|
|
|
The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We
have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came
from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are
not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the
Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.
But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil
remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed,
because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when
Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone
turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the
Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory,
are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing
glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2
Corinthians 3:12-18)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For
those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he
called, he also justified; those he justified, he also
glorified. (Romans 8:28-30)
He (Christ) is the
image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15)
The god of this age has
blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the
light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of
God (2 Corinthians 4:4)
We have seen his glory, the
glory of the One and Only (John 1:14)
|
|
Check out
these synonyms for the word "glory”--
magnificence, radiance, splendor, wonder,
grandeur, brilliance, majesty
The word for glory is “doxa”
(where we get the word, “doxology”). A Greek lexicon (dictionary)
defines it so:
(1) as a manifestation of light radiance,
brightness, splendor (AC 22.11); (2) as a manifestation of God's
excellent power glory, majesty (RO 9.23); (3) as an excellent reputation
honor, glory, praise (JN 5.44); (4) as a state characterized by honor,
power, and remarkable appearance glory, splendor (LU 24.26); (5) of a
person created in the image of God reflection, glory (1C 11.7)
In the book of Exodus of the Old Testament, Moses and God would meet in
the "tent of meeting.” When Moses returned to the people of Israel to
tell them what he had been commanded, they were dazzled by the radiance
of his face. When he had finished speaking to them, he used to veil his
face. "But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he
took the veil off, until he came out" (Exodus 34:34). I imagine that
Moses would always return with sunburn on his face.
1.
Why do you think Moses would have such “radiance” on his face?”
2. What
did this radiance communicate to the Israelites about God?
Read 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
1. Why did Moses veil his face?
2. How are
we, as Christians, different from Moses?
3. What is
the “problem” for those who are trying to find God through just the Old
Testament?
4. How is
the veil taken away? How can people see the glory of God? (v. 16)
5.
According to verse 18, who are the ones who are to reflect the Lord’s
glory?
6. The
verse literally reads, “we all, who with unveiled faces, mirror the
Lord's glory, are being transformed into the same image from glory to
glory.”
What,
then, should the Christian life look like?
Give some
examples of how it would look and feel.
Read Romans 8:28-30
1. In verse 28, what are some of the “things” that God works for the
good in the lives of Christians?
2. Are
there things (good or bad) that God is not turning into good?
3.
According to the entire passage, what IS the good, the “purpose” of God?
What is the ultimate destiny of Christians?
4. How is
God transforming everything in your life toward accomplishing this good
in your life?
5. Remember
what we said last week about who Jesus was? As a reminder, look at the
verses highlighted in blue to the left.
In light of who Jesus is, what does it mean to you that you are
destined to be conformed to “the likeness” of Christ (according to
Romans 8:29)?
6. What
does it mean that your destiny is to be “glorified” (according to Romans
8:30)?
7. Back
in 2 Corinthians 3:12, we were told “Therefore, since we have such a
hope, we are very bold.” How does having hope for glory change the way a
Christian lives?
8. How
have you seen this in Christians you admire?
9. How
would you like to see this in your own life? What kind of encouragement
do you need to move toward that?
|
