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"The ministry of the Spirit..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:8

THE MINISTRY OF MOSES

Paul had an unusually critical view of the ministry of Moses. Of course, this was not personal, for Moses lived in an era that was relegated to history.

“But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones,
was glorious, so that the children of Israel
could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of
the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away,
how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?”
2 Corinthians 3:7-8

1. The ministry of Moses

a) Paul called it “the ministry of death”.

b) This was an obvious reference to the ministry of Moses.

i) The name of Moses was mentioned.

ii) “Written and engraved on stones”- this must refer to the Ten Commandments God gave.

iii) The glory that was upon the face of Moses.

c) Why did Paul call it a ministry of death?

i) This is not a criticism of Moses per se.

ii) This was not a criticism of his ministry either.

iii) The fact was that the Law did not give life.

iv) The Law only highlighted the problem of sin.

v) Sin results in death.

vi) Hence Paul called this “the ministry of death”.

d) How then could the word “glory” be associated with this ministry?

i) This ministry came from God.

ii) God is always associated with glory.

iii) Hence this ministry of Moses was associated with glory.

e) Why did Paul appear to have such a dim view of the ministry of Moses?

i) Perhaps too many people had exalted the ministry of Moses.

ii) They were so enamoured of Moses and his ministry they had failed to realise there was a greater ministry.

2. The ministry of the Spirit

a) This was by far more glorious.

b) It was a ministry of life

The Holy Spirit Himself was directly and gloriously involved! It deserved better recognition!