November 23, 2019
The Bible speaks often about ‘God’s glory’.
1. How would you describe what the ‘The glory of God’ is? Discuss in your group the following varying examples of how God’s glory is spoken of:
• Psalm 19:1-4.
• Acts 7:55.
• Hebrews 1:3, Isaiah 40:3-5, John 11:4.
• Ezekiel 1:28, Luke 2:9, Revelation 21:11, 23.
• Romans 5:2.
Consider the following:
“The word glory, in relation to God, has two aspects.
a. Firstly the Hebrew word transliterated as kabowd or kaw-bode’ (primarily translated as “glory” in the Old Testament) can refer to praise and honor and at times even abundance and riches (Genesis 45:13; Ezekiel 20:6).
b. Secondly, it can also refer to the brilliant splendor of God’s appearance.”
The Greek word doxa, which is primarily translated as “glory” in the New Testament, also has these two aspects. Following are two quotes to help shed more light on understanding this.
Overall, the glory of God is used in a variety of ways in Scripture. It can refer to God’s greatness, His honor, His beauty, His power, and His light. In every case, the glory of God acknowledges the Lord’s supreme strength and our need to both acknowledge and serve Him. https://www.compellingtruth.org/glory-of-God.html
The glory of God is the beauty of His Spirit. It is not an aesthetic beauty or a material beauty, but it is the beauty that emanates from His character, from all that He is…. But the glory of God, which is manifested in all His attributes together, never passes away. It is eternal. https://www.gotquestions.org/glory-of-God.html
What was Moses request to God on the top of Mount Sinai and God’s reply? Exodus 33:18-23. Why do you think this was so? What attribute of God did God associate with His glory? Exodus 33:19.
What was evident to all who saw Moses had been in God’s Presence? Exodus 34:29, 34-35.
What did God’s glory look like to the Israelites? Exodus 24:15-17, Hebrews 12:18-21.
Would it be a right interpretation to say the Israelites and Moses both only partially saw God’s glory?
2. Jesus Christ.
What do the following tell us about Christ and God’s glory?
• Who was the One who came down on Mount Sinai and met with Moses? 1 Corinthians 10:4.
• At the beginning of time. John 1:1,
• What had Peter, James and John seen? John 1:14, Matthew 17:1-8 (compare Jesus appearance with how John saw Him in Revelation 1:16), 2 Peter 1:16-18.
• Where is Christ now? John 17:5, Acts 7:55-56, Hebrews 1:3.
3. God’s Children.
a. The Future.
What do all believers have to look forward to?
• Romans 8:29-30.
• Romans 8:15-23.
• 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53. What will our future bodies be like? Philippians 3:20-21, Matthew 13:43.
So we are going to receive glorious bodies that reflect the person, character and power of Jesus in a very significant way. It won’t be our own glory – it will be a reflection of Christ’s glory..
b. Now-Application.
How did Paul say the Holy Spirit is working in us to accomplish? 2 Corinthians 3:18.
What did Paul say about what should influence the way we live our lives? 1 Corinthians 10:31.
How do we do this? Consider what Paul says in the next few verses. 1Corinthians 10:32-11:1.
Discuss ways our lives will honor God and therefore bring Him glory. Below are three examples.
1. Worshipping God. Romans 12:1-2, 1 Chronicles 16:28-29.
2. “Separation from worldliness” 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Is there a difference between ‘separation’ and ‘isolation’ from the world? If so what is it?
Consider the following:
Separation from the world involves more than just keeping ourselves from sinful practices: it means staying close to God. It involves more than avoiding worldly entertainment: it extends to how we spend our time and money. There is no way to separate ourselves totally from all sin full influences. Nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around us, without either giving up or giving in. When you know what God wants you to do, make a clean break with sinful practices. taken from ’Life Application Study Bible.’
3. “Our attitude and response to unjust suffering and our resulting testimony.” 1 Peter 2:18-23.