Isaiah 60: The Glory of God - the Joy of a Believer

One of the common confusions about the Glory of God is that his Glory is something to be feared. After all, there are illustrations in the Old Testament where Glory and judgment are connected. But the theme that comes to us from Isaiah and many other passages is that our greatest joy is the Glory of the Lord in at least two senses.
Paul writes
^11 In him we were also chosen, ^c having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ^12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

^c Or were made heirs

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Eph 1:11). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Our Joy is because of his Glory - the two are intimately connected.
Our Joy is a demonstration, it is the expression of the Glory of God.
The passage that I will work with is Isaiah 60 which follows:

The Glory of Zion

60 “Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

^2 See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the LORD rises upon you

and his glory appears over you.

^3 Nations will come to your light,

and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

^4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:

All assemble and come to you;

your sons come from afar,

and your daughters are carried on the arm.

^5 Then you will look and be radiant,

your heart will throb and swell with joy;

the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,

to you the riches of the nations will come.

^6 Herds of camels will cover your land,

young camels of Midian and Ephah.

And all from Sheba will come,

bearing gold and incense

and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.

^7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,

the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;

they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,

and I will adorn my glorious temple.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Is 60:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Have you seen the "glory" of God on people? What does it look like? On a community? What does that look like? Your comments are deeply appreciated.

2 Corinthians 4:6, Hebrews 1:3: The Glory of God - Jesus Christ

The scripture says it clearly:

2 Corinthians 4:6
^6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” ^a made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

^a Gen. 1:3

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (2 Co 4:6). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Hebrews 1

The Son Superior to Angels

1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ^2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ^3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ^4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Heb 1:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

In fact, the book of John pictures the Glory of God revealed in Christ specifically when he is raised up on the cross. This message will focus on the myriad of ways that Jesus revealed the Glory of God, one of the main reasons also that so much of our worship and adoration goes not only to the Trinity, but also especially toward Christ who is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

When you look at Christ - how do you sense he reveals the glory of God? Your feed forward is deeply appreciated!

Psalm 19: The Glory of God - the Essential Purpose of Creation

This is a first of a series of four sermons that I hope to do this summer on the overarching theme of the Glory of God. Scripture from the beginning to the very end resonates with the chorus - "to the Glory of God." In this series, we hope to explore how rich this theme is. This first sermon will focus on creation. When we go on holidays, we often experience wonderful sights in nature. It may be that this summer you have experienced in a new way the Glory of God through creation. Feel free to share. It may well come up in this sermon.

The scripture that we will be meditating on:

Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

^1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

^2 Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

^3 There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard. ^a

^4 Their voice ^b

goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

^5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

^6 It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

^7 The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

^8 The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

^9 The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous.

^10 They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

^11 By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

^12 Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

^13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

^14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

^a Or They have no speech, there are no words; | no sound is heard from them

^b Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew line

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Ps 19:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

One of the books that I am reading in preparation for this series:
"God's Passion for His Glory" by John Piper (electronic pdf version available for free on the internet. Click on the Book title)