INVOCATION:

 

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

This week's Sermon - Transformed By Beholding - 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

1. What is the goal of the Christian life? What is it we are to become?

a. In Romans 8:29 – (For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.), we learn what is the ultimate goal of the Christian as predetermined by God

b. It is simply this: “...to be conformed to the image of His Son”

 

-- To become like Christ is our ultimate goal!

 

2. But how does this take place? How does one become like Christ? Take a look at these words of Paul:

 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

 

3. In this verse, with the help of its context, we learn how it is possible:

a. To reach that ultimate goal as predestined by God

b. To be “...conformed to the image of His Son”

 

[The passage which serves as our text (2 Co 3:18) is not an easy one, but since it reveals important insights into the goal of the Christian life, it is worth taking the effort to carefully consider what it says. For example, we first observe that...]

 

I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ONE OF TRANSFORMATION:

 

A. “WE ALL...ARE BEING TRANSFORMED...”

 

1. The word “transformed”:

a. Comes from the Greek word metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo’-o}

b. Which means “to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure”

c. The word “metamorphosis” is derived from this word, which we use to describe the process of a caterpillar changing into a butterfly

d. It is used to describe Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration - cf. Matthew 17:1-2 - And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

1) He was “transfigured before them.”

2) His face “shone like the sun” and His clothes “became as white as the light”

 

2. Christians likewise are to undergo a transformation:

a. Not only based upon our text - 2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

b. But also Romans 12:1-2 – (I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.), where our transformation is so we may “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”

 

3. Note in our text that Paul said “we all”:

a. Transformation is for ALL Christians

b. Not just for a select few!

 

B. “...TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE...”

 

1. Here we learn the object of our transformation, which is to become like Christ

 

2. As we noticed in Romans 8:29 – (For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.), this is part of God’s predetermined plan for those in Christ

 

3. Jesus intimated as such in - Luke 6:40 - The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

 

C. “...FROM GLORY TO GLORY...”

 

1. This phrase suggests that our transformation is progressive:

a. It does not happen all at once, but gradually

b. As Paul said we are “being transformed” (present tense), not “have been transformed” (past tense)

 

2. Transformation therefore involves a growth process:

a. We expect those who have been Christians but a short time to have made only some progress

b. But we should also expect those who have been Christians a good while to have made much progress!

 

3. The Christian life is not to be static, but a dynamic process:

a. In which changes are taking place

b. In which a person is becoming more and more like their Savior, Jesus Christ!

 

-- Compare this with what Solomon wrote about the just - Proverbs 4:18 - But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

 

[When transformation does not take place, something is wrong, and it may be a failure to appreciate and utilize our second point gleaned from this passage...]

 

II. TRANSFORMATION COMES BY BEHOLDING

 

A. “WITH UNVEILED FACE, BEHOLDING AS IN A MIRROR...”

 

1. We must remember the context of Paul’s words to appreciate his point

a. He had alluded to how Moses out of necessity put a veil on his face when speaking to the people - cf. 2 Corinthians 3:13 - And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

b. For when Moses had gone to Mount Sinai to receive the commandments of the Lord, being in the presence of God made his face shine brightly - cf. Exodus 34:29-35 - And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai. And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

 

2. In like manner our transformation takes place as we “behold...”

a. Note that we do it with “unveiled face”

1) The Israelites were unable to behold any of the glory that shone from Moses’ face because his was veiled

2) But Christians are able to look upon the Lord’s glory without impediment

b. “Beholding as in a mirror” is actually just one word in the Greek and has three possible different ways to be translated:

1) “beholding as in a mirror (or glass)”

2) “reflecting as in mirror”

3) “beholding” (with no necessary reference to a mirror)

 

-- In view of the context and the comparison with Moses, the main idea seems to be the “beholding”, without any particular reference to a mirror

 

c. “Beholding” suggests contemplation and meditation, not a momentary glance

 

3. Thus the Christian life is to be one of contemplation, if transformation is to take place:

a. That Christians are to engage in contemplation is evident from several passages

b. Such as Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. - Colossians 3:1-2 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. et your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

c. Sadly, our fast-paced lifestyles often discourage the kind of contemplation needed to adequately “behold”

 

-- Without contemplation (beholding), however, there can be no transformation!

 

B. “BEHOLDING...THE GLORY OF THE LORD”

 

1. Here is the object of our contemplation: the Lord’s glory!

a. It is not just the act of contemplation, but the object of our contemplation that transforms us!

b. Just as it was the “glory of the Lord” that caused Moses’ face to shine, so it is “the glory of the Lord” that transforms us!

 

2. What is “the glory of the Lord” we are to behold?

a. It would involve the glory He manifested while on earth - cf. John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

b. For the glory of the Lord is reflected in every aspect of His birth, life, teaching, miracles, good deeds, death, resurrection, ascension, and current reign as our king and high priest!

 

-- Thus the Scriptures (especially the gospels) are the tools we use to “behold His glory”, as we read on...

 

C. “...JUST AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD”

 

1. This phrase reminds us of the role the Spirit has in our “beholding”

a. What we know of Jesus came through the ministry of the Spirit

1) The Spirit’s ministry was to glorify Jesus - John 16:12-14 - I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

2) He reminded the apostles, and inspired their writings - cf. John 14:26 - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

b. So as we contemplate upon the Word, we are able to behold the glory of the Lord by virtue of what the Spirit has done!

 

2. Indeed, this may explain what Paul meant in saying “Now the Lord is that Spirit...” - 2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

a. In verse 2 Corinthians 3:16 – (Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.), he had said “...when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away”

b. But how can one “turn to the Lord” today?

1) Only through the Spirit Whom the Lord Jesus sent to continue His work

2) Paul had already spoken of “the new covenant...of the Spirit” which “gives life” - 2 Corinthians 3:6 - Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

a) One finds “liberty” (from sin, the Old Law, death) where “the Spirit of the Lord” is found – 2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

b) For it is the new covenant of the Spirit that offers such things

c. In this context, the Spirit is therefore “the Lord” (verse 17) before Whom we must stand with “unveiled face” in order to be transformed

d. Of course, the “ministers” of this “new covenant...of the Spirit” were the apostles and inspired writers of the New Testament - 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

1) Thus when we turn to their writings, we are turning to the Spirit!

2) And when we turn to the Spirit, we are turning to the Lord!

3) And when we turn to the Lord, we can behold Him in all His Glory!

4) And when we behold His glory, we are gradually changed “into the same image from glory to glory”!

 

CONCLUSION:

 

1. In Co 3:9-11 we are told: “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”

 

2. This verse by Paul is yet another reminder that the Christian life is one that involves a Transformation:

a. In which we are being “renewed”

b. And that the object of our “renewal” is to become like Jesus Christ!

 

3. From our study, I hope that we been impressed with the importance of “beholding” the glory of the Lord if we wish to be transformed:

a. The Christian life must include contemplation and meditation upon the glory of the Lord as revealed by the Spirit through the apostles and writers of the New Testament

b. We cannot be transformed by infrequent and casual glimpses of the Lord’s glory!

 

Are you “beholding...the glory of the Lord”? Do you take the time to contemplate upon the glory of our Lord as revealed by the Spirit of God in the Holy Scriptures? Consider what time you spend in studying the Bible as you seek to answer these questions...

 

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Ephesians 6:23 - Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

 

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.