Dennis Newkirk, Lead Pastor……………………………….November 19-20, 2016

The Transforming Power of Beholding

Review:

  • We are three-part beings.
  • The Christian life is a supplied life.
  • Today: The source of this supply is beholding.
  1. The foundation of all spiritual growth is a sense of need (Matthew 5:1–3).

II.To be without a sense of need guarantees spiritual decay

(Revelation 3:14–17).

III.God meets our needs through our transformation (Psalm 121;

Revelation 3:20).

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 (ESV)

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And 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.

“Beholding the Lord’s glory in His word is more than observing His humanity in the gospels. It is observing His character, His attributes, and His will in every page of Scripture. And as we observe Him, as we maintain this relationship with Him through His Word, we are transformed more and more into His likeness; we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to progressively manifest the graces of godly character. So it is this relationship with Christ, expressed by beholding Him in His word and depending upon Him in prayer, that enables us to draw from Him the power essential for a godly life. The Christian is not like an automobile with a self-contained power source; rather, he is like an electric motor that must be constantly connected to an outside current for its power. Our source of power is in the risen Christ, and we stay connected to Him by beholding Him in His word and depending on Him in prayer”.

Application:

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1Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness. Pg 61. Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.