Three themes in today’s lesson:
Don’t Badmouth the Old Testament.
The overwhelming glory of the New Covenant.
Coming in second to the New Testament may not be all that bad.
2 Corinthians 3:7-12 (NLT)
The Glory of the New Covenant
7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. 8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? 9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! 10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. 11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 3:7-12 (NLT)
The Glory of the New Covenant
7 The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death,
The old way.
In the Old Testament, failure to obey the law, because of everyone’s sin nature, led to death.
Reality
We have a sin nature.
Paul says it this way in Romans 7:14 (NLT)
Struggling with Sin
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin.
No one can satisfy the demands of the Law on their own and is therefore condemned to death.
though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away.
The law of the Old Covenant was in no way bad or evil.
It began with glory. (current verse)
It was glorious. (v. 11)
Romans 7:12 (NLT)
12 But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
1 Timothy 1:8 (NLT)
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly.
The Law reflected God’s nature, will, and character.
- The law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
The glory of the old way was destined to fade away.
2 Corinthians 3:13 (NLT) (From our next lesson)
13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
Matthew 5:17 (NLT)
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.
The Old Testament is important in that it:
Points to Jesus.
Shows us our need for a Savior.
The law shows us our sin. (Romans 7:7)
Presents great truths about God and humanity.
Is fulfilled in the New Testament.
Helps us better understand key Biblical principles.
One web site gave “77 Reasons to Study the Old Testament”.
- The Bible is incomplete without the Old Testament.
Paul goes on to say:
8 Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?
2 Corinthians 3:8 (NIV)
8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?
2 Corinthians 3:8 (ESV)
8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?
What is different between the Old Testament Law and the New Testament Gospel?
Romans 8:2-4 (NLT)
2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
- God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
- The power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
From our last lesson:
The lives of the Corinthian believers had been changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Ezekiel 11:19 (NLT)
19 And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, (a heart of flesh)
- Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
9 If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious,
The old way was glorious.
how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!
Romans 3:21-22 (NLT)
Christ Took Our Punishment
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
- We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
10 In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way.
In comparison!
11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious,
The old way was glorious.
how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
The new covenant is a permanent, everlasting covenant.
2 Corinthians 3:11 (NLT) (current verse)
11 So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
- So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever!
Paul now describes himself in a way that should also be a description of each of us.
12 Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold.
As believers, our sins are forgiven.
As believers, we are filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)
Life in the Spirit
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
- There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
