Sermon for 5/19/2002
2 Corinthians 3:16
Introduction:
A. My favorite movie is Hoosiers. Explain the movie. Explain this quote.
A. "Forget about the crowds, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms, and remember what got you here, focus on the fundamentals we have gone over time and time again, and most importantly don’t get caught up thinking about winning or losing this game. If you put your efforts and concentration on playing to your potential, being the best you can be, I don’t care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game, in my book we’re going to be winners."
WBTU:
A. So many people are satisfied with mediocrity. They do not want to do better. Losers, no matter how well they have done. The Lord expects the best, because he gave the best for us.
B. Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18. The 3:16’s of the Bible.
B. 2 Corinthians.
1. Paul helped to found the church at Corinth.
2. While over in Ephesus, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to correct some misunderstanding and problems in the church.
3. Paul had to leave Ephesus and go back to Macedonia. He was making his way back to Corinth.
4. Titus was sent to Corinth to help them in their difficulties and failings. To help collect an offering for the Jerusalem Church.
5. Titus returned from Corinth and came to Paul and reported that Paul’s first letter had accomplished much good. However, some of the leaders were still denying that Paul was a genuine apostle of Christ.
6. Then it was the Paul wrote this letter, and sent it on ahead by Titus, expecting soon himself to reach Corinth.
7. Its purpose seems mainly to have been Paul’s Vindication of himself as an apostle of Christ, and to remind them that, inasmuch as he himself had founded the Church in Corinth, he did have a right to have say in its spiritual life.
C. 2 Corinthians 3.
1. Paul in this section is addressing the Judaizers. They wanted the Christians to follow the Law of Moses along with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. They were discrediting Paul.
3. This led to a Contrast of His ministry with theirs, the gospel with the Law.
4. One written on stone, the other on hearts.
5. One of the letter, the other of the Spirit.
6. One unto death, the other unto life.
7. One veiled, the other unveiled.
8. One unto condemnation, the other unto righteousness.
9. One passes, the other remains.
D. (Exo 34:29 NIV) When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD.(Exo 34:30 NIV) When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.(Exo 34:31 NIV) But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them.(Exo 34:32 NIV) Afterward all the Israelites came near him, and he gave them all the commands the LORD had given him on Mount Sinai.(Exo 34:33 NIV) When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face.(Exo 34:34 NIV) But whenever he entered the Lord’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded,(Exo 34:35 NIV) they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.
E. Here is a picture of the Old Covenant. A partial revelation, shining through a veil, flashing through symbols and rituals, expressed partially in some prophecy, but never or rarely approaching the world with an unveiled face so that the light of God can be clearly seen and understood.
F. Christianity is, and Christian teachers ought to be the opposite of all of this. They should say it like it is and make God’s love and gospel shine clearly through the darkness. The Old Testament was not like this. Jesus Christ spoke as one with authority and we see the Messiah always going to the heart of the issue.
G. People in our day want to know what is in it for them. What will it do for me?
Thesis: What are the practical results of being a part of the New Covenant? What are the benefits of becoming a Christian?
For instances:
** Vs. 16- 18
H. The Veil is taken away (16)
A. WE no longer have to hide behind masks.
1. No more masks with God.
a. We know how we really are.
b. I am so righteous and so good.
c. We cannot work our way to heaven.
d. We came and acknowledged our sin and confessed our need and were buried with Christ in baptism and we were made new.
e. Now God knows us and we cannot hide from him.
f. How futile to hide from him anyway? He knows everything.
g. I can keep the law. No we can’t.
h. Self-righteous and full of pride. We have nothing to be proud about.
i. I am so good that God will let me into heaven or at least I hope so.
2. No more masks with each other.
a. Evangelical Veil Productions! Pick one up now at quite a reduction;
Got all kinds of shapes and sizes, Introductory bonus prizes! Special quality, one-way see through; You can see them but they can’t see you. ever have to show yourself again! Just released---a Moses model; Comes with shine in a plastic bottle, it makes you look like you’ve just seen the Lord! Just one daily application and you’ll fool the congregation, Guaranteed to last a whole week through...
b. Many Christians are so phony. Like the Pharisees. Snobbery, prejudice, lack of joy, just like the world. On Sunday they look so holy and righteous.
3. Turn to the Lord and the veil will be taken away.
a. No longer have to be an actor.
b. My surface may seem smooth but my surface is my mask,
my ever-varying and ever-concealing mask.
Beneath lies no smugness or complacence.
Beneath dwells the real me in confusion, in fear, in aloneness.
But I hide this. I don’t want anybody to know it.
I panic at the thought of my weakness and my fear being exposed.
That’s why I frantically wear a mask to hide behind,
a nonchalant, sophisticated facade, to help me pretend,
to shield me from the glance that knows.
c. It doesn’t have to be this way.
d. Give heart and life over to Jesus Christ.
e. Open up your life to God daily through a devotional time. Open up your life to other Christians even though it may embarrass you. Then the veil will be taken away.
II. Freedom. (17)
A. What a great freedom to know that we no longer have to wear masks with God or with each other.
B. We have many other freedoms. Free from:
1. Bondage of sin.
2. Freedom from the penalty of sin.
3. Freedom from the guilt of sin.
4. Freedom from a fear of the law.
5. Freedom from the fear of death.
C. Freedom to:
1. Freedom to belong - Part of family of God.
2. Freedom to serve- Minister of God
3. Freedom to be guided.
4. Freedom to witness
5. Freedom to learn
6. Freedom to pray
7. Freedom to produce good fruit.
D. Freedom to be the person that God created us to be. I just want to be me.
III. Freedom to behold and reflect the Lord’s glory. (18)
A. I was sent an e-mail of a picture. Stare at the picture and finally saw Jesus Christ.
B. We see him and stare at him and we start to become like him.
C. WE all, the verse says. We all can behold Christ.
D. With unveiled faces we study and stare at our Savior Jesus Christ. Importance of church and a quiet time.
E. If little light is coming from a certain Christian, we can be sure that little light is entering. This person does not have freedom, still has his veil and is not experiencing the Christian life.
F. What we see we shall certainly begin to show.
G. If we look closely enough into a man’s eye, we will see in it little pictures of what he beholds at the moment; and if our hearts are beholding Christ, Christ will be mirrored and modeled in our lives.
H. We are like the moon and reflect the Lord’s glory from the Son.
I. Shine by Peter Furier- Dull as dirt You can’t assert the kind of light that might persuade a strict dictator to retire, fire the army, teach the poor origami. The truth is in the proof is when you hear your heart start asking, "What’s my motivation?" And try as you may, there isn’t a way to explain the kind of change that would make an Eskimo renounce fur that would make a vegetarian barbecue hamster, unless you can trace this about-face to a certain sign. Shine, make em wonder what you’ve got, make em wish that they were not on the outside looking bored, Shine. Let is shine before all men, Let em see good works; and then let em glorify the Lord. Out of the shaker and onto the plate it isn’t karma, it sure ain’t fate, that would make a Deadhead sell his van that would make a schizophrenic turn in his crayons, Oprah freaks, and science seeks a rationale that shall excuse this strange behavior. When you let it shine you will inspire the kind of entire turnaround that would make a bounder take ballet. But out of the glare with nowhere to turn you ain’t gonna learn it on "What’s my line? Shine, make em wonder what you’ve got, make em wish that they were not on the outside looking bored, Shine. Let is shine before all men, Let em see good works; and then let em glorify the Lord
IV. Transformed (18)
A. We will be changed. Most of the time gradually.
B. No one is so perfect that they wouldn’t change a thing or two if they had the chance. We change all our lives, and though we sometimes resist it, we know that change is inevitable, and many times it is for the better.
C. The Gospel changes things, the Gospel transforms. The gospel is all about Jesus Christ. What is the goal of the Christian life? What is it we are to become? It is simply this: "...to be conformed to the image of His Son" -- To become like Christ is our ultimate goal!
D. Thank God that we aren’t just changed once and then left alone for the rest of our lives. Becoming more and more like Jesus.
E. This word transform can also be translated as metamorphosis. Like a caterpillar that becomes a butterfly.
F. WE must live a life of contemplation, beholding the Son if we are going to become like him. Times of devotion and prayer.
G. Many churches fear change. However, many times change is necessary if the church is going to grow. Some things about the church are not Christ-like and are unproductive to produce disciples for Jesus.
H. The brightness on the face of Moses was only skin-deep. It faded away, and left no trace. However, our unveiled faces keep shining more and more with the radiance of Jesus Christ
I. Iron near a magnet becomes magnetic. Spirits that dwell with Christ become Christ-like.
J. The main transformation must begin here. If we are not changed here, we will not be changed in the next life. Our will will be done!
Conclusion:
A. Summary. Practical results. Veil is removed. Freedom, reflect the Lord’s glory, transformation.
B. How does it all begin? Plan of salvation. The Holy Spirit is given (18)
C. "Forget about the world, the opposition and all their power and glory, and remember who got us here. Focus on the fundamentals that have been gone over time and time again, focus on Christ, stick to Him. Most importantly don’t get caught up thinking about winning or losing. If we put our efforts and concentration on playing to our potential, on being the best we can be through the transformation of the Holy Spirit, I don’t care what the scoreboard, the world says at the end of the game, at the end of our life, in God’s book we are going to be winners.
