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MESSAGE, “WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS LIBERTY”
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
(freedom) 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. KJV
Patrick Henry: "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give
me death."
The great difference between “Christian Religion” and authentic “Christianity” is the following:
1) Christian Religion relies on meetings, outward observances and compliance to rules.
2) Christianity is dependent upon the inner work of the Holy Spirit and the finished
work of Christ.
Review: 2 Cor. 3:3-18
OPENING PRAYER:
I. EXPOSITION OF 2 COR. 3:17-18
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty
(freedom) 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. KJV
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2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit:
o Jesus and the Holy Spirit = LORD
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and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
o Where ever the Holy Spirit is
o Wherever this Gospel of Jesus is received, the Spirit of the Lord is.
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NOTE: “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”
o Wherever that Spirit lives and works, there is liberty
o liberty = (freedom)
o “LIBERTY”: “the freedom to think or act without being constrained
by necessity or force.” Encarta
o Opposite of “Liberty” is “Slavery” or “Captivity” or “Bondage”
o The Finished Work of Jesus and the Present work of Holy Spirit
bring LIBERTY
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18 But we all,
o Christians
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with open face
o Moses was veiled, but we are Unveiled
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beholding as in a glass
o mirror

the glory of the Lord,
o The gospel reflects the glory of Jesus Christ.
o The Word of God reflects the glory of Jesus Christ
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are changed
o The word translated changed is the same word “transfigured” in (Matt
17; Mk 9:1).
o Metamorphosis.
o The changes come from within.

into the same image
o By looking on Jesus, we are being “changed” into the same image.
o Moses' face caught a reflection of God's glory from being in His presence,
so believers are changed into the image of Jesus by beholding Him.

from glory to glory,
o Our Metamorphosis is a process.
o From one degree of glory to another.
o Ps 84:7 "from strength to strength"
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Even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
o This is part of His Present Work in Christians
o The Holy Spirit introduces us into a life of liberty in Jesus.
o The Spirit of God writes the Word of God on our hearts, and we obey
because of the new life He has given us in Jesus.
Two more Key Verses from 2 Cor. 3 on the Present Work of Holy Spirit
2 Cor. 3:3 Tables of Stone vs. Tables of the Heart
Written with ink vs. Written with the Holy Spirit
2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered
by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone,
but in fleshy tables of the heart. KJV
2 Cor 3:6
The Letter Kills….But the Spirit gives life…2 Cor 3:6
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament (Covenant); not
of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. KJV.
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II. THE OLD AND NEW COVENANTS
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the
house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: ..33 But this shall be the covenant that I will
make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their
inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my
people. KJV
Ezek 36:26 A NEW HEART also will I give you, and a NEW SPIRIT will I put within
you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of
flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye
shall keep my judgments, and do them.
OT Tables of Stone vs. NT Tables of the Heart
2 Cor 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered
by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone,
but in fleshy tables of the heart.
The Letter Kills….2 Cor 3:6
Ex 32:28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of
the people that day about three thousand men.
But the Spirit gives life…2 Cor 3:6
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there
were added unto them about three thousand souls.
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter,
but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
III.
THE MINISTRY OF JESUS IS TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY IN THE POWER OF HOLY
SPIRIT
Luke 4:18 quoting Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the
LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind
up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison
to them that are bound;
Jesus Sets us Free….Liberty
Gal 2:4…our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus,..
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be
not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
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John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
IV.
OUR LIBERTY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter,
but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Ezek 36:26 A NEW HEART also will I give you, and a NEW SPIRIT will I put
within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you
an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my
statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them
CONCLUSION:
Text: 2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty (freedom) 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. KJV
1) The goal of the New Covenant is for us to be reconciled to God through
the Finished work of Jesus Christ and the Present work of Holy Spirit.
2) Through the Finished work of Jesus, Holy Spirit gives us a new heart.
3) As the Holy Spirit reveals Jesus, we become more and more like Him.
4) We (Christians) are “changed” by Holy Spirit from the inside out.
5) The result of New Covenant is Liberty/freedom.
PERSONAL APPLICATION: The Lord has given us the same ministry that Jesus
had. We are to “proclaim liberty” to the captives.
Luke 4:18 quoting Isa 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the
LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind
up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison
to them that are bound;
2 Cor 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament (Covenant); not
of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
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