Evening Message 3 : To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
Text: Ephesians 3
6 December 2011
THE DOCTRINE OF GLORY
1. The Glory of God – Featured in the Old Testament
a) Well attested in the Old Testament
b) Well-documented in the Scriptures
c) Examples of the glory of God
i) The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night Exodus 14
ii) The provision of God for Israel in the wilderness Exodus 16:7
iii) The demonstration of the glory of God at Mount Sinai Exodus 19;20
iv) The glory of God demonstrated in His creation Psalm 19:1
2. The Significance of the Glory of God with reference to God’s House
a) At the consecration of the Tabernacle Exodus 40:34;38
b) At the consecration of the Temple 1 Kings 8:10;11
3. The Glory of God – Featured in the New Testament
a) Grace
The glory of His grace Ephesians 1:6
i) That we should be chosen in love Ephesians 1:4
ii) That we should be predestined to be sons Ephesians 1:5
b) Praise-worthy
To the praise of His glory Ephesians 1:12
i) Those who trust in Christ to reflect the glory of God Ephesians 1:12
ii) The indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit Ephesians 1:13;14
iii) Until the redemption of the purchased possession Ephesians 1:14
LEARNING TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD
Ephesians 3
1. Paul’s example of giving glory to God
a) Consciousness of the grace given to him by God Ephesians 3:2
b) Revelation of knowledge by God Ephesians 3:3;6
c) Made a servant of God by grace Ephesians 3:7
i) The least of all the saints Ephesians 3:8
ii) Privilege of preaching Ephesians 3:9
iii) Special joy of preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ Ephesians 3:6;8
iv) Effective working of God’s power in life and ministry Ephesians 3:7
d) Enduring tribulations for the sake of the Church of God Ephesians 3:13
2. Deep Prayer
Ephesians 3:14;21
a) Offered to a great God
i) The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Ephesians 3:14
ii) The whole family in heaven and on earth joined together Ephesians 3:15
b) Pleading “The riches of His glory” Ephesians 3:16
i) Praying for strength
ii) Praying for inner;man strength
iii) Praying for might through the Spirit of God
iv) All to the glory of God
c) Praying for vital characteristics
i) Abiding in Christ
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith Ephesians 3:17a
ii) Rooted and grounded in the love of Christ
That you may be rooted and grounded in love Ephesians 3:17b-19a
iii) Filled
That you may be filled with the fullness of God Ephesians 3:19b
d) Praying with great and confident faith
i) To an awesome God
ii) To an all-powerful God
e) Praying with glory in mind
i) The glory of God
ii) The glory of God in the Church
iii) This glory to be seen and appreciated – forever and ever. Ephesians 3:21
4. THE CHALLENGE TO PRACTISE GIVING GLORY TO GOD
a) With our mind
b) With all our heart
c) With great consciousness
d) With great determination
e) With deep commitment
f) With fervent desire