Restore the Glory of God
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Churches are beginning to open after several months of being closed due to Covid-19/Coronavirus. There are many changes that are in place or will be in place, social distancing will have a big impact on church as we were used to. Mask being passed out at the door and maybe even temperatures being taken will be possibly the church norm. Handshaking, hugs, laying on of hands, shared micro-phones, possibly the abolishment of choirs are changes that will be different in church after coronavirus. There will be many different protocols for the church and many changes will be in place. Of all the changes that will be taking place in the church after Covid-19 one change that needs to take place in the church is the Glory of God must return.
When Jesus died on Calvary’s Cross at that very moment the Bible says that the Veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom giving access to all into the Holy of Holies, Sadly, the corona virus has caused the churches to shut down and in the process of the shutting down of the churches it has been revealed that the glory of God is not there.
It’s time for the restoring of the glory of God to take place in the house of God. It’s time for the church to reposition itself so that it becomes the vehicle which gives God His right to be WHO He is and what He wants to do or accomplish in this world through it.
The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts:
And in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.
It is imperative that we understand that the glory of God isn’t just a feeling, an event or an Old Testament experience - it’s a culmination of everything contained in the character of God. It has been called the manifested presence of God, but it’s more than just a presence, it’s power, it’s authority, it’s Love, it’s help for those that are hurting, comfort for the comfortless, it’s deliverance and salvation that resurrects, restores, delivers, overcomes and transforms and it belongs in the church.
At some point we need to be honest with ourselves and ask the tough questions.
Why are we being defeated?
Why doesn't the world respect us?
Why aren't we impacting our culture and our communities?
Where is the power of God?
Why aren't we seeing the glory of God that we see in the early church?
It’s time for leaders that are anointed and called by God to stand up and say O Zion what’s the matter now. We need to tear down the walls of tradition, tear down the walls of complacency, tear down mediocrity, destroy the form of godliness, restore the glory of God in the church and as the old saints would say start marching, marching up to Zion that beautiful city of God.
It is time for those that are at ease in Zion to wake up, rise up, and hold up a standard of Holiness. The world is not going to get any better but will only get darker and the church must be a beacon of light to the world. God is trying to get the church to judge herself, so that His glory can shine in us, among us, and through us to a lost and dying world. We can never get the world right until we get right and restore the glory of God in the church.
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
It Is Time to Restore the Glory of God!
Kingdom culture reflects the values and character of the King. The Kingdom of God culture is a war culture for dominion, kingdom against kingdom, values against values, truth against lies, and light against darkness battle. It’s a spiritual warfare and we have spiritual authority to cast out devils, bind and loose, pull down strong-holds and use the Name of Jesus. Strong holds are mindsets that go contrary to the Will and Word of God.
Until the Church gets back to the cross, no real and lasting change is forthcoming.
Restoration requires a spirit of Expectation.
There must be a spirit of Expectation in the church. The spirit of expectation is the breeding ground for miracles. We must expect the glory to return and when it does return be greater than it was before.
Restoration takes work, restoration involves getting rid of some old stuff and replacing it. Restoration means sometimes things have to be cut out because of decay, corruption, or corrosion. Restoration is taking what once was and bringing it back to its former existence and beyond.
Expect the Spirit of God to move in the hearts of multitudes to repent of their sins and to begin to pursue lives of holiness before God.
In many revivals in time past, virtually entire cities turned to the Lord in repentance and faith just think about Nineveh. Crime decreased, bars closed, and life was totally different, because in times of heaven-sent spiritual awakening, people’s hearts had turned to the Lord, and they were pursuing His righteousness.
Expect to see a renewed, mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, with multitudes baptized in the Spirit, speaking in tongues, and moving mightily in God’s power.
The early church of the Book of Acts was indeed a glorious church.
If you don’t expect the glory of God you will miss it and miss out on the blessing.
Closing
Closing
As in the temple of the Old Testament, may it once more be said of the church today Haggai 2:9 “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts”.
This should be the prayer for all those that desire to restore the glory in the church – Lord please let God’s heart for spiritual restoration of the Church today bring back, and surpass, the glory we read of in the early Church.
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.
And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.
God is telling His people that He has always been in control.
What is the message for us today living in the midst of the effects of COVID-19?
Can God restore
God calls us to continue the work He’s commissioned us to do.
We are “light-bearers” for Jesus.
We are witnesses of “Good News!”
Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised from the dead for our salvation. Someone needs to hear this good news; especially in the times in which we find ourselves.
Let’s be strong, get to work and do not fear.
God is in control and He is with us.