Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory - James 2:1 (Part 1)
James 2:1 reads, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
Herein the Biblical prohibition is delivered that we must not attempt to combine a daily Christian walk of faith with the practice of showing respect to persons. Involved in this presentation is the truth that our daily walk of faith is centered upon “our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” By referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord Jesus Christ, James was publicly confessing his inclusion among those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. In addition, by declaring that the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Lord of glory,” James was also confessing his belief in the true identity and full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as David referred to Jehovah of hosts as “the King of glory” in Psalm 24:7-10, and just as David referred to Jehovah God as “the God of glory” in Psalm 29:3, and just as the apostle Paul referred to God the Father as “the Father of glory” in Ephesians 1:17, and just as Stephen referred to the One who met who Moses through the burning bush as “the God of glory” in Acts 7:2, even so James here refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Lord of glory.” Before Jesus sacrificial death on the cross and bodily resurrection out of the dead, James, as well as Jesus other biological brethren through Mary, had not accepted Jesus’ claims as the only-begotten Son of God and as the eternal Savior of the world. Yet it is apparent that after his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:7, James discarded his unbelief and wholeheartedly placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and sovereign Lord. Indeed, he set his wholeheartedly devotion upon the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Lord of Glory,” as the One in whom dwells all the majestic fullness “of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) Even so, there are six facets of truth in this title, “the Lord of glory,” for us to consider. Already in the first part of the message, we considered the first three of these truths. Now in this second part of the message, let us consider the latter three of these truths.
This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory - James 2:1 (Part 1)
James 2:1 reads, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
Herein the Biblical prohibition is delivered that we must not attempt to combine a daily Christian walk of faith with the practice of showing respect to persons. Involved in this presentation is the truth that our daily walk of faith is centered upon “our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” By referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord Jesus Christ, James was publicly confessing his inclusion among those who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. In addition, by declaring that the Lord Jesus Christ is “the Lord of glory,” James was also confessing his belief in the true identity and full deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as David referred to Jehovah of hosts as “the King of glory” in Psalm 24:7-10, and just as David referred to Jehovah God as “the God of glory” in Psalm 29:3, and just as the apostle Paul referred to God the Father as “the Father of glory” in Ephesians 1:17, and just as Stephen referred to the One who met who Moses through the burning bush as “the God of glory” in Acts 7:2, even so James here refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Lord of glory.” Before Jesus sacrificial death on the cross and bodily resurrection out of the dead, James, as well as Jesus other biological brethren through Mary, had not accepted Jesus’ claims as the only-begotten Son of God and as the eternal Savior of the world. Yet it is apparent that after his encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:7, James discarded his unbelief and wholeheartedly placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and sovereign Lord. Indeed, he set his wholeheartedly devotion upon the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Lord of Glory,” as the One in whom dwells all the majestic fullness “of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) Even so, there are six facets of truth in this title, “the Lord of glory,” for us to consider. Already in the first part of the message, we considered the first three of these truths. Now in this second part of the message, let us consider the latter three of these truths.
The Lord Jesus Christ is found unto us believers to be most glorious.
Speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ, Revelation 1:5-6 declares, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is most glorious unto us believers because He loved us enough to lay down His life as “an offering and a sacrifice to God” for our eternal salvation. (Ephesians 5:2) He is most glorious unto us believers because He “washed us from our sins in his own blood.” He is most glorious unto us believers because through Him we made the very children of God the Father and are made “kings and priests unto God and his Father.” Even so, speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:4-6 pro-claims, “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priest-hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.” Thus the opening line of 1 Peter 2:7 exclaims, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.” Again in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 God’s Word declares, “But of him [that is – of God the Father] are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” So then, we should join with the apostle Paul from Galatians 6:14 in stating, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Yea, let us join with the shout of the believers in heaven from Revelation 5:12, “saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” Yea, although we do not now see Him, yet believing, let us love Him and rejoice in Him “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8)
Our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again with power and great glory.
Speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 16:27 declares, “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Even so, in Titus 2:13-14 we believers are instructed to be “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Yes, our Lord Jesus Christ’s coming again will be a “glorious appearing;” and that “glorious appearing” is the “blessed hope” for every faithful believer. Yet that “glorious appearing” of our Lord Jesus Christ will not be a “blessed hope” for the unbelievers and the rebellious. Even so, Matthew 24:30 states, “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Again Revelation 1:7 states, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is coming again “with power and great glory” to be glorified and admired among us believers. However, when He comes again “with power and great glory,” He will bring fiery judgment upon the unbelievers. Even so, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 proclaims, “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ is a fountain unto us believers of His glory.
In John 17:20-23 our Lord Jesus Christ prayed concerning all believers, saying, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” Through this prayer our Lord Jesus Christ indicated that He has given glory unto us believers out of the very glory that God the Father had given unto Him. Furthermore, He indicated that this glory is His very own presence within us, He in us, and the Father in Him, that we may be made perfect with them in one. Indeed, our Lord Jesus Christ is a fountain of His glory unto us.
By His gospel we are called unto His eternal glory. Even so, in 2 Thessalonians 2:14 the apostle Paul stated, “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Again in 2 Timothy 2:8-10 the apostle stated, “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Yet again 1 Peter 5:10 declares, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
Through His indwelling Holy Spirit, we are changed from glory to glory unto His glorious image of righteousness. Even so, 2 Corinthians 3:18 declares, “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.” Through His presence in us by His indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the certain hope of future glory. Even so, speaking concerning us believers, Colossians 1:27 declares, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Through suffering for His name’s sake, His Spirit of glory rests upon us in fullness of glory. Even so, 1 Peter 4:14 declares, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
Finally, when our Lord Jesus shall appear in the power and great glory of His Second Coming, we shall be glorified together with Him and shall rejoice in our union with His glory. Even so, Romans 8:16-18 declares, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Again Philippians 3:20-21 declares, “For our conversation [our citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Yet again Colossians 3:3-4 declares, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
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