“WE ACT WITH GREAT BOLDNESS” (Outline)
September 4, 2022 – Pentecost 13 – 2 CORINTHIANS 3:12-18
INTRO: The first verse in our text today reminds us we can act with great boldness as Christ followers. Yes, bold actions. Even though we confess that we are humble sinners. We do not deserve any of God’s goodness. Mercy. Forgiveness. Our loving, heavenly Father does show us mercy. Freely forgives. By God’s grace we can and will act with great boldness. "For God did not give us a timid spirit, but a spirit of power and love and sound judgment. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…" (1 TIMOTHY 1:7, 8a). “WE ACT WITH GREAT BOLDNESS.” I. Christ removes the veil. II. The Spirit gives us freedom.
I. CHRIST REMOVES THE VEIL COVERING OUR HEARTS.
A. Verse 12. “Therefore, since we have this kind of hope, we act with great boldness.”
1. This hope is defined earlier. The ministry of life (gospel) is the believers’ certain hope.
2. Gospel was different than the ministry of death (law). (Verses 7-9.)
B. Verse 13. When Moses returned from Mt. Sinai his face was glowing brightly.
1. This glory faded. He covered his face with a veil. God’s glory does not fade.
2. This radiance was the glory of the law that was fading. Gospel glory lasting (vss. 10, 11).
C. Verse 14. Did not see radiance fade away. Hearts were hardened. Faith in law to save.
1. Present day: veil still covered hearts. Judaizers promoted Law over the Gospel.
a. Believers living in past. b. Traditions. c. Daily sacrifices.
2. Only in Christ alone the veil was removed. Christ fulfilled all the Law. Perfect Sacrifice.
3. Verse 15. Veil covered their hearts. Still some blinded. Darkness. Ignorance. Unbelief.
D. Even to this day a veil still covers the hearts of people. These people put their trust in themselves. They depend on their good deeds to save them. Sadly, many modern preachers mislead many with itching ears. These wolves in sheep’s clothing preach a message of “do and do and do some more”. “You must obey in order to please God!” Such words appeal to the sinful nature. The veiled heart. “Look what I have done.” “See what a good believer I am.” “God is pleased with me.” Their hearts are veiled. They look only at themselves. Their works. “All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a filthy cloth. All of us have withered like a leaf, and our guilt carries us away like the wind” (ISAIAH 64:6).
E. All of us need to be pointed to our Savior, Jesus Christ. The world wants us to forget about Jesus. Satan loves to plant false teaching in our hearts. All too often, all too many listen to the false teachers in our world today. Nothing has changed over the centuries. Important question: does obedience save us? NO! Only faith in Christ alone saves us. Our eternal salvation is not dependent on us. Not on what we have done. It is always only what Christ has done that saves us. "For we conclude that a person is justified by faith without the works of the law" (ROMANS 3:28). Christ removes the veil.
F. We want to listen carefully to the mixed messages in our world. “Have to do” and “must do” are law words. The law does not, cannot, and will not save. It is not proper motivation for Christian living. It is Christ who removes the veil. "Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ by forgiving us all our trespasses” (COLOSSIANS 2:13). We were dead in sin. Unable to do anything. Christ made us alive. Now we live our lives of faith out of love. God first loved us that we might love him. The veil is removed. We willingly walk in God’s light. We want to do what is right in God’s sight. Much different than “have to do” or “must do”. Godly desire.
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“WE ACT WITH GREAT BOLDNESS.” Christ removes the veil covering our hearts.
II. THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US FREEDOM: GOD’S TRUTH.
A. Verse 12. “…we act with great boldness.” Our gospel hope is our great boldness in this world.
B. Verse 16. The veil is taken away when Christ removes it. Believers turn to the Lord.
1. To turn means to go another direction. Or in one direction.
2. When turning north one is not going south. Or east. Or west. Only north.
3. Turning away from Satan one turns to the Lord. Turning from evil to good. Dark to Light.
C. Verse 17. There is freedom in the Lord. In the Holy Spirit. Spirit works faith in human hearts.
1. Verse 18. Freedom by faith from God results in an unveiled face. God’s glory uncovered.
2. God’s glorious gospel does not fade. Gospel glory is enduring. Eternal. Life changing.
3. Seed of God’s word planted in hearts. Takes root. Springs up. Bears fruit. Glory growing.
D. Freedom. Everyone wants to have freedom. Be free. The Lord God of Armies provides believers with all the freedom we need. The truth of and in God’s Word sets us free. Free for time and for eternity. "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples. You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free’" (JOHN 8:31, 32). We continue in God’s Word by hearing. By reading. By studying the Scriptures. God’s truth teaches what is good and right. What is bad and evil. We have the blessed freedom to walk in the light of the truth of God. This is the veil removed by the blood of Christ. Truth does divide. Some reject what is good and right and true. Our world calls good evil and evil good. Light darkness and darkness light (Isaiah 5:20). God’s Word of truth gives us freedom to act with great boldness.
E. Tragically, our world today promotes fear. Worry. Hopelessness. This is all the more reason for God’s children to act with great boldness. There are frightened people all around us in our day to day lives. They are saddened by the loss of the “American Dream”. There is a veil of darkness that covers their hearts. Infects their thinking. Dampens their spirit. Pollutes their lives. Our great boldness comes from the freedom of knowing our loving, heavenly Father is in complete control. "In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (MATTHEW 5:16). Let your neighbors, friends, and family see the joy and hope in your lives. When they do we act boldly by giving the Lord God of Armies all of the credit. All of the glory that is his.
F. Followers of Christ we are called to act with great boldness. The message of God’s truth is pure. Simple. Powerful. Christ lived and died. Buried. Rose again from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee our sins are forgiven. Heaven is our home. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed…" (LUKE 4:18). Maybe you have felt oppressed lately. Weather. Rising prices. Diseases. Shortages. The worldly worry even more. Bring them God’s truth. Freedom.
CONC.: We can act with great boldness. The message of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness is our message of freedom. Christ removes the veil. We see clearly. Believe God’s truth. "If anyone speaks, let him do it as one speaking the messages of God. If anyone serves, let him do it as one serving with the strength God supplies so that God may be glorified in every way through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 PETER 4:11). With God’s message and with God’s strength. “WE ACT WITH GREAT BOLDNESS.” To God belongs the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
PENT. 13 rdgs.: JEREMIAH 23:23-29; HEBREWS 12:1-13; LUKE 12:49-53; (PSALM 139)
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