Reflecting His Glory
A Sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:18
Scripture
18But 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.
Sermon Description
What does it mean to reflect the glory of Christ? In this sermon from 2 Corinthians 3:18, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds on this question. He says that man was created good and in the image of God. But man was tempted to sin by the serpent and rebelled against God. While man is still in the image of God, he is nevertheless full of sin and immorality. But in the Gospel, God has sent His only Son in order that the grip of sin upon all of creation might be destroyed and sinners would be adopted into the family of God. God is recreating humanity according to the image of Christ Jesus. What does it mean to reflect the glory of God? It means to be conformed to the image of God. It means to turn away from oneself and trust wholly in Christ. It means that all who believe now seek righteousness and holiness in all aspects of their lives. Do you seek the glory of Christ, or are you still in sin? This sermon calls each and every one of us to ask ourselves this question.
Sermon Breakdown
- Man's essential tragedy is that he has fallen from his original condition. Man was created in the image and likeness of God but fell into sin.
- As a result of the fall, the image of God in man became marred and defaced. Man's nature became depraved, leading to darkness, ignorance of God, and spiritual deadness.
- The chief end and object of salvation is to restore the image and glory of man. Salvation is meant to conform us to the image of Christ.
- This happens through regeneration. We are made partakers of the divine nature and sons of God.
- This means we are reconciled to God, given access to him, made alive to him, and given knowledge of him.
- We should reflect God's glory as Moses' face did. We are light as Christ is light.
- By beholding God's glory, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory.
- We should live in such a way that others see God's glory in us and glorify him. Our lives should be a rebuke to sin and help others know God.
- We often fail to realize the glory that belongs to us as Christians. We think of Christianity as moral effort rather than being conformed to Christ's image.
- The church today lacks power and influence because it fails to manifest God's glory as it should. The world sees little difference in us.
- We need to grasp the breadth and length and height and depth of the glorious gospel. It is about much more than forgiveness of sins.
- Revival comes when God's people are revived and filled with a sense of his glory. We must start with God's people, not just evangelism.
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.