Spiritual Transformation
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Behold the Glory of God
2 Corinthians 3:4-18 (ESV)
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Sermon Outline
When those seeking God get a glimpse of God’s glory, their lives are transformed as they behold it. We need:
1. A way to navigate growth (vv4-6)
v4 “confidence”
vv5-6 “not that we are sufficient… God… has made us sufficient”
v4 “confidence… through Christ toward God”
2. The humility to look outside ourselves (vv7-11)
v7 “ministry of death”, “stone”; v9 “condemnation”; v11 “brought to an end”
vv7-8 “if… will not… even more glory?”; v9 “far exceed it in glory”; v10 “because of the glory that surpasses it”; v11 “how much more…”
3. The gracious working of God’s Spirit to transform us (vv12-18)
v6 “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life”
v16 “when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed”
v17 “where the Spirit of the Lord is…”, v18 “… are being transformed… this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit”
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have put our confidence in ourselves rather than in Christ. We have trusted in our own strength, wisdom, goodness, and ability to change, forgetting that our sufficiency comes from you. We have allowed the cares and desires of this world to veil your glory from us, so that we have been slow to see, slow to believe, and slow to delight in Christ. Forgive us for seeking glory for ourselves instead of beholding the glory of your Son. Thank you that in Christ the veil is removed, that your Spirit gives freedom, and that you are patiently transforming us into the likeness of Christ. Turn our eyes again to Jesus, that as we behold his glory, we might be changed by your grace and increasingly reflect his glory in the way we live. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What happens when you compare yourself with others? What good comes from it? What problems come from it?
How is confidence different from arrogance? How is humility different from low self esteem?
How do we attain secure confidence through faith in God? How does relocating the center from in us into Christ bring true security as well as a truer sense of self?
Why is it valuable to see that the people who had God’s presence, commands, and were witness to his remarkable deeds, still failed? Do you imagine if you were present in the days of Moses that you would have performed better?
How does the impossibility of achieving/earning God’s favor impact you? How are you discouraged? How are you being led to see something of greater value?
What makes the glory of Christ surpass all other glory? What are we meant to see when we look to Christ?
How does God’s grace and generosity promote deep change in us?
How can your imagination be stirred to consider the wonder of glory when it is too magnificent to grasp? Do you recognize a longing in you for it, even if you can’t see it or don’t fully understand it?
Jesus calls us to seek God – what does that mean?
Why is our transformation a work of God’s Spirit? What role do we play in our own path of growth?