How To Get the Glory

Read: Leviticus 9:6-23

Introduction:

The Holiness People have long been familiar with “The Glory”

We probably all have our stories of being in camp meeting, church service, or revivals like the one we just had where The Glory came.

What I always struggled with growing up, and at times even now.

...how does one go about getting the Glory down?

Well I don’t have all of the answers, but I do see some principles in this passage that might help us see some ways to Get the Glory Down!

Dr. Phinehas Bressee was fond of telling the early Nazarene Church, and those who followed him would quote him over and over, “Get the Glory Down”

He was so known for being able to preach The Glory down that Timothy Smith writes about it:

Professor Mallalieu Wilson, of Northwest Nazarene College, remembers that sometimes the more alert members of the Los Angeles congregation, like Leslie F. Gay, Sr., would anticipate the climax and burst into audible "Hallelujahs" before the sermon was fairly begun. Dr. Bressee would, on these occasions, say, "Not yet, Brother Gay, not yet, until I have made this teaching clear." When, minutes later, he finished expounding his message and God's Spirit had come to make truth's glory felt, the good doctor would cry, "Now, Brother Gay, you may shout." And the walls of old First Church would tremble with the echo of the people's joy. (The Certainties of Faith, Bressee & Timothy Smith)

By Glory I’m talking about the way it is used here in our text.

Leviticus 9:6 KJV 1900

6 And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you.

The Presence of God

One put it this way—

The glory = Divine personality in human hearts and on human lives

A Promise of Glory -

This Glory, this Presence of God - this “Divine personality in human hearts and on human lives” was promised to Aaron.

It was promised to appear - to come into view -

The Glory would be identifiable,

Now Moses had seen and experienced the Glory before,

Many of us have seen and experienced the Glory before - but can I just say, Aaron had too - but it was needed again. It was a new situation a new day, a new need.

But The Glory - wouldn’t have to be introduced, or pointed out, or wondered about - just simply acknowledged.

Can I just encourage you when you sense the Glory just give vent to Him. It’s ok.

The Glory would Appear - It wouldn’t have to be primed, pumped, or worked up - God would Come that was the promise to Aaron and that is the promise to us as well.

Just because the Glory was promised didn’t mean it was automatic - Aaron was given some specific instructions to prepare for the Glory and bring the Glory.

Preparation for the Glory

I want to look at these steps tonight and draw from them what we need to do to prepare for and bring the Glory.

GO TO THE ALTAR - now Aaron’s altar was not like our altar here. It was a fiery place, it was a smokey place, a place that spoke of death and sacrifice.

It seems these altars have been barren for quite sometime, but if our spiritual eyes could be opened we would see similar.

Your altar doesn’t have to be this wooden bench up here, but altars are places of commitment, prayer, sacrifice, dedication, consecration, repentance, confession,

Aaron was to go first for himself - you know church, we can’t be of much help to others spiritually if we have unconfessed sins, or other things that need to be taken care of -

Aaron was to go for the people - I heard Sister Laird talking about this this morning. It is at times overwhelming - when we look at our prayer list and the needs that are there - But keep taking them before the Lord.

The Outpouring of The Glory

Remember the Promise point earlier - the Glory was promised - but it was a conditional promise

Aaron was given specific instructions - leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit - exactly what he should do -

WE have been given instructions in God’s Word as well - to stay connected - whatever it takes to the life-giving source.

But the Glory would never have come if Aaron had never done his part - it was a conditional promise

So today - if we want The Glory we are going to have to do what God tells us to do.

O God, revive me again; fill my heart with Thy love; may my soul be rekindled with fire from above.

While we don’t have animal sacrifices -

we have ourselves (our bodies) to present

We have relationships to maintain

We have consciences to keep clear

We have minds to renew

We have Worship to give

We have prayers to pray

We have Godly lives to live

We have to do whatever it takes to get The Glory

If that means taking the blame for a falling out

If that means taking the short end of the stick

If that means doing without

If that means not getting your way

Whatever it means - it is worth whatever it takes to get the glory.

Will you join with me in prayer and seeking God’s face

Claim the promise

Pursue the Preparations

and See the Outpouring of the Glory in our midst

I love the last two verses

Leviticus 9:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. 24 And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

The Glory was promised to Aaron - but look here “THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED UNTO ALL THE PEOPLE”

And when The Glory of the Lord comes then you can shout!!!

Let it out

I’m contending for the Glory, I’m believing God for the Glory

I’m thankful we’ve had a taste of the glory a couple of weeks ago - but I submit to you God has so much more for us if we will go after it.