Transformed Lives: Christians as Living Epistles

 

Summary

In the passage from 2 Corinthians 3, Paul emphasizes the profound transformation that occurs in the life of a believer. Christians are described as living epistles, letters of recommendation for Christ, known and read by all. This metaphor highlights the visible and tangible change that should be evident in the life of every believer. The transformation is not merely an external adherence to rules or moral codes but a deep, internal change wrought by the Spirit of God. This change is so profound that it becomes apparent to everyone around, much like a letter that is clearly legible and understood by all who read it.

Paul contrasts the old covenant, written on tablets of stone, with the new covenant, written on the hearts of believers by the Spirit. The old covenant, while glorious, was a ministry of condemnation and death, whereas the new covenant is a ministry of righteousness and life. This new life in Christ is marked by liberty, as the Spirit of the Lord brings freedom from the bondage of sin and the law. The veil that once blinded the minds of unbelievers is removed in Christ, allowing believers to behold the glory of the Lord and be transformed into His image from glory to glory.

The sermon challenges believers to examine their lives and ensure that they are living epistles of Christ. It is a call to authenticity, urging Christians to live in such a way that their faith is evident to all. The transformation should be so profound that it is unmistakable, much like the early Christians, Puritans, and Methodists, whose lives were radically different from the world around them. This transformation is not something that can be achieved through human effort but is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer.

Key Takeaways:

- Living Epistles: Christians are called to be living letters of Christ, known and read by all. This means that our lives should visibly reflect the transformation that Christ has wrought in us, making it evident to everyone around us that we belong to Him. Our lives should be a testament to the truth and power of the Gospel. [09:21]

- Transformation by the Spirit: The change in a believer's life is not merely external but a profound internal transformation by the Spirit of God. This transformation is a new creation, a radical change that affects every aspect of our being, making us new creatures in Christ. [37:46]

- Liberty in Christ: The new covenant brings liberty, freeing us from the bondage of sin and the law. This freedom is not a license to sin but a call to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God, empowered by the Spirit to live righteously. [50:47]

- Intellectual and Moral Revolution: Becoming a Christian involves a profound intellectual and moral change. The veil is removed, allowing us to see the truth of the Gospel, and this truth leads to a moral revolution in our lives, setting us free from the power of sin. [43:31]

- Reflecting Christ's Glory: As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into His image from glory to glory. This transformation is a process, and as we spend time in His presence, we begin to reflect His glory, becoming more like Him in our character and conduct. [58:09]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to 2 Corinthians 3
- [00:59] - The Sufficiency of God
- [02:21] - The Glory of the New Covenant
- [03:43] - Christians as Living Epistles
- [05:17] - Paul's Defense of His Apostleship
- [06:39] - False Apostles and True Commendation
- [08:10] - The Church as a Testimony
- [09:21] - Christians as Letters of Christ
- [11:06] - Examining Ourselves
- [15:13] - The Visibility of Christian Transformation
- [22:51] - Historical Examples of Christian Distinctiveness
- [29:23] - The Legibility of Our Lives
- [36:28] - The Work of the Spirit in the Heart
- [43:31] - Intellectual and Moral Change
- [50:47] - Liberty in Christ
- [58:09] - Reflecting the Glory of the Lord

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

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Observation Questions:

1. How does Paul describe the believers in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, and what does this metaphor imply about their role in the world? [03:43]

2. What is the contrast Paul makes between the old covenant and the new covenant in 2 Corinthians 3:6-8? How does this contrast highlight the work of the Spirit? [01:23]

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the veil mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:14-16, and how does it relate to the transformation of believers? [42:12]

4. What does Paul mean when he says, "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" in 2 Corinthians 3:17? How is this liberty described in the sermon? [50:47]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In what ways does the metaphor of Christians as "living epistles" challenge the traditional understanding of Christian witness? How might this metaphor influence a believer's daily life? [09:21]

2. How does the sermon explain the process of transformation "from glory to glory" as described in 2 Corinthians 3:18? What role does the Holy Spirit play in this transformation? [58:09]

3. The sermon mentions a "profound intellectual and moral change" that occurs in believers. How does this change manifest in a believer's life, according to the sermon? [43:31]

4. How does the sermon interpret the concept of "liberty in Christ" in the context of the new covenant? What are the implications of this liberty for a believer's relationship with sin and the law? [50:47]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life as a "living epistle." What specific areas of your life visibly reflect the transformation that Christ has wrought in you? Are there areas that need more alignment with this calling? [09:21]

2. The sermon emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers. How can you be more open to the Spirit's work in your life this week? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to facilitate this transformation? [37:46]

3. Consider the concept of "liberty in Christ." How do you experience this liberty in your daily life? Are there areas where you still feel bound by sin or legalism, and how can you seek freedom in those areas? [50:47]

4. The sermon challenges believers to examine their lives for authenticity. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is evident to all, not just in words but in actions? [09:57]

5. Think about a time when you experienced a profound intellectual or moral change in your faith journey. What triggered this change, and how did it impact your relationship with God and others? [43:31]

6. The sermon mentions historical examples of Christian distinctiveness. How can you draw inspiration from these examples to live a life that stands out for Christ in today's world? [22:51]

7. As you behold the glory of the Lord, what specific aspects of Christ's character do you feel called to reflect more in your own life? How can you intentionally cultivate these traits in your interactions with others? [58:09]

Devotional

Day 1: Living Epistles: Visible Testaments of Faith
Christians are called to be living letters of Christ, known and read by all. This means that our lives should visibly reflect the transformation that Christ has wrought in us, making it evident to everyone around us that we belong to Him. Our lives should be a testament to the truth and power of the Gospel. This transformation is not merely an external adherence to rules or moral codes but a deep, internal change wrought by the Spirit of God. This change is so profound that it becomes apparent to everyone around, much like a letter that is clearly legible and understood by all who read it. [09:21]

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (ESV): "You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

Reflection: In what ways can your life today serve as a visible testament to the transformative power of Christ to those around you?


Day 2: Transformation by the Spirit: A New Creation
The change in a believer's life is not merely external but a profound internal transformation by the Spirit of God. This transformation is a new creation, a radical change that affects every aspect of our being, making us new creatures in Christ. The old covenant, while glorious, was a ministry of condemnation and death, whereas the new covenant is a ministry of righteousness and life. This new life in Christ is marked by liberty, as the Spirit of the Lord brings freedom from the bondage of sin and the law. [37:46]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: What specific area of your life needs the transformative touch of the Holy Spirit today, and how can you invite Him to work in that area?


Day 3: Liberty in Christ: Freedom to Live Righteously
The new covenant brings liberty, freeing us from the bondage of sin and the law. This freedom is not a license to sin but a call to live in the glorious liberty of the children of God, empowered by the Spirit to live righteously. The veil that once blinded the minds of unbelievers is removed in Christ, allowing believers to behold the glory of the Lord and be transformed into His image from glory to glory. [50:47]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

Reflection: How can you use your freedom in Christ today to make choices that reflect His righteousness and love?


Day 4: Intellectual and Moral Revolution: Seeing and Living the Truth
Becoming a Christian involves a profound intellectual and moral change. The veil is removed, allowing us to see the truth of the Gospel, and this truth leads to a moral revolution in our lives, setting us free from the power of sin. This transformation should be so profound that it is unmistakable, much like the early Christians, Puritans, and Methodists, whose lives were radically different from the world around them. [43:31]

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."

Reflection: What is one belief or habit that you need to renew in your mind today to align more closely with the truth of the Gospel?


Day 5: Reflecting Christ's Glory: A Process of Transformation
As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into His image from glory to glory. This transformation is a process, and as we spend time in His presence, we begin to reflect His glory, becoming more like Him in our character and conduct. The transformation should be so profound that it is unmistakable, much like a letter that is clearly legible and understood by all who read it. [58:09]

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

Reflection: How can you intentionally spend time in God's presence today to allow His glory to transform you more into His image?

Quotes



"ye are our epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministered by US Written not with ink but with the spirit of the Living God not in tables of stone but in fleshy tables of the heart" [00:00:35]

"you are our epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men thank God says the Apostle I'm in no difficulty at all in in this matter of defending myself and my reputation because he says fortunately for me you good people the members of the church at Corinth are my recommendation you are my testimonial" [00:08:21]

"what is a Christian well that's what we're told here a Christian is a letter of recommendation for the Lord Jesus Christ he is an epistle an Epistle of Christ known and read of all men now then my dear friends I call your attention to this once more for the same reason as I have had in my mind each evening" [00:09:23]

"you see a Christian is meant to be the recommendation for the gospel its preachers and everything connected with it and so more and more it seems to me that the first business of every believing Christian at the present time is to examine himself or herself and to make sure that we do indeed conform to this picture" [00:10:13]

"ye are our epistle written in our hearts then notice no known and read of all men he says you know you are to be a letter which is so well written so plainly written so perfectly produced that every men and woman can read it without any difficulty whatsoever known and read of all men" [00:12:51]

"the Christian is a person about whom it should be perfectly plain and clear and obvious that he is what he is as the result of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ he stands out he is known and read of all men there's no difficulty about reading no problem of deciphering" [00:15:07]

"the Christian is the man who says you know now I see that nothing matters so much with a man as his soul I never used to see that I couldn't make out what was the matter with those foolish people who still went to church on Sunday but now I see I have come to know that the most important thing about a man is his soul" [00:43:56]

"the Christian is a man who proclaims that he's got Liberty he's been set free Christ had said if the son shall make you free you shall be free indeed he that committeth sin is the servant of sin and the servant abideth not in the house forever but if the son shall set you free he shall be free indeed" [00:50:50]

"we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord what's it mean well it's a glorious statement let me put it to you like this the Apostle once more takes up this great picture" [00:58:09]

"as you look at him as you spend time in his company or as it happened to Moses it begins to happen to you something of the glory and the radiance and The Wonder of Eternity comes into you and it begins to show in your face so that people can tell by looking at your face that you're different" [01:00:35]

"the Apostle says that the difference is this in verse 6 was Al who ha also made us ministers able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter but of the spirit for the letter kth but the spirit giveth life and again in verse 17 now the Lord is that spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty" [00:50:31]

"the Christian is the man who makes the announcement that the veil has been taken away that he can now see oh my friends let's get these things in the right order the first thing that the Christian proclaims is this that he has come to see the truth not that he's had an emotional experience" [00:48:38]

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Transcript
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