“What is God’s Glory?”

Series: Glory [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

June 5, 2022

Introductory Comments:

The glory of God is something that the Bible speaks about a lot. We talk about it in church, we sing about it, and some have even said that our greatest purpose in life is to bring glory to God. 

However, what is the glory of God? What is God’s glory? [on screen]

Today, we are starting a two-part series that will take place today and on June 19 about the glory of God. We’re going to take a short break from Romans and then return to Romans in July. 

Before we get too far into this, let’s pray together and ask God to speak to us. 

(prayer)

First, as we talk about the glory of God, we must first try to define what it is. 

As I studied this topic, I came across something that Dr. John Piper had written on this topic. Piper is very helpful when it comes to trying to define the glory of God. 

Piper points out that you cannot describe God’s glory easily. He explains that some things are easy to describe while other things are difficult to describe. 

For example, I can describe what a largemouth bass is. [on screen] I can describe what a whitetail deer is. [on screen] I can describe what a sewing machine is. [on screen] I can describe what a football is. [on screen]

However, how do you describe what love is? How do you describe what beauty is? How do you describe what frustration is?

So, although it is difficult to describe God’s glory, Piper offers this definition of God’s glory: “The glory of God is the manifest beauty of his holiness.”

Christopher Morgan, writing for The Gospel Coalition, defines God’s glory as, “The glory of God is the magnificence, worth, loveliness, and grandeur of his many perfections, which he displays in his creative and redemptive acts in order to make his glory known to those in his presence.”

Well, I thought these definitions were good, but perhaps a bit too complicated. So, I offer this definition of God’s glory. Definition: God’s glory is the display of all of His God–ness. [on screen]

God’s glory is all of God on display. It’s who He is in His worth, in His beauty, in His goodness, in His justice, in His majesty, all wrapped up into one glorious package. It is His God-ness on display. 

Well, let’s talk about a few different ways that we see the glory of God. 

First, . . . 

I. God’s glory is seen in general ways. [on screen]

The glory of God is so big that it is seen on a general level all over the universe. 

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.” [on screen]

We also read in Isaiah 6:2-3,  “Seraphim were standing above him; they each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. 3 And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.” [on screen]

The earth would not be what it is today without the glory of God on display in it. To be sure, there are many negative aspects to the world that we live in but there are also many wonderfully beautiful aspects to our world. 

God created the heavens and the earth and His glorious fingerprints are all over it. His beauty is seen in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon and the great oceans. His kindness is seen in the gift of love that we can share with each other. His justice is seen when the innocent are defended. His power and grace are seen when wicked sinners are saved from their sins. 

God’s God-ness is seen all over Creation as His glory is revealed in general ways. The earth is full of His glory. 

Second, . . . 

II. God’s glory is seen in specific ways. [on screen]

God’s glory is certainly seen in a general way throughout the entire earth but it is also seen in particular ways as well. We see, for instance, that God’s glory was displayed as a presenc