Glory to God in the Highest

January 6, 2013 Evening:

Title: Jesus, the Radiance of the Father's Glory

Old Testament Passage: Exodus 13:21-22

Gospel Reading: Matthew 17:2

Sermon Text: Hebrews 1:3a “He is the radiance of the glory of God”

Sermon Point: If you have seen Jesus with the eyes of faith, then you have seen the glory of God.

God revealed Himself to His people in many times and in many ways. When they were traveling through the wilderness from the land of bondage to the place of promise, the Lord was a glorious light to them. He led them on their way.

“21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”

When Jesus revealed Himself to His closest disciples, they saw the glory of God in His shining being.

[2] And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. (Matthew 17:2)

This coming of the Christ was a fulfillment of the Old Testament Word. But now the Word had been made flesh.

Yet it is not as if we are to think of the glory of Jesus as something that is past. The author says about Jesus in Hebrews 1:3 that “He is the radiance of the glory of God.”

Jesus is. He ascended into heaven. He reigns from the place of all power. This Jesus loves you and leads you by His glory. You should pay careful attention to Him.

Do not make Him merely one among many. He is your shining All-in-all.

The glory of God was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Why without end? His work lasts. The new heavens and the new earth already held in reserve in the heavens are coming down from the Father of lights. He makes all things new.

That eternal glory is in you even now. His Word, His Spirit, His Worship, and His church is overflowing with heavenly glory. My cup runneth over. Drink up. Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Taste the radiance of the glory of God in the cup of His blessing this evening.

The One who died and rose again for you is the radiance of the glory of God.

Any other religious system has the dust of decay all over it. We must see Jesus. If you have seen Jesus with the eyes of faith, then you have seen the glory of God. Do not settle for anything less than the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Look for His glory and be led by Him.