Join us on this enlightening journey as we explore the depths of God’s glory through the scriptures of John 11. From the miracle at Lazarus’ grave to the impact of Christ’s life and death, discover how faith magnifies the divine glory we witness in the Biblical narrative. This episode invites you to reflect on the power of belief and its role in unveiling God’s magnificence to His followers.
To God be the glory, great things he hath done. Oh, what a wonderful declaration and praise to God, and a wonderful direction for us. When one sees the glory of God, that’s our study today from the International Gospel Hour. Back in a moment.
SPEAKER 03 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web, and greetings everyone. Great having you with us today, and as we begin, let us hear our lesson text of John 11, 39-42. At the grave of Lazarus, Jesus said, Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me, and I know that you always hear me, but because of the people who are standing by, I said this, that they may believe that you sent me. Listen again to Jesus’ statement to Martha in verse 40. Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God? Jesus desired people to believe God by seeing God’s glory. And here in John 11, we see the glory of God brought forth and exalted. Back to verse 15, for the disciples to believe. Here in John 11, 25-27, and again in verse 40, for Martha to believe. From John 11, 31-32, for Mary to believe. And in John 11, 42-45, for the people to believe. The glory of God was brought forth for faith to come forth to individuals. Even the enemies of Christ came to see the power of the Christ, John 11, 47-48. And such was done through the glory of God. Even they realized that all men would believe. You know, friends, in the Bible over 500 times we find the word glory stated one of three ways. First, one’s aim to God or glorifying Him for what He has done and what He continues to do. Praising Him for His glory and honor. And the third one, unfortunately, glorifying in oneself. That’s the one we wish to avoid. Before our time today, let us see the glory that matters. The glory of the Almighty God. Let’s begin in just a moment for our study, When One Sees the Glory of God. As we prepare for that study, allow me to mention our friends at truth.fm. That’s truth.fm. We want you to check out their number of listening options and download their app. Feel free also to download beautiful congregational singing of some of the most blessed long-time hymns. Again, folks, that’s simply truth.fm. Once again, truth.fm. We hope that tool will be of help to you. Friends, let’s talk about when one sees the glory of God. When one sees the glory of God, one sees the Son of God. Let’s think about His birth, His life, and His death. In the birth of Christ, Luke 2.14, glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. In Luke 2.20, and the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen as it was told unto them. Now, what about his life? Well, in Luke 7, 11-18, when Jesus raised the dead, the son of the widow of Nain. Verse 16 says, There came a fear on all, and they glorified God, saying that a great prophet is risen up among us, and that God hath visited his people. In healing the sick, from Luke 17, 11-19, how about that grateful leper? One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back and with a loud voice he glorified God and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. Again, that’s from verses 15 and 16. So in the life of Christ, when people would see him perform these miracles, immediate miracles that is, raising the dead, healing the sick, they glorified God. and glorified God for what had happened. What about through his death? We note from our studies of history that centurions were individuals promoted to a position over a garrison of 100 men, that they were individuals with intelligence, with knowledge, And beside the cross of Christ, when all was done, when the temple was torn in two, when there was darkness that day, and when Jesus died, Luke 23, 47, when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. I think about when one is baptized. Yes, friends, when one is buried in water in baptism, a burial that we are placed under, buried with him in baptism, Colossians 2, verse 12. Romans 6 and verse 4 says, Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. When we are raised in the waters from the waters of baptism, we’re raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, and we walk in newness of life, all we give credit to God’s glory. Romans 6, verse 4. To God be the glory through the Christ. Are we not thankful, dear friends? You know, without Christ, there is no hope. And when we’re able to see the Son of God and to glorify God through the birth, the life, and the death of Christ, then we need to make certain that the life of Christ, that Christ is our life. Colossians 3, 1-4. And we need to make certain that when one sees the glory of God, we see the Son of God, and we can embrace God’s glory and thankful that we can change our lives through the Son. With that being said, let’s consider number two. When one sees the glory of God, one sees sanctification. The word sanctification is defined as a separation to God, a separation from evil things and ways, and one is built up little by little. So sanctification is to be set apart from the world, evil things and ways, but yet set unto God. And I love the thought of being built up little by little. One can grow in God. Oh, so many times individuals say, let me get some things squared away and then I’ll come to God. Well, friends, we need God to help us move from those things. A separation to God, a separation away from the things of God, or away from the things of the world, and unto God built up. Let’s consider. When Peter came to Jerusalem, he reported of the happenings with the Gentiles, specifically the household of Cornelius. In Acts 11, verse 18, when they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. And when the Gentiles heard this, the message of Christ, in Acts 13, 48, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. They were obedient unto God. They changed their lives, separated from the world, separate unto God. And when one is obedient to God, one must see the glory of God in setting them apart from the world. And that is tragic. A world that is tragic. A world that will blind us. Isn’t that what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4 and verse 4? The God of this world, God their little g, the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. Satan has his power. He’s not as powerful as God. But he’s blinded the minds of so many that fail to believe. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, Romans 3 and verse 23. And when one falls short of God’s glory, it’s because of sin in one’s life. Friends, that’s why it’s so beautiful that an individual can believe in God with a faith that is defined by Scripture as a faith that moves us closer to God. a faith that leads us to repentance that Jesus commanded in Luke 13, 3 and 5, commanded to be preached, Luke 24, 44 through 47, and repentance that is preached unto this day, Acts 2, 38, Acts 3, 19, Acts 17, 30 and 31. Repentance is a turn away and a turn toward God. And then, friends, when one… moves on their faith, confesses their faith, as the eunuch did in Acts 8 and verse 37. And with the heart man believes unto righteousness, with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, Romans 10, verses 9 and 10. And then, friends, as we noted moments ago, one is then baptized into Christ, as they were commanded to do so on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and verse 38, and that they did, verse 41. And then, as Paul even experienced, the washing away of sins, calling on the name of the Lord, Acts 22, 16. Friends, when one sees the glory of God, one sees the Son of God, and one sees sanctification. Through our study today, we’d like to share with you, to prompt you for your further study of the Bible, and to see the glory of God, our free Bible course by mail. Here is our J-Web with those details.
SPEAKER 03 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
And now, friends, we thank you for joining us today to study the glory of God. His glory is beautiful, brighter than we can imagine. His glory and sanctification to set us apart unto Him, through His Son where there is redemption. Ephesians 1.7 To God be the glory. Let’s continue our studies together at another time, and thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 03 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again.
