Tag: Glory of God

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Bible Preaching

Where the Glory Dwells

Stephen Kuntzman | March 16, 2025 | 6:30 PM

Text: Acts 7:44-8:3

(44)  Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen. (45)  Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; (46)  Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. (47)  But Solomon built him an house. (48)  Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, (49)  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? (50)  Hath not my hand made all these things? (51)  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (52)  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: (53)  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. (54)  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. (55)  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, (56)  And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (57)  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, (58)  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. (59)  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (60)  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (8:1)  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (2) And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (3) As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Where the Glory Dwells

God’s greatest desire from the Creation, throughout time and even tonight is to have fellowship with you.

It is for this reason Jehovah told Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.”

  • God’s desire was to dwell with His people, so He commanded Moses to build a tabernacle—a mobile dwelling place.
  • This was a shadow of something greater. It was a temporary structure representing a permanent truth.
  • God’s plan for man was that He could be with them, but just as in the Garden of Eden, a certain design was followed with no deviation.
    • You have to do it God’s way. This idea of “me and Jesus, we got our own thing going” is false.
    • Jesus has His own pattern going on and you must press into it, or you will never be in true fellowship with Him:
      • Luke 16:15-16, “…Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
      • Everyone who presses, enters, into the Kingdom of God is born again of water and Spirit.
      • No other way to enter but according to pattern.
      • Press into the kingdom of God!

Jehovah explained this New Birth to Ezekiel,  – “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”[1]

  • God’s presence would no longer dwell in a temple made with hands—He would dwell in the hearts of His people!

Jesus explained how this was going to happen to Nicodemus, “(3)…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (8)  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”[2]

All that Stephen was preaching in his defense to the Jewish religious leaders of his day was simply confirming the fulfillment of millennia of divine prophetic to dwell in his people:

“Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands”

As prophetically necessary as the tabernacle of witness was,

as exceeding magnifical as Solomon’s Temple stood,

as hopeful as Zerubbabel’s Temple in drawing people back to national worship,

and as audacious as Herod’s Temple tried to be,

they were not where our Lord ultimately desired to dwell.

He wants to dwell in you.

Isaiah 6:1-4, “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.”

  • Isaiah saw that God’s true temple was not an earthly structure.
  • Yes, the realm of His glory would fill the earth, but that is because the presence of God filled the temple, and the whole earth was to be filled with His glory.
  • How? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
  • You carry God’s glory.
  • You are a Glory-Carrier filled with the smoke of God’s glory and filling the whole earth with the weight of God’s presence, power, and authority.

John 7:38-39 – “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

  • This living water represents the Holy Spirit, bringing life wherever it flows.
  • Ezekiel’s vision of the waters that flowed out from under the threshold of the sanctuary teach us the levels of the anointing of God.
  • It is one Spirit, but many depths with a process of maturing that you will go through as a Glory-Carrier.
    • 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.”
    • One degree of glory – anointing – to another.
  • The trees in Ezekiel’s vision represent God’s people, bearing fruit by the Spirit’s living waters.

Revelation 21:3, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

  • The goal of redemption was not just salvation, but union with God—to become His habitation.
  • In a world where people seek their own glory, we carry the glory of God. We are Glory-Bearers, His habitation:
    • (19)  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.[3]

Where the Glory Dwells

And there stands Saul, watching with approval the stoning of Stephen.

He heard Stephen’s defense, and how that God’s desire throughout time was to dwell among His people.

Yes, on that day, Saul could resist the argument of Stephen, but was the Holy Spirit in Stephen that Paul couldn’t resist.

It was the Glory Stephen carried that shown out of him with His last words pleading for Divine clemency on his persecutors that pricked the heart of Saul.

When you truly meet as bonafide glory-carrier, Spirit let, Holy Ghost driven man or woman, you will be changed.

We know it changed Paul, because he refers back to the words of Stephen when he is also making his argument for Christ on Mars’ Hill:

Acts 17:22-28, “(22) Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.  (23)  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.  (24)  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  (25)  Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  (26)  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;  (27)  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:  (28)  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

It was the Christ in Stephen that Paul couldn’t resist and to whom he eventually surrendered to and received into his earthen vessel.

Stephen’s body was dead, but the river of life in him began when he received the Spirit of Christ into his temple, then it flowed into Saul…now Paul, and from Paul to us today.

That same Jesus Christ is here tonight to dwell with you.

You are the glory-carrier of God…His vessel, and out of your belly flows a tributary of living water filling the while earth with the Gory of God.

Where the Glory Dwells

[1] Ezekiel 36:26-27

[2] John 3:3-8

[3] Ephesians 2:13-22

Categories
Bible Preaching

What Shall We Do?

Apostolic Life Cathedral | Sept. 29, 2024 | 10:00 AM

Acts 2:37-39

(37)  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

(38)  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

(39)  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Three Responses to Conviction:

  1. Ignore it
  2. Kill the messenger
  3. What shall we do?

The Ark of the Covenant, where the Glory of God was manifest:

  • Had become a legend of mythical status by 63 BC when the Roman general Pompey the Great conquered Jerusalem.
  • It is said that he entered the Temple, looked around, entered the Holy of Holies, touched nothing and left.
  • History records that he said he didn’t understand what the big deal was, it was just an empty room.
  • The Ark was gone.
  • It disappeared about the time the Babylonians conquered the Jews in 586 BC.
  • Perhaps, Jeremiah hid it in Mt. Nebo. Nevertheless, it was gone.

Empty ritual, dead formalism, right doctrine, BUT…

No Power! – No Presence! – No Glory!

Without the Holy Spirit we are helpless

We need to learn to get back to waiting – “wait in Jerusalem until”

Turn your face to God

Receive His Power – Linger in Presence – Seek His Glory

Are you curious and hungry?

John 3:1-8

(1)  There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

(2)  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

(3)  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

(4)  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

(5)  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(7)  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

(8)  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Luke 24:45-49

(45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

(46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

(47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

(48)  And ye are witnesses of these things.

(49)  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Acts 2:1-4

(1)  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

(2)  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

(3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

(4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Two responses:

  1. Go on as usual with ritual, habit and going through the motions
  2. Fall on your face and seek God’s Presence, Glory and Power

Categories
Bible Preaching

Glory to Glory

Apostolic Life Cathedral | May 26, 2024 | 6:30 PM

Text: Ezekiel 47:1-5

(1) Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.  

(2)  Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.  

(3)  And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.  

(4)  Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.  

(5)  Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

There are levels to the anointing of God.

It is one Spirit, but many depths.

The depths often display a maturing that takes place in the believer.

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 more we behold this brilliant and glorious light, the more do we reflect back its rays; that is, the more we contemplate the great truths of the Christian religion, the more do our minds become imbued with its spirit.” – Bloomfield

One degree of glory – anointing – to another.

Glory is the fullness of God.

His manifest presence: His character, nature, ability, provision, the weight, the splendor of His majesty, and beauty.

All that He is & All that He has

And He has given it to us.

Not like Moses, whose face eventually lost the glow of the anointing of God’s glory.

“All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory” (GNB).

Glory to Glory[1]

Level 1 – spectator level, mere observers, foot deep experience. This level is in introduction to the experience of salvation, which makes them a glory-carrier of the Spirit of God. Many are content to stay at this level.

Level 2 – ankle deep experience. At this level, many have been born again, but rarely go beyond Acts 2:38 & John 3:5. God would take them deeper into His glory, but some are content with just a trickle and miss the overflow.

Level 3 – knee deep experience. Here, those who are hungry for more venture out into seeking deeper knowledge and experiences. This is the level where people begin to learn how to pray, but there is more glory to experience.

Level 4 – waist deep experience. Here, influence begins, and reproduction takes place as the believer becomes active in church and its ministries. They contribute to the edification of the body of Christ and the harvest of souls, but they are not completely immersed in the glory of God.

Level 5 – waters to swim in. People are immersed in the glory and anointing of God. They have learned to walk by faith and not emotion. Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” They are now fully immersed in the power and anointing of God’s glory they are now a glory-bearer. This level moves from carrying God’s Glory to now showing His glory by bringing blessing, life, hope, joy, and healing to those in bondage. BUT, to get here it takes hunger, desire, and passion.

You need a daily dose of fresh oil to remain immersed in the glory of God:

  • Num. 11:8, “And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.”
  • Psalm 92:10, “But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.”
  • Give us this day our daily bread – Every Day!

David progressed through these levels:

  1. Shepherd boy anointed by Samuel
  2. Killed a lion and a bear, which prepared him for Goliath
  3. Kills Goliath and promotion came and he was brought to live with king Saul
    • Psalms 75:6-7, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
    • “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech. 4:6).
  4. He led armies, won battles and Saul became jealous to the point of trying to kill him.
    • Saul has killed his thousands…“If people come against you, do not fear them, because the One who anointed you is going to preserve you.” –MVMUTHU
    • David’s great test in this period was to keep himself from a spirit of bitterness
    • David’s anointing kept him from harm even though Saul pursued him.
  5. King of Judah and then King of all of Israel.
    • David still had to struggle before becoming King in this level
    • David went through 5 levels, but he had one moment where the anointing came upon him and he grew from there.
    • He did not touch God’s anointed and stayed covered.

Go beyond your initial empowerment and move from glory to glory:

  1. Acts 2:1-4 – initial outpouring
  2. Acts 2:41 – 3,000 souls
  3. Acts 3 – feet and ankle bones
  4. Acts 4 – the believers knelt and prayed and were filled with anointing and power
  5. Acts 5:12-16, “(12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.  (13)  And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  (14)  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)  (15)  Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  (16)  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”

That same glory is here tonight and you can take it with you.

[1] Levels based on evangelist MVMUTHU’s book River of God’s Glory.

Categories
Bible Teaching

Delighting In the Glory of God

Apostolic Life Cathedral | 7/11/2023 | 10:00 AM

Opening Text: Exodus 33:18-19

(18) And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

(19)  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Glory = “glory, honour, glorious, abundance, riches, spendour, dignity, reputation.”[1]  “Properly weight.”[2]

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Ancillary Text: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

(26)  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

(27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

(28)  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

(29)  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

(30)  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

(31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Delight in God’s Glory[3] = Glory in the Lord

Main Text: Jeremiah 9:23-24

(23)  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

(24)  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

  1. Lovingkindness: God is always ready to grant both mercy and grace.
  2. Judgment: Because of His loving-kindness, God judged sin and placed on Christ the sin of all humanity at Calvary – “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Peter 2:21-25).
  3. Righteousness: Without a faith in the righteousness of God – believing that He is always dealing with you rightly and justly – you will never truly learn to love, trust and reverence Him – never knowing what it means to truly delight, glory, in the Lord. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
  4. “…for in these things I delight, saith the Lord…” – John Gill wrote: “…in showing mercy, grace, and favour, to miserable and undeserving men…” Jesus became “an offering for sin…”[4]

The best way to enjoy God forever is by glorifying Him now.

We have begun to delight in God when we determine to use every part of us – “…heart, soul, mind and strength…”[5] – to serve and follow Him.

Jonathan Edwards[6] – To delight in God’s Glory is enjoy a relationship with Him that is so complete that we have a:

  1. Hatred for sin.
  2. Fear of displeasing God.
  3. Hope in the promises of God.
  4. Contentment in the fellowship of God.
  5. Desire for more revelation of Jesus Christ.
  6. Exultation (rejoicing, celebration, joy) in the redemption He gives.
  7. Grief and contrition (godly sorrow) for failures of love. <Sin is a failure to show love properly.>
  8. Gratitude for undeserved benefits.
  9. Zeal (passion, enthusiasm) for God’s purpose.
  10. Hunger for righteousness.

Faith arises from the Principle of Divine Love:

[Love]…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things (1 Corinthians 13:7).

The Principle of Divine Love contains the Power of Perseverance[7]

It bears through all things, believes through all things, hopes through all things, endures through all things.

Not just “IN” all things, but “THROUGH” all things.

When you truly delight in God your loving relationship with Him is so exact and trusting that you know without a shadow of a doubt will get through whatever life brings your way.

Your relationship with God demands a faith – a persevering faith

The initial act of believing faith was a seed.

The continual act of faith is perseverance – letting the seed grow and mature in and through all things.

“…He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Our faith and delight in the glory of God is realized completely when we no longer glory in ourselves, but entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then we will delight in what He delights in:

  • Lovingkindness = mercy, “goodness, kindness, faithfulness.”[8]
  • Judgment = “justice, right, rectitude [integrity, goodness, morality].”[9]
  • Righteousness = “justice, truthfulness, rightness, moderately [judiciously].”[10]

[1] H3519. Kâbôd. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[2] H3519. Kâbôd. Strong’s.

[3] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker.

[4] Jeremiah 9:24. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible.

[5] Mark 12:30

[6] Notes from the writings of Jonathan Edwards.

[7] John Piper. (2015). The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN: 978-0801017087.

[8] H2617. Chesed. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[9] H4941. Mishpâṭ. Brown-Driver-Briggs.

[10] H666. Tsedâqâh. Brown-Driver-Briggs & Strong’s