Changed from Glory into Glory

Introduction (5m)

There have probably been many times over the past few weeks when you wished you could talk to Derek again, to ask him a question

Maybe one of those occasions was when you found the note mentioning “Love divine” which we heard twice on our way in today, and especially the line, “Changed from glory into glory, Till in heaven we take our place” and the Bible reference, Genesis 1 - the creation story.

Having been given and accepted the task to speak on these scraps of information, I certainly wish I could speak to Derek again!

Explanation (5m)

Made in the image of God

What was Derek thinking when he penned those notes?

Speculating of course, but wonder if it is what God said as he came to end of bringing this universe into being:

Genesis 1:26 NLT

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

Derek was like God. You and I are like God: we are made in his image. And God said we are very good - we are very well made.

As we move into chapter 2, we see what this means in practical terms. Clear human beings are created so that God could love us and we could love him back.

Our first parents enjoy a close, intimate relationship with God, sharing creation together.

Disaster strikes

Because we are made in the image of God, like him, we are given free will - the freedom to choose to love and obey God, or to choose to try to control our own lives and forget God.

We chose to take power and control for ourselves, and the sweet relationship with God was broken.

Life became more difficult for human beings, we struggled with our desires to do wrong, and death entered our universe.

Derek knew and lived by the truth that God had a plan to save and redeem us from death

God sent his one and only son, Jesus, to show us how to live lives that are completely in tune with God - just as we should be - and then to die and rise again, finally conquering death and ushering in the Kingdom of God.

Derek believed that. He lived his life believing that.

But we are here today because, whilst Jesus has had the final victory over death, that victory has not yet been completed

Our universe continues to battle with wrong. That’s why our world needs faith soldiers like Derek who are willing to put themselves on the line in this spiritual warfare. The battle is still raging.

The image of God in us is still seen imperfectly, like a puzzling reflection in a mirror, which is why faithful Christians like Derek spend a lifetime learning to be patient and kind, not jealous or boastful, not proud or rude, or demanding their own way. But doing their increasing best to truly reflect God’s love.

And now Derek has been Promoted to Glory

And having pointed us to Genesis 1, right at the beginning of the Bible, the very end of the Bible - Revelation 21 - gives us a picture of what Derek is now enjoying:

Revelation 21:1–7 NLT

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

That sounds very much like Genesis 1 to me

Those, like Derek, who have been Promoted to Glory finally fully reflecting God’s image. “Changed from glory into glory”. At home with God. Loving God, being loved by God, enjoying a close, intimate relationship with him, just as it should be.

Application (5m)

We have spent today with eternity in view

How could we do otherwise when we gather together to mark Derek’s Promotion to Glory!

The challenge for us all, is to continue - just as Derek did - to live and to serve with eternity in view.

To remember that each of us is made in the image of God, made to be loved by him, and to learn to love him back.

To remember that because of the mistakes and failures we make, that godly image is imperfect - a puzzling reflection of God - and like Derek, to strive to become more like the example Jesus Christ shows us.

And to remember that one day, if we live as Derek lived, loving God and showing his love to others, then we will be reunited, at home with God. Promoted to Glory.