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The Complex Glory of God

Romans 11:33-36

What is the chief and highest end of man?

Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever?

(Westminster Catechism)

GOD’S PLAN

God’s plan in the past was to display, communicate and give a participation of His

full glory to the church through His Incarnate Son.

(Ephesians 1:4, 11)

GOD’S PLAN

This is His current motive in all His work

(Ephesians 1:17-22) and will be the glorious

goal of all things (Ephesians 3:20-21).

GOD’S PLAN

That is why He made you (Isaiah 43:7). That is why He does everything (Isaiah 48:9-

11). That is where everything is directed. The

end goal is His great glory. It is all about Him (Romans

11:36).

GOD’S PLAN

God wants you to have His glory as your primary

motivation in your plans, actions, and goals (1 Corinthians 10:31) in

everything forever (1 Peter 5:10).

GOD’S PLAN

Those who live contrary to this are

described in the Scriptures as vessels

of wrath (Romans 1:21, 3:23)

GOD’S PLANDear Saints –

If you get this, own this and consistently practice and experience this truth your

soul will be satisfied, joyful, content and at peace. I promise. God promises!!!

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires

of your heart.”Psalm 37:4

Let’s ask a couple of questions to help us get

focused:

1. What does the term “the glory of God” mean?

2. How do I glorify God?

These questions will be answered so that we can live a life of truth, love and joy that glorifies

God and loves people.

The Glory of God and Its Four Components

1. What God is within Himself2. The manifestation or display of that3. The communication of His glory to the

creature’s understanding4. The proper, reasonable, emotional,

responsible reply reflecting upward in praise and adoration, and lived out toward others(Exodus 33:18-34:8; Isaiah 6:1-8)

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How

unsearchable are His judgments and His ways

past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become

His counselor?’ ‘Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to Him?’”

Romans 11:33-35

What God is within Himself, the intrinsic gravity and weight of who He is in His own Godhead (Isaiah

6:1-4)• He is one Being (Deuteronomy 6:4).

• This one Being eternally exists in three, distinct Persons (Genesis 1:26).

• Each Person in the Godhead has all the attributes, characteristics and qualities of God, is called God and is worshipped as God (John 1:1-3).

• God is an infinite (Psalm 147:5), holy (Isaiah 6:1-4), invisible (1 Timothy 6:15-16), triune Spirit (John 4:24) who is present in fullness everywhere (Jeremiah 23:23-24).

“For of Him (from Him) . . .” Romans 11:36

The manifestation, exhibition or display of Himself (Ezekiel 10:4)

• Displayed through creation (Psalm 19:1-4)

• Exhibited in history/providence (Hebrews 11:1-40)

• Manifested immutably in His Word (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

• Shown most clearly in the Incarnate Son, the God-Man (Hebrews 1:3), and His Person, Offices & Work (Hebrews 1:1-14)

“. . . and through Him . . .”Romans 11:36

The communication of that to the creature’s understanding

(Exodus 33:18-19)

• In salvation (2 Peter 1:2-3)

• By providence/history (1 Corinthians 10:11)

• Through the Word illuminated by the Spirit (Exodus 33:18-19)

• As seen in Jesus when He is understood & known (Ephesians 3:14-19)

“. . . and to Him are all things, to Whom be glory

forever. Amen.”Romans 11:36

The love and joy consummated in praise and adoration, giving God the

glory (Psalm 50:23)

• Upward in worship (Psalm 100)

• Outward in loving fruits of service to others (1 Peter 4:11)

• Evangelism (Psalm 117)

• Godly habits and lifestyles, which display His glory to all (Matthew 5:16)

This experience of participating in God’s glory

(2 Corinthians 3:17-18) will be made full when we

are glorified (Philippians 3:21; Romans 8:17-18, 2:10; Colossians

3:4)

THE CHALLENGE

Pursue knowledge, love and joy in God’s glory through His Word by meditating on Jesus.

(Hebrews 12:2-3; Colossians 3:1-4, 16-17; Jeremiah 13:14, 15:16, 23:28-29;

Psalm 1:1-3)

“ 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of

the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Colossians 3:16-17

Four Ways to Apply This Truth

1. Meditate on a verse about worshipping Christ, and then spend some time doing it.

2. Meditate on a portion of Scripture that talks about service, and then serve someone.

3. Ponder a Word about evangelism, and then, prayerfully, go and share the gospel with someone.

4. Consider a Scripture about improving your Christ-likeness in your habits and lifestyles, fervently pray about it and pursue change.

All of these will be done in the flesh if you are not actively thinking on the Lord Jesus through His

Word.

(Hebrews 12:2-3)