Transformed by Beholding Jesus (Full Sermon)

The foundational principle of the Christian life is not self-effort or continuous toil, but the supernatural transformation that occurs by focusing entirely on Jesus Christ. This profound process, often referred to as “beholding Jesus,” is God’s appointed method for believers to experience true spiritual growth and physical wellness.

Unlocking Transformation: Beholding Christ in the Word

To experience genuine life change, believers are encouraged to move the focus from “what you are to do” to Jesus. This is the secret to finding the way to God’s heart.

The Mirror and the Holy Spirit

The Word of God, specifically the Bible, is likened to a mirror. When a believer looks into this mirror with an unveiled face (meaning free from the veil of the Law), they should primarily see the glory of the Lord.

• Shift Focus: Do not look into the mirror of God’s Word to see personal flaws, self-application, or what “you, you, you” must accomplish. Focus instead on the perfection and character of Christ.
• Spirit-Driven Change: As believers enjoy and behold Jesus, the Holy Spirit is “at play” and “at work,” transforming them into the same image of Jesus Christ, moving “from glory to glory”. The miracle happens spontaneously as a result of enjoying the Lord, rather than striving for the outcome.
• The Genuine Intelligence: While technology like AI can assist with natural facts and computation, believers must not depend on it for life. Instead, they must look to Jesus, who is the genuine intelligence.

The Highest Form of Vision

Jesus emphasized the centrality of seeing Him in the scriptures. After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, deliberately restraining their eyes so they would not recognize Him physically. He spent hours expounding the Scriptures, starting with Moses and the prophets, to reveal things concerning Himself.

• Equal Opportunity: This demonstrated that the highest form of seeing Jesus before His return is to see Him in the Word by the Holy Spirit, which grants everyone equal opportunity, independent of physical visions or portraits.
• Physical Strength: The act of beholding Jesus in the Scriptures is not solely spiritual; it also impacts the physical body, leading to health and strength. Moses, for example, “endured” and maintained his vigor at age 120 because he acted “as seeing him who is invisible”.

Christ: The Power and Wisdom of God

When approaching life’s challenges, the world often seeks either wisdom (like the Greeks/Gentiles) or power/signs (like the Jews) to resolve problems. However, for those who are saved, Christ is both the power of God and the wisdom of God.

True Power Through Humility

True power stems from security in one’s identity and position in Christ. Jesus demonstrated this when, knowing the Father had given all things into His hands (security), He then stooped down to wash the disciples’ feet. Only people who are secure can stoop down and serve others.

Grace and Rewards

All of God’s gifts, blessings, and miracles are free and not given as a price or payment. While salvation is by grace, God is righteous and does reward believers for their “work and labor of love”.

• Rewards, Not Payment: Rewards are given for using the gifts and grace that God first imparted to the believer. God rewards the faithful application of the gift given.
• Not Dead Works: God is against “dead works” (self-effort born of the flesh) but encourages works born out of life.

Hope Beyond Earth: Rapture, Resurrection, and Rewards

Believers have a glorious future hope centered on the return of Christ.

The Rapture and the Glorious Body

The source anticipates the Rapture (the seizing, or harpazo), where believers will be rescued from the day of God’s wrath. This event is defined by the immediate transformation of the physical body.

• Transformation: In a twinkling of an eye (an atomic second), mortal bodies will be transformed into glorious bodies, like that of Jesus.
• Eternal Health: These new bodies will be physical yet transcendental. They will be forever young, forever strong, and free from death, disease, and the need for healing or medicine.

The Bema Seat vs. Sin Judgment

A central assurance for believers is that they will never be judged for their sins.

• Double Jeopardy: The law of double jeopardy applies: the same sin cannot be tried twice. Since Jesus bore all sins (past, present, and future) on the cross, the believer’s sins are eternally paid for.
• Bema Seat Focus: The judgment seat of Christ (Bema) is a place for rewards, not judgment for sins. Believers will stand before Christ in their glorious, resurrected bodies to receive rewards based on their faithfulness and application of the gifts given to them.