Christopher Rich – February 14, 2021

ENDURE | Courage in Weakness 

PART V | Courage Unveiled | 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Introduction | What’s new?    

Good Morning! Welcome to Mercy Fellowship where we are Saved by Jesus Work, Changed by Jesus’ Grace, and Living on Jesus’s Mission. Today we are continuing our series ENDURE: Courage in Weakness.  

Where are you stuck? How do you find yourself relying on things that have outlasted their usefulness? Why do we do this? We can be easily satisfied with what we have or do if we think it “works” for us. We love “new” because we assume it’s better than what was. Because we are not easily satisfied, we cannot stand “old” so we’re always looking for something we think might be better that what is now.  When something new comes along that is intrinsically better in comparison we rightly want to upgrade. Yet, at times, we settle for the comfort of what we know, even if it is inferior to what is now available. We need courage to embrace the glory of what God has for us today and forsake what has become obsolete.  We need our eyes and hearts opened and directed to see where courage can be found. When have courage unveiled, we are empowered with the fresh boldness and enduring freedom to embody the real positive transformation we need.

PART I |Lesser Glory, More Fear | 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

2 Cor 3:7-11 | 7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.  

Lesser Glory, More Fear – While we venerate “new” as always better, the Corinthian (and especially Hebrew) culture was weary of new and valued what was “old” because it meant timeless and true. So some of the teachers have come in who were serving up a watered down, weak sauce gospel. One that went down smoothly but doesn’t get the job done. What made it attractive to the Corinthian church is they were appealing to and applying the “Law” Mosaic covenant from the OT by implying power and glory would be found by looking back and returning to was. “Ya’ll need some old-time religion, the nation and culture has lost it way let’s go back to a more moral and upright time.” So.. when was that precisely? Their “gospel” was mixed in legalism focusing primarily on the outward appearance and actions relying on self-righteous performance rather than true transformation. The Gospel being “good news” is more than simply teaching “the Bible” or being “Biblical” It is rejecting the weak sauce ideas that you are enough and returning to (or receiving) a full cup of the pure and potent mercy and grace of God in Jesus Christ alone. What was wrong with the Law of Moses?  Exodus is so essential to understanding God’s goodness, wisdom, and power and how He wields it for His glory and our Joy. God saved His people from slavery, led them through the wilderness, and gave them His Law to Moses written on stone tablets. God is the bondage breaker, the freedom giver, and the wilderness leader, before He is the law giver. (order matters)

Ex 34:29-35 | 29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him. 

The Law, the covenant to live with God and for God Came from a mountain, written in stone, and just incase you thought Moses was just doing some masonry up in the hills he comes down emanating and reflecting the radiant Glory of God.  What is the problem? It’s not built to endure, and we’ll see it’s not meant to endure. 

Death (Kills) – It’s not that the law is somehow wrong or not worthy to be followed. It’s holy (from God) it’s true, it’s “good”. If you’re looking at the 10 commandments give from a God to His people and trying to find fault, you’re going to lose that debate every time. The problem is while it’s given from the life giver, the tablets of stone are not live giving. They do not have the power to stop sin. When being told to do something, even the right thing, doesn’t empower you actually live out what is necessary. How often do we know what the “right” thing to do is or what is healthiest for us, what will benefit others but then fail to do it? 

Condemnation- “this is not a ministry we want to start here.” If the law is good and right than failing to fulfill or breaking the law is bad and wrong. Justice then means just consequences. Breaking the law of the eternal God means eternal consequences. Transgression of the life giver’s law does not lead to life but to death. This covenant showed the seriousness and shamefulness sin and its consequence of just condemnation.

Temporary/Transient - Death, commendation, and temporary are all used to describe this “glory”. While necessary, it cannot endure. Sure enough it didn’t. Moses face faded and so did the Israelites faithfulness. If flourishing life is promised with “I am your God you’re my people, you’ll act accordingly” then when people fail (and we all do) than there is a break a separation to be dealt with. This proved out for generations as God’s people failed to live this out and continually spiraled down farther away from faithfulness.  While meant to dwell in a promised land of flourishing their corrupt kingdoms tottered, people were scattered and suffering in exile. Thankfully this is not the last word we have from God! In this midst of the colossal individual and societal collapse God spoke through prophets like Jeremiah comes a renewed promise of life. 

Jeremiah 31:31-34 | 31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

New and Better Covenant Coming - In Christ, God has given a new glorious covenant marked by righteousness, empowered by the Spirit, to will permanently endure. God didn’t fail on His end to keep His promises. We did. God’s answer for the wicked kingdoms of the world is Him as the king. God’s answer for our sin, is Him as the sacrifice. God’s answer for our faithlessness to the old covenant is a new covenant. God will forgive sin and be with His people. God dwelling with His people again is still the outcome. Because of the sacrifice of sin (Jesus on the Cross in our place) the separation isn’t necessary, God’s people will know Him! His Law won’t be written on stone like Mount Sinai but on their hearts. The promise renewed is comprehensive, He doesn’t merely forgive sin (no wrath yeah!) He guides His people with His Law written on their hearts by The Holy Spirit. But this isn’t the end of the story, because people are still in exile disconnect from God and His people. Hearts are still hardened and dirty. Like Israel and Judah our answer can’t be national renewal or cultural reform.  It’s not a country God wants to renew, it is His people’s hearts. So this new covenant is a return to try to be faithful again but is a promise that is fulfilled when Jesus says “it is finished” on the cross. Comparing and Surpassing- The new covenant is better and greater in key ways. Instead of religion, we have Gospel  

Life & Spirit > Stone & death - We think of transformation from outside- in so we focus on changing what can be seen thinking it will change what or who we are. We’re consumed with our behavior and appearance trying to chisel out tablets of stone. Gospel is transformation from the inside out. We cannot change our hard hearts through our will, but our hearts can be softened by the work of the Holy Spirit in us. We were not able to fulfill the law’s demands but here we have been given the Holy Spirit who not only writes the law on our hearts but also empowers us to walk out this new life. 

Righteousness > Condemnation – In Jesus God took him who knew no sin to be sin so that in Him we might have the righteousness of God. You may be guilty of sin (and you are) but in exchanging your sin for His righteousness you’re trading in your eternal condemnation for His eternal resurrected life. The first covenant exposes our perpetual failure, the second promises to imparts His permanent victory. 

Permanence > Temporary -  We need things that are built to last. When we rely on that which can wear out we are left disappointed and despondent. This isn’t a “for now” but a “forever” Covenant of enduring faithfulness NOT fading glory. The tablet from mount Sanai seem permanent but they broke the pieces and placed in the ark of the covenant, which was lost. (Indiana Jones) The were for a time, but that time has passed. What is “new” is timeless and eternal. The law, God’s promises and instruction, isn’t written on stone tablets but on soft hearts making it both portable and permanent. What was, isn’t discarded. It is fulfilled in and ratified by Christ Jesus, and explained in the New Testament. We continue to Love Gove and Love People. 

PART II |Unveiled Glory, Greater Courage | 2 Cor 3:12-16

2 Cor 3:12-16 |12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Unveiled Glory, Greater Courage – Hopelessness leads to cowardice as fear overpowers everything. When you don’t see a path forward or what you’re relying on or hoping is fading away like your iPhone batter life it’s so hard to have courage and endurance becomes out of the question. Why keep putting your foot forward if all your effort and affections given are not leading you to greater joy, life, and flourishing? As you journey you keep being reminded of your insufficiency and you look to the world and see its transience. Because of this great “new” covenant we have such a greater hope that leads us to great boldness. How would you play if you knew victory is assured? Hope Hidden – This isn’t a slam on Moses for taking the step to veil the glory radiating (and fading) from his face to the people. THE issue is people, is us. When the law came down and Moses face was glowing, the people had already been saved from slavery in Egypt, delivered from pursuit when the Red Sea parting, saw their enemies drowned. They were getting fresh “divinely sourced” manna and quail on the daily, and being led in the wilderness by a pillar of smoke in the day and brilliant light column at night. What could be more glorious than all this? What more could they need to faithfully endure difficulty? Yet we know there was and is dissatisfaction with God’s provision and disbelief of God’s plan. Sometimes God is saving, working, providing, leading, and yet we just don’t see it. We only see darkness and despair. To some God’s glory is obscured by a veil, not covering the glory but is covering their hearts and minds to see and feel it. Friday Night Lights football team would say “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!” With this veil it is “Closed Eyes, Hard Hearts, Can’t Win.” Why is religion and the Law so attractive? Why are we tempted to revert to our old ways of thinking, doing, and being? Because we are more comfortable with repeating what is familiar even when it’s failing rather than repent (turn) and face that we’re not enough. We can’t and won’t see it on our own, because for us, the veil of sin covering our hearts is an immovable, impenetrable iron curtain. We cannot hope to lift it, for ourselves or other, only Christ can and will. He calls to turn from looking back at what isn’t working and look ahead to life with Him. 

PART III | Beholding and Becoming | 2 Cor 3:17-18

2 Cor 3:17-18 | 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Holy Spirit brings freedom! What ways has God given you freedom? Law shows us our sin which is keeping us in bondage. The Holy Spirit breaks chains of bondage and brings power to live out a life of liberty and flourishing. While we will sin and be impacted by sin, we are no longer enslaved to it or by it. With Jesus fulfilling the law perfectly we are freed from condemnation for our failure. With the Holy Spirit illuminating our eyes we have freedom from ignorance of God’s goodness and grace. With the Holy Spirit in our hearts we have freedom to be new and become who God has always intended us to be. So we don’t have to submit to slavery of sin but instead can be steadfast with enduring freedom. 

We Become What We Behold - What is beholding?  “beholding” is marveling (worshipping), considering (studying), meditating (focusing on) Gazing, allowing the space to see what is true and right and good. Seeing God’s active hand in our lives. the Holy Spirit softens our hearts and gives hope, boldness, and freedom to behold the Glory of God the Father. Beholding the greater glory leads to great transformation in us as we are made more like Him.  When our identity is In Christ, we put off what is old, obsolete, and ineffective, we put on what is encouraging, empowering, and enduring. We have hope and courage to endure, even at times pursue, this change over the long-haul knowing God is at work in us. Not hoping to be transformed and discouraged when it’s slow but with the great confidence that we are BEING transformed, little by little, degree by degree, day by day. Our change is continuous if not always evident. One degree of change is still change so celebrate, be encouraged, be bold, empowered by freedom that comes through faith in God. 

If you find anything compelling about the Good News of a God who brings life where there is death, righteousness where there is condemnation with an unfading and unfailing permanent promise of eternal mercy and grace, know this can only be found in Christ. If your soul screams out “Yes!” He’s lifting the veil! Where our hearts are growing dark and cold answer the call to turn to (or back) to God. As Jesus lifts the veil we have clear eyes to see Him as good and glorious and heart’s full of the Holy Spirit, our unbelief is replaced with faith, ignorance is replaced with illumination, fear is replaced with hope, and our timidity is replaced with courage. With the Holy Spirit we have freedom to be transformed as we continue to Trust Jesus!