Glorification: The Big Reveal by Pastor Paul Becker
- First Pres Bakerstown
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
Where Will You Be When You Die?
Ever thought about what being a Christian truly means for your future? You’re likely to say that you’ll escape Hell and blissfully live forever in Heaven. Your future holds more than that! It's an amazing future, a complete transformation, living forever in union with Christ! The core truth that makes this future certain is your union with Jesus Christ now! Your connection with Him isn't just an idea; it's the solid promise of your future glory. So, be prepared to lift your sights higher than your own comfort and desire a sinless and complete union with Christ. This is where the truest and purest love will be known
Your Hope is in Christ
Your strong hope for future glory isn't based on your good deeds. It's totally based on Jesus and your spiritual oneness with Him. Because you are "in Christ," His future is your future. As Colossians 1:27 (NIV) says, "...Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ living in you is the guarantee of your coming glory.
God's Complete Rescue Plan
The sermon series on "God's Work of Salvation" teaches that salvation is more than a single event of professing Christ, but a lifelong work of God to complete your salvation on the Day of Christ. Think of salvation as God's amazing rescue from sin. This rescue includes several key steps. Election saves us from being left in condemnation. Regeneration and the Call save us from our inability to come to Christ in faith. Justification saves us from the penalty of sin. Sanctification saves us from the power of sin. Perseverance saves us from falling away. Finally, Glorification eternally saves us from sin's very presence and all its effects. Romans 8:30 (NIV) confirms, "...those he justified, he also glorified."
Certainty from God's Faithfulness
Your certainty of future glory comes from God the Father’s steady faithfulness to His Son, Jesus! It's not about how good you are, but God's perfect commitment to Jesus. Since you are in Christ, the Father's promise to glorify His Son applies to you. Jesus Himself prayed in John 17:22 (NIV), "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one..."
Glory for Christ's Bride
Glorification is a wonderful group event, not just for individuals! We are all part of one body, the Church, with Christ as the head. All believers will be made complete and glorious together in Christ. The Bible calls the Church Christ's bride, and our corporate glorification is when this whole Church, made perfect, is finally united with Christ, her Groom. Revelation 21:2 (NIV) describes it as "prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."
A Complete Change: Spirit and Body
Glory means a complete change for your whole self – your spirit and your body! Your current body will be raised perfect and lasting, made like Jesus's own glorious, resurrected body. This new body will be perfect for an eternity of pure love and obedience to God. As Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV) states, Christ "will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."
A New Creation: Earth and Heaven
Finally, your glory is tied to God’s plan to make the entire world new – a glorious new creation is coming! There will be a new earth and a new heaven. Our salvation is part of God's amazing plan to renew everything He made, bringing it back to a perfect state. Romans 8:19-21 (NIV) explains that "the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed... in hope that the creation itself will be liberated..."
Conclusion
God's work of salvation is big! God is working on you, your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and will unite us all. In other words, God's Work of Salvation includes His Church. God's work of salvation will be complete when we are in sinless, loving union with Christ. We will be glorified in Him. And to be biblically complete, God's work of salvation includes the redemption of a fallen creation that groans for the coming of Christ to be made new. This, folks, is the "Big Reveal." Your union with Christ is the firm foundation of your salvation and the unbreakable promise of your future glory. Because you are united with Him, His destiny is your destiny, and His perfect glory is what you will certainly inherit. May this truth fill you with peace and inspire you to persevere, leading you to worship and share the Good News of Salvation with those who are dead in sin and need to be raised to new life in Christ.
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