In John 17:24, Jesus prays to the Father, saying, “Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory.” Pastor Jason Dees explained that this prayer reveals Jesus’ longing for His followers to experience the fullness of His glory—a glory that transcends anything we see in this world.

Seeing the Glory of Christ

We all have glimpses of glory in our lives. A last-minute winning shot at a stadium, a shooting star across the night sky, or the breathtaking beauty of a perfect sunset. These moments stop us in our tracks. They stir a longing in us for something greater, something eternal. These glimpses, as Pastor Jason described, are signposts pointing to the ultimate glory found in Christ alone.

Scripture gives us a clearer vision of this glory. In Revelation 4, John sees the throne room of heaven where angels and elders cry out unceasingly, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” This is the wonder of God’s reign—a reign of majesty, beauty, and power that leaves us, like Isaiah, undone and in awe.

When we see this glory, it redefines our perspective. We recognize that life, including our work, is not about us but about God. As Pastor Jason put it, “If you are a Christian, you will see work as a means by which God is bringing glory to Himself.” This truth sets the foundation for how we work, why we work, and what we hope to achieve through it.

Applying the Glory of Christ

Once we see the glory of Christ, we are called to live underneath His reign, applying His lordship to every aspect of our lives—including the workplace. Pastor Jason described what this looks like through seven marks—the “7 Cs”—that should define us if we are living under Christ’s rule in our work:

• Character: A life under Christ’s reign is marked by integrity, honesty, and kindness. Whether we are seen or unseen, we work with excellence and faithfulness, as though Jesus Himself were our boss.
• Collaboration: Christians should be known as people who lift others up, support their colleagues, and celebrate success together. Pastor Jason encouraged believers to seek out other Christians in their workplaces to partner together for gospel impact.
• Creation: As image-bearers of God, Christians are called to create, innovate, and bring solutions to the world around them. This creativity extends to all fields where we can cultivate goodness and improve what is broken.
• Cultivation: We are called to be “leaven in the dough”—slowly and steadily shaping our workplaces for God’s glory. Even in challenging or secular environments, Christians can influence culture through faithfulness and perseverance.
• Contribution: Pastor Jason emphasized that influence comes through meaningful contributions. “Do something valuable,” he urged. Christians gain credibility and opportunities to point others to Christ when their work brings real flourishing to others.
• Consistency: Those living under Christ’s reign work with steadfastness. We are not driven by the approval of others but by the delight of serving God. This consistency flows from knowing that we are loved and secure in Christ.
• Cross-Centredness: At the heart of gospel-centred work is sacrifice. If Jesus gave Himself for us, we can lay down our own comfort to serve others. Whether by bearing others’ burdens or working for the good of our neighbors, Christians embody the love of Christ through selflessness.

Living Today Under the Reign of Christ

We are to live our lives today as we will in the New Jerusalem, when Christ’s reign is fully known. Revelation 21 gives us a picture of this glorious future: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man… He will wipe away every tear… and death shall be no more.” On that day, all things will be made new, and life will be lived as God designed—full of joy, purpose, and worship.

But as Pastor Jason reminded us, the reign of Christ has already begun. It is not fully realized, but we live in the “already and not yet” of God’s kingdom. The question is this: are we living as if Jesus is King now? If we truly believe that He is Lord, it changes how we work, rest, and interact with others.

Christ’s glory transforms our work. It frees us from striving for significance because we know our worth is secure in Him. It calls us to work hard, with excellence, for His glory. And it gives us rest—knowing that God is making all things new.

As Pastor Jason beautifully summarized, “What it means to be a people of the kingdom is to live today in the same way that you will live under the reign of Christ in the age to come.”

So, as we go into our workplaces, let us see the glory of Christ and apply it daily—living as people shaped by the gospel, for the glory of God and the good of the world.