About 30 years ago, I started to see poems and prayers pop up on my mom’s refrigerator. They read something like this: “Lord, don’t me become a mean old woman. Help me become sweeter and sweeter as I grow older and older.”
I called her yesterday and asked her about those poems and prayers. My mom is 81 now. She said, “I’ll have to send you something new I have on the fridge.” I asked, “What’s it say?” “Well, I can’t quote it exactly. But it says something like, ‘When I mess up don’t let my kids treat me bad.’” I laughed, “So, now that you’ve become this mean old woman that you didn’t want to become, you don’t want us to be mean back, right?”
She just laughed. I love to hear my mom’s laugh. She’s not a mean old woman. She had a stroke a few years ago and is pretty much shut down on her left side. Her face is drawn. She said she went to the doctor and found out that she has arthritis in her back. So, she’s in pain sitting, standing, or lying down. But she still laughs.
Why the prayers and the poems about not becoming a mean old woman? Why the urgency? It’s because she’s seen a lot of crabby older people in her life. I read a quote this past week, “Old age puts more wrinkles in our minds than on our faces. We rarely see a soul that in growing old does not come to smell sour and musty.”
Why do some people grow sour instead of sweet? Why do some people grow sweet instead of sour? Is it just their basic personality? Their environment? Genetics? Am I doomed to grow sweet or sour no matter what?
God says that we’re not doomed. God says that we can truly change. God says that we can actually become more loving and joyful and peaceful. This glory He has? He wants to share it with us!
Think about the one thing in yourself that you would most like to see changed before you get too old. Or better, what would those closest to you say that they would like to see changed in your life?
God’s goal is to make us better, not bitter. He is out to completely transform us.
Look at the front of your worship guide. Next week, we begin a new series: Pierced. Use this to invite a friend or family member. We’ll be looking at Isaiah 53.
Today, let’s wrap up our study form II Corinthians 3:18.
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.
II Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)
In week one in our series, we looked at “Where change begins…” Our focus was this phrase, “And we all, with unveiled face…”
We asked, “What’s it going to take for us to be more and more like Christ? To get more love and joy and peace and gentleness going in our lives?” We discovered that a spiritual veil has to be removed. So, we need to pray something like this: “God change me from being heard-headed and dark-hearted to a person whose mind is soft to Your truth and a person who has a heart that can see Your beauty.”
Two weeks ago, we learned, “How change happens…” The part of the verse we studied was, “Beholding the glory of the Lord.”
Grow up hanging around your mom or dad and you’ll find yourself unconsciously reflecting a thousand of their attitudes and actions. Sometimes, when I’m driving, I look down at my hands and see my dad’s hands. You become like what you look at.
We see and savor the Savior and grow to become like Him. You’ve tried and tried to make yourself better. It’s time to change God’s way. The idea is: “Behold and be like.”
Last week, we saw what to do “When change gets tough…” We thought about what it means to be “transformed into the same image.”
It’s a metamorphosis that God is after in us – a change from the inside out. God wants us to “morph” into walking, talking icons of Jesus.
Today, we’re considering, “What change looks like.” The part of the verse we’ll
examine today is “from one degree of glory to another.” As we think through this phrase, we’ll see more clearly what this change actually looks like. In the Greek the phrase is…
apo doxas eis doxan… from glory into glory. I’m reminded of rock climbing. Rock climbers go from one height to the next, from one hold to the next until they each the top. From glory to glory.
doxa – glory, magnificence, majesty, excellence.
From magnificence into magnificence. From majesty to majesty. From excellence to excellence.
with ever-increasing glory (NIV)
in ever-increasing splendor (Phillips)
ever greater degree of glory (GNT)
Doxa. Glory. It’s a word that’s used to describe the splendor and brightness of the sun, the moon, and the stars. You ask, “This kind of glory is for me?” Yes!
This is a different kind of glory than the kind of glory we praise in our world. We see people getting promoted to CEO or crossing the finish line first or winning an Oscar or taking home a Grammy. They get lots of applause and recognition. They get their name in the paper. That’s a kind of glory.
But this is a different kind of glory. This is a glory that doesn’t fade away. This is a glory that isn’t about us. This is a shared glory – God’s glory.
In the book, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, we’ve learned some thing about Jesus’ glory. It’s the kind of glory we’re invited to share.
In one chapter, we se that Jesus is a lion-like Lamb and a lamb-like Lion. In Christ we see an “admirable conjunction of divine excellencies.” To see that Jesus is a Lion is to see His strength. To see that Jesus is a lamb is to see His sacrifice. He is both tough and tender, majestic and meek. That’s one facet of His glory.
We’ve been invited to share this glory.
Some of us are tempted to be tough when we need to be tender. Others of us tend to be tender when we need to be tough. When we behold the glory of the lion-like Lamb and the lamb-like Lion, we’ll grow more and more to be like Him. People will say about us, “You give me the arm around the shoulder just when I need it. And you give me the kick I the seat of the pants just when I need it. How do you do that?” Inside, you’ll know that it’s the shared glory of Jesus in you – a perfect blend of toughness and tenderness.
In another chapter, we learn about the glory of the gladness of Jesus – that He has been “anointed with the oil of gladness above His companions. Yet He was a man of sorrows and aquainted with grief. In spite of His suffering, His joy was indestructible. As Piper says, He is “the happiest being in the universe.”
We’ve been invited to share this glory.
Trauma and trouble and trial will come our way. But as we behold the glory of the gladness of Jesus, we’ll become more and more like Him. Poeple will say about us, “Your joy in spite of the difficulty you’re facing is irresistible. How do you do that?” Inside, you’ll know that it’s the shared glory of Jesus in you because it’s Jesus who is making a rainbow in the tears on your face.
In another chapter, we explore the glory of the wisdom of Jesus. Nothing confuses Him. There is no fact He does not know, no problem He cannot solve, no event He cannot explain. His wisdom is another facet of His glory.
We’ve been invited to share this glory.
We have questions. The people around us have questions. Where should I go? What should I do? When should I act? How should I be? Life is full of choices and decisions. We need wisdom for ourselves and the people we love. As we behold the glory of the wisdom of Jesus, we’ll become more and more like Him. People will say about us, You seen to know just the right thing to say. You seem to know the right thing to do. How do you do that?” Inside, you’ll know that it’s the shared glory of Jesus in you. You’re drawing from the well of His wisdom.
This is what it means to become like Jesus. This is the glory that you and I can have.
Are you living out this glory?
I’m not. Not by a long shot. It’s tempting to think that after all these years of seeking to grow to be like Jesus and failing over and over, Jesus would be ready to give up on me and say, “I’m tired of your act, Duncan.” The good news is that just as He said you can share My glory years ago when I was a little guy, He’s still saying “You can share My glory” today. And He says it to you. He hasn’t given up on me. And He hasn’t given up on you.
Fast facts about God’s glory…
1. We sabotage the glory.
What God wants to do in you is restore the image of God that was lost through the fall. In Christ we can see not only the radiance of God’s glory but also the true image of man.
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
We sabotage the glory.
2. We see the glory.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (ESV)
We were wretched, wicked, vile, godless sinners on our way to hell. The God, in His sovereign grace, picked us out – chose us for salvation – in order that He might eternally make us like His own Son.
We see the glory.
3. We share the glory.
Once we come to faith, we are to be moving more and more to experience the glory of reflecting His image.
The image of God, which has been defaced by sin is being repaired within us. This is a continuous process through our whole life. It is little by little that God causes His glory to shine in us. Colossians 3:10 says that all true followers of Jesus have “put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of Him that created him”.
From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 2:13b-14 (NIV)
Walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
I Thessalonians 2:12 (ESV)
He called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 2:14 (ESV)
This happens little by little. Quit looking for the quick fix. “I’ll go to that seminar. I’ll get this worship CD. I’ll read that book. I’ll go to this church. I’ll start listening to that pastor. I’ll g to this church. I’ll go to a service where they will cast out the spirit of lust or anger or impatience.”
I didn’t see a dramatic change. So, I quit.
No! The people who are transformed are the ones who persevere. It happens step by step – from one degree of glory to the next.
God’s transformation process is a progressive process. We are made more glorious, more Christ-like, as time goes on. This means we need to be patient with ourselves in the process. And, by the way, we need to be patient with others… and with how God is changing them.
We share the glory.
4. We seek the glory.
Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:1b-2, 4 (ESV)
Do you really see God as lovable, as joy-producing? If your answer is “Not really, “then you’re not seeing Him correctly. You haven’t really seen God. You’re only seeing a false god, one you’ve made up or one who’s been introduced to you. The true God is a radiant, happy, friendly, accessible God. If He’s not that to you, then you need to look in a different way.
We seek the glory.
5. We show the glory.
Don’t get stuck in your current level of glory. “Well, you know, I used to teach and I used to study the Bible and I used to be in a Bible study and I remember when I led a guy to the Lord…” You can’t move forward to the next glory if you’re anchored to the current glory.
When you are climbing a cliff, the goal is to get to the top, to see the view, to make it to the pinnacle. What’s the peak for a Christ-follower? Getting to heaven? No! seeing the glory of Christ and sharing in that glory. In fact, that’s what Jesus prayed for us in John 17:24
The righteous will shine like the sun…
Matthew 13:43a (ESV)
We will share His treasures--for everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.
Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later.
Romans 8:17-18 (NLT)
Take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights…
Isaiah 58:14a (ESV)
We show the glory.
There are some obstacles to overcome if we are going to go from one degree of glory to the next.
(Please start the video now!)
Maybe we can earn some lessons from some rock climbers.
* * *
I’m here at Kendall Cliffs in Peninsula. This is the only professionally-designed and built rock gym in the state. They built 7,000 square feet of rock climbing surface. Peak height? 35 feet.
I’m no rock climber, but I’ve learned a little about it in the last few days. It shows us some of what it means for us to go “from one degree of glory to another.”
Everyone knows that climbing takes strength, but the most important muscle, according to one rock climbing expert, doesn’t require weight lifting. The most important muscle is the mind. You have to win the battle of emotions: fear, doubt, excitement. They say that climbing is like solving a puzzle. You have to find the most efficient route.
To go from one degree of glory to another,
I must overcome…
fear
We’re afraid of what might happen to us if we really get serious about being like Christ. You have to overcome fear in rock climbing, too. When you learn rock climbing, you’ll learn how to belay. It’s holding the rope for a climber, securing a climber with a rope. If your foot slips or your hands get tired, you’re still safe. It’s a great image of how God’s wants us to go from glory to glory, from one height to the next. Once you hook up to God by putting your faith in Christ, you won’t fall. He has you and He won’t let you go.
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB)
doubt
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 (ESV)
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (NABS)
discouragement
To go from one degree of glory to the next, you have to overcome discouragement. 25 years ago, Chuck Swindoll wrote a book called “Three steps forward and two steps back.” It’s a great title because it’s our real life experience. We go three steps toward glory and then two steps back. Sometimes it feels more like three steps forward and five steps back. We can get discouraged and want to quit because we focus on those backward steps – what we think are our failures.
But don’t forget: Sometimes in rock climbing, you have to go down to go up. Or you have to go over to go up. But over time, the forward steps outnumber the downward steps. When you step back and look at where you were and look at where you are, you’ll say, “I’m changing. I’m being transformed. I’m not the same.”
Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
The more you practice, the better you’ll be. You can’t stop. You can’t turn back. Keep on going! From glory to glory. You can make it. When you reach the top, you’ll be glad you kept trusting the Lord. You’ll be glad you kept striving to take the next step.
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.
Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NIV)
* * *
A climber who looks down to see how far he would fall freezes with fear. If you’re afraid to go to the next level, remember, Jesus won’t let you fall.
A rock climber can’t have doubts. And neither can people going from glory to glory with Jesus. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
A rock climber can’t be discouraged if he has to go down before he can go up.
And we should never quit because past sins or difficulties.
The most glory you can get for your life is to be like Christ. It’s not about me, it’s about Jesus!
If you had to compare your life with Christ right now to climbing a mountain, where would you be:
• Sitting on the sidelines?
• Putting your gear on and warming up?
• Giving it your all and gutting it out?
• Giving up?
Don’t give up! Look up!
A point to ponder: Jesus longs to share His glory with me.
A verse to remember: The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:18-19 (NIV)
A question to consider: What is the next level of glory that Jesus wants me to experience?
I’ve thought about why those prayers and poems on mom’s refrigerator left such an impression on me. It’s because I truly want to go from glory to glory as I grow older. And it’s because we don’t often see that happen.
I’ve spoken at lots of funerals over the years. Sometimes it’s hard to find goof stuff to say. But I’ve had a few funerals – a small number – where I’ve almost had to say, “Stop! Don’t give me any more stories. I have way too much to share already.”
One of those few was a lady named Mary Ann Chapek. She was one of those who became sweeter and sweeter as she grew older. She went from one degree of glory to the next.
Toughness and tenderness? I can remember a time when she was like the Lamb-like Lion – tough in her love toward her husband, Lenny, saying some things needed to be changed in her marriage. And when God got Lenny’s attention and things did change, she showed a tenderness toward him.
Indestructible joy? People said that in spite of the fact that she was dying from cancer, she was “an advertisement for heaven – a testimony to our Lord’s victory over death?” She had no fear about dying. Her nurses at the Clinic were in awe. They couldn’t stop talking together about this woman. They said that they’d never seen anything like it.
Irresistible wisdom? When Mary Ann found out that her last cancer treatment failed, she was found sitting on the end of her roommate’s hospital bed encouraging her, “God never makes a mistake. He’s going to see you through this.”
The Bible says that when Moses saw the glory of God, His face was radiant.
Mary Ann had that. The members of her community group said, “Mary Ann always had a wonderful sparkle in her eyes.” The hospital staff said after she died, “I walked the room by every day. I know the presence of God was in that room. I could see a glow around her head.”
She was one of the few. Jesus invited her to go from one degree of glory to the next. And she was among the few who said, “Yes!”
Will you be one of the few? Will this church be filled with the few?
