Colossians 1:27 NIV Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We are going to start with this statement, “Christ in you” and progress from there. We have observed the progression of the manifestation of God’s glory throughout the Bible.
The glory of God was revealed to Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 47:1 NKJV Then He brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.
Ezekiel 43:2-5 NIV I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory. The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east. Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
Ezekiel was being shown the glory of God as it came into the temple of God and the impact His glory has. When the glory of the Lord entered and filled the temple, everything changed. A river of life began flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. Where the river flowed, there was life. The river was symbolic of the Spirit of Life that flows out of the temple of God.
Our text in Colossians 1:27 says, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Have you noticed the impact of God’s Spirit and glory dwelling in you?
You remember that at one time you were darkness.
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
There has been a marvelous change made in us. At one time we all walked in darkness, but Christ has entered into our lives and a glorious change has been made. We are a living example of what it means when everything changes and God comes in and dwells in us. It is important to know that God is still working in us. As the Spirit of the Lord lives and works in us we are constantly being changed.
2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
When Ezekiel saw the glory of God fill the temple, a river of life began flow out from under the right side near the altar.
We are looking at the transformation that takes place in us when the Holy Spirit starts working in us. Do you know what the Holy Spirit is doing in you? He is taking us out of the darkness that had preoccupied our lives and is bringing us into the glory of His light.
In the past God revealed His glory to us.
From the time the tabernacle was constructed, the glory of the Lord was revealed. That was an extraordinary time when we beheld the glory of the Lord. From His throne and out of His person the shekinah glory radiated with the light of His life. Everything around God shines with His glory. The earth, Sinai, the Tabernacle, and the Temple were filled with His glory. God’s glory has been revealed in a radiant light.
When Jesus Christ was sent into the world, He was the Light of the world.
John said: “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) After showing the brilliance of His light to the world, Jesus turned to those who followed Him and said, “You are the light of the world.”
The Lord wants His church to be a light to the world.
Our light is not just a personal reflection of our own goodness, but a reflection on our Lord, and the Father. We must be prepared to commit ourselves to the Lord in relation to that light. God has committed Himself to us in such a way that the world will know that we are His people.
God’s purpose and design is to have a vessel in which and through which His glory shines.
When John saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, she had the glory of God. Her light was like a jasper stone most precious, as clear as crystal. Think about this. The glory of God was shining through.
What is this revelation of the New Jerusalem? Who or what is being referred to?
Revelation 21:9-11 NKJV Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal…
The Lamb’s wife has the glory and radiant light of God coming through her.
John was looking at you, the church.
How does this dramatic change happen?
Ephesians 5:25-27 NKJV Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Through Christ, God has prepared this body.
The redeeming, cleansing, sanctifying, life-changing blood of Jesus Christ offers a complete change for us. Jesus has done what was necessary to make this glorious change in us. He is able to present us to Himself a glorious church without spot or wrinkle. He is constantly moving us toward that perfection.
Outwardly, life may not be getting easier or brighter, but God is working on the inside of us.
Colossians 1:13 NKJV He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
The path is growing brighter and brighter and the darkness is fading away. The process is going to climax when we see Him and are changed into His likeness. He has given us His life and light. He has given His Holy Spirit and His power. We are free to worship Him in the Holy Ghost. We are brought in by His mercy and covered by His blood. He is filling us with His glory and power and that glory is showing through.
