Reflecting God's Glory

Introduction

In talking to people today, I often hear people say things like, “The Bible is out of date because it has all the weird commands that it has.” Yet, many of their complaints are based on the Levitical law.

Jesus came to fulfill the Levitical law so that we are no longer under its rules and commands. Rather we are under the “New Covenant.” Paul wants the church at Corinth to understand the glory of this New Covenant.

2 Corinthians 3:7–11 NIV84

7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

I. The Stone Law

In Paul talks about the ministry engraved in letters on stone.

A. Brought death

B. Came with a fading glory

C. Condemns mankind

II. Ministry of the Spirit

A. Comes with a glory that doesn’t fade.

B. This glory surpasses anything imaginable.

III. A Great hope

2 Corinthians 3:12–18 NIV84

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

A. Because of our hope we are Bold!

B. The glory in us does not fade!

C. For those who continue trusting in the law are veiled in their understanding.

D. The veil can only be removed by Jesus Christ.

E. The veil covers the hearts of men.

F. Turning to Jesus removes the veil from the hearts of mankind!

G. We no longer cover our face with a veil—but instead reflect the Lord’s glory!

H. We are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus.

I. The more like Jesus we are, the more of His glory we reflect.

J. The glory we reflect comes from Jesus

SO WHAT?

So What Does This Mean to Me?

1. We carry the glory of God.

2. The glory of God in us does not fade away.

3. God’s glory in us should give us boldness!

4. People who don’t know Jesus are spiritually dull.

5. Only Jesus can remove this dullness.

6. Our job is to reflect God’s glory so that the people around us see Jesus!

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV84

18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians

5. A great expression of our job to helping people see Jesus