From Glory to Glory: the Return
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Tracing our Lord's return to Glory and the awesome power manifest by the Resurrection.
Text: Rom. 1:3-4
Date: 08/30/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 7
Description:
In this message we will continue the discussion of the epic journey from Glory to Glory that was ordained and implemented by the Holy Trinity to "seek and save the lost". In the last message we focused on the Descent from Glory and the unfathomable mystery of how the infinite, eternal and immortal God became a man, born of the seed of David. Our attention will now turn to Christ's Return to Glory and the great doctrines of His Impeccability, His Crucifixion, His Resurrection, Ascension and Coronation. We will notice the awesome power that is manifest by the Resurrection of Christ and how He rules His Kingdom from that position of power even now. We will continue to approach this glorious journey from the Triune God's point of view as we unpack and delight in Paul's clear but compressed rendition of the Gospel. Ultimately we will celebrate God's amazing plan of Redemption and realize that such a salvation demands "our soul, our life, our all"!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:3-4.
A. Context
1. The backdrop of sin.
2. The backdrop of the Gospel.
3. How God became flesh.
B. From Glory to Glory, Part 2.
1. The sojourn on earth, vs. 4a.
a. Declaring the power of the Son.
i. The declaration.
1) The important definition of "declared", Num. 34:6.
2) Revisiting the significance of "Son of God", John 1:1-3; Psa. 2:7.
3) Recognizing the distinction.
ii. The power.
1) What it does not mean.
2) What it does mean.
3) The declaration of the Resurrection, Matt. 28:18; 2Cor. 13:4.
4) Noticing the contrast, Heb. 1:2; 1Cor. 15:43.
b. The "Spirit of holiness".
i. Looking at the words.
1) Defining another relationship.
2) Identifying the "spirit of holiness": Spirit or spirit?.
a) Turning to Scripture, Rom. 8:4; Col. 2:8; Psa. 16:10; Acts 13:35-37.
b) The dynamic between the flesh and the spirit, 1Pet. 3:18; 1Cor. 15:45; 1Tim. 3:16.
3) Solving the issue, Luke 1:35, 4:1,18, 10:21; Matt. 3:16, 12:28.
ii. A vital parallel.
1) Identifying the parallel, Rom. 1:3.
2) The significance of the parallel.
iii. The need for holiness, Lev. 11:44; Matt. 5:48; Phil. 3:8-9.
2. The return to glory, vs. 4b.
a. The declaration of the Resurrection.
i. The declaration of power, Acts 2:27; Luke 9:22.
ii. Yet another distinctive of the Gospel, 1Cor. 1:23-24, 15:17.
iii. The firstborn of the Resurrection, John 5:28-29; Acts 26:23; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5; 1Cor. 15:20-24.
b. The Ascended and Coronated King of kings!
i. Jesus: the Savior of the World, Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:11.
ii. The Christ: anointed of God, Luke 3:22, 4:18; Acts 4:26; 1Sam. 16:13.
iii. The Lord of lords, Psa. 84:11; Dan. 7:13-14; Phil. 2:9-11.
iv. The significance of "our".
III. Application: The journey from Glory to Glory, John 17:12.
IV. Conclusion, Psa. 68:18.
