Amen. Thank you for tuning us
in. I'm Daryl Bailey. Service for Christ, for we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus, the Lord, and ourselves, your
servants for Jesus' sake. Thank you. As we look at a message
that the Lord laid on my heart, as I was praying a prayer for
some of my loved ones this past week, the Lord began to give
me this message upon my heart. Also, I want to make an announcement
that as you look at Our date right in here, I definitely was
looking at the calendar on the wrong date and had been putting
some of the wrong dates on my Hebrew calendars. Just want to
make that known. Hey, even I make mistakes, especially
when I was looking at October for September. And so my apologies
on some of my calendars if you'll read it because we haven't got
to Rosh Hashanah yet. But I was looking at October
instead of September. And I thought, hey, you know
what? When I when I do that, I can
really mess up. So forgive me for that mistake.
I've got my calendar back where the 19th of the 5784 until we
get on into officially October. Amen. I take your Bibles with
us over to second Corinthians and Romans chapter two. These two different areas will
have the scripture that will be up in front of us here. But
every one of us, as we get ready to go into the Word of God, I
want to talk to you about a journey into his image. You know, as
a young woman named Sarah found herself in a very difficult season
of life, she was struggling with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy,
and she stumbled upon an old family mirror in the attic. As she cleaned it, she saw her
reflection clearly for the very first time in years. And instead
of focusing on her flaws, she began to see the potential and
the beauty that had always been there. This moment ignited a
journey of transformation. And as she learned to embrace
who she was meant to be, Just like Sarah, we too can be transformed
by beholding the glory of the Lord. And so, you know, when
we look at all the journeys that the Lord has been on, the Bible
doesn't provide an exact mileage for Jesus's journeys. But scholars
have estimated on some of the locations in the Gospels of rough
breakdown of the tribals from birth to death, from Bethlehem
to Egypt and Nazareth in the early years. Jesus was born in
Bethlehem and then his family fled to Egypt, likely to avoid
King Herod, later returning to Nazareth. And so in that time
frame, in this area, as we look from Bethlehem, when it starts
from the early years from number one, going all the way to 65
of all the scriptures, that if you was to look at this and burn
it out, you will see the estimated distances of the journey of Jesus. Bethlehem to Egypt, 300 miles
round trip. Egypt to Nazareth, 400 miles.
Ministry around Galilee, three years of public ministry. Jesus
spent most of his ministry in around the region of Galilee,
particularly traveling between cities like Capernaum, Nazareth,
and other nearby towns, such as Bethsaida, Chorazin, and Canaan. Estimated distance, he likely
traveled several thousand miles on foot during the years as he
repetitively visited different towns. Conservative estimates,
suggest around 3,000 miles during his ministry. Journeys to Jerusalem. Jesus made several trips to Jerusalem
for the festivities during the Passover. The journey from Nazareth,
his home base, to Jerusalem is about 80, 90 miles each way.
He likely made this trip at least once a year. So for three years
of his ministry, 480 to 540 miles. in his final journey to Jerusalem
of the Paschal week of Easter and his hanging on the cross
of Calvary. His final journey from Galilee
to Jerusalem for Passover, where he was crucified, the distance
was about 80-90 miles. Total estimate adding up, these
distances include smaller trips within the Galilee region, and
major journeys from Nazareth to Jerusalem and back. A total
could range from 3,000 to 3,500 miles or more throughout his
lifetime. And so this is just an estimate. I wonder as we look at our lives
today and we know that all of us, as we travel, I remember
I used to commute to, all the way to Atlanta for many years
when I got out of the military. And so each one of us have a
lot of journeys each week that we go through. And so, but we're
talking about a journey into his image. And we take this from
Romans chapter 12, verse two and second Corinthians chapter
three, verse 18. When we look, the Word of God says, and be
not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the
renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God. In 2 Corinthians 3, verse
18, the Bible says, But we all with open face beholden as in
the glass of the glory of the Lord are changed in the same
image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
So we see the word transformed and we see the word changed.
And when we look at this, it's a figurative sense, meaning transform
or change both. Because when we look at these,
we're reminded of how we all are on a journey to go into the
image of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, each and every
day. And so let's open up with a time
of prayer. Heavenly Father, we gather to
look up to you and ask you to intervene on behalf of those
that the death angel has come into their homes this past week.
I want to praise your name for those 25 that were saved, Lord,
just this past Sunday. Lord, you are an awesome God. You are so good. You're better
to us than we are our own selves. Lord, for those chaplains, Lord,
for the many that had come together for the work of the Lord and
to be able to hear and know of this great news of souls being
transformed into the image of Christ and being baptized into
the family of God for eternal life. I pray God that where that
ministry is transpiring all across this world and Lord, where the
great commission is being fulfilled. I pray for our own church and
our pastor at Bethel Crossroads and for all of our deacons and
our leaders. Lord, I pray for our church at
People's Valley as well and their pastor, Michael, and for all
of our pastors across this country, that you'll watch over them and
keep them safe. And Lord, help us as we get closer
on into another election of leadership in the White House. And Lord,
I pray that you'll continue to send a revival out through these
men and women of God to bring them all into the family of God
before it's too late. In Jesus's marvelous mighty name.
Amen. I'm glad as we look at the journey
into his image, we're all reminded Amen, that in this journey, as
we look into the mirror of that journey, that our images as we
journey through life, whether we young, whether we old, that
that image will begin to transform into him. One of the first things
that we see as we was praying this prayer, this scripture begin
to turn into this message. And as I was going to my second
job today to Calhoun, this began to be upon my heart. One of the
first things that I saw was the invitation to behold his glory
because the word of God, when we approach with an unveiled
face, Paul said, but we all with open face beholden as in a glass,
the glory of the Lord. We are all invited to approach
God without barriers, allowing his glory to fill our lives. Not only do we approach with
an unveiled face, but also with the importance of intimacy. Because
James 4.8 says, draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to
you. You know, genuine relationship requires openness and vulnerability. And so I'm glad the Lord is infinitely
more glorious than men see him to be. And while he prayed his
face, it shined as the sun and raiment white as the light because
there was a double glory that was shown out of heaven from
the father that was shown out of himself as the image of the
father. And the carnal eyes today cannot look and see the beauty
in him. And the hidden glory of Christ,
the glory of the Christian will both in one day yet be manifested
because The same, the Lord, the spirit who has transfigured all
of our souls will also transfigure our bodies in the coming days.
And so we see through the invitation to behold his glory that we approach
with an unveiled face and the importance of that intimacy.
But also, Paul said in first Corinthians chapter 13, verse
12, for now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. You see, our understanding of
his glory deepens as we seek him. John Elkridge, the author,
Christian author, wrote one time, we become what we behold. We
shape our lives around what we give our attention to. And so
the new covenant brings liberty through Jesus Christ. But the
Lord is identified as the Spirit, and the Lord is that Spirit. It does not mean that the Lord
Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same person. They're two
different persons, but they're one in the Godhead and deity.
Jesus Christ is one with the Spirit in the same way He's one
with God the Father. One in mind, spirit, being, nature,
and essence. And therefore, they're one in
will, purpose, and work. And I'm glad John chapter 16,
the Bible says, he shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine
and shall show it unto you all things that the father hath are
mine. Therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall
show it unto you. And so we see that the father,
Christ and the Holy Spirit are all involved in showing and revealing
salvation to man. This is what is meant by the
saying, the Lord is that spirit. because I'm glad that the last
thing that I read in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18, even as by the spirit
of the Lord. And so the Lord himself was actually
the one who secured salvation and liberty for mankind. But
it is the spirit who is actively involved in revealing the truth
of salvation and liberty to mankind. Where the spirit of the Lord
is, there's liberty. In Christ, there's liberty and
freedom. Where that Spirit of the Lord
is, there is that freedom, there is that liberty. Christ frees
the believer from the dominion of sin. I'm glad Paul said, for
sin shall not have dominion over you, for you're not under the
law but under grace. And so, I'm glad Christ frees
the believer from the law. And so, I'm glad that when we
look and we realize that the invitation to behold his glory. Christ frees the believer from
the bondage of fear. He frees the believer from the
power of Satan, which is the fear of death. And so Christ
frees the believer from the bondage of corruption as well. And so
as we look at that invitation to behold his glory, approaching
with an unveiled face, the importance of that intimacy and the reflective
experience, amen, that we begin to see. In beholding Christ,
believers are transformed into his image. And I'm glad the phrase
we all because I'm glad it starts out it says but we all in 2 Corinthians
3 18 but we all with open face beholden as in a glass the glory
of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to
glory I'm glad that it means believers, those who have turned
to Christ, who have had the veil removed from their face, who
stand face to face with the glory of the Lord. When a believer
receives Jesus Christ as a savior, he's given the privilege to stand
face to face with Christ, simply meaning that he's given the privilege
to know and understand Christ. And so that open face, praise
God. I'm glad. He said, but we all
with open face beholden as in a glass, the glory of the Lord,
that open face. Praise God. It means that the
believer is given the privilege of standing face to face with
Christ, the privilege of knowing Christ personally, learning all
about him. And there is no veil over the
face or eyes of a believer, nothing to keep them from knowing the
Lord. And so the object of the believer is to behold the glory
of the Lord. meaning the Godhead, the deity,
and the splendor and the brilliance, the excellence of his person
and being. Jesus Christ is the Son of God
who became man, and his glory refers to the glorious fact that
he's the Son of God, that he did become man. But when a person
understands the glory of the Lord, the incomprehensible fact
that the Lord paid the supreme and the ultimate price, the unbelievable
price for the salvation of man, then the believer can never grasp
that full glory of the Lord because no man who is only finite in
flesh could ever understand the glory of the Lord who is infinite
spirit. The believer only sees and understands
the glory of the Lord as in a glass or as a mirror and that is he
only sees the reflection of the Lord not the full image. And
so presently the believer is able to see the Lord only through
the word and through the Holy Spirit. And in the future, we
shall see him face to face throughout all eternity. And so that's why
the many that are not in the house of God are missing out
on the greatest blessing to be able to see the Lord through
the word and through the Holy Spirit. And so the believers
changed and transformed into the image of Christ from glory
to glory. But it means two things when
the believer beholds and grasps and understands and studies and
lays hold of the glory of the Lord. That same glory is created
in him. When that believer beholds the
glory of the Lord, the believer progresses and grows from one
stage of glory to a higher stage. And so in this, we see the invitation
to behold his glory. But secondly, the process of
that transformation being changed by his presence. Because what
did we read? are changed into the same image
from glory to glory in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 18. As we encounter
the Lord, we begin to reflect His character and attributes. And so we're being changed by
His presence. and the role of the Holy Spirit
because even as by the Spirit of the Lord we read in 2 Corinthians
3, verse 18, you see the Spirit empowers us to change and to
grow and it shapes us from the inside out. You know, one of
the greatest inventions of all time was soft-serve ice cream. Traditionally, ice cream could
be hard and required significant effort to scoop out with a heavy
ice cream scooper. However, someone discovered a
way to make soft serve ice cream readily available with minimum
effort, revolutionizing the treat. There's a simple homemade method
to achieve soft serve ice cream by taking a carton out of the
freezer and placing it on the kitchen counter. And the ice
cream can soften. After a while, the change becomes
evident as the ice cream transform into a creamy texture. And by
situating in the right environment, the desired transformation occurs. In a simpler way, the reason
why some Christians may feel cold, callous, and unloving is
that they aren't spending time in the right atmosphere. Just
as ice cream needs the right conditions to become soft and
delightful, hearts can be transformed to in an environment that is
filled with God's presence. God's willing to work within
those who allow him, fostering change in the hearts and the
minds when they're surrounded by his love. And so I'm glad
in Ezekiel, he said, I will give them one heart, a new heart,
and I will put a new spirit within them. Paul said, but we all with
open face beholden as in the glass, the glory of the Lord
are changed into the same image from glory to glory. And so we're
being changed by his presence. Amen. The process of transformation. and the role of the Holy Spirit
in that process of transformation. But thirdly, there's a continuous
journey, a journey into his image. Because 2 Peter 3.18 says, but
grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ. You see, transformation is not
a one-time event, but a lifelong process. And so I'm being transformed
as I started out when I was eight years old till till now when
I'm 60 years old. You know, Charles Stanley, one
of my favorite all time preachers, and I miss him, but he's in the
presence of the Lord, said transformation is not a matter of trying harder.
It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us, unquote. And so we see the invitation
to behold his glory. Amen. And in doing so, amen,
we approach with an unveiled face. We see the importance of
intimacy and a reflective experience. But then the process of that
transformation is being changed by his presence. A role of the
Holy Spirit that does that. A continuous journey in our life
long until we lay this old fleshly nature body down. But then we
see thirdly as well, reflecting his image to the world. And out
of this, there's manifesting his glory. Because Matthew 5.16
says, let your light so shine before men that they may see
your good works. You see, our transformation should lead others
to see Christ in us. You know, a butterfly flutters
from flower to flower, pausing here and there, much like believers
who attend services after services. They move gracefully, but they
often don't engage deeply. They appear colorful and well-dressed
each Sunday, hoping from one church to another, or they hop
around, or from conference to conference, just fluttering about.
But some Christians resemble the botanist who meticulously
studies the flowers. The botanist takes copies, notes,
documents, every detail, and of each type of flower. And while
knowledgeable and astute, they remain unchanged by their feelings
a lot of times. Similarly, they're Bible college
students. There's those that go to seminary who can quote
scripture in Greek and Hebrew. They can dissect sentences and
all the grammatical nuances and the diagram of every element
of a passage and yet, Despite their extensive knowledge, they
walk away untransformed, lacking the deeper impact of their studies. Then there's the bee. The bee
interacts with a flower in a unique way, extracting nectar, participating
in the process of life. It does more than just flutter
around. It takes what it needs and leaves with a fullness that
benefits the world around it. It gathers nectar, and it also
pollinates ensuring that life continues to flourish. And so
we see the butterfly, we see the bee. And though all of this,
when we look, it raises the question, are individuals butterfly Christians
merely from one service to another for a sense of fulfillment? Or
are they a botanist Christian accumulating knowledge without
transformation? Or are they a bee Christian the
bumblebee Christian, ready to receive the truth of God's word
and actively participate in his work. Every one of us, as we
go through life, we begin to look and realize that this story
serves as a reflection on all of Christian life, that it leads,
invites everyone to consider how that they engage with their
faith, encouraged to seek transformation through participation in God's
work. And so Reflecting his image to
the world is manifesting his glory, but also living as new
creations. Because Paul said in 2 Corinthians
5.17, therefore, if any man be in Christ, he's a new creature.
Our identity in him calls us to reflect his glory. And so
we manifest his glory. We live as new creations. But also, lastly and closing,
of reflecting his image to the world, we see the power of testimony. Because in Revelation chapter
12, verse 11, the Bible says we overcome by the blood of the
lamb and the word of our testimony. We share our journey of transformation
that can lead others to Christ because that's the power of a
testimony. I thank God for those young men
that are young, 19 year old in the lineman program that are
already on the right track of the journey into his image. Because as we share our journey
of transformation, it can lead others to Christ. And I'm glad
Rick Warren said our lives should be living letters that tell the
story of God's grace. When a woman is pregnant, her
body undergoes natural changes. As a new life grows within her,
the baby connected to the mother relies entirely on her for nourishment
and support. The relationship allows the baby
to grow effortless, drawing everything needed for development from the
mother's body. As a result, the mother's shape
changes, her taste buds adjust, her body prepares for the arrival
of the child. All of these transformations
occur organically. Nothing is forced. But similarly,
when the spirit of God begins to work within a person, spiritual
transformation unfolds naturally. Just as the changes in a pregnant
woman's body reflect the new life that she carries, the internal
work of the Holy Spirit eventually manifest is outward. And this
process reminds everyone that true spiritual growth is not
a result of cohesion, but of a deep abiding connection to
God. As individuals nurture their
relationship with our Lord and Savior, the changes within will
inevitably become evident in their lives, reflecting His image
to the world. And so, as I'm close we look
how we can behold the glory of the Lord and allow that encounter
to transform us into his image. Like Sabra's journey in the beginning,
our openness to his presence invites change. And with every
glimpse of glory, we're molded and shaped, moving from one degree
of glory to another. And so, on a memorable vacation
day in Niagara Falls, on a family began an adventure on the Canadian
side, and after checking into a hotel, they looked out at the
breathtaking view of the falls captured everybody's attention.
Gazing out the window, there was a sense of wonder washed
over the family as the sheer magnificence of the falls came
into focus. The following morning, after
a hearty breakfast, the family made their way to a nearby park.
This time the experience was different. They were standing
closer to the falls. They could see the water rushing
over and the thunderous roar that echoed all around them.
The cool mist from the cascading water that developed them. that
invoked them and created an exhilarating and refreshing atmosphere. The
most unforgettable moment arrived when the family decided to take
a ride on the Maid of the Mist, a boat that ventures into the
basin of the falls. As passengers boarded, the crew
handed out bright blue ponchos, preparing everyone for the adventure
ahead. Once the boat approached the falls, the sheer power of
the water was overwhelming. Laughter filled the air as everyone
got drenched. grasping at an incredible sight
of water cascading down all around. In that moment of being fully
engaged in the experience made the power of the falls come alive. And just as that experience at
Niagara Falls varied with the proximity, so does the depth
of relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It
hinges on how close one chooses to draw to him. The view from
the hotel window offered beauty, but it paled in comparison to
the intimacy found standing by the falls or riding the maid
of the mist. You see, the impact, the transformation
in Christ are directly tied. to the level of closeness that
you look for. And so I'm glad it's a reminder
that the intimacy with God opens the door to transformation, inviting
everyone to experience his glory in profound ways. I hope you
set aside some intentional time each day for prayer and reflection
on the scripture, inviting the Holy Spirit to reveal God's glory
to you. And I hope and pray that you
can acknowledge areas in your life that needs to be changed,
that you need to pray for the Spirit's guidance and empowerment
in those areas. Look for opportunities to serve
and encourage others and share your testimony on how God has
transformed you in the coming days. Amen. And so I hope and
pray that as I close out on this journey into his image, that
you will begin to see because how far of a journey does it
take for you to find Jesus? Huh? Well, it isn't measured
in physical distance, but it is in the distance of our hearts
and our willingness to seek him. Here's what the Bible says about
the journey to find in Jesus. We seek him with our whole heart. Jeremiah 29, 13, and you shall
seek me and find me. And when you shall search for
me with all of your heart. Finding Jesus is not about a
long journey across miles. It's about a heartfelt pursuit.
When we genuinely seek him, he promises to be found. Come as
you are. Matthew chapter 11 verse 28.
Come unto me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest. Jesus invites us to come to him,
no matter our burdens or weariness, because the journey isn't one
of perfection, but of surrender. We don't have to travel far.
We come as we are, trusting him. And I'm glad Jesus is near to
all who call on him. In Acts chapter 17 verse 27,
the Bible says that you should seek the Lord if happily they
might feel after him and find him, though he be not far from
every one of us. Jesus is not distance. He's close. He's accessible to those who
seek him. And our journey to him begins
wherever we are, physically or spiritually. Faith, not distance. Romans chapter 10, verses nine
and 10. That if thou shalt confess with
thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thy heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. You see, the journey to Jesus
is made by faith, not steps, not miles. It's the movement
of the heart towards belief and trust in him. You see, the cross
bridges the gap. In the book of Ephesians chapter
2 verse 13, but now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were
far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Jesus already
made the longest and the most significant journey leaving heaven. coming to earth and going to
the cross to bridge the distance between us and God. And the real
journey to find Jesus is a spiritual journey, one that begins by repenting
of our sins, turning away from them, believing in Jesus as the
Son of God and stepping out on faith and taking him at his word
and the Savior who died for our sins and rose again, accepting
his grace and salvation. The journey to find Jesus isn't
about traveling far. It's about opening your heart,
seeking him earnestly and stepping toward him in faith. He's waiting
for you right now. The path is always just one prayer
away. And so will you close out with
me in prayer that we'll pray together. Lord, we thank you
for the gift. of transformation through your
glory. As we seek your presence, allow
the Holy Spirit to work in us, through us, and for those who
are lost, draw them near. Help us to be vessels of your
love and grace. May we become more like the Lord
with all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the
glory of the Lord. And Lord transformed in that
same image from glory to glory, just as by the spirit of the
Lord. I pray, Lord, we praise you and thank you that as I look
to you and worship. You would pour your spirit into
us in greater dimensions so that we can become more and more like
you. Take us from glory to glory.
As you have said in your word, may we continuously grow in your
image, reflecting your glory to the world. In Jesus's marvelous
mighty name. Amen. God bless you. Thank you.