Theology: The Doctrine of The Christ - Christology - Part 4

Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2025

Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have now seen:

 

1.  Who Jehovah God, Christ Jesus the Word, was: the eternal, self-existing, all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent Jehovah God: the Word, the Creator, the Owner, and the Sustainer of all things.  That is a mouthful that still does little justice to who the great “I AM THAT I AM” was!  It is incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

2.  What Jehovah God became.  The Word was made flesh and dwelt among men.  The word “made” tells us that this was an act that would have never naturally occurred but was purposed and performed.  The condescension of Jehovah God is incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

3. Christology could be a long series as “In the volume (cover to cover) of the book it is written of me” speaks of Christ is found from Genesis chapter 1 as Creator to Revelation chapter 22 as our coming Lord!  Therefore, this will be the last message on Christology. 

 

B.  In our text, we see that Christ Jesus is both the Author and Finisher of our faith!  Our work is to faithfully run the race set before us with the joy of the Lord in our hearts. 

 

Revelation 22:13  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

 

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

C.  This morning, we will take a look at who Christ is right now. 

 

1.  Jehovah God, who had no physical body before His incarnation, now has an eternal physical one. 

 

Colossians 2:9-10  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  (10)  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

 

2.  Born into a physical body that was prepared for Him.  

 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

3.  Resurrected with an eternal physical body. 

 

Luke 24:39-40  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  (40)  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

 

4.  Coming again with a glorious, eternal body. 

 

Revelation 1:7  Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

D.  Three specific offices that our Lord Jesus Christ holds: Prophet, Priest, and King.

 

1.  Prophet.  As Prophet, Christ Jesus, who knows the end from the beginning, declares unto us the Word of God.  From before the beginning of time and creation until the beginning of eternity after the Revelation, the Word (Christ Jesus) told us everything that would transpire.  You can read today’s news in a thousands of years old Word!

 

a)  The Person.  Deuteronomy 18:15  The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

 

Hebrews 1:1-3  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,  (2)  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;  (3)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

b)  The Preaching.  Isaiah 46:9-10  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,  (10)  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

 

c)  The Promise.  Christ is the Word and Christ is God who knows all.  He is the Person of prophecy.  His Person is found in His Word, the Bible. 

 

2 Peter 1:16-19  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  (17)  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (18)  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.  (19)  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

 

d)  The Power.  In His Word, Jehovah God revealed the truth about God, man, and the future.

 

Hebrews 4:12-13  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (13)  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

 

Revelation 19:11-15  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

 

2.  Priest.  As the Apostles represented God to man, the Old Testament priests represented man to God.  Today, there are no earthly priests, as every believer is their own priest.  This is called the individual priesthood of man.  But, when we go to God the Father in prayer, we are once again represented to God by our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.  As our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

a)  As our High Priest, He Sacrificed (Giving us both access and assurance).  Hebrews 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

 

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

b)  As our High Priest, He Mediates ( A Mediator stands between two parties to bring reconciliation by bridging the gap).  Jesus Christ is the “Buffer” between the Clean and the unclean.  Though our sins are gone positionally, we are still sinful practically.  One day, thank the Lord, we will be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. 

 

1 Timothy 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

 

c)  As our High Priest, He Advocates (An Advocate pleads another’s cause, a helper, a defender in judgment).  Advocate-Christ Jesus represents the helpless before the throne of the Father.  What we cannot do, what we cannot say, and what we cannot know is in the hands of Him that knows everything about us and pleads in our defense.

 

1 John 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

 

d)  As our High Priest, He Intercedes (Arbitrates and Facilitates).  In John chapter 17, we find the Lord’s Prayer for His children.  When we do not know what to pray for, Jesus Christ does!

 

John 17:9-11  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.  (10)  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.  (11)  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

 

3.  King.  As King, Christ Jesus reigns over all and everyone. 

 

a)  The Promise - Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  (7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

b)  The Prophecy - Revelation 19:11-16  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

c)  The Prayer - Revelation 22:20  He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Theology: The Doctrine of The Christ - Christology - Part 3

Temple Baptist Church - 8-17-2025

John 10:27-30

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have seen who Christ was, the eternal, self-existing Jehovah God: the Word!  Incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.  We have seen the condescension of Christ: who and what He became in incarnation.  Incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

B.  We saw what Christ left to be made in the flesh because of His great love for us.  This morning, I want to discuss what He did for us!  It is about you and me!  What Christ did, He did for the whole world, though the majority of sinners reject both Him and what He did.  Incomprehensible but teachable and knowable.

 

C. Before we get into what Christ did for us, we need to realize that salvation, along with its individual aspects, is an act of God, not man. 

 

1.  It is Grace, we get what we do not deserve, that saves us.  Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

2.  It is Mercy, we do not get what we deserve, and Goodness follows us.  Psalms 23:6a  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life …

 

D.  Salvation is a gift of God.  A gift is something that we especially pick out for a loved one. We pay the price of the gift, bring it to our loved one, and present it. 

 

1.  The Gift of Choice.  Then the loved one MUST make a choice. 

 

a.  Either to receive the gift with thanksgiving - Matthew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

b.  Or to reject the gift - John 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

 

c.  I thank God that I chose life!

 

2.  Propitiation - Expiation - expiator- the act of removing guilt through the payment of a penalty. 

 

1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

a.  The appeasement of God’s wrath.   God’s wrath had to be appeased through sacrifice. Our sin, when Christ became sin for us, He appeased the righteous judgment of God for sin. had a payment (the wages of sin is death), and Christ paid it in full.

 

b.  What wonderous grace that bought us through propitiation.

 

3.  Salvation.  To deliver, to heal, to make whole.

 

a.  The Promise - Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

b.  The Procedure - Hebrews 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

 

1)  God grants us Repentance.  Acts 11:18  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

2)  God gives us Faith to be exercised.  Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

3)  The sinner’s responsibility is to bring a bankrupt sinner to God with repentance and exercise the faith that God gives.

 

4.  Redemption (restoration-rescue-liberation). 

 

Romans 3:24-25  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

 

a.  Saved from the penalty of sin.

 

b.  Saved from the power of sin.

 

3.  Imputation (accounting or crediting of righteousness to an individual by God.).  When God sees me, He sees me through the blood of Christ and places me in Christ.  As perfect as Christ is.

 

Romans 4:6-8  Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,  (7)  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.  (8)  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

 

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

Jude 1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

4. Reconciliation (reunion-bringing together-ceasefire).  Romans 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

 

a.  Took away the enmity with God.

 

b.  Brought into fellowship with God.

 

5.  Adoption (how Christians are brought into the family of God). 

 

Ephesians 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

 

John 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

 

1 John 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 

6.   Sanctification - a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God. 

 

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

Colossians 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

7.  Justification - an act of God whereby He pronounces a sinner to be righteous because of that sinner’s faith in Christ.  Just as if we had never sinned!

 

1 Corinthians 6:11  And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

 

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

8.  Preservation - When something is kept entirely from decay, or in its original state, and it has eternal life. 

 

John 10:27-29  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  (28)  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (29)  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

 

These are only a few of the things that God gives us who have made the right choice.  Make this choice RIGHT because it is an eternal one!

Theology - The Doctrine of The Christ - Christology - Part 2

Temple Baptist Church - 8-10-2025

John 1:1-14; Philippians 2:5-8

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In the study of Theology, we find the incomprehensible.  Though we cannot comprehend who God is, He is knowable through both the Word of God and Nature.

 

1.  Knowing God in Nature.  Psalms 19:1-3  To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

 

Romans 1:19-21  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  (20)  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  (21)  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 

2.  Knowing God in the Word.  Psalms 40:7  Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

 

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

 

3.  Psalms 14:1  The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

 

B.  We have seen who God was last week.  This morning, we will see what God did for us.  In Philippians 2:5-8, we find the fullness of the condescension of Jehovah God.  It is here that we will see what God became FOR US.

 

C.  In our text, we see the distinct steps of the condescension of Christ.

 

1.  Verse 5.  The Mind of God in condescension.  In John 3:16, we find the mindset of both God the Father and God the Son.

 

John 3:16-17  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 

1.  These are unfathomable verses. 

 

a)  That a thrice-holy God would love this sinful world and the wicked people that dwell here enough to give His only Begotten Son to die for us is far beyond our comprehension.  This will be a mystery to you and me as long as we live on this earth. 

 

b)  I cannot imagine God loving this old, worthless sinner that much!  God told Moses that He could start all over with him, and He did start all over with Noah.  “Such love, such wonderous love; that God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this!”

 

2.  The Willingness of God the Father.  The Father spoke from heaven: “This is my beloved Son!”  Would you or I give our only son or daughter to die for one on death row for killing his family?  Think about such love of the Father who gave His best for earth’s worst.  He could have sent an angel, but He chose the best, His Son.

 

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

1 John 4:9-10  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  (10)  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

3.  The Willingness of God the Son.  1 Peter 1:18-20  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (20)  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

 

Revelation 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

 

Before the Creation of the world; before God made the first man; before the first sin, God’s Son was already slain in the mind of God!

 

1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

 

4.  In these things, we find God’s example to be followed.  He always did the will of His Father in heaven, kept the laws of man, and became subject to his oppressors. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus!” 

 

2.  Verse 6.  The Person of God in Condescension. 

 

a.  Who He was.  “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:” 

 

1)  The Alpha and Omega – Creator and Lord of All – Sovereign of the Universe – Potentate and God Almighty – I AM THAT I AM. 

 

2)  An Eternal, self-existing, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent God.

 

3)  Jehovah God needed nothing or anyone.  But He chose to condescend to the human state of man.

 

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 

Psalms 90:2  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

 

b.  What He left.  Though all belonged to Christ as Jehovah God, He voluntarily gave it all up for you and me.  Jehovah God gave up everything and became poor that we, through His poverty, might be rich.

 

2 Corinthians 8:9  For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

He left heaven's glory for me – He who never knew pain, hunger, physical weakness.  He left the realm and praise of angels.  He left the infinite riches of Heaven and Earth.  He left it all so that we might gain all.

 

3.  Verse 7-8.  The Word became flesh in Condescension.  What He became.

 

a.  God became flesh.  “made in the likeness of men”  “And being found in fashion as a man

 

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

1)  Likeness in His physical body.  “Now, He would suffer all that we suffer.  Hunger, thirst, tiring, sorrow, suffering, etc. 

 

a)  Made flesh.  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”

 

b)  Made of woman.  Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

c)  Made under the law.  Galatians 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

 

d)  Made sin for us.  2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

e)  Hypostatic Union of Christ (two individuals making up one)  100% Man on His mother’s side and 100% God on His Father’s side.

 

2)  Fashion is how He behaved.  “humbled himself”  John 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

 

1 Peter 5:5-6  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  (6)  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

3)  Christ could have been born to the most affluent families in Israel.  He chose to be born in a poor carpenter’s home, where He was raised in poverty. 

 

b.  God became a Servant.  “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant”  John 13:4-5  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  (5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

 

c.  God became a Sacrifice.  “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  1 John 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

He set His face toward Calvary like a flint – He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

 

Galatians 4:4-5  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,  (5)  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

4.  Verses 9-11.  His Exaltation. 

 

1.  God the Father exalted the Son.  Highly exalted Him: to raise up and elevate above all.  Psalms 2:6-7  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  (7)  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

 

Acts 10:36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

 

“Jesus Christ: he is Lord of all!”  What more can be said?

2.  God the Father named the Son.  Matthew 1:20-21  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  (21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 

3.  We are to Exalt Him.  Verses 10-11.  The choice is personal, the choice is ours, eternity hinges upon it.

 

John 1:14-18  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.  (15)  John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.  (16)  And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.  (17)  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.  (18)  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Theology: The Doctrine of God - Part 8

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-4-2025

Exodus 33:12-34:8

II.  The Attributes of God

“The Glory of God’s Presence” Part 1

 

A.  This morning, we found an insurmountable task!  An attribute of God that has never been totally revealed to man:  His Glory.  Yet, in many ways through divine revelation and the Word of God, we have touched the “hem of His garment.”

 

B.  There have been times when I needed to see God's glory, and there will be times when you need to do so.

 

1.  In Times of Great Trouble.

 

2.  In Times of Great Disappointment.

 

3.  In Times of Great Discouragement.

 

4.  In Times of Great Confusion.

 

5.  In Times of Great Hurt.

 

C.  In our text, we find such a time.  Moses, the meekest man in the world, has been called aside to Mt. Sinai.  There, he saw God in a bush that burned but was not consumed.  God had an insurmountable task for Moses. 

 

1.  God had a seemingly unreasonable task for Moses. Egypt was a dominant world power that controlled the known civilizations during Moses's time, and delivering Israel from their grasp was unfathomable.

 

2.  God had a fearful task for Moses.  To return to a land where he was under the sentence of death and confront Pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth.

 

D.  Verses 12-13.  Moses’ requests were reasonable.  Verse 12: don’t send me alone.  Verse 13: Show me thy way.

 

E.  Verse 14.  God’s answer was a twofold promise! 

 

1.  God’s Presence.  Exodus 33:14.  “MY presence shall go with thee!”  That alone should have been enough.

 

2.  God’s Person or Performance.  “AND I will give thee rest!  Resting in His presence in the hard places ahead.

 

F.  There are two distinct aspects of God’s glory in His answer to Moses that I wish to examine.

 

1.  The Glory of His Presence.  What God is.  Verse 17.  “I will do this thing also”

 

2.  The Glory of His Person or Performance.  Who God is.  Verses 19-20.  “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee”

 

G.  There is so much in these verses that I will have to break it down into two parts:

 

1.  The Glory of God’s Presence.

 

2.  The Glory of God’s Person or Performance.

 

H.  Verse 18.  “Shew me thy glory”  This morning, I want to look at the Glory of His Presence. 

 

Exodus 3:14  And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

 

“I AM THAT I AM” speaks of God’s Presence.  God lives in an ever-present moment of time.  God has no time; therefore, God is not controlled by time.  God owns time!

 

1.  This is a subject beyond human comprehension, but one which is somewhat biblically explained.  I say “somewhat” because we will never fully understand who God is until we are like and see Him as He is. 

 

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (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.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

a.  “it doth not YET appear what we shall be”  In this phrase, we find that, though we are the sons of God by faith, we are not in a perfected state.  The word “YET” speaks of a time when we shall be like Him. 

 

b.  “when he shall appear, we shall be like him”  At death or the rapture of God’s church, we shall all be changed according to 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4. 

 

c.  “for we shall see Him as He is”  Here we find the glory of His presence.  We will, for the first time, see Him as He is.

 

d.  “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”  Seeing Him and being like Him come through a process of purification that will end in perfection when we get a glorified body and the sin nature is eradicated. 

 

2.  The Glory of His Presence is Unapproachable Light. 

 

a.  God IS Light.  1 John 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

 

b.  God IS Life.  John 1:4-5  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  (5)  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

c.  God’s Garment IS Light.  Psalms 104:1-3  Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.  (2)  Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:  (3)  Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

 

d.  God’s Dwelling is an Unapproachable Light.  1 Timothy 6:14-16  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (15)  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  (16)  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

Only God can inhabit the light that He “dwells” within.  Man can neither dwell therein nor approach it. 

 

Daniel 2:20-22  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:  (21)  And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:  (22)  He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

 

e.  God’s Face is an Unviewable Light.  Exodus 33:20  And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

 

John 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

 

Men have never, while in the flesh, been able to see and behold the Father.  As we cannot gaze upon the sun in its strength, we cannot view God in His!

 

f.  God’s Face is a Glorious Light.  Revelation 21:22-23  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.  (23)  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

 

g.  God’s Face is an Eternal Light.  Revelation 22:1-5  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  (2)  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  (3)  And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:  (4)  And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.  (5)  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

 

3.  The Glory of His Presence in Shekinah Glory.  Like the terms Trinity and Rapture, the word shekinah does not appear in the Bible, but the concept does.

 

a.  The ancient Jewish Rabbis coined this extra-biblical expression, Shekinah, a form of a Hebrew word meaning "he caused to dwell,” signifying a divine visitation of the Lord God's presence on earth in a viewable form. 

 

b.  This occurred in both the Old and New Testaments before the complete canonization of the Scriptures. 

 

1)  God has made Himself viewable to His people before canonization by shrouding His Glory in Theophanies, Christophanies, and Anthropomorphisms.  

 

a)  The Old Testament.  The Angel of the Lord, the Rock of Horeb, the Bush that burned but was not consumed, the pillars of Cloud and Fire, etc.  Though they saw such things, the Old Testament walked by faith also.

 

b)  Faith is mentioned 24 times in Hebrew chapter 11, the “Hall of Faith” chapter.

 

Hebrews 11:27  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

 

b)  The New Testament.

 

1a.  Jehovah God, the Voice of God manifested in the flesh.  John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

1 John 1:1-2  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;  (2)  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

 

Colossians 1:14-15  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:  (15)  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

 

1b.  Jesus Christ manifested a visual of His future glory to His disciples.  Matthew 17:1-2  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,  (2)  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

 

1c.  The glorified Christ manifested Himself to the Apostle Paul in conversion.  Acts 9:3-4  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:  (4)  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

 

1d.  The glorified Christ manifested Himself to John the Beloved to open the Book of the Revelation

of Christ.  Revelation 1:10-15  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,  (11)  Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.  (12)  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;  (13)  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.  (14)  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;  (15)  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

 

2)  Now that both Old and New Testaments have been canonized and translated, we see God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit more clearly than ever through the lens of our Bible. Today, we do not see an Encarnacion or vision of God because we walk by faith, not sight.  No rose petals falling from the skies, no statues that shed tears, no “corn flakes” that look like the image of Christ.

 

2 Corinthians 5:6-8  Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:  (7)  (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)  (8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

Romans 14:23  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

 

Conclusion:  We who read and study God’s Word have seen the “invisible God” through His wonderful revelation in Scripture.