Transformative Power of God's Glory in Our Lives

This morning, we welcomed the presence of the Holy Spirit, inviting Him to move and minister among us. God’s glory is not just a distant concept or a poetic idea—it is a tangible, weighty reality that transforms everything it touches. As 2 Corinthians 3:18 declares, we are being transformed into the image of Christ from glory to glory. This transformation is not superficial or momentary; it is a profound, ongoing process that changes us at the deepest level. The glory of God is not reserved for temples of stone, but for us—His people, the living temples of the Holy Spirit. We are made to be the home for His presence, to be filled and overwhelmed by His glory.

The glory of God is so powerful that it can halt all human activity, demanding our full attention and awe. When we encounter His presence, we cannot remain the same. This is not a disruption, but a divine takeover—a process of sanctification and spiritual growth that moves us from one level of glory to another. The journey is not about striving or religious performance, but about beholding—fixing our gaze on Christ, reflecting His image, and allowing His Spirit to do the work of transformation within us.

Through Christ, the veil that once separated humanity from God’s glory has been torn. We now have direct access to the Holy of Holies, invited to come boldly into God’s presence. Yet, many still live as if the veil remains, held back by shame, guilt, or fear. True transformation begins when we stop hiding and start beholding—when we linger in God’s presence, allowing His glory to imprint itself upon us. What we behold, we become. If our gaze is fixed on Christ, we reflect His character, compassion, and authority to the world.

Transformation is not instantaneous; it is a process—metamorphosis—that requires surrender, trust, and time. Like clay in the potter’s hands or a caterpillar in the cocoon, we are shaped and refined, often through trials and seasons of pressure. These are not signs of God’s absence, but tools of refinement, preparing us for greater glory. The journey from glory to glory is marked by hunger and desire for God’s presence, a willingness to press in for a fresh encounter, and a refusal to settle for yesterday’s experience. As we behold Him, we are changed, and as we are changed, we become carriers and releasers of His glory to the world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The glory of God is not a distant or abstract idea, but a tangible, weighty presence that transforms us from the inside out. When we truly encounter His glory, it silences our flesh and demands our full attention, leading to real and lasting change. This is not about religious performance, but about being overwhelmed and changed by the reality of His presence. [04:46]
• 2. Transformation begins not with our own effort, but with beholding—fixing our gaze on Christ and lingering in His presence. Just as a mirror reflects what it is pointed toward, our lives reflect what we focus on. Spiritual growth is not achieved by striving, but by sustained, intentional attention to God, allowing His image to be imprinted upon us. [22:12]
• 3. The process of transformation is a journey from glory to glory, not a single event. Like the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, it requires surrender, trust, and time. The Spirit of God works layer by layer, often through uncomfortable seasons, exposing wounds and refining us, but always with the purpose of revealing Christ within us. [29:52]
• 4. Hunger for God’s presence is the doorway to deeper transformation. Casual seeking will not suffice; it is wholehearted pursuit and spiritual hunger that draw us into greater encounters with His glory. This hunger must be guarded and stirred, for it is the catalyst that moves us beyond yesterday’s experiences into new depths of God’s presence. [39:41]
• 5. Trials and pressures are not signs of God’s absence, but tools of refinement in the journey of transformation. God uses the furnace of affliction to purify our motives, deepen our dependence on Him, and strengthen our faith. Nothing is wasted in God’s process; every trial is an opportunity for greater glory to be revealed in and through us. [43:34]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:57] - Inviting the Presence of the Holy Spirit
• [04:46] - The Weight and Power of God’s Glory
• [06:06] - We Are the Temples of His Presence
• [08:05] - The Journey of Spiritual Growth
• [09:21] - The Divine Process of Transformation
• [13:52] - The Tearing of the Veil and Our Access
• [18:03] - Transformation Begins with Beholding
• [19:37] - The Reality of Relationship with Christ
• [20:59] - The Discipline of Stillness and Focus
• [22:12] - Becoming What We Behold
• [25:30] - Reflection, Not Imitation
• [26:42] - Restoring Identity and Purpose
• [27:46] - Carriers and Releasers of His Glory
• [29:52] - The Process of Metamorphosis
• [34:30] - Embracing the Refining Work of the Spirit
• [37:41] - Pressing in for Fresh Encounters
• [39:41] - The Power of Spiritual Hunger
• [42:22] - Transformation Through Trials
• [43:34] - Faith Refined in the Furnace

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (ESV) — > 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
> 17 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.

Matthew 27:51 (ESV) — > And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) — > Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Observation Questions

1. According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, what is the process by which believers are changed? What does it mean to be “transformed into the same image from glory to glory”? [01:57]
2. In the sermon, what was the significance of the veil being torn in Matthew 27:51? How did this change our access to God’s presence? [13:52]
3. What does Romans 12:2 say about the difference between being conformed and being transformed? How does this relate to the idea of “renewing your mind”? [29:52]
4. The sermon described God’s glory as “weighty” and able to halt all human activity. What Old Testament example was given to illustrate this? [04:46]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “Transformation begins not with our own effort, but with beholding—fixing our gaze on Christ and lingering in His presence.” Why is beholding more powerful than striving in the process of spiritual growth? [22:12]
2. The tearing of the veil is described as a “divine declaration” that access to God is now open to all. How might living as if the veil is still there (with shame, guilt, or fear) affect a believer’s relationship with God? [13:52]
3. The process of transformation is compared to metamorphosis, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. What does this analogy teach us about the nature and pace of spiritual change? [29:52]
4. The sermon mentions that trials and pressures are “tools of refinement” rather than signs of God’s absence. How does this perspective change the way we view difficult seasons in our lives? [43:34]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “What we behold, we become.” What are some things you find yourself focusing on most during the week? How do these things shape your character or attitude? Is there something you want to shift your focus away from or toward? [22:12]
2. The pastor shared that many believers still live as if the veil remains, held back by shame, guilt, or fear. Is there an area in your life where you feel distant from God because of these feelings? What would it look like to approach God boldly in that area? [13:52]
3. The process of transformation is described as ongoing and sometimes uncomfortable, like being clay in the potter’s hands. Can you identify a current or past season where you felt God was refining you? How did you respond, and what did you learn? [29:52]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of spiritual hunger: “Casual seeking will not suffice; it is wholehearted pursuit and spiritual hunger that draw us into greater encounters with His glory.” What does spiritual hunger look like for you personally? How can you stir up greater desire for God’s presence this week? [39:41]
5. The pastor said, “Don’t camp out at the last breakthrough that you had in life. No, don’t idolize your previous encounter… move forward.” Are you holding onto a past spiritual experience instead of seeking a fresh encounter with God? What would it look like to press in for something new? [37:41]
6. Trials are described as “the furnace of affliction” that God uses to purify and strengthen us. Is there a current challenge you’re facing that you can view differently in light of this truth? How might you invite God to use it for your transformation? [43:34]
7. The sermon says, “Mirrors only reflect what they’re pointed toward.” What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally “point your mirror” toward Christ in your daily routine? [27:46]