From Glory to Glory: The Descent
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Exploring the mysteries of the Humiliation, Incarnation and Lordship of the Divine Son of God who became the Son of David.
Text: Rom. 1:3-4
Date: 08/23/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 6
Description:
In the "fullness of time" when God brought about the culmination of His Plan of Redemption, the Father sent His Son from Glory to Glory. This is the very heart of the Gospel, for it begins and ends with the Divine Son in the Glory of the Trinity. The Gospel progresses as He "leaves" that Glory to accomplish His Redemptive purpose on earth through His life, teaching, ministry, and Crucifixion. He then returns to Glory through His Resurrection, Ascension and Coronation. Paul captures this epic journey in a very compressed form in the next two verses of this opening address of his letter to the Romans. In this message we will focus on the first part of this Cosmic Initiative-- the Descent from Glory. As a result, we will study some of the core doctrines of the Christian faith, addressing such burning questions as how the Divine Son of God becomes a human descendant of David! We will probe some of the greatest mysteries of the Faith, including the Humiliation, the Incarnation, and the Lordship of the Suffering Servant. Ultimately, we will simply stand in awe as we trace God's glorious intent from the empty Garden to the empty Tomb and celebrate the Son of God who for our sake became the Son of David.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:3-4.
A. Context
B. From Glory to Glory, Part 1.
1. Overview
2. The descent from glory, vs. 3.
a. The glory of the divine Son.
i. A Gospel focused on the Son.
ii. The divinity of the Son.
iii. The Son of Glory, Rom. 8:14; John 17:5.
iv. Emphasizing the core doctrines.
b. The heritage of the human Son.
i. The promised King.
1) The Seed of the woman, Gen. 3:15.
2) The Seed of Abraham, Gen. 12:3, 17:16.
3) The Seed of Judah, Gen. 35:11, 49:10.
4) The Seed of David, 2Sam. 7:12-14; Matt. 1:1; Luke 3:31,32.
ii. The human Son.
1) The meaning of "born".
2) The meaning of "offspring", Psa. 2:7.
c. The Incarnation.
i. Looking at the words.
1) The meaning of "according to", Rev. 2:4; Rom. 4:1, 9:5.
2) The meaning of "flesh", John 3:6; Rom. 7:18,25, 8:3,8, 8:13, 9:5; Mark 14:38; 1Cor. 10:18.
ii. When the Word becomes Flesh.
1) From John's Gospel, John 1:1,14; Gal. 4:4.
2) The great irony and blessing of "becoming", John 1:12, 4:14.
d. The Doctrine of Humiliation.
i. From Paul's letter to the Philippians, Phil. 2:5-8.
1) The "form" of God, Phil. 2:6.
2) The "form" of a human, Phil. 2:7.
3) The "form" of a servant, Phil. 2:8; Isa. 52:14, 53:2,3; John 3:16.
ii. And yet-- a King! Psa. 89:4, 132:12; Jer. 23:5; John 18:36; Rev. 19:16; Phil. 3:20-21.
III. Conclusion
