Key scripture

Isa 60:1-2

1 Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord  is risen upon you. 

2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord  will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you. 

In Hebrew: the word for glory is chabod or kabod (Greek doxa) it means weightiness, that which is substantial or heavy; glory, honour, splendor, power, wealth, authority, magnificence, fame, dignity, riches, excellence, that is, every thing of God. Glory belongs to the Lord (Isa 42:8) and He manifests it through His nature, character and actions (John 2:11; 11:40-44). We must give all the glory to the Lord (1 Chron 16:29; Acts 12:21-24). But from the beginning God’s desire share His glory with His children (Psalm 8:3-5; 84:11; Isa 60:1-3; Col 1:27). We have seen that:

1. Glory belongs to God (Psa 29:3; Eph 1:17)
2. In the beginning God crowned man with glory (Psalm 8:3-5)
3. Because of sin man lost the glory (Rom 3:23)
4. Jesus came to give back the glory (John 17:22-23; Heb 2:10)
5. The glory of the Lord is you and upon you (Isa 60:1-3; Rom 8:18)

As a Christian, the glory of God is now upon you and in you (Isa 60:1; Rom 8:18; Eph 1:16-18). These are spiritual blessing that God has placed in us (Philem 1:4-6; Gal 3:13-14; Eph 1:3). It is the will of God that the glory of God in us and upon us to be manifested in this world and bring many people to Him. The key question is: “What shall it take for us to manifest the glory of God that is in us and upon us?” The Bible tells us:

Prov 25:2

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,

But the glory of kings is to search out a matter 

On this men’s ministry Sunday, we will look at some spiritual exercises to manifest what God has placed in us and upon us:

1. Catch the revelation of the glory in you and upon you (Eph 1:17-18; Rom 8:18)
   
   See it in the word of God (2 Cor 3:18). 
   
   The mirror is the word of God (James 1:23-25)
    
2. Believe and you will see the glory of God (John 11:40; John 2:11)
    
3. Meditate on the reality of the glory in you (2 Cor 3:17-18; Pro 23:7)
   
   You will become what you think about (3 John 2; Rom 12:1-2; Phil 4:8)
    
4. Intimacy with God in prayer and the word  (Luke 9:29; 2 Pet 1:17; Ex 33:18-23; 34:19-35; Acts 4:13) 
    
5. Speak the glory of God in you and upon you  (Pro 29:9; 18:21; Matt 15:16-20)
    
6. Generous sacrifices to God  (2 Chron 7:1-6; 2 Cor 9:6-8)   
    
7. United, skilful and heartfelt praise and worship (2 Chron 5:13-14; 2 Chro 20:22-23; Acts 16:25-30)

For group discussion:

Someone said, “if you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Read Matt 5:13-16 and share some personal experiences why it hard to shine for God in places we find ourselves in at times and what we can to manifest God’s glory.