Two themes run through the sermon. Dr. Goligher revisits each in the second half. First, GOD IS SELF-EXISTENT, he has glory in himself depending on no one. The flame in the burning bush (Exodus 3) doesn’t consume the bush; he does not need the fuel. Second, GOD IS SELF-REVEALING; an invisible God must put himself on display so humans can grasp something of his being. Silly things humans say: * What is the ‘cash value’ of the text to me? * What is the take away thought for me? * Even, how do I glorify God? (if asked too early) * Is God about morality or morale boosting? * God can’t do his work in the world without you! * God needs to ‘be fed’ as in other religions. Jesus at the most intense moment of his human life is preoccupied with only the glory of God. Why? Everything is all about God. Glory is the sum of all God’s attributes. Edward Lee, a member of Parliament when the Westminster Confession was written, gives a classic definition of glory. God makes his attributes visible in creation (Psalm 19), including in angels, seraphim, people and even the human body, inside and out. Calvin calls the universe “a theater of divine glory”. The God who needs nothing comes to give us salvation! We can share some of his love or wisdom. When Moses wanted to see God’s glory (Exodus 33), what he experienced is what he heard, his word. We are intellectually lazy. Without scripture we are impoverished, we are at risk of attacks from evil, and we are rootless in crisis. Jesus’ final report to his Father: The law says, ‘Do this, and live!’ Jesus says, ‘I did this, and they live!’ Other verses: Isaiah 48:11, Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 50:10-15, Isaiah 55:8, John 13:3-11.
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Dr. Liam Goligher was Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church from May of 2011 until December of 2023. He previously pastored churches in Ireland, Canada, England, and his native Scotland.
Dr. Goligher has been closely involved in Bible teaching and evangelistic ministry...