Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…
18
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.INTRO.: What do we see when we look in the mirror? Red, black, brown, blonde, gray or even no hair? Brown, blue hazel eyes? A fair complexion, freckles, etc. Is that what is important? Is that what the Lord wants us to see? Just what does He want us to see when we look into the mirror? What about us is really important?
I want to look at Paul and some of what he saw when he looked into the mirror (before salvation and after)…
Philippians 3 1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
4
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,9
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.15
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.Matt. 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
\Let us consider, our image should be more and more like Christ…
In our attitudes towards the heavenly father
We see this in the Lord's Prayer - "…hallowed be thy name…"
Ready to worship Him
Public
Private
Respectful of His ways
Provided by His Word
They are a protection to us
Portrayed by His Son & Servants
Reaching for a closer walk
Hunger for righteousness - Genuine desire
Hatred against unrighteousness - Genuine dislike
Happiness in His ways - Genuine delight
So when we look we should see someone who has the mouth of Christ speaking upward
In our actions towards others
We see this in the Lord's Prayer - "…as we forgive others…"
Reassuring others that He lives
Depending on Him
Defending Him
(…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.)
Receptive of sinners and seekers (just as Christ)
Forgiving spirit (…as we forgive our debtors…)
Friendly attitude
Fantastic representative
Respecting others in everyday life
We need to mirror Christ's…
Love
Latitude
Languishing for each other's problems, souls, etc.
So when we look we should see someone who has the heart of Christ lifting others up
In our answer to self
Recognizing our extreme need (…give us this day our daily bread…)
James 1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Removing (through His help) our existing nature
2 Pet. 1:4-9 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Reassessing our enthusiasm or nearness to the Lord
What do I see in the mirror?
What should I see in the mirror?
What do I want to see in the mirror?
So when we look we should see someone who has the eyes of Christ looking upward
Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist - 072201am