brown cross on brown rock during daytime

sermon-illustrations

Inspirational Sermon Illustrations on Glory

Explore powerful illustrations on glory. Discover stories, analogies, humor and more as you bring your sermon to life.

Featured Illustrations

The Glory of Man & the Glory of God

Author

What resonance does the word glory have in today’s English language? How often is it used, and with what meaning? The adjective glorious is familiar enough—we might say that we saw a “glorious” sunset, and we might hear of a pop star such as Beyoncé “in all her glory.”

In the Greek and Roman worlds, glory was associated with fame, reputation, and, especially, honor. These qualities were to be sought above all else, and most often were particularly associated with military glory.

In late antiquity and medieval times, warriors and heroes of song and saga went on long and dangerous journeys to “get glory” for themselves. In the present day as in the ancient world, athletes seek glory in Olympic gold, which is given for crowning achievement.

Glory in this sense of renown is for the elite. Usually it is earned, but it can also be bought or stolen. It can be taken away or lost; we often hear of “past glory.” It hardly needs to be pointed out that human-based glory is ephemeral. It passes away.

In contrast, the glory ascribed to God throughout the Old Testament is immutable and eternal. Its source is the Creator himself and it emanates from him. It is in the intrinsic character of God to possess this divine radiance. It does not change according to human response or lack thereof.

If it is not perceived, it is still there, beyond human power to earn, to give, or to withdraw. At the will of God, it can be withdrawn from humans, but it cannot be withdrawn from the Creator. Therefore it serves as a judgment upon anyone who does not acknowledge it, whether they know it or not.