Seeing Through Christ: Transforming Our Stories for Glory

Each of us carries a unique story, a journey shaped by our experiences, choices, and—most importantly—by what we are able to see. Our lives are not static; they are stories still being written, and the lens through which we view the world determines the direction of our narrative. Before encountering Christ, we were spiritually blind, making decisions based on false narratives and unhealthy perceptions. But when Jesus opens our eyes, everything changes. We begin to see life, ourselves, and others differently. The transformation is not just for our benefit; God gives us a story so that we can share it, becoming a light to those still walking in darkness.

Our perception is powerful. Just as people can look at the same picture and see different colors, we can experience the same circumstances but interpret them in radically different ways. Our past traumas, disappointments, and wounds can cloud our vision, causing us to filter everything through pain or suspicion. But Jesus calls us to a new way of seeing—a healthy, Christ-centered perspective that reframes reality with hope and truth. When our eyes are healthy, our whole life is filled with light, and we become radiant, able to influence others for God’s glory.

God’s purpose for our story is not just to keep it to ourselves but to share it openly. Our testimony has the power to draw others to Christ, but only if we live authentically and transparently. Compromise and double living diminish our influence and misrepresent the kingdom. God’s process for us is to continually see through the eyes of Jesus, to let His perspective shape our responses, our relationships, and even our view of ourselves. This requires humility, self-awareness, and a willingness to let God shine His light into our blind spots.

Finally, Jesus gives us a passionate warning: make sure the light we think we have is not actually darkness. Living a transparent life—one without hidden corners or secrets—is essential. True transformation is marked by integrity, self-examination, and a readiness to repent when God exposes areas that need change. Our story is a gift, meant to be shared, protected, and lived out in the open, so that others can see the glory of God shining through us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Your Story Is Meant to Be Shared, Not Hidden God has given each of us a testimony, not to be concealed, but to shine as a beacon for others. The light of salvation is not just for personal comfort; it’s a call to display God’s work in our lives so others may be drawn to Him. Hiding our story diminishes its power and the purpose for which God gave it. Let your life be a lamp on a stand, visible and inviting to all who enter your world. [13:58]
• 2. Perception Shapes Destiny—See Through Christ’s Eyes The way we interpret life’s events is often colored by past wounds, disappointments, or unhealthy narratives. Jesus invites us to see through His eyes, reframing our reality with hope, grace, and purpose. This shift in perspective doesn’t deny pain or difficulty but allows us to trust that God is working for our good, even in adversity. Faith may not always change our situation, but it will always change how we see it. [22:01]
• 3. Transparency Is the Mark of Spiritual Health A life filled with light is a life without hidden corners—no secrets, no double living, no hypocrisy. True spiritual maturity is marked by integrity and self-awareness, allowing God’s light to expose and heal our blind spots. Transparency is not about perfection but about authenticity, being the same person in private as in public, and quickly repenting when God reveals areas of darkness. [37:07]
• 4. Self-Awareness and Humility Guard Your Story Recognizing our own capacity to sin and our need for God’s sustaining grace keeps us humble and dependent. It’s easy to spot the faults in others while ignoring our own blind spots, but spiritual growth requires honest self-examination. Embracing our weaknesses and triggers as opportunities for God’s healing prevents pride and judgmentalism, and keeps our testimony credible and relatable. [42:05]
• 5. God’s Grace Makes Room for Growth, Not Perfection God’s sanctification process is ongoing; He doesn’t demand instant perfection but invites us to grow, learn, and be discipled. The church should be a place where people are given space to change, just as we were. Our stories are shaped not only by our encounters with God but also by the grace and patience of others who see potential in us, even when we can’t see it ourselves. [47:10]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:32] - Gratitude for the Church Team
• [01:43] - Everyone Has a Unique Story
• [02:22] - Why God Leaves Us Here After Salvation
• [02:56] - The Dress Illusion: Perception and Reality
• [04:40] - How Perception Shapes Our Choices
• [05:20] - Spiritual Blindness Before Christ
• [07:43] - Living in Deception and False Narratives
• [09:33] - Encountering Jesus: A New Story Begins
• [12:04] - Signs of Unhealthy Vision: Hurting Others
• [13:20] - Jesus’ Metaphor of Light and Vision
• [13:58] - God’s Purpose: Sharing Your Story
• [15:54] - The Revelation of Christ and True Identity
• [20:52] - God’s Process: Seeing Through Jesus’ Eyes
• [26:28] - Healthy Perspective and Faith
• [32:46] - Dying to Self: The Key to Relationships
• [34:03] - Joseph: Seeing Adversity Through God’s Lens
• [35:52] - God’s Warning: Living a Transparent Life
• [38:24] - The Cops and Robbers Game: Hiding and Light
• [42:05] - Self-Awareness and the Grace to Overcome
• [45:58] - The Power of Grace and Discipleship
• [48:22] - Living Out Your Story for God’s Glory
• [48:58] - Closing and Next Steps

Bible Reading

Luke 11:33-36 (ESV) — > “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) — > “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.”

Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — > “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Observation Questions

1. According to Luke 11:33-36, what does Jesus say about the connection between our eyes (or perception) and the light in our lives? How does this relate to the way we live? [12:40]
2. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, what does Paul say is the reason people are spiritually blind before coming to Christ? [05:20]
3. What does Jesus warn us about in Luke 11:35 regarding the “light” we think we have? [36:29]
4. According to Matthew 5:16 and the sermon, what is the purpose of letting our light shine before others? [19:00]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says our story is “written by what we can see.” How does our perception or the way we see things shape the direction of our lives and our testimony? [04:40]
2. The pastor shared that before Christ, we were spiritually blind and made choices based on false narratives. What are some examples of these false narratives, and how do they affect our decisions? [07:43]
3. Jesus warns us to make sure the light we think we have isn’t actually darkness. What might it look like for someone to believe they are living in the light, but actually be living in darkness? [36:29]
4. The sermon talks about transparency and living without “hidden corners.” Why is transparency so important for spiritual health and influence? [37:07]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “God has a purpose for my story and it’s to be shared.” Is there a part of your story you’ve been hiding or afraid to share? What’s holding you back, and what would it look like to let your light shine more openly this week? [13:58]
2. The way we see life is often shaped by past hurts or disappointments. Can you identify a situation where your perception has been clouded by past pain? How might seeing through Christ’s eyes change your response? [22:01]
3. The pastor said, “A major sign that your vision is off is when you start hurting people.” Have you noticed times when your own unhealthy perspective has led to hurting others? What steps can you take to address this? [12:04]
4. Jesus calls us to live a transparent life, with “no dark corners.” Are there any areas in your life that you keep hidden from others or from God? What would it take to bring those into the light? [37:07]
5. The sermon emphasized self-awareness and humility, recognizing our own capacity to sin. What is one blind spot or weakness you need to be more honest about? How can you invite God’s grace and accountability into that area? [42:05]
6. The church should be a place where people are given space to grow, not expected to be perfect. How can you help create an environment of grace and patience for others in your small group or church? [47:10]
7. Think about someone in your life who is still “walking in darkness.” How can your story or testimony be a light to them this week? What is one practical step you can take to reach out? [19:00]