Concluding Lesson Ten: Glorification
Foundation of the Christian Faith
Introduction: Meaning of glorification
Glorification is the process where the believer is changed into the image of Jesus.
Glorification begins with regeneration, develops through the process of sanctification, and is completed at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is being conformed into the image of Jesus
Regeneration - New life;
Sanctification - Discipleship (Learning Christ);
Resurrection Salvation completed.
Everything in the Christian life is for this purpose that we will be like Jesus.
Introductory Story:The beauty of Jesus seen in the life of the believer.
New life in Christ.
There was a Tuesday night in the Summer of 1975 when I was brought into a completely new life. My life changed completely from that night. People I worked with saw the difference instantly. The new life changed the way I spoke, the way I worked and gave me completely different desires. Old habits dropped away and a new way of life took their place.I did not make new resolutions; I had new life.
I had made commitments to Christ before this but my life was changed when I received new life.
Discipleship
It was easy to witness at work and people were amazed at the change they saw in my life.I knew it was not me but Christ in me. My life was completely changed by the power of the gospel. But when I left that work to go to Bible School, I came into a Christian environment and was not always received in a nice way, I became more defensive.
I found it difficult to rely upon His strength where before it had been easy. Jesus said my yoke is easy, Matthew 11:28-30. Living for Christ is learning to let Him live in us. This is discipleship. Sometimes it is more difficult to live for Christ in a Christian environment than it is to live for Him in a secular environment.
Resurrection
The glorious hope of the believer is to be changed physically into the likeness of Jesus. I have been in the clouds many time in an aeroplane but one day those who belong to Jesus will be there without an aeroplane.
Main Points:
1.The glory of His life in us.
Glorification begins when the believer is raised to new life in Christ. The resurrected life of Christ in us.
Col1:27,To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
A Christian is a person who has the life of Christ in them.
A person who confesses Christ may not have new life.
Matthew 25:1-13. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins.
10 virgins only 5 were saved.
All professed to be believers but only 5 had oil.
How can we tell who are saved?
By their fruit the power of God in the life of the believer.
Natural fruit takes time to grow.
Jesus cursed the fig tree because there were no figs. The tree did not have fruit because it was not the season but the fig tree symbolised Israel and God expected to see fruit in His people at all times.
What is the initial evidence of salvation?
Initial evidence is the same. The fruit of the Spirit will be seen, love, joy, peace etc. will be as the new believer expresses forgiveness, joyfulness and love.
The extent that the fruit is seen will increase as the believer grows in Christ but the fruit will be seen from the moment of salvation.
2.The glory of His power in us. Glorification takes place in the believer through the process of sanctification.It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer as he or she is changed into the image of Jesus.2 Corinthians 3:18,But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The first epistle of Peter puts it this way: 1 Peter 5:10But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
The believer is able to live a victorious life because the glory of the Lord dwells in us filling us with His strength; His power; His love.
a.Strength that will endure in trials. The trial of your faith being much more precious than gold. God will perish but the trial of your faith produces the beauty of the life of Christ in the believer.
Paul wrotewe rejoice in tribulation.A person can only rejoice when he or she understands that the trial produces the beauty of Jesus in us.
Cannot produce anything if there is no new life.
Do you have a difficult situation to face?
Rejoice in it. We should use our intellect to work out how to deal with situations but we need never become angry, worried or unduly concerned.
b.Power that will overcome temptations. It is not possible for a believer to be tempted above that which he or she is able to resist.
I can never say the devil made me do it.
Devils power is the power of suggestion.
The word of God empowers us to overcome the devils power of suggestion.
The 3 areas of temptation.
i.Lust of the flesh
ii.Lust of the eyes
iii.Pride of life.
Greatest temptation to Church leaders is the Pride of Life.
The devil can stop a church moving in the power of the Holy Spirit by making the leaders proud.
c.Love that will endure all things. Love that seeks to lift others makes us like Jesus the glory the Father gave the Son John 17:21.
3)Glorification. Glorification will be complete when Jesus comes again. The glory of being raised in His likeness.
Romans 8:18,For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
The glory that shall be revealed is the life of Christ in us.
His life is seen in His people right now through the fruit of the Spirit.
His love shows the beauty of His character
in contrast to the self seeking nature of the world.
His peace stands in contrast to the anxiety of a world without Christ.
His joy stands in contrast to a world
that can only find temporary happiness in things that do not last.
When Jesus returns then the same glory that dwells within His people
will be able to shine in our outward appearance.
a)We shall be like Jesus.1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
b) We shall have a glorified body.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Corruption (defilment and decay) changed to incorruption. The defilement of sin will be removed from us. No battle for the mind; no pull of sin on the heart; no conflict of will. Pure and holy in every area of our life. Right now we should aim to be holy; and desire holiness because then we will only know holiness.
Mortal (sickness and death) changed to immortality. Death will no longer be known. Right now we are united with the One who is eternal life but our body still dies. When Jesus returns the resurrection life will change our mortal body into an immortality.
Question: How do we know this is true?
The scripture is confirmed within by the Spirit of God who has been given to us as a down payment of our full inheritance.
c)We shall be removed from sin; sickness; death; sorrow.
Revelation 21:4 ' And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.' Only in Christ Jesus can we find certainty in an uncertain world. We know we have eternal life because Christ lives in us. We are not like the world. Our trust is not in the prosperity of the world. We can endure the trial because Christ is with us. We can look beyond the tears because we have a glorious future in Christ. Our life has meaning because Christ has overcome for us. We do not trust in fables. We know we shall be with Him forever.
Summary:
The three phases of Glorification
1) The glory of His life in us.
2) The glory of His power in us.
3) The glory of being raised in His likeness.