THE PROCESS OF CHANGE

“The Sculptor’s Process”

A man once visited a sculptor’s workshop and was amazed by a massive block of marble sitting in the middle of the room. It looked plain and ordinary — nothing impressive about it. Curious, he asked, “What are you going to make out of that?” The sculptor smiled and said, “There’s an image inside this stone. I just have to chip away everything that doesn’t belong.”

Weeks later, the man returned. The plain block of marble had become a breathtaking statue — detailed, radiant, and lifelike. “How did you do it?” he asked again. The sculptor replied, “I saw what it was meant to be from the beginning. It just took time, patience, and a lot of removing what didn’t belong.”

Equip family:

that’s exactly how God works with us. He already sees the finished image — the image of His Son, Jesus Christ — hidden inside the rough edges of who we are. And through the process of life, He’s gently — and sometimes painfully — chipping away everything that doesn’t belong.

It takes surrender, it takes patience, and it takes faith to trust the Sculptor’s hands.

That’s what Paul meant in 2 Corinthians 3:18 when he said we are “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.”

So today, I want to walk you through how transformation actually works. Because transformation is not an event — it’s a process. It’s not a moment — it’s a movement. And sometimes that process can be painful, but it’s always purposeful.

BIG IDEA

Transformation is not instant - Its a process that takes surrender, patience and faith.

Paul shows us in this verse that transformation has three parts:

It begins with revelation — when the veil is lifted and we see God clearly.

It happens in stages — “from glory to glory.”

And it requires cooperation — the Spirit shapes those who stay on the altar.

Let’s walk through each of these together.

I. Transformation Begins with Revelation

2 Corinthians 3:16 “But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.”

A. The Veil Is Gone

Under the Old Covenant, people couldn’t look directly upon God’s glory. Paul is reminding us of what happened with Moses. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, his face was shining with the glory of God. The people were afraid, so he covered his face with a veil. That veil symbolized distance — separation between God and humanity.

In Christ, the veil is lifted - we now have direct access to God’s presence. But now, Paul says in Christ, the veil is gone. No more barriers. No more separation. You don’t need a priest or a prophet to stand between you and God — you can come boldly into His presence yourself.

Seeing God clearly changes how we see ourselves. When the veil lifts, we don’t just see God — we experience Him. And every time we experience Him, something in us changes.

B. Revelation changes how we see.

You see, the clearer you see God, the clearer you begin to see yourself.

When you look at His holiness, you realize how much you need His grace.

When you look at His mercy, you find the strength to forgive others.

When you look at His power, you stop being intimidated by life’s problems.

That’s what Paul means in 2 Corinthians 4:6:

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

We are changed when we see Christ for who He truly is. When the light of Christ shines in your heart, things that were once hidden are exposed — not to shame you, but to change you.

The clearer our view of God, the clearer our understanding of who we are in Him. Transformation always begins with revelation. You can’t be changed by a God you only know from a distance. You can’t become what you can’t behold.

True transformation begins hen truth becomes personal. (Pause) Maybe that’s where you are right now — God is lifting the veil. He’s showing you something new about Himself or about yourself. Let Him. Don’t cover your face. Look full in His glory.

You ever notice how when you spend time around certain people, you start talking like them? The same happens in the Spirit — when you spend time in His presence, you start reflecting His nature. That’s what revelation does — it doesn’t just show you who He is; it starts shaping who you are.

II. Transformation Happens in Stages.

Paul says we “are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “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.”

A. Growth Is Gradual

“From one degree of Glory to another” means God develops us over time. That means transformation is a process. We love the word suddenly, but God often works slowly. He could change you in an instant — but He chooses to shape you over time.

Each stage of life and faith reveals a new level of His glory. Think about a seed — it doesn’t become a tree overnight. There’s growth, breaking, stretching, and waiting. It’s the same with us.

Even when we don’t see it, God is working beneath the surface. Each stage of your life — even the painful ones — has purpose. Every season is taking you somewhere.

Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

If He started the work, He’ll finish it.

But between “He began” and “He finished” is a whole lot of process.

And that’s where most of us get stuck — in the middle.

Tell somebody near you — “Don’t give up in the middle.”

B. Each Stage Has a Purpose

Maybe you’re in a season of stretching — that’s part of the process. Maybe you’re in a season of silence — that’s part of the process. Maybe you’re in a season of pruning — yes, that’s part of the process too.

God doesn’t rush transformation He refines in seasons.

What feels like delay is often God preparing depth and character.

Every stage of transformation has purpose.

Every level of glory requires a deeper level of surrender. Before God promotes you, He prepares you.

Illustration: When a potter makes a vessel, he doesn’t just shape it — he fires it in the kiln. It’s the fire that strengthens it. And some of you have been asking, “God, why am I going through the fire?”

Because He’s preparing you for a new level of glory.

Pause for Reflection: You might not feel glorious right now — but you’re being prepared for glory. You may not see the change day by day, but heaven does.

You may not see change day by day, but heaven does.

III Transformation requires your cooperation.

Paul closes verse 18 by saying,

“For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

That means transformation is a divine partnership. The Spirit does the work, but we must yield to Him.

A. The spirit transforms those who remain surrendered.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Transformation is not achieved by effort but by yielding to the Spirit. That means we must stop trying to shape ourselves and let God shape us. You can’t make yourself holy — only the Spirit can. But He can only change what you’re willing to surrender. Think of Abraham — every time God asked something of him, he laid it on the altar. And with every act of obedience, God revealed a new level of glory.

God shapes those who stay “on the altar” - obedient, humble and teachable.

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

3. When we resist His hand, we block our own growth.

B. Cooperation means daily surrender.

The Spirit will not force change where there is no willingness.

Staying surrendered is where God does His deepest work.

God shapes those who stay yielded. Change ha[[ens where surrender begins.

IV. Transformation is sustained by Faith.

A. Faith keeps us steady in between glories.

the bible says we are being transformed from “glory to glory”.

Faith believes God is working even when you can’t see the process working.

2 Corinthians 5:7 “for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Faith believes that God is working even when we can’t see progress.

Faith looks at the unfinished areas of our life and says, “He’s still working on me.”

Illustration: Remember Peter? He denied Jesus three times, but after Pentecost, that same Peter stood and preached to thousands. What happened? The process. The Spirit. Faith in the middle of failure.

2. Your faith keeps you anchored when life feels inconsistent.

Faith doesn’t deny the struggle — it declares the outcome.

Pause for emphasis: God doesn’t waste pain. Every setback is still shaping you for glory. Every test is transforming your testimony.

So keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep walking. Because what’s invisible now will be undeniable later.

Conclusion

A. Transformation is the Spirit’s ongoing work in the believers life.

Every act of surrender moves us closer to the likeness of Christ.

Every season of waiting produces new strength and revelation.

We are all “under construction,” being shaped by His hand.

B. Our call is to stay surrendered, patient, and faithful.

Keep your eyes on Jesus - The source of all transformation.

Keep your heart on the altar - where the Spirit works best.

Keep your faith alive - knowing that glory is growing in you.