CONDITIONS FOR ABIDING IN GOD'S GLORY

Sermon: Conditions for abiding in God's glory

Lesson Text: Psalm 46:1-11        

We all know now that the glory of God is His presence, His name, His light, His word, (i.e. Jesus Christ). Therefore we need to know those things that we make us remain in glory. Are you hungry for God’s glory upon you each and every day, every hour, and every moment? If I recognize God’s glory, what will it do for me, and to me? Will others know that God’s glory abides with me? 

1. The first condition is to be pure in heart

Matthew 5:8; "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God

To be pure means to have no fault or to be sinless according to the dictionary. The Word of God tells us that all are sinners, and that there is none righteous, no not one. Is it possible to be sinless? Yes if we put on the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

The bible says that our righteousness is like a filthy rag. To be pure in heart, you have to be honest with God, and with yourself. Don't think of yourself as being better than others. 

2. The second condition is to keep His commandments 

1John 2:3; "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

There are many believers today, who want to know the glory of God outside of keeping His commandments. Many today claim that because we are not under the law of God, that it has no relevance to us anymore. But, while it is true that Jesus fulfilled the law and that He opened to us a better way, that in itself never does away with God’s commandments. They are set in order forever. In Heaven, God’s laws will continue to work as God set them into existence. In eternity God’s laws will go unbroken. God’s commandments are God’s laws, and they are given to us that we might have God’s best, not just to bring judgment when they are broken. The judgment comes from our failure to keep God’s commandments, and His law is unchanging and universal to all who have been born, or ever will be born. Are you keeping God’s commandments? If you are to know the glory of God, then you must keep His commandments. Not keeping His commandments is then showing that you do not know Him. How can you expect to abide in His presence unless you know Christ. For Christ is God. Verse 4 of 1 John 2, then tells us that if you say you know Him and do not keep His commandments, that you are a liar, and the truth is not in you. If we are to know the glory of God, then we must keep His commandments.

3. Continue in the Spirit of Prayer

1Thessalonians 5:17; "Pray without ceasing."

We must continue in the spirit of Prayer, if we are to know the glory of God. The Bible tells a great deal about the subject of prayer, and every believer should study the scriptures to know all they can about prayer. It is the greatest work of the child of God to pray. If you do not pray, then you will not win many to Christ. If you do not continue in prayer then you will not be victorious in Christ. Jesus prayed often all night for the work that the Father sent Him to do. How often do you pray for your work for the Lord. It is no wonder so many Churches are dead today. We should be so close to the Lord that we pray about everything, about everyone. If you are to know that you are "Abiding in his glory" then you must without end continue in the spirit of prayer. 

4. Cultivate The Habits of Confessing God's Aloud.

Matthew 10:32-33; "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

5. Meditate Much Upon The Word of God.

Psalms 1:2; "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Psalm 1 starts off with the word "Blessed." the same as "Happy." And to be a happy Christian, we must meditate much on the Word of God. Think of the wasted time that is given to the things of the world in our attention. More time is spent on watching movies, or sports than on God’s Word.

Meditation on the Word of God is necessary for abiding in His presence. How can we expect to know the mind of Christ if we do not meditate much on God’s Word. 

Psalms 119 is a Psalm about God’s Word, and this is the longest chapter in the Bible, we see how important His Word is for us not only in this life, but in the life to come. God’s Word is everlasting, and by it we are going to be judged. Meditate much on The Word if you are to abide in His glory 

6. Be Diligent In Christian Work.

Matthew 28:19; "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

If you will notice, this goes back to our second point, "Keep His Commandments."

This is a commandment to go and tell everyone about the Lord. To teach them to follow the commands of the Lord. To show their faith in Christ by Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Christian work demands our abiding in His glory if it is to be successful. No one can abide in His glory unless they are diligent in His work. That work is winning the lost to Christ. God is not as concerned with our buildings, as He is with the lost coming to Christ for salvation. God cares more for the lost sheep, than for the Church treasury. Both are needed but sinners being saved is His main purpose for us still being here, and not with Him in Heaven yet. If you expect to abide in God’s glory, then you must be diligent in Christian work. So go and do something for Him. Win some lost soul to Christ today.

7. Cultivate The Habits of Recognizing God’s Presence.

Psalms 63:1-2; "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirst for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."

You should look for the hand of God in your daily walk with Him. You should recognize God’s working in your midst each day that passes in your life. We must cultivate the habits of recognizing His presence. To cultivate means to break up hard ground, and keep it dressed. To water the crop or garden. To weed out the weeds, and thorns from your heart. Work at knowing His presence is abiding with you. Keep on until you are sure. God is more willing to abide with us than we will ever be to abide with Him. God wants our fellowship. This is why He sent his Son into the world, that fellowship that had been broken by sin could be restored in Jesus Christ and that fellowship is restored.

DEACON YINKA ANIBABA       

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