Living in His Resurrection Glory

Easter Sunday: John 20:11-18

We believe we are made right with God:

By Grace alone

Through Faith alone

In Christ alone

According to Scripture alone

For the Glory of God alone.

As we conclude this series— I want us to see that the Christian faith explains God’s Glory

Glory: “magnificence, splendor, and honor associated with God's divine attributes, actions, and presence.”

I love this definition, as it brings three practical elements to our minds--

Attributes of God

Actions of God

Presences of God

Sometimes we get this upside down— We seek our own Attributes, Our own actions, our own presence.

Martin Luther, one of the great Reformation thinkers — once described the fallen state of man this way:

He used the Latin word--- “incurvatus” which means “Turned in on ourselves.”

Luther argued that as a result of sin, human beings are inherently self-centered, focused on their own desires, interests, and concerns rather than on God and others. This self-centeredness leads to a distorted view of reality and a separation from God. In his monumental written work "Lectures on Romans," Luther famously wrote:

"Man is by nature inclined to focus on himself. He thinks that he is righteous, wise, and godly, and that he possesses the ability to do good works. But this is contrary to the truth. In reality, man is turned inward on himself, curved in on himself (incurvatus in se)."

Today I want to challenge us all to consider if we live our lives centered on our own Attributes, Actions and Presence—our own Glory? Or do we live our lives seeking and proclaiming God’s Glory?

Soli Del Gloria- “For God’s Glory Alone”

There is no greater ambition or inspiration in the world— than the Glory of God.

The Attributes, the Actions, and the Presence of God.

We as Christians should desire to see the Glory of God, and then be able to join in and glorify God with our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A wonderful example of this from History is Johann Sebastian Bach— the famous classical music composer who lived from 1685-1750— Today March 31st is his 339th birthday!

"All music should have no other end and aim than the glory of God and the soul's refreshment...” Johann Sebastian Bach

He ended all his compositions "S.D.G." "Soli Deo Gloria" which means "For the Glory of God Alone."

Like Bach and his music, the goal of our lives should be to seek God’s Glory— and to give glory to God.

There is no better day to talk about God’s Glory— his Attributes, Actions and Presence— then on Easter Sunday!

I want to experience His glory like one of my favorite bible characters, Mary Magdalene.

Let’s watch this short video that dramatizes a powerful meeting between Mary and Jesus:

4. Read John 20:11-18

John 20:11–18 NIV

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Big Idea!

Experiencing the glory of God will radically transform our lives.

Three main observations— the first is:

I. We often experience God’s glory when we are alone with Him. Jn 20:11

A. Jesus' appearance was hidden at first, but then revealed. (v.14, 16)

1. Jesus frequently sets up situations so that they could be alone together. Transfiguration, Road to Emmaus, several others.

Those who will allow themselves time and space to be alone with Jesus will see His glory.

Something incredible happened for Mary— she thought she was speaking to the gardener— a normal person in that space.

It wasn’t until Jesus called her by her name that she recognized Him.

B. Being alone with God changes us.

“Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray” (M.E. Andross).

2. Time alone with God will radically change us - forever!

2 Peter 1:16–18 (NIV)

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

a. It will change your day.

b. It will change your spiritual life.

c. It will change your outlook on everything.

3. Time alone with God will increase your spiritual passion.

b. It will stir up your passion for God.

d. It will stir up your passion for worship.

e. It will stir up your passion for witness.

f. It will stir up your passion for service.

Have you met someone who has that fire and enthusiasm for Jesus? Most likely this is a person who has spent time with Him, and they have been changed!

Moses experienced this in the OT:

Exodus 34:29–30 NIV

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.

Being in the presence of God changed Moses— he was radiating the presence of God that he had just experienced. Do we radiate the presence of God? I want to— but the only way I can do that more, is to be with Him more!

We better be prepared however, one result of experiencing His glory is...

II. In experiencing God’s glory, we will be overwhelmed. (v.16-17).

A. Mary fell facedown and clung to Jesus. (v.17)

Peter, James and John had experienced God’s glory earlier in the storyline.

Matthew 17:7 NIV

7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

Interactions like this— pretty much always go the same way:

God appears, people fall down, God lifts them back up, tells them not to be afraid.

Abraham - Genesis 17:3: "Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him..."

Moses - Exodus 3:6: "Then Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."

Joshua - Joshua 5:14: "Neither,' he replied, 'but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.' Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, 'What message does my Lord have for his servant?'"

David - 1 Chronicles 21:16: "David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell facedown."

Elijah - 1 Kings 18:39: "When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!'"

Daniel - Daniel 10:9: "So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless."

The Disciples - Matthew 17:6: "When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified."

e. Matthew is clear that when they looked up they saw only Jesus. He would always be with them and would be all that they would need.

B. God’s glory brings us peace.

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

The experiences the world offers will leave you hurt, lonely, sick, desperate, and without hope. We find ourselves in trouble, stressed out, panicking— we should fix our thoughts on Jesus! Ask Him to enter your space in ways you can know He’s there— and then pay attention!

A personal experience with Jesus will give you peace that surpasses understanding.

Philippians 4:7 NIV

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Transition: Another positive aspect of the glory of God is...

III. Experiencing God’s glory will give understanding. (v.18)

A. Mary declares “I have seen the Lord”.

She cannot keep it to herself. Jesus instructed her with a message for the other disciples. “Go tell them”.

She simply tells everyone what she has experienced. She is changed.

B. Mary sought Jesus, and when she found Him, she glorified Him!

Go back to the definition:

Glory— it is the magnificence, splendor, and honor associated with God's divine attributes, actions, and presence.

To glorify God— is to bring attention to— to amplify— to make known the actions, attributes and presence of God.

What did God do? Actions

What was God like? Attributes

How did you know He was present? Presence!

Luke 2:20 NIV

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The shepherds have a similar story: They were out in the fields, minding their own business— when suddenly they found themselves surrounded by the Glorious presence of the angels— They fell down too— and they were instructed to seek after the baby Jesus in a manger— they found him— and were forever changed— glorifying God.

Attributes, Actions and Presence!

Jer 29:11 is a very popular and commonly quoted verse. For I know the plans I have for you— not to harm you, but to prosper you---

a. Jeremiah 29:12-13

Jeremiah 29:12–13 NIV

12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

When we seek God earnestly, He will allow us to experience his glory.

His attributes, His actions, and His presence.

d. He will give us the wisdom we need.

e. He will give us joy, peace, and understanding.

Transition: Are you ready to experience the glory of God?

Conclusion

a. We will often experience His glory when we are alone with Him.

b. We need to be prepared, for when we experience His glory we will be overwhelmed.

c. After we have experienced His glory we will understand more deeply.

2. If you want to experience the glory of God you won't find it:

a. In front of a TV

b. On a computer screen, or even

d. In any human being

Let’s work at spending more energy seeking and sharing God’s attributes, actions, and presence.

A sight of God’s glory humbles. The stars vanish when the sun appears.

Thomas Watson