A Sincere Confession Pt. 4 • 2 Cor 3:1-18
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Review & overview
Review & overview
1. Previous Study’s Review
1. Previous Study’s Review
We are still in the middle of the section titled: A Sincere Confession
This is where Paul gives an explanation for:
His Change of Plans
The Philosophy of Ministry
and His Exhortation to the Church
Last week we began the section where Paul explains his philosophy for ministry.
This section will go on till chapter 6 and we will earn how ministry is to be operated, how it is all about Jesus, and the motivation for ministry etc.
Last week Paul began this section by teaching us that Christ Causes us to Triumph in Ministry.
It is because of Jesus why we have victory or have triumph when we serve and when we do what God has called us to do.
2. Current Study’s Overview
2. Current Study’s Overview
This brings us to chp.3:... & our study for today that continues to deal with Paul’s Explanation for the Philosophy for ministry. Read...
Chapter 3 deals with Paul’s Commendation or approval for ministry.
Because after writing 2 letters to the Corinthians, 1st Corinthians & the Severe letter, which we don’t have, there were those who were questioning Paul’s Apostolic Authority... the Motive for his Ministry...
After all Paul went from being the ultimate Pharisee from teaching Legalism to teaching Grace... from talking about the Law to talking about the Spirit... huge change in his life...
So Paul makes it clear that what he wrote & taught is from God... thus it is approved by God...
God Commends Paul’s ministry. So Chapter 3 Paul teaches us that when it comes to ministry: It is God that anoints a person for ministry and the work of God, not man.
If you are taking notes we want to look at 2 things in regards to God’s Commendation or Approval:
1. The Questions Vs. 1
2. The Comparisons Vs. 2-18
1. The Question’s That Are Asked Vs. 1
1. The Question’s That Are Asked Vs. 1
Commendation Definition - Expressing a person as worthy. It speaks of approval.
During that time as it is still today, there were many false teachers. Teachers that would teach things that would lead people astray.
So what they would do during these times, is that the church would send letters of approval or letters of commendation to the leadership in Jerusalem.
Letting everyone know that so and so pastors were legit and worthy. It worked the other way around as well.
The leadership in Jerusalem, maybe Peter or James would send a letter of approval to a church regarding some pastor is on their way to visit and preach at their church.
That way the church would know that pastor was not a heretic.
So the question by Paul is: Do we need to restart in our relationship and show you a letter of approval? A letter of commendation?
The answer is no, turn 2 Cor.10:12-13, 18. Paul didn’t need a letter of commendation or approval from man.
Because his approval was from God... His commendation was by God... read.
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.
18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
The fact of the matter is that man does not approve or commend us... it’s God...
ILLUSTRATION: Every now and then I get ads on IG regarding some pastor who wants to sell me his program.
And typically he shows references from other pastors who are well known that endorse him saying how wonderful he is. And how I should buy his program.
APPLICATION: And while that is not necessarily wrong... the real proof is in the fruit...
Matt.7:16 you will know them by their fruits... so it’s not about getting man’s approval but God’s approval and that comes from God’s Anointing...
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
I like how Pastor Chuck put it: Man appoints... but God anoints...
2. The Comparison’s That Are Given Vs. 2-18 (7)
2. The Comparison’s That Are Given Vs. 2-18 (7)
2.1 Paul Compares Tablets of Stone With Tablets of Flesh Vs. 2-3
2.1 Paul Compares Tablets of Stone With Tablets of Flesh Vs. 2-3
Did Paul not come to Corinth when they were heathen idolaters, before they were even saved? And did he not lead them to Christ? Did God not seal Paul’s ministry by bringing people to salvation through Paul? The answer is yes!
The Corinthians themselves were Paul’s epistle or letter, written in his heart but known and read by all men.
In his case there was no need of a letter written with pen and ink. They the church were the fruit of his ministry, and they were showered in his affections.
Not only that, but they were known and read by all men in the sense that their conversion was a well-known fact in the whole area.
People realized that a change had come over these people, that they had turned to God from idols, and that they were now living separated & holy lives. They were the evidence of Paul’s divine ministry.
So Paul didn’t need a letter of approval from others to show how much he loved them... & cared for them...
They can see it in what he did... they can see it in what he said... it flowed from his heart...
APPLICATION: We can say we love others... we care about others... & we want to be a servant to others...
But they will never know it until we do it... that’s when it becomes very clear to all...
As it’s been said: actions speak louder then our words... not about what we say but what we do...
But note carefully in vs.3 the way we do it is by the: Spirit of the Living God...
6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.
So it’s not about a Tablet of Stone... the law it’s about a Tablet of Flesh... the heart...
Which speaks of the Holy Spirit working in our hearts to empower us to love others & care for others...
2.2 Paul Compares The Letter that Kills With The Spirit That gives Life Vs. 4-6
2.2 Paul Compares The Letter that Kills With The Spirit That gives Life Vs. 4-6
Trusting God Vs.4 - Our trust toward God is through Christ - In other words trusting in God is not something we work at, strive for or muster up... it’s through Christ.
And that’s illustrated in vs.5-6 in dealing with the issue of sufficiency...
Our Sufficiency From God Vs.5-6a - This points us back to 2 Cor.2:16 when Paul asked who is sufficient to be involved in influencing the eternal life of others... nobody... none of us are sufficient in and of ourselves...
16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
But we trust that God can make us sufficient... & according to vs.6 He has made us sufficient...
Our sufficiency is in, through & because of Jesus Christ...
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
The Letter Kills Vs.6b - What a huge contrast between the Law & the Spirit... the letter or Law can’t make us sufficient... only the Spirit can... Why...
Because the letter kills in other words, the Law is perfect & we are not... so we’ll die trying to obey it.
When the law came down, Ex32:28, 3,000 died but when the Spirit came down, Acts 2:41, 3,000 got saved
2.3 Paul Compares The Ministry of Death With The Ministry of the Spirit Vs. 7-8
2.3 Paul Compares The Ministry of Death With The Ministry of the Spirit Vs. 7-8
Was the ministry of death glorious, yes. law is glorious Rom.7:12 – 14, the law is holy, just, good & spiritual
Because it’s a picture of God... but the law was never meant to bring life... it only brought death...
So why is it glorious... because it shows us our need for life... how, by pointing us to Jesus, Gal.3:24.
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
If the ministry of death was glorious, & it was... how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be.
A lot more... why because only the ministry of the Spirit can bring Life... as we saw back in vs.6.
Point: True life only comes through Jesus Christ... John 10:10 I came to bring you life...
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
This doesn’t simply mean that He possessed life, but the He was and is the source of life.
This speaks of both physical & spiritual life - When we were born, we received physical life.
But when we were born again, we received spiritual life - BOTH COME FROM HIM.
And notice in Vs. 4 this life is the light of men - He provides the guidance & direction necessary for man.
APPLICATION: Because it is one thing to exist, but another thing to know how to live - To know true purpose in life and to know the way to heaven.
APPLICATION: Just because you have blood pumping in your heart and breath in your lungs it doesn’t mean you alive.
2.4 Paul Compares The Ministry of Condemnation With The Ministry of Righteousness Vs. 9-10
2.4 Paul Compares The Ministry of Condemnation With The Ministry of Righteousness Vs. 9-10
The ministry of condemnation is the law, the letter... it condemns us as sinners...
Because we all sin, Rom.3:10 none righteous... Rom.3:23 all sin... Rom.5:12 because all sin...
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—
so we’re all condemned... thus we’re never able to measure up to the perfection that the law demands...
Condemnation, refers to the judgement and sentence inflicted upon us due to our sinful nature and wrongdoings.
It is a verdict of "guilty" and often brings with it feelings of shame, guilt, and hopelessness.
It is the result of the law that exposes our sins and faults, making us realize how far we have fallen from God's righteousness.
ILLUSTRATION: When the judge condemned me to jail.
BUT... because of Jesus Christ we can receive the ministry of righteousness... how? well I come to church twice a week... I pray everyday... I serve once in a while...
No it’s by Faith... Gen.15:6 Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness...
6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
No wonder Paul wrote in, Rom.8:1 there is therefore now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus...
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2.5 Paul Compares That Which is Passing Away With That Which is Remaining Vs. 11
2.5 Paul Compares That Which is Passing Away With That Which is Remaining Vs. 11
The law is passing away, Heb.8:13 obsolete, vanishing... Heb.10:9 He takes away the first...
13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
This should have come as no surprise to the Jews, Jer.31:31 new cov. Ezek.36:26 new heart, new spirit...
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Why is the law obsolete, vanishing away... because Jesus fulfilled it, Matt.5:17 do not think I came to destroy.
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
So the New Covenant is the final covenant that God will establish with man, which is Jesus Christ...
2.6 Paul Comparers The Veil that Covers With The Veil That is Taken Away Vs. 12-16
2.6 Paul Comparers The Veil that Covers With The Veil That is Taken Away Vs. 12-16
Moses’ Fading Glory Vs. 12-13 - Here we’re given some info not found in Ex.34: when Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to get the law.
In Ex.34: when Moses talked with God he took off the veil but when we talked to the people he put it on.
Here we’re told that the veil was so the people wouldn’t see the glory on Moses’ face fading away...
But Paul on the other hand had nothing to hide... nothing to conceal... he spoke with boldness...
The Rapture Vs. 14-16 - Because the Jews rejected Jesus as the Messiah there is a veil, their minds are hardened...
In Rom.11:25 that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
So God has supernaturally blinded His people Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles... which most believe speaks of the Rapture of the church... then the veil will be taken away...
2.7 Paul Compares The Present Glory With The Future Glory Vs. 17-18
2.7 Paul Compares The Present Glory With The Future Glory Vs. 17-18
Jesus Is God Vs.17 - We believe in the Triunity of the God Head... God the Father, God the Son, God the H.S....
7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.
So since Jesus is the Spirit ... He must also be God...
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
8 But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Vs.18 - When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, the veil is lifted & we are glorious in Christ, Present Glory.
And now we’re being transformed to be more glorious because of Christ on a daily basis...
And one day when we get to heaven we’ll be totally glorified... because we’ll be like Him. .
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
APPLICATION: Point: we’re all work in progress, Rom.9:21 God is the potter & we are the clay... He is molding & shaping us
That’s not always fun or easy... the clay is kneaded... spun on a wheel... pushed & pulled... then put into the fire... but God is the Potter... & He knows what He’s doing...
ENDING.....