Focus on the Power of the Spirit

 

 

2Cor. 3:17-18

Theme: The focus of New Testament Believers is our Lord Jesus Christ to experience the freedom of transformation.

Introduction:

Setbacks and struggles assert our need for maturity! Genuine spiritual growth is a frustrating battle. This can be extremely unnerving at times.  But it helps to know Jesus must be our focus and during setbacks it’s time to refocus on him…again.

Message:

2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Now the Lord is that Spirit [Holy Spirit]: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [freedom from bondage and obscurity]. But we all, with open [unveiled] face beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed [transformed] into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Clearly this is an inward renovation that has a palpable outward outcome.  What a magnificent change it is! But how can such a drastic change transpire?  Well, let look at considering the power for such change.

I.     Focus on the Power for Change—The Holy Spirit Manages this Awesome Process— “Now the Lord is that Spirit…where the Spirt of the Lord is…even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:17-18)

A.    According to Jesus, the Holy Spirit is the Power.  The third member of the Godhead who effects this splendid modification in believers. 

                                        1.     This title the “Spirit of the Lord” is a little unusual because frequently ‘Lord’ in the NT refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. Here the title is a reference to the Holy Spirit, and I think this title highlights his ministry of revealing, promoting, and exalting Jesus Christ.

                                        2.     John 16:12-15, I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. ¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. ¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

                                        3.     Dr. William MacDonald says of the Holy Spirit, “His principal work will be to glorify Christ. By this we can test all teaching and preaching. If it has the effect of magnifying the Savior, then it is of the Holy Spirit. “He will take of what is Mine” means that He will receive of the great truths that concern Christ. These are the things He reveals to believers. The subject can never be exhausted!”

                                        4.     2 Corinthians 4:6, For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

B.    This is Supernatural Power wrought by the Spirt! “The Spirit of the Lord” draws the believer’s attention to the perfections of Christ, highlights areas of deficiency and sin in the people of God, urges us on to our spiritual potential in Christ and then literally empowers us to attain it (Acts 1:8; Eph. 5:18; Gal. 5:22-23).

                                        1.     But how can such a drastic alteration of morals, values, and character transpire?  The power for change is the Holy Spirit of God: “even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  

i.       Ephesians 5:18-21, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; ¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

ii.     Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

                                        2.     William MacDonald observed, “As we behold the Lord of glory, study Him, contemplate Him, gaze on Him adoringly, the Spirit of the Lord works in our life the marvelous miracle of increasing conformity to Christ.” (MacDonald) 

C.    Every Believer Must Rely on the Holy Spirit for Spiritual Change!

                                        1.     Clearly this change is not through mere human effort, psychological reform, or mere human determination, for no such energy and power resides in the “flesh” of our humanity (Rom. 7:18).

                                        2.     Romans 7:18-20, For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. ¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. ²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 

                                        3.     While men can alter their behavior, it is utterly impossible to affect the spectacular transformation mentioned here. 

 

Conclusion:

We are in a continuing process of transformation into the very image of Christ. Christlikeness is the ultimate goal of our journey (Eph. 4:23–24; Col. 3:10). 

It is tempting to think that we should see some special sign of our spiritual growth. We imagine that, like bodybuilders who can see the results of their training, we too should be able to look in a mirror and see our spiritual muscles bulging! Perhaps we think of the Apostle Paul’s example, and look for a miraculous transformation such as he experienced. But even Paul took pains to point out he had not attained some kind of spiritual perfection (Phil. 3:12–14).--M. Anders 

Finally, consider our need for God’s forgiveness and Salvation.

     1. Every Person that Ever Lived Has Been Impacted by Sin– We All are Sinners.

Isaiah 53:6, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 5:12, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

So, you see we all are sinners—transgressors of God’s law and under the divine death penalty. We are guilty and desperately need God’s forgiveness. Do you sense your need for God’s forgiveness for your life of sin? Remember, confession is acknowledging God's standards of morality and the truth that we have not lived up to his requirements. It is admitting, "I don't measure up...either." 

     2.  The Results and Consequences of a Life of Sin is Death. 

Ezek 18:4, Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

If you spend your life serving Master Sin, then you can expect to receive the wages of Master Sin. The wages of Sin are the death penalty!

              a.   Physical Death—Rom. 5:12,14

              b.   Spiritual Death—Eph. 2:1; 4:18

              c.   Eternal Death—Rev. 20:15

The evidence that we all have sinned is the fact that we die physically. Physical death is also indicative of pervasive spiritual separation from God as a human condition. Eternal death is nothing short of suffering forever in the Lake of Fire. When deciding it is best to have all the necessary information.

     3. The Key is Trusting Christ as our Savior. 

Paul outlines this in Romans 10:9-10, writing, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” We cannot simply believe anything about Jesus, we must believe that the Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and God raise Him up again the third day for our justification before The Father. It is crucial that we understand that it is faith in Jesus Christ and His Gospel that is the power of God that saves us (Rom. 1:14-17).

I have given you all you need to know to understand your guilt before a holy God. I know how this must feel. I do NOT measure up either...I am not good enough for God to accept me without accepting his forgiveness. God promises to save all who will acknowledge their sins to Him while trusting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Remember sin is defined as violations of God's Laws. We have put idols before the true and living God. We are guilty of taking God's Name in vain. We have not honored our parents fully and always. We have not treated people with real love and respect exclusively. We do not measure up to the perfection of God's standard of morality. We NEED His forgiveness...He offers us forgiveness not condemnation. With this being the case...condemnation is something you chose by refusing Christ.