Seeing Jesus: Removing Veils for Transformation

 

Summary

In this new series, "Can You See Him?" we embark on a journey through Lent, a season of preparation, reflection, and seeking Jesus amidst the distractions and darkness that often obscure our vision of Him. The series is inspired by the moment of Jesus' crucifixion when darkness covered the earth, symbolizing the spiritual blindness that can envelop us. Just as Jesus brought light into the world at creation, He continues to illuminate our lives, revealing God's character and ways. Our challenge is to remove the veils of sin, shame, and distraction that prevent us from seeing Jesus clearly.

The story of the Transfiguration in Matthew 17 serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of seeing Jesus. When the disciples saw Jesus in His glory, their perspective changed. Similarly, when we turn to Jesus, the veil is lifted, and we begin to see ourselves and our circumstances through His eyes. This transformation is not a one-time event but a daily process of turning to Jesus, allowing His Spirit to bring freedom and clarity.

Living under a veil distorts our vision, much like looking through a funhouse mirror. Shame, in particular, acts as a veil, causing us to base our identity on past mistakes rather than on Jesus' love and forgiveness. When we turn to Jesus, He removes the veil, freeing us from shame and allowing us to see ourselves as God sees us: loved, chosen, and forgiven.

The series encourages us to examine what is blocking our vision of Jesus. Whether it's distractions, sin, or shame, we are invited to turn to Jesus and allow Him to lift the veil. As we do, we are transformed into His image, step by step, from one degree of glory to another. This transformation requires us to listen to Jesus, not just see Him, and to replace lies with God's truth.

In our daily lives, we are often distracted and overwhelmed by noise and busyness. By creating space to see Jesus, whether through prayer, fasting, or simply slowing down, we can hear His voice and experience His transformative power. As we focus on Jesus, everything else fades, and we are reminded of our true identity in Him.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Seeing Jesus: When we see Jesus, everything changes. Our perspective shifts, and we begin to see ourselves and our circumstances through His eyes. This transformation is a daily process of turning to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to bring freedom and clarity. [39:15]

2. Living Under a Veil: Shame and sin act as veils that distort our vision and prevent us from seeing Jesus clearly. When we turn to Jesus, He removes the veil, freeing us from shame and allowing us to see ourselves as God sees us: loved, chosen, and forgiven. [43:13]

3. The Importance of Turning to Jesus: Turning to Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily practice. As we turn to Him, the veil is lifted, and we are transformed into His image, step by step, from one degree of glory to another. [34:12]

4. Creating Space to See Jesus: In our busy and noisy lives, it's essential to create space to see Jesus. Whether through prayer, fasting, or simply slowing down, we can hear His voice and experience His transformative power. [56:40]

5. Replacing Lies with God's Truth: Our identity is often shaped by lies and distorted images. By turning to Jesus and replacing these lies with God's truth, we can see ourselves as God sees us: free, forgiven, and loved. [01:04:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to the Series
- [02:15] - The Darkness at the Cross
- [04:45] - Removing the Veil
- [07:30] - Seeing Jesus in Everyday Life
- [10:00] - The Transfiguration
- [12:30] - Living Under a Veil
- [15:00] - The Power of Turning to Jesus
- [18:00] - Creating Space for Jesus
- [21:00] - Replacing Lies with Truth
- [24:00] - The Importance of Daily Turning
- [27:00] - The Role of Shame and Sin
- [30:00] - Seeing Ourselves as God Sees Us
- [33:00] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Can You See Him?"

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 17:1-8
2. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

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Observation Questions:

1. In Matthew 17:1-8, what significant event occurs on the mountain, and how do the disciples react to it?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 3:16, what happens when one turns to the Lord, and how does this relate to the concept of a veil? [39:15]
3. What are some of the distractions or veils mentioned in the sermon that can prevent us from seeing Jesus clearly? [43:13]
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation process when we turn to Jesus? [34:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of the Transfiguration in Matthew 17 illustrate the transformative power of seeing Jesus? What might this transformation look like in a believer's life today?
2. In 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Paul talks about the veil being lifted. What does this metaphor suggest about our spiritual vision and understanding? [39:15]
3. The sermon mentions that shame acts as a veil. How might shame distort a person's identity and relationship with God? [43:13]
4. What does it mean to create space to see Jesus in our daily lives, and why is this important according to the sermon? [56:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: What are some specific distractions or "veils" that might be preventing you from seeing Jesus clearly? How can you address these distractions this week? [43:13]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of turning to Jesus daily. What practical steps can you take to make this a regular part of your routine? [34:12]
3. Consider a time when shame has distorted your self-view. How can you replace those lies with God's truth about your identity? [43:13]
4. The sermon suggests creating space to see Jesus through practices like prayer and fasting. What is one specific way you can create space for Jesus in your life this week? [56:40]
5. How can you actively listen to Jesus in your daily life, beyond just seeing Him? What might this look like in your personal prayer or Bible study time? [56:40]
6. Think about a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by noise and busyness. How can you intentionally slow down and focus on Jesus in similar situations in the future? [56:40]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel stuck or blinded by a distorted image of yourself. What truth from God's Word can you focus on to change this perspective? [01:04:02]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeing Jesus Transforms Our Perspective
When we truly see Jesus, our perspective shifts dramatically. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of turning to Jesus and allowing His Spirit to bring freedom and clarity into our lives. As we focus on Jesus, we begin to see ourselves and our circumstances through His eyes, which brings a profound change in how we live and interact with the world. This daily practice of seeking Jesus helps us to align our thoughts and actions with His will, leading to a life of purpose and peace. [39:15]

"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 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a shift in perspective? How can you intentionally seek Jesus today to gain His perspective on this area?


Day 2: Removing the Veil of Shame and Sin
Living under a veil of shame and sin distorts our vision, much like looking through a funhouse mirror. These veils prevent us from seeing Jesus clearly and understanding our true identity in Him. When we turn to Jesus, He removes these veils, freeing us from shame and allowing us to see ourselves as God sees us: loved, chosen, and forgiven. This freedom enables us to live authentically and confidently in our identity as children of God. [43:13]

"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." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one lie or past mistake that you are allowing to define you? How can you turn to Jesus today to remove this veil and embrace your true identity in Him?


Day 3: The Daily Practice of Turning to Jesus
Turning to Jesus is not a one-time event but a daily practice that requires intentionality and commitment. As we turn to Him, the veil is lifted, and we are transformed into His image, step by step, from one degree of glory to another. This transformation involves listening to Jesus, replacing lies with God's truth, and allowing His Spirit to guide us in every aspect of our lives. By making this a daily habit, we can experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers. [34:12]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to make turning to Jesus a daily habit? How can this practice help you grow in your faith and relationship with Him?


Day 4: Creating Space to See Jesus
In our busy and noisy lives, it's essential to create space to see Jesus. Whether through prayer, fasting, or simply slowing down, we can hear His voice and experience His transformative power. By intentionally setting aside time to focus on Jesus, we can quiet the distractions and busyness that often overwhelm us, allowing us to experience His peace and guidance in our lives. [56:40]

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can create space in your life to see Jesus more clearly? How can this practice help you hear His voice and experience His transformative power?


Day 5: Replacing Lies with God's Truth
Our identity is often shaped by lies and distorted images. By turning to Jesus and replacing these lies with God's truth, we can see ourselves as God sees us: free, forgiven, and loved. This process involves recognizing the lies we believe, rejecting them, and embracing the truth of who we are in Christ. As we do this, we can live confidently in our identity as children of God, free from the chains of shame and sin. [01:04:02]

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." (Colossians 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one lie you have believed about yourself? How can you replace this lie with God's truth today and embrace your true identity in Christ?

Quotes


Everything comes down to whether or not we can see Jesus. But I know sometimes we come in unable to see him. Maybe there's things that are going on in your life, distractions, there's shame, there's sin, there's unforgiveness. There's all sorts of relational circumstances that keep us from seeing Jesus. And part of what we want to do when we come together is to remove those things, to lift the veil that keeps us in the dark and be able to see Jesus again. Because when we see Jesus, everything changes. [00:12:02] (30 seconds)


It's obviously not about the order or the planning or or the words that that we say God is at work and even even those cries out like see you know Isaac's trailer is like that those things uh can be the thing where we just went when we look to Jesus doesn't matter how dark it is those are two dark weeks and if you're if you're in a spot where you're clinging on to the hope you're just like man I don't see him I don't see him sometimes God allows it to get dark so that his glory can shine and so that we can see him and we can have the story I don't know what the end of your story looks like but I do know that God is good and he's with you and when we see Jesus everything changes so we're gonna sing another song we're giving you an opportunity sometimes we just like we're bringing so much stuff in that we need just a chance to get rid of it a little bit no Jesus I want to see you today not see the reality not see my circumstances or not see the hopelessness that's all around me or the brokenness or my problem I want to see you today so over this song if you want to pray with somebody if you just want to sit there and pray on your own or if you want to stand and sing just pray this Jesus I want to see you remove any distraction any blindness help me to see you Jesus the king of kings and it's in his name we pray amen [00:21:30] (81 seconds)


When we turn to Jesus, it's like the veil gets lifted, and suddenly we can see again. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and when the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So when we see Jesus, there's freedom. 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. So step by step, as we look at Jesus, as we see Jesus, we start to become like Jesus. [00:36:10] (28 seconds)


I see all these other things. When our vision is off, our identity is off. We start believing lies. I'm not enough. I'm too broken. I'll, I'll never change. Some of the things that run through my mind, I, if I told you, you would say, that's ridiculous, Dave. It seems so real to me. It's all I can see sometimes. Nobody cares about you. You're all alone. You don't have any friends. No one likes you. You're a failure. What are you doing? Why don't you quit? I hear it every day, and it becomes all I can see, which is more, it's sometimes those things are the very reasons that I don't want to turn to Jesus. Like, no, I'm not going to do that. But when I turn to Jesus, he lifts the veil. He lifts the veil. [00:38:14] (51 seconds)


Could it be that we're, most of us, most of us are walking through life half blind, unable to see, held back by fear, by shame, by distractions, when God is inviting us to see him and ourselves in light of him clearly, clearly. Here's the good news. Jesus came to lift the veil, to help us see clearly. And when we see him, everything changes. [00:41:54] (28 seconds)


When the veil isn't lifted, it distorts our vision. We're blinded by shame, sin, religious performance, right? It's like we're the horses on Mackinac Island with blinders on, so that all we can see is straight ahead. This is it, when there's a whole world all around us, all around us, just waiting to be seen and lived, and there's true freedom available. [00:43:20] (28 seconds)


We don't usually think about shame as a veil, but shame has to do with basing our identity on the things that we either have done in the past or are doing in the present. It's behavior -oriented. We look at ourselves not through the lens of Jesus and his love. We look at ourselves based on our accomplishments or our mistakes. [00:43:13] (22 seconds)


The more we focus on Jesus, the more we see everything else differently. Our struggles, our failures, our identity. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, everything else fades, our past, our failures, our fears, and we're transformed into his image. [01:03:43] (17 seconds)


So what would change in your life today? If you saw yourself the way God sees you? Not as a failure, but forgiven. Not as damaged, but as redeemed. Not as worthless, but deeply loved. Jesus lifts the veil so we can see ourselves the way God sees us. Free, forgiven, loved. [01:04:02] (21 seconds)


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Transcript
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