Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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.  4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 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. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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. 2 Corinthians 3:17 – 4:6

A.  What are we called to?

1.  A personal beholding of the Lord Jesus: 2 Corinthians 4:6

2.  A personal transformation from beholding the Lord Jesus

2 Corinthians 3:18

–  Into His likeness

–  By a sure and steady process

B.  What are we to behold in the Lord Jesus?

1.  God’s glory revealed in the fullness of His grace:  John 1:14

–  Grace that saves:  Eph. 2:8-9, Titus 2:11

–  Grace that trains:  Titus 2:12-1

–  Grace that restores: John 20:15-17

–  Grace that keeps:  Acts 20:32, 1 Peter 1:13

2.  God’s glory revealed in the fullness of his truth.  John 1:14

– Truth freeing us from Satan, sin and self: John 8:31-32, 1 Thess. 1:2-10, Rom. 1:16, 1 Cor. 1:18

– Truth setting us apart for God: 2 Cor. 5:14-15

– Truth commissioning us on God’s mission: 2 Cor. 5:16-21

–  Truth guiding us through a confused and chaotic world: Isaiah 30:21

TODAY

C.  What are the means to behold the Lord Jesus?

1.  Scripture

a.  Christ’s Gospel publicly heard: 1 Cor. 1:17, 1 Cor. 2:1-2, Rom. 10:14-17

b.  Christ’s Person privately sought: John 5:39, Luke 24:27, Luke 24:32, Luke 24:45-46

2.  Prayer

a.  Seeking of the Lord: Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 26:8-9

b.  Meditation upon the Lord: Psalm 63:5-7, Psalm 145

3.  Church

 a.  Corporate worship: Ps. 22:5, Ps. 27:4, Ps. 63:1-4, Heb. 10:23-25

b.  Life-on-life fellowship:  Malachi 3:16-18, Phil. 2:25