CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE - 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18

-Introduction

-It is my opinion that 2 Cor 3:18 is one of the most marvelous verses in the scriptures.

-To fully understand it, we need to review the context:

-2 Cor 3:1-3

            -It seems that there were some who had challenged Paul.

                        -claims of self-commendation, self-exaltation

            -Paul didn’t need letters of commendation.  The Christians at Corinth were his “letter of

              commendation.

-Their obedience to the Gospel, service within it and gifts of the Spitit validated his role

  and work as an apostle of Christ.

            -Paul gave the real credit (and rightfully so) to Christ and the Spirit.

            -contrast:  tables of stone (Law) vs tables of the heart (Gospel)

                        -Col 3:16, Luke 8:15

-2 Cor 3:4-6

      -Paul was not claiming self-sufficiency.  Instead, he gives credit to God for allowing him to

  be a minister of the new covenant.

-Paul has now set the table for the rest of the chapter - the superiority of the Gospel over the

  Law.

      -the letter killeth - Rom 8:2-3, Rom 3:20

      -the spirit giveth life - Col 1:13-14, Acts 13:38

-Example of Moses

-2 Cor 3:7-15

-Ex 34:28-35

            -the shining of Moses’ face and the fear of the people

            -Why did his face shine?  He was reflecting the glory of God.

            -But, because the people were afraid, Moses covered his face with a vail.

-vailed hearts - 2 Cor 3:15

            -Unfortunately, the people were not allowing God’s word to penetrate their hearts.

-The Gospel of Christ

-2 Cor 3:16-18

-A person can and must unveil his/her heart by turning to the Lord.

-It is through the Lord that we are given liberty - John 8:31-32, Rom 6:16-18.

-2 Corinthians 3:18

-This verse talks of openly (“with unveiled face” - NAS) looking into a glass (“mirror” - NAS).

            -When we look into a mirror, whose reflection do we see?

-When we look into the mirror spoken of here, what do we see?  - the glory of the Lord

            -And, if we’ll gaze into this mirror long enough, we’ll be changed into His glory.

            -In other words, we’ll be more like Christ!

-What is the mirror?

            -Jas 1:21-25 - the word of God

            -The mirror is the word of God that we are to take into our hearts.

                        -Jer 31:33, Luke 8:15, Ps 40:8

-Summary and Invitation

-If we will open our hearts to God’s word and study it in order to learn more of it, we’ll become

  more like Christ - more like God wants us to be.

-Yet, we must remember that we will never be equal to Christ through our own deeds.  That’s

  why we need Christ. 

            -We need the forgiveness that’s available through Him.

            -We need His help.  And, that’s why He died on the cross for our sins.

-He died for you.  Will you live for Him?

Date:  October 30, 2005