the fact that there was a Lamb, already slain from before the foundation of the world, who had taken away their sin and healed the breach between them and their God.

The lambs they had to slaughter were just a reminder to them that all was well between them and God and that they were free to love one another…and the people who were not part of them because God loved them. They were spiritual babies and needed a daily reminder of God’s mercy, but they thought that their God wanted blood — a blood-thirsty God. They didn’t realise that the shedding of blood was for their benefit so that they would know they were forgiven.

When Jesus came, He showed them the real God, a God who wanted mercy, not sacrifice; a God who wanted them to be kind to one another, not judge and criticise one another for doing something good on the Sabbath or reaping a little bit of grain to eat when they were hungry. He showed them a God who forgave and didn’t hold grudges and most of all, a God who was real, through and through, and didn’t pretend to be one thing and do something else.

Jesus is qualified to show us the Father because He has always been with the Father and has the same nature as the Father. He is a “chip off the old block” as the saying goes. He is a perfect mirror image of the Father. When we look at Him, we see the Father because He is like God and He is God.

That’s what John wanted us to know. We can trust the Father because we can see Him in everything that Jesus said and everything He did.

Glimpses Of The Great God: Day Twelve

Devotion, , ,

DAY TWELVE

                         In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the

prophets

at many times and in various ways,

but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son,

whom He appointed heir of all things,

and through whom He made the universe.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory

and the exact representation of His being,

sustaining all things by His powerful word.

After He had provided purification for sins,

He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

So He became as much more superior to the angels

as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs.

Hebrews 1:1-4

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father

and that will be enough for us.” 

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip,

even after I have been among you such a long time? 

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”

John 14:8,9a

 Although we have many descriptions of God’s character in the Old Testament, it is only in Jesus that God comes into full view.  When we take a long, hard look at Him, we see God in a human body, whose words and actions we can understand.  From here on we will keep looking at Jesus and through Him, come closer and closer to the heart of the Father.  Keep reading your Scriptures aloud.  Allow the truth to filter into your heart.  Every time you look at Jesus, you see God face to face.

 

Prayer: Lesson 6 – The Outcome Of Prayer – God’s Kingdom

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LESSON 6

THE OUTCOME OF PRAYER – GOD’S KINGDOM

 INTRODUCTION

Prayer is primarily about bringing about God’s rule on earth so that His glory can be put on display. God has personally involved us in this enterprise because He gave man the earth to manage for Him as His vice-regents.

The kingdom of God is His family business. God relates to us as sons and daughters and allows us to share His rule by carrying out His will on earth.

The best way to get an understanding of our role in bringing God’s kingdom to earth is through watching and listening to Jesus who is our perfect  pattern.

1. JESUS IDENTIFIED WITH THE HUMAN RACE

Jesus came as a human baby to grow up and be one of us. He had to learn to be human and to experience everything that humans experience.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 (NIV).

He also had to learn the meaning of being a son.

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered and, once made perfect He became the source of eternal salvation for all wo obey Him…” Hebrews 5:7-9 (NIV).

Question: In what ways was Jesus just like us and in what ways was He different from us?

He was made like us in every way: He was tempted like we are; He functioned as a human being; He was empowered by the Holy Spirit; He had to learn.

He was different in that He was both fully God and fully man. He did not function as God in His earthly life. He set aside His deity and lived purely as a human being.

2. JESUS PARTNERED WITH HIS FATHER AS A MATURE SON

He was already aware of His sonship at the age of twelve. His obedience to His heavenly Father took precedence over His earthly parents.

“Why were you searching for me?” He asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 (NIV).

He spent hours with the Father, nurturing His relationship with Him, growing in confidence in His Father’s disposition and will, learning how to partner with Him in His ministry and how to establish His kingdom on earth. He spent hours watching the Father and listening to Him.

“Jesus gave them this answer: ‘I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees the Father doing because whatever the Father does, the Son does also. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all He does.’” John 5:19,20 (NIV).

Question: In what ways can we imitate Jesus as a son?

3. JESUS ALWAYS PUT GOD’S GLORY AND GODS KINGDOM FIRST IN EVERYTHING HE DID

Jesus always viewed every circumstance from God’s perspective. relating to God’s rule.

Three examples:

1. He viewed sickness and death as an opportunity to show people what God could do.

“Walking down the road, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?’

“Jesus said, ‘You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.’” John 9:1-3 (The Message).

Jesus received a message that His friend, Lazarus was sick.

“When Jesus got this message, He said, ‘This sickness is not fatal. It will be an occasion to show God’s glory by glorifying God’s Son.’” John 11:4 (The Message).

2. He viewed all circumstances as relating to people’s relationship to God.

“About that time some people came up and told Him about the Galileans Pilate had killed while they were at worship, mixing their blood with the blood of the sacrifices on the altar. Jesus responded, ‘Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you will also die.’” Luke 13:1-3 (The Message).

3. He taught and brought the kingdom of God into people’s everyday lives.

“He tried again, ‘How can I picture God’s kingdom for you? It’s like yeast that a women works into enough dough for three loaves of bread – and waits while the dough rises.’” Luke 13:20 (The Message).

If we are the sons and daughters of God, we need to be imitating Jesus. Since it is our role to continue the mission of Jesus on earth, we cannot do it in a hit-and-miss fashion.

Jesus gave His life to transfer us from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light.

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.” Colossians 1:13 (NIV)

4. OUR RESPONSE TO JESUS PASSION FOR GOD’S KINGDOM

Jesus came to announce God’s kingdom and to set it up in people’s hearts by dealing with sin and opening the way to the Father.

His work would be in vain if we are not passionate about what He is passionate about.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15 (NIV).

Paraphrase: If you value what I value, you will do what I tell you so that you do not break my heart.

Jesus focussed all His energy on teaching and establishing God’s kingdom. His prayer was directed to doing His Father’s will.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 (NIV).

Question: In what practical ways can we imitate Jesus in His passion for the Father’s kingdom and glory?

CONCLUSION

1. Jesus is the model we are called to follow.

2. His passion for God’s rule in people’s live spilled over into everything He said and did.

3. His prayer life was the engine that drove Him. Anything less is unworthy of Him.

 

Prayer – Lesson 2: The Motivation For Prayer, God’s Glory

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LESSON 2

THE MOTIVATION FOR PRAYER – GOD’S GLORY

INTRODUCTION

Without going into the subject of God’s glory in detail, let’s try to understand it in the context of prayer.

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good….” Genesis 1:28a (NIV).

“Good” is an abstract word. What does it mean? All the words the dictionary uses are also abstract – morally excellent, virtuous, righteous, of high quality, well-behaved etc.

In the Hebraic understanding of “good”, it meant “functional”. Everything God made was functional – in perfect working order – even man!

Now substitute “functional” for “good” in this sentence – “God is good – God is functional.”

If God is functional, what is His function? What is He supposed to do? He is supposed to put His glory on display.

God is about Himself and He always does everything for His glory. Does that sound egotistical? If God were not stuck on Himself He would not be the greatest being in the universe. There would be someone greater than He.

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever!” Romans 11:36 (NIV).

God said that everything He had made was good, including man. That means that man was functional. What was his function? Just like the rest of creation, his purpose was to put God’s glory on display.

“…everyone who is called by my name,

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:7 (NIV)

God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledgeof good (functionality) and evil (dysfunctionality). He did not want them to experience dysfuntionality because it would bring dysfunctionality into the whole cosmos. To disobey was to become dysfunctional.

Question: In the context of our discussion, what does it mean to be functional and dysfunctional?

1. WHAT IS THE GLORY OF GOD?

Moses asked God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18). He thought  it would be something he could see.

“And the LORD said, ‘I will cause all my goodness (functionality) to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. But,’ He said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’” Exodus 33:19-20 (NIV).

The glory of God, in essence, is His character of mercy and compassion.

“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the LORD. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.’” Exodus 34:5-6 (NIV).

God’s glory is the motivation for our ordinary living.

Since Jesus has reconciled us to the Father and restored us to His family as His sons and daughters, our ordinary, everyday behaviour must be functional. The Apostle Paul instructs us to do everything for God’s glory – ie to put His character on display through our behaviour and attitudes.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV).

God’s glory must be the motivation for our praying as well.

If we are to be functional in everything we do, that must include prayer.

Does the Bible teach us to pray so that God ‘s functionality is put on display?

Yes, it does.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask anything in my name and I will do it.” John 14:13-14. (NIV).

Prayer that is self-seeking and self-serving is not prayer “in the name of Jesus”.  The name of Jesus is not a magic formula. It regulates what we pray for according to His nature and His purpose. Prayer that does not have God’s glory in view does not qualify as prayer.

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3 (NIV).

God orchestrates our needs in order to test our hearts and to display His character through the answers.

If we will allow Him , our needs are His opportunity to show us what He is like. Instead of whining, complaining or making demands, we have the opportunity to release our situations to Him and watch what He can do.

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” Deuteronomy 8:2-4 (NIV).

God was angry with His people because of their unbelief; they murmured and complained instead of trusting Him.

“Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His promise. They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the LORD.” Psalm 106:24-25. (NIV).

Question: In what ways can we put God’s glory on display?

2. HOW DID JESUS PUT GOD’S GLORY ON DISPLAY?

Jesus saw every need as an opportunity to put God’s glory on display.

He directed His disciples, not to the cause of the man’s blindness but to the opportunity to put God’s glory on display.

“‘Neither this man nor His parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’” John 9:3 (NIV).

He saw the sickness of Lazarus, not as ending in death but as an opportunity for God to display His glory and the glory of His Son.

“When He heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so the God’s Son may be glorified through it.”’” John 11:4 (NIV)

We put God’s glory on display by imitating the way Jesus lived, acted, spoke and treated people that mirrored the Father.

Jesus and Paul related the formation of God’s character in us to prayer.

When God answers our prayers according to His word, we bear the fruit of God’s character (Galatians 5:22,23), which reflects God’s glory in us.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8 (NIV).

Paul said that, with the help of God’s Spirit in prayer, He works for the good of those who love Him in every circumstance, remaking us into the image of His Son.

“In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches hour hearts, knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints  in accordance with God’s will.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:26- 29 (NIV).

Question: How does God develop our character through prayer?

He teaches us such things as patience, trust, perseverance, confidence and dependence as we wait on Him to do what brings Him honour. It is the fruit of character that glorifies Him (John 15:7,8)

CONCLUSION

1. God is functional – He does everything for His own glory.

2. He created man to be a reflection of Him by putting His glory on display.

3. Everything man does, including prayer, is to meant to show  off God’s character.

4. God only answers prayer according to His will and for His glory.

5. God orchestrates needs so that the answers put His glory on display.

6. Jesus used every opportunity to glorify His Father through meeting people’s needs.

7. God answers our prayers in order to shape us into the likeness of Jesus.