TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Introduction
There is no doubt today that we are a nation of celebrations. There is everything from national celebrations carved into the fabric of the calendar that governs us to more personal and private reasons to celebrate.
No matter the event, we will find a reason to blow up a balloon, gather together food, assemble some family and friends, meet in a particular place and celebrate. From birthdays to bar mitzvahs; from war victories to wedding veils; we will find a reason to celebrate.
Kool and the Gang back in the day summarized in a song the spirit of the culture with a hit entitled, “Celebrate”. You remember the words:
Refrain
Celebrate good times come on, It’s a celebration
Celebrate good times come on, It’s a celebration
There’s a party going on right here, a celebration to last throughout the year, so bring your good times and your laughter to, we going to celebrate and party with you.
And the church is not immune to this level of fever and fanfare. In the church traditions they celebrated men’s days and women’s days; usher anniversaries, choir days, youth days, shoe rallies, and building dedications.
And yet I must say that even the Bible provides a plethora of celebrations among the Jewish people as ordained by God such as the feast of tabernacle, Passover, and the Pentecost celebration.
When I speak of celebration in the church. I speak of Spirit-filled living that shows deep gratitude for the richness of God’s love and mercy. A celebration in the church is an awesome opportunity to display visibly the provision of God, the faithfulness of God, and the kindness of God.
But I want the members of Galilee Central Baptist Church to know that a celebration is not only a visible validation of God’s faithfulness in the presence of saints and sinners alike, but it should also be a time of balance and discipline.
Today we are here to celebrate A Book written by Sister Tina Baker, balanced with a celebration of The Book inspired by Sovereign Almighty God.
Sister Tina’s book:
On one hand it is a book of encouragement.
On the other hand it is a book of debasement.
On one hand it is a book of direction.
On the other hand it is a book of caution.
On one hand it is a book containing the knowledge of Christ.
On the other hand it is a book of practical application.
But what I admired most about her book was that it forces the reader to take a look himself or herself. It challenges you to confront your prejudices and decide whether you feel that the author is an angry black woman with a vendetta or axe to grind.
Or a wounded sister speaking from the introspection of a life filled with drama, pain, and pressure from choices made by her and choices made for her.
You will have to decide if it is a book that hits the mark offering a change and hope to those swimming in the same lake of experience or is it way off target reflecting only the life happenings of one lone sista.
“Understanding the Pain” is “A Book” that makes you feel and think, but you will have plenty of time to get a copy and read it. This morning I come to express a message from “The Book”, God’s holy Word.
Our celebration today cannot just be merely an outward expression, but also should be an inward reflection. Thus our sermon title, “Take A Look At Yourself.”
What does the text of the hour have to offer us in terms of the needs of this present moment?
The Scripture selection reads:
2 Corinthians 3:17 – 18 Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But 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.
The NLT records it this way:
2 Cor. 3:17 –18 Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
Listen, there in those two verses is defined our two points of thought – liberty in verse 17 and change in verse 18.
Notice that there is reference to liberty before change or what I call transformation. There can be no transformation before there is liberation. If you attempt to have transformation before your liberation then you will become disfigured or deformed.
I have to say it this morning that we have a lot of disfigured and deformed members in our churches. We have a lot of disfigured and deformed deacons in our churches. We have a lot of disfigured and deformed ministers in our churches. We have a lot of disfigured and deformed, yes, I have to say it…ushers in our churches.
You become disfigured and deformed when your outward transformation is not consistent with your inward liberation. And if you are still bound up in your life, then whatever shows up outwardly may just be pretend.
Turn to somebody and tell them, “It is time to take a look at yourself.” Liberty – that defines my first point.
I. Does Your Life Reflect Liberation
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
I know how you’re looking this morning. We realize that you are dressed in Sunday’s best…color, step, and style. But are you free, because if you are not then your celebrating for anyone could be premature or superficial.
Remember I defined celebration as Spirit-filled living that shows deep gratitude for the richness of God’s love and mercy. Take a look at yourself in light of last year --- are you still held captive to sin, are tied to a sense of empty ritualism, still hung up because the elder usher would not go with the new color.
Your mind still full of troubling thoughts, your heart still filled with unforgiveness and malice. You are still only hanging out with the people who like you. Are you still mad because the pastor would not grant his blessing for that anointed project of yours?
Then you are not free. Are others still fighting to get you here on time, get you to smile, get you to the meeting, or get you to practice – then you are not free. The Scriptures declares that where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.
There’s the good news. You can be free by the Spirit of the Lord. But in order to be set free, a person must first realize that he/she is in bondage. In order to break the chains that hold us, we must understand who put those chains on us and how they got there in the first place.
I believe God is holding high the lamp of His Word and saying, “Bring Me your pain, your depression, your guilt, your failure, your discouragement, and your addictions.
Bring me your broken homes, your rebellious children, and your messed up marriages. Bring Me your sin and your circumstances, from every ocean or continent of your existence.”
God is calling His people to break the chains of tyranny because bondage is totally inconsistent with our life in Jesus Christ – the One who said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free,” and “If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
God wants to set you free. And I am not talking about salvation this morning; by liberation or freedom I mean being free from anyone or anything other than Christ that is controlling your life.
Illustration #1
We live in a “Do - it – yourself world.” – I was shopping at Home Depot…
Illustration #2
High Jumper vs. Pole Vaulter
How do I do it Reverend? You can become free by that word in your theme – by faith. The same route to spiritual freedom as a Christian is the same route you took to become a Christian. Faith is living as if God is telling the truth. The essence of faith is taking God at His word. John 15 makes it clear that apart from Christ we can do nothing.
You guys are still looking at me crazy. You remember the singing group Milli Vanilli? They were a big sensation until someone exposed them as a fake because the guys were lip-synching instead of singing themselves.
I’d like to suggest that the lesson to be learned for us is instead of trying to lip-synch the Christian life, faking our way through while mouthing all the right words, God wants us to “life-synch” the Christian life by having complete dependence on Christ by faith.
You can celebrate when over the past year you have in spite of set backs you’re still free. In spite of heartaches you’re still free. In spite of disappointments you’re still free.
Not only do I ask does your life reflect liberation, but I am also asking if your life reflect transformation. This connection is seen in the text.
II. Does Your Life Reflect Transformation
2 Corinthians 3:17 But 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.
“Transformation, to be changed.” The text is indicating that when liberation has set in than transformation can take place. The more Christ is at work in you, the more you will reflect Christ outside of you.
The text in the NLT reads: And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…
Romans 8:28 – 29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
But we don’t add verse 29 which says:
For whom he did for foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Christ wants you to imitate Him completely, becoming the mind and mouth and hands and feet through which He expresses Himself.
Over the years, have you been so transformed that it looks a lot less like you and more like Christ?
I am trying to help somebody this morning to truly celebrate for our sister, but for yourselves also.
If Christ where to come back down in the flesh and replace you on your given Sunday would folks notice the difference?
If Christ were wearing your robe or uniform would the heart for doing it still be the same?
If Christ were wearing your robe or uniform would the time that you arrive look different?
If Christ were walking in your shoes would He have to turn them around and go in another direction?
If Christ were stepping in your isotoners would He have to pull them off or clean them because of where they’ve been?
We are called to transformation. That takes commitment to allow the work of the Holy Spirit to be made complete in us.
Conclusion
Excuse me here – I didn’t come all the way back home here to merely celebrate a book, but to celebrate “the book” that has helped liberated me and transformed me.
I’ve come to praise the One who woke me up this morning.
I’ve come to praise the One who took care of me.
I’ve come to praise the One who sheltered me.
I’ve come to praise the One who protected me.
I’ve come to praise the One who died for me.
I’ve come to praise the One who suffered for me.
I’ve come to praise the One who died for me.
I’ve come to praise the One who was buried for me.
I’ve come to praise the One who got up early one Sunday morning for me.
Is there anybody here ... that will help me praise Him?
Is there anybody here … that will help me lift Him up?
Is there anybody here…that will help me praise Him in the dance?
Is there anybody here … that will help me praise Him with the instruments?
Is there anybody here…that will help me praise Him with my hands?
Is there anybody here…that will help me praise Him with my offering?
Is there anybody here…that will help me praise Him with my lips?
