The Model for Spiritual Unity- Part 2 The Rest of the Story Eternity Past Nature of God Two Glories

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Eternity Past Eternity Past  John 1:1-4  Colossians 1:15-17  Hebrews 1:1-3 Jesus Christ can not be understood on the basis of His earthly life alone. He is man but He is first and foremost God! Jesus Christ can not be understood on the basis of His earthly life alone. He is man but He is first and foremost God!

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Nature of God Nature of God  Morphe - form, both outward & inward  Isos - having the same form  Therefore Jesus was, is, and will forever be God’s equal because They are one.  Thus the attributes of God the Father are also the attributes of God the Son.

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Two Glories Two Glories  Glory of God - John 17:4,5 Jesus possessed a glory before the incarnation Jesus possessed a glory before the incarnation This glory was God’s glory This glory was God’s glory Jesus did not have it after the incarnation Jesus did not have it after the incarnation There is a sense that He did posses it here on earth, revealed in the finished work the Son was given by God the Father There is a sense that He did posses it here on earth, revealed in the finished work the Son was given by God the Father

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Two Glories (continued) Two Glories (continued)  Etymology of dokeo - v. to appear, to seem Doxa - n. Opinion, eventually glory Doxa - n. Opinion, eventually glory Orthodox, heterodox, paradox Orthodox, heterodox, paradox Eventually the verb was used of only a good opinion, therefore the noun meant “praise” Eventually the verb was used of only a good opinion, therefore the noun meant “praise” Right opinion about God led to a correct opinion of God’s attributes Right opinion about God led to a correct opinion of God’s attributes

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Two Glories (continued) Two Glories (continued) Orthodox Jew knew God as all-powerful, all- knowing, ever-present, merciful, faithful to his children, holy, just, loving etc. Orthodox Jew knew God as all-powerful, all- knowing, ever-present, merciful, faithful to his children, holy, just, loving etc. When he acknowledged this he was said to be giving God glory When he acknowledged this he was said to be giving God glory Anglo-Saxon word was “worth” Anglo-Saxon word was “worth” Worth of a person is their character, intrinsic. Worth of a person is their character, intrinsic. Worth of God is his glory. Worth - ship Worth of God is his glory. Worth - ship

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Two Glories (continued) Two Glories (continued) Jesus claimed to share this glory with God and had made it known to His disciples Jesus claimed to share this glory with God and had made it known to His disciples  Shekinah Glory - idea of light or splendor Outward manifestation of God’s presence Outward manifestation of God’s presence Moses on Mt. Sinai 2 Cor. 3:7 Moses on Mt. Sinai 2 Cor. 3:7 Angels at Christ’s birth Angels at Christ’s birth

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Conclusion Conclusion These two meanings of glory give us a clear picture of Christ’s oneness with God and the humbling of Himself when He became a man. These two meanings of glory give us a clear picture of Christ’s oneness with God and the humbling of Himself when He became a man. Before the incarnation Jesus existed as equal with the Father, identical inwardly and outwardly. Before the incarnation Jesus existed as equal with the Father, identical inwardly and outwardly. During the incarnation Jesus laid aside the outward glory so as to be accessible to sinful human beings, taking the form of a servant. During the incarnation Jesus laid aside the outward glory so as to be accessible to sinful human beings, taking the form of a servant.

The Rest of the Story Phil. 2:6 Application Application Does Christ’s glory cause you to worship? Does Christ’s glory cause you to worship? 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Corinthians 3:18 What is keeping you from displaying Christ’s glory in your life? What is keeping you from displaying Christ’s glory in your life?