Focus: Where Is The Glory? (Pt.4)

Text: Eph.3:21

"Unto him be GLORY IN THE CHURCH by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

If we translate, "glory IN the church," it makes the church the place where the glory of God is located. It means that the church houses the glory of God. If we translate, "glory BY the church," it means the church is the medium by which the glory of God is reflected or expressed. Either way, the church is the divine vehicle that contains, carries and conveys the glory of God. The church is the divine organ on earth by which the world can come into contact with the glory of God. The church is ordained of God to bring the transcendent glory of God close to the world. 

In Eph.5:27, Paul describes the church as "glorious." Interestingly, Paul describes our God as "the Father of glory" here in Ephesians (Eph.1:17). The church exists to display or exhibit the glory of the Father. The shekinah glory of God is localized in the church of Christ. At no time in history should the church function in the absence of the divine glory.

Leading up to the doxology of Ephesians 3:21, Paul captures for us some deep and powerful phrases of immense significance, and we shall do well to note them. In verse 4 we have "the mystery of Christ." In verse 8, Paul tells us of "the unsearchable riches of Christ." Verse 9 tells us of "the fellowship of the mystery." In verse 10 we read of "the manifold wisdom of God." Verse 16 deals with "the riches of his glory." Verse 19 tells us of the surpassing "love of Christ," and also, "the fullness of God." In verse 20 we are exposed to the ability of God which is "exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think" - the limitless capabilities of God and the limitless possibilities that are connected with it. And finally in verse 21, we find the church embodying and displaying the glory of God, letting out the glory, making the glory visible and tangible, being the divine organ of manifestation, and the medium for the outshining of God. Through Christ and His church God showcases Himself.

The glory of God is located in Christ and reflected by or displayed through the church. As Isaiah saw the glory of God in the temple, so should the world behold the glory of God in the temple called the church. Whenever and wherever the church is lacking in glory it is abnormal. The early church radiated the divine glory. They possessed divine energy and advanced the purpose of God from one place to another.

God has established closeness to the world through the church. The church is meant to bring God near to the people. We are God's point of contact with the world.

Things happen when men come in contact with God's glory. They wonder and wonder until their wonder is transformed into worship. Job saw the Lord, and says, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye SEETH thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Isa.42:5-6). Isaiah saw the holiness and majesty of God, and says, "Woe is me! For I am undone…" Peter saw the majesty of Christ, and says, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." John saw the glory, and says, "I fell at his feet as dead." Upon seeing the glory of the Lamb of God, the twenty four elders "fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever." Paul saw it, and says, "Who are you, Lord?… What do you want me to do?" At the tomb of Lazarus, Mary and Martha saw the glory of God, as Christ restored their brother back to life.

What is the church is without the glory of God? It is from the glory that God speaks. Peter says, "For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a VOICE to him from the EXCELLENT GLORY…" (2Pet.1:17). How can God speak where His glory is not present or sought for? Man's energy and glory cannot effectively replace the power and glory of God in the world. Let us quit parading our human glories and trying to do God's work in the energy of the flesh. It has not worked in the past. It is not working now, and I am certain that it will not work in the future.

The best thing to do now is seeking God in prayer and study of the Word, crucifying the flesh, encountering God's glory afresh, recovering our sense of divine wonder, believing in divine possibilities, and letting God be God in the church. The psalmist says, "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple" (Ps.27:4). 

It will require deep hunger for us to regain or recover what we have lost - the glory of God. What do we value more than the glory of God manifesting itself through us? Jesus Christ says to Peter, "Lovest thou me more than these?" Has it ever occurred to you that how we view God determines how we value Him? It's time to seek the face of the Lord and to recover His glory. Join me to pray for the church for a fresh glory! The glory is coming back. Revival results in evangelism - the drive for souls.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter