Sermon Central
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You Are I.t.
Contributed by Robert Brent on Jul 17, 2004 (message contributor)
Summary: You are I.T. In Transformation. This text gives us five lessons about God’s transformation process.
“You Are I.T.”
Introduction:
Talk about the “make-over” shows that are so popular on television today.
Some are called “Extreme Makeovers”.
God is into extreme makeovers too.
Read text: 2 Corinthians 3:18
Focus on the phrase, “are being transformed”.
This is the Greek word from which we derive our English word metamorphoses.
This is the process by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
Lessons about God’s transformation process.
Exposition:
1. God’s transformation process is a cooperative process.
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord...”
Before we can be transformed we have to behold the glory of the Lord.
This is done by looking carefully into the Scriptures, God’s mirror. (James 1:25)
We are not narcissists because we are not looking at ourselves but at the Lord.
The Greek grammar reveals that this beholding is to be done on an ongoing basis.
2. God’s transformation process is a continuous process.
“are being transformed”
We are in the transformation process for our entire Christian life in this world.
As we cooperate by beholding the Lord’s glory we are transformed.
There is a direct correlation between the beholding and our being transformed.
3. God’s transformation process is a Christ-centered process.
“into his likeness”
This is God’s ultimate goal for all Christians - to make us like Jesus Christ.
It is a tall order, but God has been perfecting His craft for many years.
In the world people worry about appearances, God is concerned with our character.
4. God’s transformation process is a progressive process.
“from glory to glory” (NKJV)
“with ever-increasing glory” (NIV)
We are made more glorious, more Christlike, as time goes on.
This means we need to be patient with ourselves in the process.
5. God’s transformation process is a Spirit-empowered process.
“just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
The Holy Spirit is mentioned 7 times in this chapter. (3,6,8,17,18)
He is the One Who gloriously transforms us into the image of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is instrumental in our:Conversion (16)
Liberation (17)and Transformation (18)
Conclusion:
What a wonderful blessing to be gloriously transformed into the image of Christ by the Holy Spirit’s power from day to day.
As we dig into the Word and ask the Holy Spirit to put it to work in our lives He will make us make us like Jesus.
Be faithful and be patient as you allow the Holy Spirit to perfect His work in your life.
