I. Recap of Part I and Intro to Part II.
A. Recap.
1. Three times in the Word, the Lord says that “The glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.”
2. Glory is weight and worth, reputation and radiance. Glory is God’s holiness and awe that is manifested in brilliant light.
3. God is revealing more and more of His glory throughout history. Moses face shone in the OT, the Lord Jesus shone on the Mt of Transfiguration and the glory now shines in our hearts. In the NHNE, we will live in the full light of God’s glory, without the sun or the moon.
4. And God has given us His glory, by virtue of being made in His image, by giving us a deposit of the same glory that was in Jesus and by the Spirit working through trials and suffering to produce an eternal weight of glory in us.
5. Now the Lord is calling us to meet Him in times of prayer and the Word so that He can nourish and heal our souls. But many are pre-occupied with the offenses of others and many are running from this meeting with the Lord. But He is pursuing us because our souls need His healing love.
B. Intro.
1. Today we’re going to look at this meeting with the Lord.
2. We’ll see that this is where our sanctification begins & our souls are healed.
3. And we will also see that these times of encountering the Lord should make us bold, confident and unashamed.
4. The God Who made the top of Sinai glow and Moses’ face shine wants to fill us with His glory and make us shine with His love.
5. This is what happens when we meet the Lord face to face. You might go into these times in fear, but you will always come out in freedom.
II. Text: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11
A. NKJV
7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
B. NLV
7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
C. Vs 7-11 Breakdown.
1. Vs 7 “…the ministry of death…”? Speaking of the Law (written and engraved on stones)
a. 1 Cor 15:56 “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”
b. Rom 7:5 “For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.”
c. The problem was not with the law, but with us. If we were righteous and could obey God’s law, then we would not sin and not die.
d. Gal 3:24 “…the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ.”
e. The law shows us that there is a God above us and against us, Jesus showed us that God loves us and is for us.
2. But even the Law, the ministry of death, had glory. The Old Covenant revealed God’s holiness, but couldn’t restore it.
3. Vs 8 “Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?”
4. Since now we live under the New Covenant, the ministry of life, and now we encounter the Lord Spirit to spirit, we should expect great glory to be revealed in us than the glory that shone in the face of Moses.
5. The New Covenant reveals God’s holiness and imparts it to us.
a. In the OT, the Law was written on stone, now God’s law is written on our hearts.
b. In the OT, one man’s face shone, now we all shine with the holiness of God.
6. There are some who say that God’s glory will not make anyone shine as Moses did because the OT is fulfilled and God is doing something new in the NT.
a. But here Paul says we should expect more because the NT is even more glorious.
b. People don’t like to hear this because they’re afraid of emotionally driven false experiences, etc. (And they should avoid those things.)
c. People say that this doesn’t happen anymore because in the OT the glory was outside of us and in the NT, the glory is within us.
d. But if the glory of Covenant 1.0 which hovered outside us made Moses shine, then how much the glory of covenant 2.0 which shines from the inside out?
7. TO BE CLEAR… We must seek to encounter Jesus, not to have a spiritual experience. We must sit at the Master’s feet, not chase a manifestation.
D. Glowing saints from the Early Church, the Desert Fathers & Medieval Saints.
1. Shining with the glory of God is not just biblical history. Throughout the centuries, God’s glory has been seen on the faces of those who pursue Him.
2. St. Anthony the Great (c. 251–356) Athanasius of Alexandria wrote that when visitors saw Anthony after long times of prayer and fasting, “his face was radiant with the joy of the Lord, and his body seemed filled with light.”
3. St. Seraphim of Sarov (1754–1833) His disciple Motovilov testified that during a conversation about the Holy Spirit, Seraphim’s face began to shine like the sun, and Motovilov could barely look at him. The snow around them reflected the brilliance.
4. St. Macarius of Egypt (4th century) Witnesses claimed that when he prayed in solitude, a heavenly light surrounded his cell, visible even from a distance.
5. St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) His companions said that after praying through the night, his face often appeared illuminated, and his eyes shone “as if reflecting a hidden fire.”
6. St. Catherine of Siena (1347–1380) Witnesses said that in ecstatic prayer she was seen “glowing with a soft light,” & her body would “shine with the brightness of heaven.”
7. St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582) and St. John of the Cross (1542–1591) Both Carmelite mystics described inner and outer radiance as signs of union with God. In some accounts, their faces glowed during moments of deep ecstasy.
8. St. Philip Neri (1515–1595) During prayer, witnesses reported that his face would shine and his heart beat so strongly from divine love that it physically expanded his chest.
9. These accounts are from different centuries and different countries, but they are the same story. Those who look into the face of Jesus come away shining with His glory.
E. Vs 9-11.
1. Vs 9-11 Restate the principle: the old way that brought death was glorious, but the new way which brings life is even more glorious, so expect it.
2. So we should raise our expectations for experiencing the glory of the Lord when we encounter Jesus. What are we expecting? We’ll look more deeply into this in a moment.
III. Text: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
A. NKJV
12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
B. NLV
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
C. Vs 12&13
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
1. This is referring to Exodus 34:29-35
29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.
2. First, we should not be afraid to encounter the Lord. Many of us are afraid to spend time with the Lord in prayer because we are mindful of our past, our sin, the things we know we should change but seem to be unable to change, etc.
a. John 3:19-21 People fear the light because they know their sin will be exposed.
b. But we are not just walking into God’s LIGHT, we are entering into His LOVE.
c. 1 John 4:18 “ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because
fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
d. When you meet with Jesus, you’re not walking into a courtroom, you’re walking into a healing room.
3. Second, an encounter with the love and glory of God should make us BOLD, CONFIDENT and UNASHAMED.
a. If we meet with God face to face and He doesn’t condemn us, what can any person do to us?
b. If God has a high opinion of you, does it matter what anyone else thinks of you?
4. Third, come away from those encounters shining boldly and confidently with the love and light of Jesus. Jesus said…
a. John 8:12“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
b. Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
5. So don’t be afraid to meet with the Lord and don’t be afraid to come out shining. Be BOLD, CONFIDENT and UNASHAMED.
6. Moses covered his face because people were afraid of his shining. But Jesus tore the veil, so don’t be ashamed to glow with glory. Don’t put your light under a bushel, put it on a lamp stand.
7. BUT… some will be afraid of our glow. Just as the Hebrews were afraid to approach Moses because of his shining face, some people will be afraid of the glory that shines on us.
a. John 3:19-21
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”
7. We need to ask the Lord to set us completely free of the fear of man, the fear of rejection and approval seeking because those things will make us hide our light.
a. If they are afraid of you’re light, it’s because the light is bringing conviction.
b. Train yourself not to take it personally and don’t turn the light off.
D. Vs 14-17.
14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. 16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
1. Vs 14 hardened minds: calloused, the heart becomes dull, no spiritual or deeper understanding.
2. The veil is only removed by believing in Christ because only He can us give a new heart. The only way to understand the Word or any true spiritual principles is by being born again and receiving a new, uncalloused heart.
a. In 1 Cor 2 the Word says that these things are revealed by the Spirit and the natural mind can’t understand them.
b. Natural minded people with calloused hearts even consider these things to be foolish.
3. AS WE APPROACH THE HOLIDAY SEASON… try to remember this when you visit with unsaved loved ones and friends.
a. Don’t try to make them understand, don’t try to debate them, etc.
b. They will not get it until they turn to Christ, so keep sharing the gospel until it breaks through.
c. AND PLEASE… train yourself not to take their rejection, criticism or distance from you personally…. it’s not about you, it’s the conviction they feel from your light.
4. TAKE GREAT CARE NOT TO JOIN IN THE INDULGENCE OF THE FLESH AMONG THEM.
a. Philippians 2:14&15 among whom you shine as lights among them…
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless (innocent), children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…
E. Vs 18
18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord— who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. NLV
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV
1. We have turned to Christ and have received a new heart so we can understand spiritual truth that God reveals to us through His Word and by His Spirit.
2. These encounters with the Lord are the source of our sanctification. Now, as we spend time in the presence of the Lord like Moses, we become like Jesus.
a. God’s shines in brilliance, Moses spent time in God’s presence, so he shined.
b. Jesus said “I am the Light of the World” and “You are the light of the world.”
3. “Beholding as in a mirror…” What a bold statement. Mirrors in Paul’s day did not give a perfect representation of the person’s image.
a. Not made of glass but polished metal that reflected a blurry, image.
b. As we look into the mirror at Jesus, we don’t see Him perfectly as He is yet, but His image is becoming more clear as we grow in Christ by the Spirit.
4. ANALOGY:
a. Imagine looking into the mirror and seeing the image of Jesus superimposed over your image. You see some of Him and yourself at the same time.
b. Some parts just blend together, we were created in His image and likeness.
c. And some parts are still vastly different.
d. But as we keep going to the mirror, day after day, we begin to see more of Jesus and less of us.
e. And this is a great thing because Jesus is better looking than us!
f. Not speaking physically, but in holiness.
5. And one day, when we see the Lord in full at His return, we will become just like Him.
a. 1 John 3:2&3
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
b. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
6. How often do you look in the mirror? How often do you meet with the Lord?
a. Some days the reflection seems blurry, but keep looking.
b. Every encounter with Jesus is like a makeover for the soul.
V. Closing.
A. God has made His glory more available to us now than it was in the past.
1. Don’t be afraid to meet with Him because of shame, guilt, condemnation. Come to the light and let Him wash you, affirm you, heal you, etc.
a. The Hebrews delegated communion with God to Moses, but God doesn’t allow this anymore.
2. Let your encounters with the Lord fill you with boldness and confidence. Repent of any fear of man, fear of rejection and approval seeking.
3. And come away from those times shining with God’s love and light. Accept that some folks will avoid you because they are convicted by your light.
a. Train yourself to not be offended and pray for them.
B. The source of our sanctification.
1. These times of meeting with the Lord are the source of our sanctification. This is how we become like Jesus.
2. These encounters are like looking into a mirror and seeing what needs to be washed, changed and made more like Him.
C. Closing thoughts.
1. The glory of God isn’t a theory — it’s an encounter. The same God who met Moses on the mountain now meets us in the secret place.
2. He’s not calling you to perform for Him, but to behold Him. And as you behold Him, you’ll begin to reflect Him.
3. Don’t run from the light — run into it. Don’t cover the glow — let it show.
4. Every time you meet with Jesus, the veil gets thinner, the reflection gets clearer, and the light grows stronger.
5. So this week — look in the mirror again. Open the Word. Sit still before Him. Let His gaze heal you, wash you, and fill you until His face shines from yours.
6. Because we don’t just carry the glory, we become it.