The Life-Changing Glory of God

INTRODUCTION

God’s Original Plan for Man:

Psalm 8:4–5 NKJV

4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

:5 God “crowned” Adam with glory.

The glory of God is the manifested presence of God.

This word in Hebrew is: Crowned, compass, encircle for protection with glory.

Adam was CLOTHED with the glory of God.

When Adam sinned, the glory of God departed and they were naked.

God already had a plan to restore FELLOWSHIP with his lost human race.

God already had a plan to restore God’s presence and GLORY to his man.

THE CIRCLE OF GLORY

A. God created Adam clothed and wrapped in God’s glory.

B. Man sinned and FELL SHORT OF THE GLORY of God (Romans 3:23)

C. Jesus - The Captain of our salvation came to RESTORE MANY SONS TO GLORY (Heb 2:6-10)

Through Jesus, God’s man is restored unto God’s glory.

God’s plan is for His man to have the glory of God upon his life.

Moses Spoke Face to Face with God (and encountered God’s glory)

Exodus 33:9–11 NKJV

9 And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses. 10 All the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the tabernacle door, and all the people rose and worshiped, each man in his tent door. 11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

Moses Understood the Importance of the glory

Exodus 33:13–15 NKJV

13 Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” 14 And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 Then he said to Him, “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.

Moses - “If your presence (glory) is not going, we’re not going.”

DEFINITION: (Hebrew - Kabod) = Glory, Honor, great quantity, majesty, splendor, heavy, weighty.

Moses asked for GLORY, God showed him GOODNESS!

Exodus 33:18–19 NKJV

18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.” 19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

God wanted Moses to understand His Glory.

It’s not just His presence but so much more - His Goodness!

GOD’S GLORY: “Heavy with everything good”

Moses EXPERIENCED CHANGE in the Glory.

Moses spent forty days in the glory and his face began to shine

Exodus 34:29–30 NKJV

29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

(Jump to :35)

Exodus 34:35 NKJV

35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

God’s Goal is to DWELL with mankind

Exodus 25:8 NKJV

8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.

SHEKINAH means “to DWELL”, inhabit, settle down, abide.

God’s manifested presence came to DWELL with man...

1. Glory Changed People in the Old Covenant

As we just read, God’s glory changed Moses and made his face to shine.

God’s Glory Filled the Tabernacle (Tent)

Exodus 40:35–38 NKJV

35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Glory Filled the Temple

1 Kings 8:10–11 NKJV

10 And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.

Ezekiel 10:3–5 NKJV

3 Now the cherubim were standing on the south side of the temple when the man went in, and the cloud filled the inner court. 4 Then the glory of the Lord went up from the cherub, and paused over the threshold of the temple; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the Lord’s glory. 5 And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard even in the outer court, like the voice of Almighty God when He speaks.

Ezekiel 44:4 NKJV

4 Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord; and I fell on my face.

2 Chronicles 5:13–14 NKJV

13 indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.

Notice God’s Glory Fell When:

They were in obedience

They were in one accord/unity

The acknowledge “For He is good; for His mercy endures forever”

TRANSITION

Is God’s glory only for the Old Covenant?

We have a better covenant, established on better promises (Heb 8:6)

God Has Haggai Prophesy of New Covenant Glory

Haggai 2:6–9 NKJV

6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

2. Glory Changes People in the New Covenant

God No Longer Dwells in Temple

Mark 15:37–38 NKJV

37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

God’s presence dwelled in the Holy of Holies

God is showing the people, “My glory doesn’t live just inside the Holy of Holies anymore”.

God Now Dwells Inside You

1 Corinthians 3:16–17 NKJV

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NKJV

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

GOD MOVED HIS DWELLING PLACE THREE TIMES:

The TABERNACLE

The TEMPLE

Now, into the INSIDE OF HIS NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS!

You Are the House of God

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

God’s plan is that we become a Glorious Church

That means that we CHANGE to become GLORIOUS!

Ephesians 5:25–27 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Some people may say, “I’ve made mistakes and messed up, how can God use me?”

Isaiah Was Changed In The Glory and Presence of God.

He went from “WOE IS ME” to “HERE AM I, SEND ME”

Isaiah 6:1–8 NKJV

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, And your sin purged.” 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Notice the effect of the LIFE-CHANGING PRESENCE AND GLORY OF GOD!

1.) WOE - Woe is me

2.) LO - Lo, this fire of God has touched you (bringing change)

3.) GO - Here am I, send me

Paul Was Changed In The Presence and Glory of God (See Acts 9:3-9)

Paul fell off his horse in a manifestation of God’s glory and his life was dramatically changed! We was never the same after encountering God’s glory.

3. We Change From Glory to Glory

Jesus was changed “transfigured” in the glory of God.

Matthew 17:1–2 NKJV

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

The glory of God caused Jesus to be “transfigured” (changed).

The same Greek word describing Jesus being “transfigured” is used to describe how we are changed by God’s glory!

God’s Plan Is For Us To Be Changed/Transfigured

2 Corinthians 3:17–18 NKJV

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

“Open Face” = veil lifted (We should shine just like Moses)

“Beholding as in a mirror” - seeing the glory on us (in the mirror).

“Transformed” = We are changed in the manifested presence and glory

CHANGED/TRANSFORMED: (Greek = Transfigured, Changed Metamorphooo)

This word means to change from one state to another. Like a caterpillar to a butterfly.

In the mind of God, the same way that the glory transfigured Jesus, we are changed and transfigured on the inside. What changes us on the inside should flow to the outside in our daily lives.

KEY CONCEPT - HOW DOES THIS CHANGE HAPPEN?

“From glory to glory” - a continuous progression by the Holy Spirit as we read the word of God, spend time in God’s presence, spend time in worship and prayer.

We can never have and encounter with God and remain unchanged!

We are continually changed from one degree of glory to another as we spend time seeking God’s face. As Moses spent time looking into the light of God’s face, so we are changed looking into God’s face. God is light. As week look into the light our face will shine more with the glow of His presence. They will take note that we have been with Jesus!

2 Corinthians 3:18 The Message

18 All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

ILLUSTRATION

Smith Wigglesworth tells:

“I remember one time stepping out of a railroad carriage to wash my hands. I had a season of prayer, and the Lord just filled me to overflowing with His love. I was going to a convention in Ireland, and I could not get there fast enough. As I returned, I believe that the Spirit of the Lord was so heavily upon me that my face must have shone...There were two clerical men sitting together, and as I got into the carriage again, one of them cried out, "You convince me of sin." Within three minutes every one in the carriage was crying to God for salvation. This thing has happened many times in my life. It is this ministration of the Spirit that Paul speaks of, this filling of the Spirit, that will make your life effective, so that even the people in the stores where you trade will want to leave your presence because they are brought under conviction”

We are changed progressively by repeated proximity with the presence and power of God!

Is that the will of God that we are supposed to be light and glow with God’s presence?

What does the Bible say?

(The Word of God is the will of God)

(The Bible is God speaking to me)

Are We Supposed to Glow like that with God’s Presence On Us?

Isaiah 60:1–5 NKJV

1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

Isaiah is seeing into the day that we live in the New Covenant:

“The glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (:1)

“The glory shall be seen upon you” (:2)

“Gentiles shall come to your light” - the glory will be seen upon us

“They come to you”

“You shall see and become radiant”

“The abundance of the sea shall be”... (converted - KJV). In the Bible, the word “sea” usually refers to a large group of people. The lost multitudes shall be aware of God’s glory on His church and come to the light to be saved.

As Moses Was Changed in the Glory, How Much More Should We Be Changed In The Glory

2 Corinthians 3:9–11 NKJV

9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

What is Our Part?

Colossians 1:27 AMPC

27 To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.

Most of the “Mystery” that Paul preaches is summarized in this one verse.

Christ In you, the hope of glory!

Notice: The Amplified Bible states: “Christ within…you..THE HOPE OF REALIZING the glory!

As God FILLED the tabernacle and then He FILLED the temple, God wants to FILL you full and overflowing with His Word and His Spirit.

Realizing that God’s glorious plan is FOR YOU TO BE FULL OF HIM is the first step to being changed!

KEY CONCEPT

The Christian hopes not merely for the coming of the Lord, or of simply going to heaven; but more importantly GETTING THE FULL REVELATION OF WHAT HE OR SHE ALREADY HAS LIVING ON THE INSIDE OF THEM - AND ACTING ON IT!

Practically Speaking, How Are We changed from glory to glory?

As Moses spent time in God’s presence, we too are to have a devotional life spending time in God’s word, prayer, worship and praying in other tongues.

Every time we spend time with God, we are changed by His Spirit (from glory to glory).

Glory Helps us in Everyday Life

Ephesians 3:14–21 NKJV

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Notice, according to the RICHES OF HIS GLORY...

We are “strengthened”

God “dwells” in our hearts

We are able to “comprehend” the dimensions of God’s love for us

SO THAT WE MIGHT BE “filled with all the fullness of God”

SO THAT WE MIGHT BRING “glory in the church”.

If we are “filled with all the fullness of God”, then we are filled with God Himself.

Filled with everything He is.

God is “heavy with everything good”, so “heavy with everything good” dwells inside of you!

Colossians 2:9–10 AMPC

9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. 10 And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life [in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—and reach full spiritual stature]. And He is the Head of all rule and authority [of every angelic principality and power].

The entire Godhead dwells in Christ…and “you too are filled with the Godhead”!

Everything He is, He is in Me!

This glory is not just for us, it’s for “others”.

The World Needs What We Have (They are waiting on us!)

Romans 8:18–19 NKJV

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

The word “revealing” in the Greek means UNVEILING!

The “earnest expectation of the creation”. What does that mean?

Romans 8:19 (MSG) The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next.

The entire world is waiting for THE UNVEILING OF THE SON’S OF GOD.

They are waiting for us to get so full of God’s glory and presence and shine the light into their world.

Just as Moses’ face shown and it affected those around Him, we too are witnesses to the light of God’s glory.

We are to be full of EVERYTHING THAT GOD IS.

Then, just as Jesus could say, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father”, we too should be able to say, “I’m doing the works of Jesus”. “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen what God is like”.

They should take note of us “that we have been with Jesus”.

Just as under the Old Covenant the Holy Spirit came upon King Saul and turned him into another man, we too are being changed from glory to glory and being turned into another man or woman.

Some people may say, “Yes, this glory teaching sounds good but I have financial needs”

Where are the riches that you need?

Philippians 4:19 NKJV

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Notice: God promises to meet your needs ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY!

Some people may say, “Yes, this glory teaching sounds good but I need healing in my physical body”

Where is the physical healing that you need?

Romans 6:4 NKJV

4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Notice: Jesus was raised from the dead BY THE GLORY OF GOD.

Romans 8:11 NKJV

11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

The same HOLY SPIRIT that raised Jesus from the dead QUICKENS AND GIVES LIFE TO YOUR MORTAL BODY.

Your healing comes from the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It’s the same spirit. If He can raise Jesus from the dead, He can heal your body!

Just like the Circle of Glory that we began this message with - you are already restored to glory of God.

However...

God’s Glory Is Not Finished With You Yet

God placed His Spirit and glory on the inside of you (Ye are the temple of the living God).

But, there is coming a day when we shall all BE CHANGED - a complete, glorious change!

1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

When that happens, we will receive our glorified bodies to match the “glory” that we already have on the inside.

2 Corinthians 5:1–4 NKJV

1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

You already have the Glory of God on the inside of you.

You will be "clothed upon with our house which is from heaven”

You’ll have a “glorified” body and be with Him forever!

A whole new you - inside (glory) and out (glorified body)- Glory!

Then shall we ever be with the Lord - in His Glory!