Mulling on the Eternal - Thoughts to Edify: Bible Study

Hi Everyone

Get the audio here. Notes follow. Be blessed!

1. When Did Your Eternity Begin?

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (NKJV)

It began when you came to know Him. It is fully manifested when we return to Jesus.

2. We’re Not Qualified for the Glory in Ourselves

Treasures in earthen vessels

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (NKJV)

3. Glory was Given to Us Because of the Cross

John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (NKJV)

4. The Glory is in the Kingdom

We ARE the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” (NKJV)

Matthew 13:37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. (NKJV)

Glory is manifested when there is unity in the brethren. Glory was never meant for individuals. The Holy Spirit is in us, but He will never work in anyone alone by himself.

5. Glory Changes Us to be more like Him

We’re becoming more glorious

John 17:17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (NKJV)

to make others like Him through us

John 17:18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (NKJV)

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (NKJV)

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NKJV)

To do what He did

Colossians 1:27 To them [the saints] God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (NKJV)

As long as Christians have trouble understanding that

Christ IS in us and that

He IS the hope of our glory

Preferring instead to talk about how sinful we are and trying to conquer sin, we will have trouble making known the glory of this mystery among the gentiles.

If we don't understand this mystery, how will anyone else? This is the Gospel of the Kingdom, how God made Himself man and died for us that He might be one with us, living in and through us.

6. Seek to See the Glory

Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (NKJV)

One day we will see the whole glory that is in us. But that Glory is already in us and was not supposed to be dormant.

Seek to know the Glory in you.

2 Corinthians 3:18 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. (NKJV)

Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (NKJV)

Great treasure awaits those who seek. This is why the devil seeks to use the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke the Word.

Mark 4:18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” (NKJV)

More verses:

Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (NKJV)

Creation is waiting to see this!

2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJV)

7. Dying: More Rewarding Than Living!

Allow the glory to manifest – we need to step out of the way. The un-renewed mind is the single biggest hindrance to the manifestation of the Glory.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (NKJV)

This is the living sacrifice Paul talks of – when we are willing to take God on His Word and follow what He says, not what we think or want to accept.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)

Every area in scriptures as you learn them, for example:

Spend time with Me, meditate on My Word

Trust My love, My promises above your feelings and circumstances

Keep your mind on things eternal, things above

Don’t forsake the fellowship

Watch your tongue, your self and other talk

He takes care of you – give and it will be given

8. Remember - All Because of the Cross

Glory – it is all because of the Cross-and the Cross only.

1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (NKJV)

Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (NKJV)

9. The Take Away