The theme of this year- greater glory. Isaiah 60:1-5
His glory will be seen upon u- emphasis.
Some say this only comes to pass after Jesus’ return. But can’t be because when Jesus rules, there will be no darkness. This verse says the glory of the LORD will shine on us when the world is shrouded in darkness.
This year was the year of Ebola virus, aircraft tragedies, children being savagely murdered for a cause or group. We have never had it in such a scale as it has this year before.
V2- You need to know u aren’t the earth or the people. U are the you in this passage. The darkness is not on u.
V3 Gentiles- the unbelievers. The unbelievers will come to your light. God wants His glory to be seen so unbelievers will come to your light. Unbelievers will see. Doesn’t require special spiritual discernment.
V4- When God’s glory shines on you, your wayward kids will come back from afar, return from being astray.
Today pastor wants to preach on the radiance He wants you to have.
As pastor prayed before the LORD, the message for today came to him. God wants His people to have a radiant face.
Radiant face isn’t something minuscule in the economy of God.
Isaiah 60:5- the wealth of the Gentiles will come to us when we are radiant.
They come to u because of the glory in your life.
Ask for radiant face. Many of us are saved but haven’t notified our faces.
The first forty days of Moses- face didn’t shine. He broke the two tablets of stone.
The second forty days, when Moses came down, his face shone. The people ran away because his face shone due to the glory of the Law. A glory that says you have sinned and you shall not. People have to be asked to return.
Ever increasing splendour- glory of grace.
The Ten Commandments- break one is break all ten.
Your radiant face is a mission weapon to save lives. We shall be witnesses to Him. Not doing witnessing. Some do witnessing but look like they were baptised in lemonade.
God wants salvation to affect your face. Ps asked for something deeper when he first got revelation.
Usually it takes a long time to receive revelation but this time the sermon verses came during that moment of prayer
2 Cor 3:6-9
The first feast of Pentecost that God gave the law and three thousand died. The first Pentecost after Christ redemption, three thousand saved. Letter kills. Spirit gives life.
The only part of the Law written and engraved on stones is the Ten Commandments.
The more ppl try to keep moral excellence, they break the law. Law given to expose sin. No more under law= takes away power of sin. The strength of sin is the law.
The ten commdmt called the ministry of death.
V9 The new ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory
Law says don’t steal. Grace says give and be a blessing. Law says thou shalt not. Grace says receive the long suffering and patience.
We are dead to the law. It is not by law but by grace.
If the OT came w glory, reflected on Moses’ face. How much more NT grace? Ministry of condemnation demands righteousness to sinful man. Ministry of grace gives righteousness to morally bankrupt men.
Matt 17:2- Jesus’ face shone like the Sun.
Ppl ran towards Him. In Moses time, they ran away from Him. This is becUse righteousness was made a gift. SONship. Sin put away by the glory of His blood.
David had beautiful eyes. Ruddy and radiant. David’s secret. Ps 42:11- David was depressed when writing this. He said God is the help of my face.
The health of my countenance- in KJV
In Hebrew- the YESHUA of my face
YESHUA- the help, health and deliverance of my face.
Sometimes the heavy make up can cover your radiance. :))
Ps and his friend when they were teens joined CF because girls they had a crush on attended it. Lol. The leader of this group, walked and stood btw that girl he liked and him. Ps said he will never forget- her face shone and her eyes twinkled and her voice was kind. He saw God in her- not good looking but has the LORD’s radiance. Not ‘fake it until U make it’, True radiance.
Beam. Shine. Without a word spoken. Best way to stand up against those who belittle u.
Ur heart betrays itself in your face. Can’t hide away from that. 🙂 U can tuck in and tuck out your face but if u are atil grumpy, u just have a grumpy tightened face.
What’s the point of external surgery when inside you have issues? Not a matter of age. There are folks in their 60s or 70s who are so young in their countenance. And being around some young people who are grouchy and u feel old and weary around them.
Eg Ps Mark is older than Ps Prince but is so youthful. Ageless.
U can tell when someone is faking it. There are guys and ladies who don’t smile a lot but are radiant. Face shine.
Not a matter of good looks. Matter of His glory.
World is increasingly depressed. And younger and younger kids are being so oppressed that they cut themselves and self hurt.
Once when Jessica was four and he was worrying, Ps was reading with a frown. Jessica thought he was angry with her. Didn’t realise his face was showing that. Makes sure he smiles at her.
Sometimes u have to say no to your kids. Say no with a radiant face.
Joel Osteen- smiles and takes people off Guard.
Sometimes kids need your NO to be an excuse. Can’t say NO to their friends but they can take your NO and use it as an excuse to avoid an awkward social event.
Parents set boundaries w a radiant face.
Ps Ben was in Switzerland for a conference. They were launching Ps Prince book in German for the first time. V close to becoming a best seller. The translator of the book was there. Ps showed a video of her- radiant face. Simple and clean cut girl but her face radiates His glory.
Robber was going to make a getaway after robbing. Heard a cooing sound like a dove. Realised there was a baby. Came close to the baby and baby grabbed his finger and smiled. Something happened in his heart. He said “Little baby u love me unconditionally. U don’t know how bad I am. U smile at me despite not knowing who I am. You are fresh from heaven. Is that what God is like?” He abandoned the robbery and became a missionary. All this because of a baby’s countenance.
We hate sin but love a sinner just like we love the patient but hate the cancer.
Jesus said, “I tell I these things that my joy remain in you.”
When u are being persecuted as a believer, U can’t tell but ur face is shining.
1 PE 4:14- Spirit of glory rests on you. The spirit of God rests and manifests His glory on us when we are being persecuted.
Leap for joy because great is your reward in heaven. Means your reward is kept safe in heaven where no moth can destroy, none can steal but u can redeem it here on Earth. Great means great.
Acts 6:7-15 NLT
Stephen being accused of the same thing as Pastor. Pastor reminds us he is for the law of Moses according to what it is purposed for. Not against it.
When the flag isn’t flying high,
King not at home. Flag is your face. Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart.
Face isn’t just about being nice to look at. It is a weapon to save lives, reach out to those trapped by the spirit of heaviness and darkness.
U can’t be praising God and feel
Heavy but the world is suffering that. Even a kid can suffer from that. Pray for kids that the forces of sadness and heaviness and grief doesn’t set in in them.
Thirst for the revelation of God. Not just for the knowledge on the internet. Be wise and don’t spend all your time there.
Fashions come and go. Cyclical. Nothing is retro. But one thing remains- a radiant face. Can’t be disputed.
Being with a radiant person, u feel uplifted. Physical attraction is at most good for the first half and hour. What’s the point if moody and grumpy?
Treasure time with loved ones. The time will run out at some point.
Ecc 8:1
Even if a person is stern or mean, the coming of wisdom will cause a kindness come upon their face. Many lonely people w broken hearts out in the world. It takes people in pain to be rude to others. Hurt ppl hurt others. Bless them. Say something kind to them.
Sometimes what u know a lot of can make u depressed. Soak yourself in passages of Jesus healing so you are conscious about his glory and healing & transformed in His image
Ps 34:5
Look to Jesus and become radiant and not be ashamed.
Listen to sermons that point u to Jesus. When u read the bible, find Jesus- hidden pics of Jesus everywhere.
Many times we are looking to each other and that causes discontentment to set in. We compare ourselves and we are unhappy. It’s all horizontal. Men is subject to failure. Look to the LORD.
Jesus told Peter not to compare himself to John, “You follow me.” All have unique gifts and anointing. Look for anointing.
U can be successful in one thing- being yourself. Whilst improving, don’t feel envious. We look to Jesus and are radiant.
There are mechanics to prayer. Diff prayer from diff needs. And if more than one pray in agreement it shall be done for them in heaven by the Father.
Pray specifically for the three requests. Faith can operate more clearly.
Thank You. May the Lord s’ radiance from His Glorious Grace be upon our faces continually 🙂 Happy New Year!