In conclusion, Jesus Christ glorified His FATHER, so He Himself was glorified. Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified IN Him,” John 13, verse 31. And in the very shadow of the cross experience [very, very close to the time of His crucifixion], Jesus prayed these words, “And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine Own Self, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was,” John 17, verse 5. Jesus was crowned with honor and glory when He was received up into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father. [See Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7; Hebrews 2:9; Luke 22:69; Ephesians 1:15-23; Colossians 3:1.] But just as JESUS was glorified, so shall WE be glorified…if we love and serve HIM in this life, to its very end, [John 17:20-23; Romans 8:28-30].

Let me read a couple of passages from Romans, the 8th chapter, verses 17 and 18 [King James Version of the Bible]: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” [Romans 8:17-18, New International Version of the Bible: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”]

And one more passage: Colossians 3, and verse 4: “When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” What a great promise to anticipate—to be glorified with Christ! But in order to be glorified with Christ, and in order to glorify God, let us remember that we must be a part of His family, that we must be in His church, that we must wear His Name and that our manner of life must reflect Christ. In so doing, we will not only glorify God, but we can look forward to that great day in the eternal glory that awaits us in heaven.

As we customarily do, we offer an invitation at this time. Dennis Setliff has selected a song. We give you the opportunity to respond in a public way if you have a need which requires a public response. If you are not in His family, if you’re not in His church, if you’re not wearing His Name, then we urge you to consider what you need to do to be placed into His family—to be in His church, to wear His Name. We can assist you with that need if you respond at this time. If your manner of life as a Christian has not been one that brings glory and honor to the Name of God and you need our prayers and encouragement, we invite you to come as well.