New Year's Weight Loss

Background to passage: Paul in his third letter to this troubled, but eventually triumphant church, has spent the better part of the first two chapters giving some information about his travel plans and the changes that had come unexpectedly. He notes how God has used these frustrations to open doors of ministry. Then he proceeds to remind them of the gospel by comparing in to the law of Moses and the glory of the Old Covenant being exceedingly passed by the New Covenant. The reference we must understand for context is Moses’s blinding face as he comes down from the mountain in Ex 34. The specific reference and application in chapter three is that we can look upon the unveiled glory of the Lord. The subsequent application in chapter four is that God has opened our minds to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ/God in the face of God/Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:7–18 ESV

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end,

will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?

For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory.

Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it.

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,

not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.

But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.

Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

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.

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.

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Opening illustration: New Year’s resolutions? Anybody make any? Anybody still holding to them? Top three according to a study from the University of Bath in the UK in 2019: 1) to live healthier (23%), 2) to improve lifestyle routines for more happiness (21%), 3) to lose weight (20%). About 80% fail according to US News and World Report, Dec 2023

Main thought: Last week we explained the importance of and examined our own motivation for this month of fasting and prayer. Motivation is huge, but the goal is also huge. I am going to put forth that there are two major ones that we must consider, and they may lead to a third. This week we will look upon the ultimate goal — 1) seeing the face of God. We will also look upon the penultimate goal of 2) transformation from one degree of glory to another into the image of Christ through the Spirit as we look upon the face of Jesus.

1) The Blazing Internal Center (2 Cor 3:18a, 2 Cor 4:4, 2 Cor 4:6)

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,

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.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1) The Blazing Internal Center (2 Cor 3:18a, 2 Cor 4:4, 2 Cor 4:6)

Explanation: As we go through days of fasting and prayer, as much as we give thought to the individual attributes of God, as much as many of you have expressed how much these devotions have meant to you and empowered your prayer, we must consider the goal.