Sufficient Because of Christ

Who is sufficient for these things?

Adequate-meeting a standard or expectation.

Sufficient-having enough quantity or quality to meet a specific requirement.

“The work of the Christian life as a whole cannot be carried out by means of human ability or means.” Scott J. Hafemann

Inadequacy or insufficiency produces dependency.

What Comes From A Sufficient Ministry?

How do I tell if my ministry is sufficient? The Spirit of God is

It produces fruit!

“you are our letter of recommendation…to be known and read by all”

It makes converts and disciples!

I Corinthians and II Corinthians: Commentary (Chapter 3)

Human counseling schemes do not change counselees at a level of depth; only the Word of God ministered in the power of the Spirit does that

It is not on paper or a rule book but written on hearts,

Are you reaching people with the gospel, where it is needed most…in their hearts?

It is Confident!

Not in anything but through Christ and toward God.

we have such a hope…we are very bold…there is freedom..permanent..transformative…it is glorious

It Is Glorious!

glory is used 12 times in this short chapter and mostly from v7 so the last half.

The ministry of the NEW COVENANT

There is a contrast between the fading glory of the old covenant with the surpassing glory of the new covenant. In verse 9, he writes, "If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!" The new covenant is one of hope and transformation, and as ministers of this covenant, we carry a message that brings life. We must remember that our ministry is not about us but about pointing others to Christ. As we reflect on Romans 1:16, we are reminded that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Let us boldly proclaim this message, knowing that it carries eternal significance.

The ministry of THE SPIRIT

Jesus promised in John 14:26 that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things and remind us of everything He has said. As we rely on the Spirit, we gain wisdom and boldness to share the gospel effectively. Let us not shy away from our calling but embrace it, knowing that the Spirit empowers us to speak truth into the lives of others. We must continually seek this transformation through prayer and the Word, allowing the Spirit to mold us into vessels of His love.

It is Transforming!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

unveiled faces-WE HAVE THIS GLORY IN CHRIST

Beholding-

SO WHAT?

Trials in your life are one of God’s ways of showing our inadequacies.

When something is missing or lacking we try and fill it, or fix it. drug use…steroids…can’t get bigger or stronger we turn to a helper of the sorts for the situation we are in.

God has called us to a ministry…share Jesus BOLDLY!!!

We are inadequate and insufficient to give life, but, let us remember that we are sufficient to minister because we are transformed by grace, empowered by the Spirit, and entrusted with a glorious message. Our calling is not based on our merit but on God's faithfulness. May we continually seek the Spirit's guidance as we share the gospel with those around us.

The Spirit of God and our transformation-new heart-from a new covenant…a life giving covenant

Ezekiel 36:26 ESV

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

2 Corinthians 3:2–3 LEB

You are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by all people, revealing that you are a letter of Christ, delivered by us, inscribed not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on stone tablets but on tablets of human hearts.

This is what has happened to us in Jesus by putting our faith our trust in Jesus. for the forgiveness of our sins, our hearts of stone…and now we are ambassadors…representatives of reconciliation with God by the blood of Christ!!!