Transformation Unveiled

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Intro: The Mini Letter To The Hebrews

Theme: This is Paul’s letter of freedom

There were some attacking Paul at Corinth as it pertained to his person, motive, and character.

Paul knew who he was.

The problem is the attackers didn’t know who he was.

The problem is they didn’t acknowledge that they were an example of who he was based on his preaching and teaching to them.

Evil Workers

2 Corinthians 11:12 NKJV

But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.

2 Corinthians 11:13 NKJV

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV

And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:15 NKJV

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Paul Made it clear he was not those peddling the Word of God

2 Corinthians 2:17 NKJV

For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Similar To The Hebrews Rather Than Obeying The Law Now They Were Obeying The Letter

Transformation Comes Through Christ

2 Corinthians 3:1 NKJV

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you?

2 Corinthians 3:2 NKJV

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

2 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV

clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Romans 2:27–29 NKJV

And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Exodus 31:18 NKJV

And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Ezekiel 36:26 NKJV

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:27 NKJV

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

Jeremiah 31:33 NKJV

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Transformation Does Not Come From The Law Or The Letters of Men

2 Corinthians 3:4 NKJV

And we have such trust through Christ toward God.

2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV

Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,

2 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV

who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Philippians 3:2 NKJV

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

Philippians 3:3 NKJV

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Philippians 3:9 NKJV

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Transformation Did Not Come Through Law

2 Corinthians 3:7 NKJV

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,

Ministry Of Death

Galatians 3:10 NKJV

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”

2 Corinthians 3:8 NKJV

how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

2 Corinthians 3:9 NKJV

For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

2 Corinthians 3:10 NKJV

For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.

2 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV

For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

Transformation Comes Through Christ, The Spirit of God, Through The Word of God

Transformation Is Not Hidden But Unveiled

2 Corinthians 3:12 NKJV

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—

2 Corinthians 3:13 NKJV

unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.

Exodus 34:29 NKJV

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.

Exodus 34:30 NKJV

So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

Exodus 34:31 NKJV

Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them.

Exodus 34:32 NKJV

Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.

Exodus 34:33 NKJV

And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.

Exodus 34:34 NKJV

But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded.

Exodus 34:35 NKJV

And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

2 Corinthians 3:14 NKJV

But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:15 NKJV

But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

2 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV

Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2 Corinthians 3:17 NKJV

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Paul Unveiled

Philippians 3:7 NKJV

But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:8 NKJV

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3:9 NKJV

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Philippians 3:10 NKJV

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:11 NKJV

if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Unlike Moses We Don’t Hide The Glory But Let The Glory Be Unveiled

Matthew 5:14 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Matthew 5:15 NKJV

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Matthew 5:16 NKJV

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Conclusion