Revelation chapter 7 kind of gives us a window into that day that we just sang about.
It says this,
And they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God saying,
Amen.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.
Ultimate result.
We see that here in Revelation.
We're going to see that in our passage this morning from Acts chapter 2.
And that is the glory of God.
Glory and honor and power be ascribed to our Savior.
only a few people had made it through the storm, and the regular preacher wasn't there.
The one who stood up, the untrained layman who stood up to preach, read from Isaiah chapter
45 verse 22, which says, look unto me, and be ye saved all the ends of the earth, for
I am God, and there is no other.
The man simply repeated the verse again and again, not really knowing how to move on from
Isaiah chapter 45 verse 22, but he said the words, repeated the words, look, look, look,
and then he looked directly at young Spurgeon and said to him, young man, you look miserable,
and you will always be miserable unless you look to Christ.
Spurgeon would write later in his experience, so I looked to Jesus, and in that moment the
burden of my sin rolled away.
That young boy at age 15, because of the work of the gospel in his life and the indwelling
power of the Holy Spirit would become one of the most prominent English pastors in history,
Charles Spurgeon.
And he would discover and would write something similar to what Peter would write in our passage
this morning in Acts chapter 2, where it says, everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord
shall be saved.
As God would work through Spurgeon's ministry, later on Spurgeon would write this, the highest
glory of our holy religion is the cross.
The question is, what is so important about the cross?
What is so significant about the cross?
What is it about the cross that points and draws attention to the glory of God?
And it is the cross, it is at the cross, through the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
the fullest display of God's character, his nature, and his presence comes into full view
through the person of Jesus Christ.
The glory of God is on display through the gospel and through the person of Christ at the cross.
This is the whole purpose of why Jesus came.
We find that in John chapter 1, verse 14.
That's the passage we all read together just moments ago.
The word became flesh and dwelt among us.
And we have seen his glory.
Glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
It's at the cross where the full spectacle of God's nature, his character comes into full view.
Where we see his character, his glory in its totality.
We see his mercy and justice.
His humility and authority.
His obedience and power.
His becoming sin for us and then the holiness of God.
We see his poverty and his sufficiency.
We see his compassion and severity.
We see condemnation on sin but also forgiveness.
We see his service and his superiority.
His sacrifice and his sovereignty.
His death and victory.
His meekness and preeminence.
We see all the attributes of God on full display there at the cross.
The glory of God has been revealed through the person of Jesus Christ.
And it was the glory of God that was not only revealed in Christ at his crucifixion.
But it is the glory of God through the gospel.
Because of the work of Christ on the cross.
That all of us who come to observe the gospel for ourselves.
See it for what it really is.
Get to enjoy and participate the glory of God for ourselves.
As Paul will say in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 5 and 6.
He says this.
And that's where we begin in Acts chapter 2.
We begin to see the unfolding of this glory in the nature of Christ.
His presence.
His power.
His character coming through in the person of Christ.
And coming through in the message of those there in Acts chapter 2.
And those who hear this message and respond in faith.
This church was born.
The church will showcase the glory of God.
It will put it on display.
It will make God look glorious and wondrous.
And as we begin to see this church emerge.
It's easy to lose sight of what is the ultimate goal.
It's easy for us to think.
Well the goal of Christ's death and resurrection of course was to build a church.
A people who are gathered around this common objective.
This common goal.
We might begin to think that of course the reason why Christ came to die and to rise again.
Was to launch this mission.
To send out agents and witnesses into Jerusalem and Judea.
And the uttermost parts of the world.
We might begin to think that it was simply to transform lives.
That those who were sinners are now made saints and redeemed.
We might begin to think that it was just to empower believers.
To fill them with the spirit.
To allow them to enjoy the benefits of the work of God in their life.
We might begin to think it was about to inaugurate this new covenant.
Moving from the shadow of the law into this light of grace.
And while all of those things are true.
And all of those things are the product of Christ's death and resurrection.
That is not ultimate.
What is ultimate is the glory of God.
What is ultimate is recognizing the person.
The worthiness.
The nature of who God is.
And celebrating that as a collective body of believers.
And then as those who are called to witness.
We're not just witnessing about the gospel.
We're witnessing about the glory of God.
And seeking to call attention to that.
And draw others in to that same kind of worship.
Recognizing the wonder of who God is through his son Jesus.
Jesus.
And this glory is meant not to stay concentrated in Jerusalem.
And that was the goal.
But that it would spread to the uttermost parts of the earth.
We see from the prophet Habakkuk.
In Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 14.
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
As the waters cover the sea.
That's the goal.
The goal is that God's glory would be known across the expanse of the earth.
And it's not about just a movement.
It's not just about a missional community.
It's not just about a new covenant presence.
It's the glory of God that's in view.
That's what's ultimate.
And that's what's inevitable.
That's what will happen inevitably.
As history comes to its ultimate culmination.
We find in Philippians chapter 2 verses 8 to 10.
Being found in human form.
He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.
Even death on the cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him.
And bestowed on him the name that is above every name.
So that the name of Jesus every knee should bow.
In heaven and on earth and under the earth.
And that every tongue should confess.
That Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
The glory of God will be on display.
So as we begin to see this church emerge.
And as we kind of begin this kind of mini series.
Working through Acts.
We're going to see in the next several weeks.
That the glory of God is on display through a people.
A people that God is calling to himself.
And will be called a church.
This gathering of believers.
Who will enjoy this indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.
But it's all with the effect.
The result of the glory of God.
Seeking to address and point to the wonder of God.
In his glory.
We see in Acts chapter 2.
At least four different ways.
That the glory of God is spotlighted.
In our passage.
Beginning in chapter 2 verse 1.
And kind of a recap of last week.
We're going to see the glory of God is revealed in his presence.
The glory of God revealed in his presence.
Notice.
Beginning in verse 1.
If you're using the Pew Bible.
It's on page 909.
It says this.
When the day of Pentecost arrived.
They were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound.
Like a mighty rushing wind.
It filled the entire house where they were sitting.
And divided tongues as a fire appeared to them.
And rested on each one of them.
And they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
And began to speak in other languages.
As the Spirit gave them utterance.
We see here right at the outset.
That the Spirit comes suddenly.
Someone has said.
And I think it's helpful.
That God when he comes.
Does not always come immediately.
But when he comes.
He always comes suddenly.
And we see that throughout the Old Testament.
And then entering into the New Testament.
This prophetic witness.
That had preceded the coming of Messiah.
That had been given for hundreds of years.
Before Jesus actually came.
And this 400 years of silence.
Before Jesus showed up.
Suddenly on the scene.
See God's delays are often long.
But his arrivals come suddenly.
Much like what Paul will write to the church of Galatia.
When he says in Galatians 4.
4 and 5.
When the fullness of time had come.
God sent forth his son.
Born of a woman.
Born under the law.
To redeem those.
Who were under the law.
So that we might receive adoption as sons.
Jesus came.
In a bodily way.
He came in a sudden way.
He came in an obvious.
Invisible way.
He came in a way that was present.
The word of God became flesh.
It tabernacled or dwelt among us.
And the spirit will come.
In a similar way.
Will come in a way that was obvious.
Invisible.
In noticeable.
He comes here audibly in verse 2.
He comes like a mighty rushing wind.
It fills the entire house.
This undeniable presence of the spirit.
He comes not just audibly.
But also visibly.
These divided tongues of fire appeared.
And rested on each one of them.
And then verse 4.
They were all filled with the spirit.
This universal effect.
Where all the believers in that room.
Got to enjoy the benefits.
Of that indwelling Holy Spirit.
Unlike the manifestation of the spirit.
In the Old Testament.
Who would come temporarily.
Who would come selectively.
Who would come on individuals.
And not indwell them.
Now the spirit would be permanent.
Now the spirit would come on all the believers.
They would all enjoy it.
And the Holy Spirit would come in them.
Not just on them.
And here we see the evidence of God's presence.
Among his people.
Notice.
He comes in flaming tongues of fire.
Why fire?
What is it about fire?
And I think this is by design.
Where the Lord through his word.
And instrumentally.
Wants to call attention again to glory.
You see.
Remember.
In the Old Testament in particular.
We get the strongest reminders.
Of the glory of God through fire.
And maybe even.
As I say this.
Many of you are thinking.
Oh yes.
I remember.
The number of times.
Where the Lord came in fire.
And it was an obvious evidence.
Of his presence among his people.
Where Moses is there.
In the wilderness.
He's on the backside of Midian.
He's been there for 40 years.
And the Lord shows up.
How?
Through a burning bush.
This presence of God.
And God says to Moses.
Take off your shoes Moses.
The place you're standing on.
Is holy ground.
Why?
Because the Lord is there.
I am there.
God's presence is there.
Then as Moses is leading the people.
Out of Egypt.
What are they.
What are they met with?
Well they're met with.
A pillar of fire.
And a pillar of smoke.
Which we're supposed to evidence.
The Lord's presence.
His glory.
Among his people.
And then they were.
Standing at the foot of Mount Sinai.
And we see this evidence.
Of God's glory there too.
Exodus chapter 24.
Verses 16 and 17 says.
The glory of the Lord.
Dwelt on Mount Sinai.
And the cloud covered it six days.
And on the seventh day.
He called to Moses.
Out of the midst of the cloud.
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord.
Was like devouring fire.
On the top of the mountain.
In the sight of all the people of Israel.
This devouring fire.
This intimidating sight.
Fire which represented the presence.
And the power of God.
And then we see the glory of God.
That fills the tabernacle.
And the glory of God.
That fills the temple.
Again.
The evident presence.
Of God.
Among his people.
It was the burning presence of God.
That filled these places.
To indicate God is here.
God's presence is here.
So what is glory?
What is glory?
Is it just the shining?
Is it just a burning?
Is it just the majesty of God?
Well throughout the scriptures.
We see both in the Old and New Testament.
A number of places where the word glory is used.
In the New Testament.
It's the word doxa.
It's used 165 times throughout the New Testament.
It's the word for brightness.
Or shining.
Or radiance.
But it's the Old Testament.
We really get a sense.
For what glory really means.
And how glory is meant to be understood.
Glory in the Old Testament is the word kavod.
It's the word weightiness.
It's the word for importance.
Or wealth.
Or worthiness.
It's the word for gravity.
It sets this individual.
Or sets this thing apart.
As being distinct.
It's heaviness.
It's weightiness.
It's glory.
It's splendor.
I like the way Paul Tripp helps to describe this.
He says glory isn't so much a thing.
As a description of a thing.
Glory isn't part of God.
It's all that God is.
Every aspect of who God is.
Every part of what God does is glorious.
You can't dissect the different attributes of God and say.
Well that's glorious and that's just love.
Or that's glorious and that's just holiness.
Or that's glorious and that's just mercy.
No.
The sum total of all that God is.
Is the glory of God.
It's the presence of God.
It's the nature of God.
It's how we come to understand and experience who God is.
That the full measure, the totality of who God is.
Is his glory.
So maybe a simple definition would be this.
God's glory is the visible manifestation of his presence, power, and authority.
You see this is God's self-disclosure.
This is how God shows up.
This is how God reveals himself to us so that he can be known.
Kind of like what the psalmist says.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
That's how we come to see and experience a measure of who God is.
And Jesus, when he showed up on the earth, made us understand and see his glory.
The glory of God in visible form.
So we come to appreciate the glory of God in his self-disclosure.
It's not just his appearance, but the full expression of himself.
His character.
His nature.
His essence.
The totality of who he is.
It's not just knowing things about God.
It's coming to experience and enjoy who God is for ourselves.
Like some of you, I imagine, are pretty good cooks.
And it doesn't do any good for us who aren't cooks just to learn or read a cookbook.
Or to know the ingredients.
We have to know how to put those ingredients together.
We have to understand how these combinations work.
And those who have cooked for a long period of time know there's a certain chemistry about it.
There's a certain experience you bring to the table.
The same is true in our expression or our understanding of God.
Not just knowing about God.
Not just knowing facts about his character and nature.
But experiencing him for ourselves.
And that's the objective.
The objective is that the glory of God will not just fill our minds.
But that the glory of God will change us fundamentally as people.
Paul will say in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18.
We all with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image.
From one degree of glory to the other.
For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
That's the goal.
The goal is to see the glory of God.
But also to be changed by the glory of God.
And those who know God best will be changed the most.
And here we are.
We get to see this transformation process taking place in Acts chapter 2.
What does it transform these believers to do?
Well it gives them courage.
It gives them boldness.
And they speak.
Verse 11.
We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.
It changed them.
You might think that it would be enough.
For these audience of devout men who have gathered here at Pentecost.
There in Jerusalem.
For them to see the evidence of the Spirit coming.
And to hear the witness or the testimony of those who have been there.
You think that would be enough.
But notice their reaction in verses 13 and 14.
Or 12 and 13.
It says.
All were amazed and perplexed.
Saying to one another.
What does this mean?
But others mocked and said.
They are filled with new wine.
As will be the case throughout the generations.
There are two reactions.
Two possible reactions to seeing the glory of God for yourself.
One cannot be neutral when the glory of God is on display.
One will either listen and believe.
Or one will mock and criticize.
One will disbelieve.
You cannot remain neutral.
There is always a decision that will be made.
And the question is.
Will you believe?
When the glory of God is evident.
When the gospel of salvation has been made clear.
Will you be one to bow the knee to the glory of God.
And humble yourself before that message.
Or will you remain in disbelief?
God's presence in power.
Was visible among the people there in Acts chapter 2.
This indwelling Holy Spirit.
The glory of God is revealed by his presence.
We are going to see in verses 14 and 18.
That the glory of God is also revealed in his word.
Revealed in his word.
Notice verse 14.
But Peter standing with the eleven.
Lifted up his voice and addressed them.
Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you.
Give ear to my words.
For these people are not drunk as you suppose.
Since it's only the third hour of the day.
Notice that Peter is ready to speak.
I love this about Peter.
He's a speaker.
But Peter also understands the significance of that leadership role.
He's not speaking without being uninformed.
He will speak in such a way that it's clear.
He not only knows what the scripture says.
But as we're going to find out.
That he has actually memorized this scripture taken out of Joel.
And now he's quoting this.
And applying this to the situation that's right there in front of him.
He knows the word.
He's studied the word.
He's memorized the scripture.
He's ready to apply that word to this situation.
Well he's been looking for answers.
And I imagine in this time of waiting.
He's been reminded of all the promises that Jesus had given to the apostles.
That night before his crucifixion.
How many times he told them.
The Holy Spirit is coming.
That spirit.
He's going to be the helper.
He's going to be given to you.
The father's going to give that helper to you.
He's going to convict the world of sin.
He's going to inform and help you.
To remind you of the things that I've told you in the past.
This Holy Spirit is going to be able to equip you for the work that I've called you to do.
And so what will the spirit do?
What will his ministry look like?
They've been looking for answers.
And where do they look?
They look to the word of God of course.
And Peter is familiar with this passage from Joel.
He quotes it word for word.
This rendering that we see.
Verses 17 and 18.
In the last days it shall be.
God declares that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and daughters shall prophesy.
Your young men shall see visions.
Your old men shall dream dreams.
Even on my male servants and female servants in those days.
I will pour out my spirit.
And they shall prophesy.
Clearly Peter knew the word.
His heart was anchored in the scripture.
He is looking to see and enjoy the glory of God in the word of God.
And address these people with that same glory.
The glory of the word.
He would communicate in the power of the spirit.
He would be filled with this word of truth.
Now remember that there in Jerusalem were devout men.
And they were there to worship God in the temple.
They're there in response to the law that had told them to show up.
On three different occasions throughout the year.
The Pentecost being one of those times.
50 days after the Passover.
They're there in honor of the word of God.
They are there demonstrating their devotion to the word.
But it's interesting.
That even though they have all of this going for them.
There are these men that criticize and mock the work that God is doing.
And Peter addresses that in verse 15.
He says,
These men are not drunk as you suppose.
Since it's only the third hour of the day.
In other words, don't be ridiculous.
It's only 9 o'clock in the morning.
Don't try to explain this away.
You know something extraordinary is taking place.
This passage of Joel is unfolding right before your eyes.
And that's every age.
That's the age that Jesus ministered.
The same kind of thing happened.
People marveled at his word.
People understood its authority.
People recognized how they were astounded at his ability to handle the scriptures.
And yet, what did they do?
Well, some would believe.
But most would reject this word.
This ministry of Christ.
And the same is true in Acts chapter 2.
The same is true in our age today.
You see, there's a constant attempt by our enemy and by our culture to change public opinion.
With sinister ideas seeking to call into question the clear work of God.
The works of God were being proclaimed.
How could it ever be consistent when they're hearing these messages of the wonderful works of God.
They're hearing the power of the Spirit coming in a rushing wind in Jerusalem.
They're seeing the evidence of these tongues by all these Galileans.
This clear and obvious work of the Spirit.
And yet, they have critical hearts.
You see, accusations are meant to turn public opinion in the worst possible way.
To create unbelief.
To steer people's hearts away from the glory of God.
So, Peter appeals to the word.
Where will anyone get a sense of his presence?
Well, they'll get a sense of his presence in the scripture.
And so, you remember what Moses says there on back at the mountain.
And he says, show us your glory.
And what does God do?
Well, in Exodus 34, 35 verses 5 and 6.
Excuse me.
Exodus 34, 5 and 6.
It says this.
The Lord shows up.
He descends in the cloud.
He stands with him there.
And proclaims the name of the Lord.
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed.
The Lord.
A God merciful and gracious.
Slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
God shows up in person.
Sees Moses there.
But he doesn't stay silent.
It is accompanied by the word of God.
God speaks.
In glory.
Shines.
The presence.
And the power.
And the nature.
And the character of God.
Show up.
That's the glory of God.
When God shows his glory to a people today.
What does he do?
Well, we see that in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verse 6.
For God who said, let light shine out of darkness.
Has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
He speaks.
And knowledge about God is given.
So that response to the glory of God can be accepted and believed in.
God's glory is not theoretical.
It's not distant.
It's present.
And for those of you who want to know and experience the presence of God, what must you do?
Know the word of God.
Embrace the glory of God that's revealed to us through his word.
The word of God that's meant to steer and to direct your hearts to see and to know who God is.
Not just so that you can have it for yourself.
But so that you can share that glory with the world around you.
So God's glory was revealed by his presence.
And God's glory was revealed in his word.
And we see in verses 17 and 18.
His glory is also revealed in his people.
God's glory revealed in his people.
And this is unbelievable.
This is unbelievable.
Verse 17.
And that's exactly what's happening in Acts chapter 2.
The beginning of the fulfillment of this prophecy from Joel.
Spoken word for word.
It is beginning to unfold.
It's signifying these last days.
It's signifying this mighty work of the presence of God.
That's beginning to unleash itself in Jerusalem.
God intends for his glory to fill the earth.
And he does that incredibly through people.
God delights in showing his glory through broken people.
God delights in showing his glory through what Paul will say.
Jars of clay.
Clay pots.
Breakable.
Fragile.
Insufficient.
Nothing attractive about them.
And yet God delights in showing his glory through those kinds of things.
And notice the universality of this promise.
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.
Your sons.
Your daughters.
Your young men.
Your old men.
Male and female servants.
It's a fulfillment of this prophecy in Joel chapter 2.
And also what we see in the new covenant.
In Ezekiel chapter 36 verse 27.
I will put my spirit within you.
And I will cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
God promises to make a people for himself.
To mark them out.
To make them distinct.
To draw attention not to them.
But to draw attention to himself.
That's why God uses brokenness.
Because God gets the glory.
When he uses broken things to show the wonder and the splendor of who he is.
And he does this for a reason.
We find in Ezekiel chapter 36 verse 36 and 38.
It says,
Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord.
I am the Lord.
I have spoken.
I will do it.
Then they will know that I am the Lord.
When God does this.
When God shows up and puts his spirit among his people.
The only person that's going to get credit for it is God himself.
Because God will be glorified.
God intends to glorify himself by drawing a people to himself.
Fundamentally changing them.
Rewriting their tendencies.
Correcting their ignorance.
Softening their stubbornness.
And enlightening their blindness.
Ultimately leading to transformation.
2 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18 says this.
When we all with unveiled face behold the glory of the Lord.
Are being transformed into the same image.
From one degree of glory to another.
For this comes from the Lord who is the spirit.
God will fundamentally change a people who believe in him.
They will share God's presence through their witness.
They will speak for God.
They will speak God's word.
That God's word that had been somewhat distant.
Somewhat put to the side.
That now we will have the experience of being able to proclaim the praises of him.
Who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
That God will inform our hearts and use his word to accomplish his objectives on the earth.
Peter says.
What is happening here.
What is happening here is God is present.
His glory is shining.
His people are being transformed.
Men and women.
Young and old.
Different backgrounds.
Different experiences.
are all showcasing the wonder of who God is.
God's glory revealed in his presence.
God's glory revealed in his word.
God's glory revealed in his people.
And finally God's glory revealed in his son.
Revealed in his son.
We see that in verses 19 to 21.
And I will show wonders in the heavens above.
And signs on the earth below.
Blood and fire.
Vapor and smoke.
The sun shall be turned to darkness.
The moon to blood.
Before the day of the Lord comes.
The great and magnificent day.
And it shall come to pass.
That everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord.
Shall be saved.
Peter talks about these wonders in the heavens.
Signs in the earth.
I will show wonders.
God himself will draw attention.
Through these signs.
Sun and moon.
And all these spectacles.
These signs that are showing up.
In the heavens.
To showcase the power of God.
Through his himself.
See.
During Jesus' first coming.
His glory was revealed in his grace.
We saw the presence in power.
Of Christ on display.
Through his death and resurrection.
Who came to seek.
And to save those who were lost.
Now at his second coming.
His presence in power.
Will also be revealed.
But now they'll be revealed.
Through his white hot rage.
On the wicked.
Who have resisted him.
The culmination of this.
And the fulfillment of this.
Is found in Psalm 2.
Where it says this.
Why do the nations rage?
And the peoples plot in vain.
The kings of the earth.
Set themselves.
And the rulers.
Take counsel together.
Against the Lord.
And against his anointed.
Saying.
Let us burst their bonds apart.
And cast away their cords from us.
He who sits in the heaven.
Laughs.
The Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them.
In his wrath.
And terrify them.
In his fury.
Saying.
As for me.
I have set my king on Zion.
My holy hill.
I will tell the decree.
The Lord said to me.
You are my son.
Today I have begotten you.
Ask of me.
And I will make the nations your heritage.
The ends of the earth.
Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron.
And dash them in pieces.
Like a potter's vessel.
Now therefore.
O kings.
Be wise.
Be warned.
O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear.
Rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the son.
Lest he be angry.
And you perish in the way.
For his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all those.
Who take refuge in him.
There's a day.
When God will come.
Jesus Christ will come.
In power.
He will come in great glory.
And he will come to exact.
Revenge and vengeance.
On those who are wicked.
And those who despise him.
But there is this.
This offer of peace.
There is this offer of rescue.
An offer of forgiveness that comes.
Kiss the son.
So he is not angry.
Be those who are wise.
And warned.
Serve the Lord with gladness.
Ezekiel puts it this way.
Then you will know that I am the Lord.
When this day comes.
And God.
His desire for us.
In these latter days.
Is to do what we find.
In verse 21.
All who call on the name.
Of the Lord.
Shall be saved.
See Christ has patiently waited.
Through the generations.
Christ has consistently.
Offered his salvation.
To those who will.
Who will come and embrace his glory.
We will see.
The glory of Christ.
His offer of forgiveness.
His holiness.
His zeal.
His patience.
His mercy.
And they come to a place.
Of recognizing that Jesus.
Is the only way.
Of salvation.
They ask for forgiveness.
They.
Recognize.
They confess.
That Jesus.
Is Lord.
To the glory.
Of God the Father.
And they come to enjoy.
The benefits.
Of all.
Who call.
On the name of the Lord.
Are saved.
I wonder this morning.
If you've done that.
I wonder this morning.
If you've come to a place.
Of recognizing.
And seeing.
The glory of God.
For yourself.
And not just.
Knowing it.
Intellectually.
But being the kind of person.
Who.
Who is.
Willingly.
Embraced.
God's glory.
And has sought to be transformed.
From one degree of glory.
To the other.
Knowing his truth.
Enjoying.
And experiencing.
And.
In saturating.
Your life.
With the.
The word of God.
His truth.
So that you can be changed.
Instrumentally.
Changed.
Fundamentally.
Changed.
As a.
As an individual.
Who.
Who now.
Sees.
This glory.
Of God.
And seeks.
To allow others.
To enjoy.
That same glory.
This morning.
I wonder.
Perhaps.
Maybe.
Some of you.
Have never come.
To a place.
Of receiving.
Christ.
As your personal.
Savior.
Romans 10.
11.
Says.
Everyone.
Who believes.
In him.
Will not.
Be put to shame.
For everyone.
Who calls.
On the name.
Of the Lord.
Shall be saved.
Is this.
The day.
Is this.
The day.
That you will call.
On the name.
Of the Lord.
And enjoy.
The benefits.
Of the glory.
Of God.
That's shown up.
In the person.
Of Christ.
And reveals himself.
To us.
Through the gospel.
And for those of you.
Who have.
Enjoyed.
And experienced.
The glory.
Of God.
Through the gospel.
Are you one.
Who is faithfully.
Sharing.
The glory of God.
Through your witness.
Like what we see here.
In Acts chapter 2.
May God help us.
To be those who are changed.
Fundamentally changed.
And that it results.
In.
In us enjoying the benefits.
Of.
Of this assembly.
This.
This assembly.
Of nations.
And tribes.
And languages.
Who will at one day.
Stand before the throne.
And sing together.
The glory.
And the honor.
And praise.
Of our great God.
Let's pray.
Father.
Thank you for your work.
In your son Jesus.
Thank you for.
The glory.
That you made so evident.
To us.
The word of.
The word of God.
Was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
And we have seen him.
We've seen.
Your glory.
The glory.
As of the only.
Son from the father.
Full.
Of grace.
And truth.
And father.
I pray.
For those of us.
Who have assembled.
In this room.
That we would not.
Just see the glory.
But that we would.
Embrace.
Your glory.
And seek to be changed.
From one degree.
Of glory.
To the other.
So that we can be.
Conduits.
Of that glory.
To a broken.
World.
In Jesus name.
Amen.
God bless you.
Have a great week.
God bless you.