Living for Glory in a Godless World (Thursday 10/30/25)

Living for Glory in a Godless World

Core Text: John 17:1–5
Theme: Glory through obedience, faithfulness, and surrender

Segment 1 – The Glory of Obedience (John 17:1–5)

Teaching Focus: Jesus redefines glory through obedience, not applause.

• “Father, the hour has come” — the divine plan is unfolding.

• The cross is not tragedy; it’s triumph through surrender.

• In the Kingdom, glory isn’t about comfort — it’s about completion.

• The Father glorifies the Son; the Son glorifies the Father — divine reciprocity.

• Eternal life is not just living forever — it’s knowing God now.

• Jesus declares the work finished before the cross because obedience is completion.

• He returns to the glory He had before creation — and shares that glory with believers.

Practical Steps:

1. Lift your eyes to heaven before you act.

2. Redefine glory as obedience, not applause.

3. Pursue knowing God, not just serving Him.

4. Finish the assignment, even when unseen.

5. Remember — you were made for eternal glory, not temporary recognition.

Segment 2 – When the World Redefines Glory

Teaching Focus: The clash between kingdom glory and cultural glory.

• The world says, “Make yourself known.” The Kingdom says, “Make God known.”

• Modern culture worships visibility, but heaven honors vulnerability.

• Jesus lifted His eyes to the Father, not to the crowd.

• Glory isn’t about platform — it’s about purpose.

• Influence without surrender leads to idolatry of self.

• We’ve confused charisma for calling and applause for anointing.

• Glory is not collected — it’s reflected.

Key Truths:

• Visibility is not the same as value.

• Faith has become performance; worship has become production.

• True glory shines through obedience, not spotlight.

• Glory that glorifies self fades — glory that glorifies God endures.

Challenge:

• Choose revelation over recognition.

• Return to the secret place where glory is born.

• Be a reflector of God’s glory, not a collector of your own.

Segment 3 – Faithful Finishing

Teaching Focus: Finishing the work God gave you with endurance and integrity.

• Jesus said, “I have finished the work You gave Me to do.”

• Finishing starts in the heart — not the outcome.

• Success is doing what you want; faithfulness is doing what He asked.

• Heaven celebrates completion, not comparison.

• The cross didn’t look like victory — but it was.

Practical Lessons:

1. Faithfulness is the finish line.

2. Endurance matters more than excitement.

3. God measures obedience, not outcome.

4. You don’t need to be perfect — just persistent.

5. You can’t finish what you won’t carry.

Encouragement:

• Don’t give up when it gets hard — that’s where faith is forged.

• Stay faithful in obscurity; God will use it for His glory.

• “He who began a good work in you will complete it.”

Segment 4 – Your Hour Has Come

Teaching Focus: Courage to step into divine purpose now — not later.

• Jesus said, “The hour has come.” Your hour has come too.

• This is not a time for fear — it’s a time for faith.

• You weren’t born by accident; you were born for assignment.

• God’s timing isn’t about readiness — it’s about willingness.

• Pressure is not punishment — it’s preparation.

Key Declarations:

• Stop waiting for perfect conditions — the time is now.

• God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

• You were made to stand out, not blend in.

• The world needs believers who live truth without compromise.

• This is your hour to shine, to stand, and to glorify God.

Charge to the Listener:

• Rise up in courage and conviction.

• Step boldly into obedience.

• Declare, “Father, be glorified in me.”

Segment 5 – The Redemptive Crescendo (Conclusion)

Teaching Focus: A call to surrender, restoration, and reflection of glory.

• Glory is found in obedience, not recognition.

• Finishing is faithfulness; faithfulness brings glory.

• The hour has come for God’s people to rise in bold, holy surrender.

• Heaven is not waiting for perfection — it’s waiting for obedience.

Invitation:

• Stop hiding behind comfort — step into calling.

• Let the Spirit that strengthened Jesus strengthen you.

• This is your hour to glorify God through your life.

• When you finish your work, may your life echo:
  “I have finished the work You gave me to do.”