Take the Veil Away
September 27, 2009 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We should not be ashamed of the Gospel; it gives life to the dying.
Focus Passage: II Corinthians 3:4-18
Supplemental Passage: (Romans 1:16 NASB) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
(Matthew 5:14-17 NASB) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
Introduction:
A contract helps define a relationship. It can be broken if one party fails to keep a promise or commitment. They can be formal or informal. Like a doctor appointment. If you fail to keep the appointment, the doctor doesn’t call you to find out where you are; he goes on to the next patient. A covenant is much deeper. One member's failure does not destroy the relationship. A covenant puts no conditions on faithfulness. It is the unconditional commitment to love and serve. God didn’t make a contract with Israel; nor with us today. He made a covenant.
This is a passage of contrasts between the old Covenant and the new Covenant or between the Law and the Gospel:
OC: Law written on tablets of stone.
NC: Law written on the tablets of your heart. (v 3)
OC: Ministry of Death
NC: Ministry of Life
OC: Ministry of Condemnation.
NC: Ministry of Righteousness.
OC: Of the letter. (v6)
NC: Of the Spirit.
OC: Passes
NC: Remains
Invitation: As Moses wore a veil to hide the glory of the Lord, we must not hide behind a veil. We must let God’s glory shine through us! Take off the veil so that others may see Jesus in you!
