Transforming Glory: Embracing the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Transformative Glory of the New Covenant

The New Covenant is marked by a transformative glory that continually changes believers from one degree of glory to another. Unlike the Old Covenant, which had a fading glory, the New Covenant offers a dynamic and ongoing transformation into the likeness of Christ. This transformation is a sign of true spiritual growth and Christlikeness, as believers are not meant to remain static in their faith but to be ever-growing and evolving in their spiritual journey. The glory of the New Covenant is not just about an initial excitement but about a sustained and deepening relationship with Christ that reflects His image more and more. [01:26]

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: In what ways can you actively seek to experience the transformative glory of the New Covenant in your daily life this week?

Day 2: The Dual Hope of Christians

As Christians, our hope is not only to see Jesus but to be like Him. This dual hope should motivate believers to continually purify themselves, striving to reach Christ's standard of purity. The process of becoming like Christ involves a deep commitment to personal holiness and a desire to reflect His character in every aspect of life. This hope is not passive but active, driving believers to engage in practices that foster spiritual growth and transformation. By focusing on this dual hope, Christians can align their lives with the ultimate goal of Christlikeness. [05:00]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to purify yourself and align your life with the hope of becoming like Christ?

Day 3: The Essentiality of a Clear Conscience

A clear conscience is vital for spiritual growth and transformation. By promptly addressing sin and seeking forgiveness, believers remove the veil that hinders them from seeing the glory of Jesus and becoming like Him. The Apostle Paul emphasized the importance of living with a blameless conscience before God and men, which involves being quick to confess and repent of any wrongdoing. A clear conscience allows believers to experience the fullness of God's presence and to be transformed by His glory. It is a crucial aspect of living under the New Covenant and pursuing Christlikeness. [13:47]

Acts 24:16 (ESV): "So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man."

Reflection: Is there someone you need to seek forgiveness from today to maintain a clear conscience before God and others?

Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Role in Revealing Jesus' Glory

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in revealing the glory of Jesus to believers through the Word of God. As believers behold His glory, they are transformed into His image, reflecting His character and compassion in their lives. The Holy Spirit acts as a guide, helping believers to understand and apply the truths of Scripture in a way that leads to spiritual growth and transformation. By relying on the Holy Spirit, believers can experience the transformative power of God's Word and become more like Christ in their daily lives. [09:45]

John 16:13-14 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Jesus' glory to you through your study of the Word this week?

Day 5: Prioritizing Spiritual Growth and Christlikeness

Valuing spiritual growth and Christlikeness above all else is crucial for believers. This involves prioritizing a clear conscience and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them into the likeness of Christ. By focusing on spiritual growth, believers can ensure that their lives reflect the ever-increasing glory of God. This requires a commitment to personal holiness, a willingness to be transformed, and a desire to reflect Christ's character in every aspect of life. By making spiritual growth a priority, believers can experience the fullness of life under the New Covenant. [15:27]

Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take to prioritize spiritual growth and Christlikeness in your life today?

Sermon Summary

In our journey of faith, understanding the distinction between the Old and New Covenants is crucial. The Old Covenant, as described in 2 Corinthians 3, was a ministry of the letter that kills, while the New Covenant is a ministry of the Spirit that gives life. The Old Covenant had its glory, but it was a fading glory, much like the initial excitement many feel when they first come to faith, only to find it diminishing over time. This fading glory is a sign of living under the Old Covenant. In contrast, the New Covenant promises a glory that transforms us from glory to glory, continually growing and becoming more like Christ.

Many believers mistakenly live under the Old Covenant, even while attending churches that preach the New Covenant. The true mark of living under the New Covenant is a life that is not static but is constantly being transformed into the likeness of Christ. This transformation is not about maintaining a steady spiritual state but about an ever-increasing glory that reflects the image of Jesus.

Our hope as Christians is not merely to see Jesus when He returns but to be like Him. This hope should drive us to purify ourselves continually, striving to reach Christ's standard of purity. This process involves allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the glory of Jesus to us through the Word of God, which acts as a mirror. As we behold His glory, we are transformed into His image.

A clear conscience is vital in this journey. The Apostle Paul emphasized living with a blameless conscience before God and men. This means promptly addressing any sin or failure, whether in thought, word, or deed, and seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged. A clear conscience removes the veil that hinders us from seeing the glory of Jesus and becoming like Him.

Ultimately, the New Covenant life is about seeing Jesus clearly and being transformed by His glory. It is about valuing spiritual growth and Christlikeness above all else, ensuring that our lives reflect the ever-increasing glory of God.

Key Takeaways

1. The New Covenant is characterized by a glory that transforms us from glory to glory, unlike the fading glory of the Old Covenant. This transformation is a sign of true spiritual growth and Christlikeness. [01:26]
2. Our hope as Christians is not just to see Jesus but to be like Him. This dual hope should motivate us to purify ourselves continually, striving to reach Christ's standard of purity. [05:00]
3. A clear conscience is essential for spiritual growth. By promptly addressing sin and seeking forgiveness, we remove the veil that hinders us from seeing the glory of Jesus and becoming like Him. [13:47]
4. The Holy Spirit reveals the glory of Jesus to us through the Word of God. As we behold His glory, we are transformed into His image, reflecting His character and compassion in our lives. [09:45]
5. Valuing spiritual growth and Christlikeness above all else is crucial. This involves prioritizing a clear conscience and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. [15:27]
** [15:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Introduction to the New Covenant
[00:47] - The Fading Glory of the Old Covenant
[01:26] - Transforming Glory of the New Covenant
[02:38] - Living Under the Old Covenant
[03:25] - The True Christian Hope
[04:12] - Misconceptions About Heaven
[05:14] - The Double Hope of Christians
[06:11] - Seeing the Glory of Jesus
[07:52] - The Veil of the Old Covenant
[08:46] - The Presence of Jesus
[09:45] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[10:42] - Lessons from the Gospels
[12:55] - The Importance of a Clear Conscience
[13:47] - Paul's Example of a Blameless Conscience
[15:27] - Prioritizing Christlikeness

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

2 Corinthians 3:6-18
1 John 3:2-3
Acts 24:16

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Observation Questions:

According to 2 Corinthians 3, what is the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant in terms of glory? How does this relate to the concept of spiritual growth? [00:26]
In 1 John 3:2-3, what are the two aspects of hope mentioned for believers? How does this hope influence a believer's life? [05:00]
How does Acts 24:16 describe the importance of a clear conscience in the life of a believer? What does Paul emphasize about maintaining a blameless conscience? [13:47]
What role does the Holy Spirit play in transforming believers according to 2 Corinthians 3:18? How is this transformation described? [09:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the fading glory of the Old Covenant serve as a metaphor for a stagnant spiritual life? What might cause a believer to revert to an Old Covenant mindset? [01:14]
What does it mean to purify oneself to reach Christ's standard of purity as mentioned in 1 John 3:3? How can this be practically pursued in a believer's life? [05:27]
In what ways does a clear conscience remove the veil that hinders believers from seeing the glory of Jesus? How does this concept relate to spiritual growth and Christlikeness? [13:47]
How does the Holy Spirit reveal the glory of Jesus through the Word of God, and why is this important for a believer's transformation? [09:45]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your spiritual journey. Have you experienced a fading glory similar to the Old Covenant, or are you seeing an ever-increasing glory in your life? What steps can you take to ensure continual growth? [01:14]
The sermon emphasized the dual hope of seeing Jesus and being like Him. How does this hope influence your daily decisions and actions? What practical steps can you take to align your life with this hope? [05:00]
Maintaining a clear conscience is crucial for spiritual growth. Are there any unresolved issues or sins in your life that need addressing? How can you seek forgiveness and restore relationships this week? [13:47]
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in transforming believers. How can you be more open to the Holy Spirit's work in your life? Are there specific areas where you need to invite His guidance and transformation? [09:45]
Consider the role of the Word of God as a mirror in your life. How can you use Scripture to see the glory of Jesus more clearly? What specific passages or practices can help you in this pursuit? [09:45]
The sermon highlighted the importance of valuing spiritual growth and Christlikeness above all else. What are some distractions or priorities in your life that might be hindering this focus? How can you realign your priorities to reflect this value? [15:27]
Think about a recent situation where you struggled to maintain a clear conscience. What could you have done differently, and how can you apply this learning to future situations? [13:47]

Sermon Clips

The Old Covenant was of the letter that kills, but the New Covenant is a ministry of the spirit that gives life. It doesn't mean there was no glory in the Old Covenant. Even that Ministry of death came with glory because there was a glory in the face of Moses, but that glory faded away. [00:00:30]

In the New Covenant, it is not a glory that fades away. On the contrary, it is a glory that becomes from glory to glory. It's not just steady but goes up and up. If you find that the glory in your life is going down, you are under the Old Covenant. [00:01:26]

The New Covenant is described as we see the glory of Jesus in a mirror and are transformed by the Holy Spirit from glory to glory. When does it stop? It stops when we become like Christ, never before that. Here's another way to discover whether you're living under the Old Covenant. [00:02:16]

Our hope at the second coming is not just that Christ will come again and we will see Him face to face. The Bible says the hope is twofold: we will be like Him, and we will see Him. So, what is my hope? Not just that I will see Jesus, but I will see Jesus and I will be like Him. [00:03:11]

Everyone who has this double hope will keep on purifying himself until he reaches Christ's standard of purity. If you are not doing that, you do not have this hope. I want to be very plain with you. I don't want to misspeak smooth words with you and make you miss out on God's plan for your life. [00:05:14]

Allow the Holy Spirit to show me the glory of Jesus Christ in the mirror. The mirror is the word of God. As I look into the mirror, many people look into the mirror of God's Word to get a message. Those are the self-centered preachers who are trying to get a message to get honor. [00:06:11]

We look into the mirror of God's Word not even to get a doctrine but to see the glory of Jesus Christ. Do you see that we all, without a veil on our face, see in God's Word the glory of the Lord? The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament showed people the law. [00:07:52]

The Holy Spirit has come to show me the glory of Jesus Christ in Scripture, and that's been a tremendous blessing to me to read the Gospels. I will encourage you to read the Gospels like this, where you read the Gospels not to hear the stories but to see the glory of Jesus. [00:09:45]

The secret is to see Jesus clearly without a veil. What are the things that bring a veil? I believe one of the main things is having a bad conscience. If I have a bad conscience, I cannot see the Lord. That is impossible. Most important, see what the Apostle Paul said. [00:12:55]

Paul said in Acts 23:1, all my life I have lived with a perfectly good conscience till this day. That means from the time he was a little kid as a Jew under the Old Covenant, he had lived with a good conscience. In Acts 24:16, he raised it to a higher level. [00:13:47]

I keep my conscience blameless before God and before men 24/7. That's possible only through the Holy Spirit, where every single moment I can live without a veil before God. I can see the Lord Jesus clearly before my eyes. I can talk to my father without any disturbance in my conscience. [00:15:27]

If you're not becoming more and more like Christ year by year, there is one answer to it: you are not keeping your conscience clear all the time. There's a veil; you don't see the glory of Jesus. You will not become like Him. Follow this simple rule: start with a clear conscience. [00:15:59]

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Transforming Glory: Embracing the New Covenant

Devotional

Day 1: Transformative Glory of the New Covenant

Day 2: The Dual Hope of Christians

Day 3: The Essentiality of a Clear Conscience

Day 4: The Holy Spirit's Role in Revealing Jesus' Glory

Day 5: Prioritizing Spiritual Growth and Christlikeness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Transforming Glory: Embracing the New Covenant

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