The Power to Change

by Curtis Hall

Alcoholics, homosexual, liars, thieves, muderers, adulterers -- can they change? Can they lave that old way of life and become different folks? Some contend that they have no choice. They are what they are and nothing can change them.

The essence of the gospel is the Power to change men. ( Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Paul pointed to those at Corinth who had been transformed, having been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Lord Jesus Christ ( 1 Corinthians 6:11). Yet with many of us there is a great chasm between what we are and what we should be. Our life, though which like a window pane the light should shine bright and clear, is too often dirtied and marred and the light shines through but dimly and partially. When obeyed the gospel has the power to bridge that chasm.

Most remember Hawthorne's story of the Great Stone Face and Ernest. Ernest had heard, as a boy, that some day a great man would come into the town who would resemble the Great Stone Face. Daily he would observe the profile of the face and every time a visitor came Ernest hoped he would look like that face. Finally, as an old man, Ernest heard of a new visitor. Everyone, somehow sensed this might be the one they awaited. Again they were disappointed. Then someone observed that Ernest bore a striking resemblance to the Great Stone Face. Through hears and years of looking into the face of Jesus, worshipping him devotedly and thinking his thoughts we become like him. Paul expressed it to the Corinthians in this way. "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit." ( 2 Corinthians 3:18).

June 14, 1987

Related Articles:

The Power That Brings Salvation -Jun 16, 1996
Ashamed of the Gospel -May 08, 1994

Print this Article

Discuss this Article

Back to the Sermon Page



The Power to Change by Curtis Hall Alcoholics, homosexual, liars, thieves, muderers, adulterers -- can they change? Can they lave that old way of life and become different folks? Some contend that they have no choice. They are what they are and nothing can change them. The essence of the gospel is the Power to change men. ( Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Paul pointed to those at Corinth who had been transformed, having been washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Lord Jesus Christ ( 1 Corinthians 6:11). Yet with many of us there is a great chasm between what we are and what we should be. Our life, though which like a window pane the light should shine bright and clear, is too often dirtied and marred and the light shines through but dimly and partially. When obeyed the gospel has the power to bridge that chasm. Most remember Hawthorne's story of the Great Stone Face and Ernest. Ernest had heard, as a boy, that some day a great man would come into the town who would resemble the Great Stone Face. Daily he would observe the profile of the face and every time a visitor came Ernest hoped he would look like that face. Finally, as an old man, Ernest heard of a new visitor. Everyone, somehow sensed this might be the one they awaited. Again they were disappointed. Then someone observed that Ernest bore a striking resemblance to the Great Stone Face. Through hears and years of looking into the face of Jesus, worshipping him devotedly and thinking his thoughts we become like him. Paul expressed it to the Corinthians in this way. "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit." ( 2 Corinthians 3:18). June 14, 1987 Related Articles: The Power That Brings Salvation -Jun 16, 1996 Ashamed of the Gospel -May 08, 1994 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM