Transformation Part 2

With Unveiled Faces

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

April 22, 2007 AM
Pastor Brad Dyrness
Sparks Nazarene Church

"Go get your mother."

POOF…

When it comes to transformation we almost always want it for … any body but me!

2 Corinthians 1:20 … 20For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. NIV

Christ is the completion of what God has promised us! 

The New Covenant is written on our hearts not stones…

Moses face shined with God’s glory and he hides it with a veil…                   --not because they couldn’t look at his face…

-- but rather because it was fading!

Paul compares the Old and New  - the Law on stones and the Law on Our hearts as legalism vs transformation! 

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NIV  16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

1.  Being transformed into his likeness increases rather than fades. – vs 16 

Legalists are always looking for new rules to make people look good on the outside.  Transformation is about freedom!  Vs 17! 

2.     We (vs 16 those who turn to the Lord) katoptrizo – the glory of God. 

This word has two meanings

a.      Behold – KJV ESV looking at Jesus as in a glass. 

We are invited to look through the window and by seeing Jesus we will be transformed!

b.     Reflect – NIV, NCV, NLT looking at Jesus in a mirror.

Paul is telling us that we are being metamorphosed into the likeness of Jesus! 

…it is about arranging your life around the window into Jesus life and character and asking the Spirit to transforming you into His reflection.

3.     HOW can this change into his character happen? Vs. 18 which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

When a bride’s veil is lifted she is saying – I am going the same way my husband is going! 

Who really is responsible for growth and change in a life?

Philippians1:6 "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." NIV

As we corporate with the Spirit we will ever increasingly reflect the Glory of Jesus!

… Beholding leads to becoming and becoming leads to reflecting!                                              ~  Max Lucado