Diane Avenue Church of Christ

Acts 4:12 (NIV) 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

BIBLE CLASS

The Glory That Excels2 Corinthians 3:1-18

The Greater Glory of the New Covenant

The Glory That Excels

1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—

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2 Corinthians The purpose of this letter was threefold:

(1) to express joy at the favorable response

of the church to Paul's ministry (chaps. 1-7); (2) to remind the believers of their commitment

to the offering for the Christians in Judea (chaps. 8-9); and (3) to defend Paul's apostolic authority (chaps. 10-13 ; these chapters are sometimes called the letters of sorrow)

The Glory That Excels A little background: It is unthinkable in our society to present

yourself to a prospective employer without a résumé in hand and a list of references at your fingertips. It was much the same in Paul's day. He lived in an equally mobile society that placed similar value on personal achievements and introductory letters. Itinerant speakers, in particular, were expected to carry letters of reference with them as they traveled from place to place. It was often the only means by which they received hospitality and provisions for the journey ahead. 

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Introduction: The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the ……

Priorities of God. God’s glory cannot be seen when its

man’s glory they seek! 1. This problem was evident in Paul’s first

epistle. (1 Cor. 1:11-12; 3:5-7;4:6

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1 Corinthians 1:11-12 (NIV) 11 My brothers and sisters, some from

Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (here we find some who choose to follow man because they liked his style of polished of preaching i.e. Apollos)

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1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (NIV)  5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is

Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

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1 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)  6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have

applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.

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In the second epistle the problem has reached this stage. (2 Cor. 10:12)

Sadly Paul had to defend himself against false charges from these men because they viewed him as a competitor for this human glory.

(2 Cor. 10:12) (2 Cor. 7:2; 10:10)

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2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)  12 We do not dare to classify or compare

ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

Discuss

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2 Corinthians 7:2(NIV)  2 Make room for us in your hearts. We

have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

2 Cor. 10:10 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty

and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”

The Glory That Excels Let’s define “Carnal” Grk. “sarkinos”

fleshly -Unconverted men are so called ( 1 Corinthians 3:3 ). They are represented as of a "carnal mind, which is enmity against God" ( Romans 8:6 Romans 8:7 ). Enjoyments that minister to the wants and desires of man's animal nature are so called ( Romans 15:27 ; 1 Corinthians 9:11 ). The ceremonial of the Mosaic law is spoken of as "carnal," because it related to things outward, the bodies of men and of animals, and the purification of the flesh ( Hebrews 7:16 ; 9:10 ). The weapons of Christian warfare are "not carnal", that is, they are not of man's device, nor are wielded by human power ( 2 Corinthians 10:4 ).

The Glory That Excels 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV) 4 The weapons we fight with are not the

weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

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In this kind of carnal atmosphere men miss something far greater … the exceeding glory of God. (John 5:43-44)

It was judaizing teachers that were appealing to the carnality of brethren in their attempt to mix the Old and New laws.

Paul wants these Christians to see God’s past, present and future glory. A glory that Excels.

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John 5:43-44(NIV) Jesus said.. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and

you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God.

The Glory That Excels I. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6);

Let’s Begin 2 Cor. 3:1-3 1 Are we beginning to commend

ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

The Glory That Excels At 3:1 Paul attempts to forestall a wrong

conclusion. "Does this sound like a new attempt to commend ourselves to you?" Much as these speakers would present their credentials to gain a hearing. Paul's reviewed of what his ministry entailed, his commissioning by God to be Christ's representative and the divine scrutiny that his ministry undergoes on a daily basis could well have sounded to Corinthian ears as if he were attempting in 2:14-17 to reintroduce himself and his coworkers all over again to the congregation.

The Glory That Excels 2 Corinthians 2:14-17(NIV)  14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us

as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

The Glory That Excels I. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) Paul’s work with the Corinthians gave

him an easy defense of his ministry.(3:1-3)

What they actually are (the Corinthians) in Christ came through Paul’s work.

Paul could make a point like Peter where he can appeal to their own personal memory. (Acts 2:22)

The Glory That Excels I. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) Acts 2:22 (NIV)  22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus

of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

But what he did was quite insightful…

The Glory That Excels Commentary: Paul's approach : While he does not

condemn their use of such letters, he does point out to the church that the reason he and his coworkers had not brought any letters to Corinth was because they had come as church planters, ready to begin a new evangelistic work. So it is the church formed as a result of their labors (you yourselves), not a letter written with ink (v. 3), that serves as their letter of reference.

The Glory That Excels There were two aspects of this letter are

highlighted in verse 2. It is a letter written on the hearts of Paul

and his coworkers and it is a letter known and read by everybody " and might best be translated "known and recognized by all."

The Glory That Excels V3. say’s – 3 You show that you are a letter from

Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

** The work of the Spirit in the changed lives of the

Corinthians was sufficient recommendation of Paul’s ministry.

The Glory That Excels Questions: 1.  Explain what you feel Paul means by

his letter being written on tablets of human hearts?

2.  Who are some people you know God is using to write such letters, today?  Is He using you? If so how is he using us?

The Glory That Excels If Paul was not a real apostle, then what would

that make the Corinthians? 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 Paul’s Rights as an Apostle  1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I

not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

The Glory That Excels 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (KJV)  4And such trust have we through Christ to God-

ward:  5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think

any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;

 6Who 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.

The Glory That Excels Question: In v6 What do you feel Paul means by saying,

"The letter kills, but the spirit gives life?“

The Glory That Excels Question: What do you feel Paul means by saying, "The

letter kills, but the spirit gives life?“ This statement has been used by some to

teach that Christians should not focus on the literal meaning of scripture (the letter), but on its underlying intention (the Spirit). This is a possibility but think about this.

The Glory That Excels But here Paul is contrasting the Old and New Covenants

here, distinguishing between the ministries under each.

cf Ex 34:27-35 ; 27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel…….

The Glory That Excels vv 7-9 But if the ministration of death, written and

engraven in stones , was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? (i.e. more glorious than the older)

 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

The Glory That Excels This is the "letter that killeth" in 2Cor 3:6 - the

letter of the law. No one could satisfy the demands of the law under the Old Covenant and so it condemned them to death (cf: Psa 143:1-2; Ro 3:19-20; 7:9-11; Ga 3:10-11). The ministry under the New Covenant is entirely different, because the New Covenant is a covenant of grace, entered into through the atoning death of Jesus Christ, who has made possible for all who believe on Him that which was impossible under the law (cf Ac 13:38-39; Ro 3:21-26; 7:5-6; 8:1-4; Ga 2:16).

The Glory That Excels Paul's primary purpose in contrasting the old

and the New Covenants and distinguishing between the ministries under each is to highlight the glorious character of the New Covenant ( 2Cor 3:7-10). The reason the New Covenant exceeds the old in glory is because the old was only for a time - it was a shadow of the new (V11 and 13). The New Covenant is for all time ( Mt 26:28-29; He 7:14-17).

The Glory That Excels Matthew 26:27-29 (KJV)

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

The Glory That Excels Evangelism

What is it?

The Glory That Excels Real evangelism must take place in opening

hearts and involving yourselves with people. It cannot be done at a distance hiding in an office or church building or appealing to people on the Web i.e. Facebook, My Space…..

True evangelism involves work and it can be a struggle.

Satan uses emotions and deceit to veil and close the mind to keep true evangelism to take place.

The Glory That Excels Why do we exist as a church? Is it because the glory that excels or Is it the because of the glory of men.

Discuss

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Be watchful on those who claim to care for you?

Galatians 4:17 (NIV)  17 Those people are zealous to win you

over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.

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The sufficiency comes from God. (3:5) 1. Sufficient = able or competent. This

shows the power and wisdom of God! Earlier the sufficiency was shown in the

way God has revealed the gospel. (2 Cor. 2:16)

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2 Corinthians 2:16 New International Version (NIV) 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings

death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?

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So far we know the writing of God’s word on the hearts of the Corinthians is another example of the power of God. (3:5-6)

The power is not in men but the gospel of Christ. (2 Cor. 4:2, 5)

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2 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and

shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

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If the gospel is not written on our hearts we have never been converted!(Rom 8:9; Heb 8:10-11; 10:16-17)

Hebrews 8:10-13 NIV10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds  and write them on their hearts. I will be their God,    and they will be my people. 

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11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me,    from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness    and will remember their sins no more.”

 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.

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Question:

What is written on our hearts? How does the Holy Spirit write upon our

hearts?

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Ephesians 1:13 (NIV) 13 And you also were included in Christ when

you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

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Ephesians 3:3-5 (NIV) 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by

revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.

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II. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) A. The Old Testament Law was a ministry of

death? Why? 1. Because it was never meant in itself to save.

Men could not keep it perfectly. (Heb 8:6-8,13; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:20)

2. God wanted men prepared to receive their Savior. If salvation came through the law then Jesus died in vain. (Gal 2:19-21)

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Galatians 2:19-21 (NIV)  19 “For through the law I died to the law so that

I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

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Do we understand the awesome glory of the forgiveness of sin in Christ?

John 1:16-17 (NIV) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace

in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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There may come a time when one may enter a local church with little understanding of what it really means to be a Christian. Satan looks to exploit these.

(1 Cor. 3:1-3)

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1 Corinthians 3:1-3 The Church and Its Leaders  1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you

as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

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III. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) A. We have a hope and a confidence that

causes us to stand up and speak! 1. Do you see the glory? Are you also

compelled to speak? 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (NIV)  13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have

spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.

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2 Corinthians 5:10-11 New International Version (NIV) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment

seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

 11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

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Conclusion: Yield your heart to God. Open your eyes and see the glory!