Transformation Changes Your World

Text:

2Co 3:12-18

12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,

13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.

14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;

16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

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

18 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 from the Lord, the Spirit.

(NASB)

Q: Why transformation?

• Transformation changes your life
• Your family
• Your school
• Your church
• Your work
• Transformation builds your future
• Hope (Jer 29:11)
• Give you a vision
• Transformation revives your world / nations
• A fresh start (Lam 5:21)
• Transformation is repentance (Joel 2:12-13)
• Transformation is purification
• Purity of heart, a gift from God (Ps 51:10)
• Holiness (1Pe 1:13-16)

If there is no transformation,

• No purpose of life
• No hope
• No vision

Q: What does Bible says about Transformation?

God wants YOU to be transformed and not conformed to the world

Rom12:2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)

The world has many things to offer

• Technology
• Internet
• Movies
• Cars
• Money
• Girls
• Etc.

Transformation begins in YOU!

V12-13   Veil

Q: What is Veil?

• A head covering; a cloth worn by women for the head.
• A concealing curtain. To hides something.

The veil story goes back to Gen 32:29-35

• The 1st 10 commandments that the God gave to Moses at Mt. Sinai.
• But Moses broke it because the Israelites made an idol and worship it.
• Gen 32, God called Moses up to mountain again and asked to makes new tablets.
• When he comes down from the mountain, his face was glowing/shining – till the people were afraid of him.

V14   Veil represent = hardened of mind and heart

They (the Jewish) have the word of God (the Torah) but yet they do not understand the word of God because their heart is hardened

The Word of God

Q: Are we veil when reading God’s word?

Q: Are you transformed when you read the Word of God?

• Problem #1. Many of times, when we read the Bible we do not understand His Word because we are reading with a veiled heart and mind.
• Problem #2. We read the Word of God, but we are not doer of the Word. Simply we are being transformed by the Word.

Bible is all about Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation is written about Him.

We have to understand that the Word of God is God revealing Himself known, declares His will, and brings about His purposes.

Therefore we need to read the Word of God with an open mind and heart.

Transformation begins through unveiling of the mind and heart

Q: How are we to unveil our minds in order to understand His Word?

2Co 3:16-18 provide us 3 crucial steps toward transformation:

Step #1: Turns to the Lord

V16     whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Transformation begins by turning / surrendering yourself to Jesus.

Jesus is the only way, the truth and life, no one come to the Father except through Him (Jn 14:6)

Q: Why do we need to turn to the Lord?

a.     Sin

Rom 3:23    for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

b.     Death

Rom 6:23    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sin veiled our mind and heart.

Sin is the hinder in us to understand His Word.

Sin is the demonic influence over our lives.

Sin prevents you from approaching the Most Holy God.

Sin is death.

Sin causes you to be out of align with God.

Sin is a burden.

Sin brings judgment.

Therefore, we need to turn ourselves to God. Your transformation begins in you when you willing lay down all your sins before God.

Step #2: Spirit of Freedom

V17     The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

a.     Free from sin and death

 Rom 8:2     For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

b.     Free man

1Co 7:22     For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave.

Gal 5:1       It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

When you willing to turn your sins to God; God will cleanse your sins and set you free. Your freedom is by the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is your helper, a guide, a counselor and a comforter. He will lead you into all truth. He will empower you to preach the good news.

Step #3: Transformation by the Spirit

V18     are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Q: What is glory of God?

1. His majesty
2. His holiness
3. His power
4. His works
5. His greatness

Q: Why God wants us to be transformed from glory to glory?

a.     Image of God

Gen 1:27     So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

2Co 4:4       In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

b. To be with Him in glory

Col 3:4       When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Now, when the Holy Spirit is guiding you, you begin to understand his will and purpose. His Word becomes alive in you. And you begin to the changes in you because you are maturing to glory to glory.

This is the true transformation.