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THE GLORIOUS MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:4-6
8 September 2013

(I) THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH IN MINISTRY

1. Moses as a minister of God

a) Deliverer

b) Law-giver

2. Jeremiah as a minister of God

a) Faith needed

b) Calling people to return to God in repentance

(II) THE MINISTRY IN THE OLD COVENANT CONTEXT

1. Paul’s description of the ministry of Moses (2 Corinthians 3:7)

“Written and engraved in stone”

2. It was a ministry of “the letter of the law” (2 Corinthians 3:6)

3. It was a ministry that may be described as glorious (2 Corinthians 3:7)

a) The glory was of the Lord

b) The law came from the Lord

4. It was also a ministry that may be described as “ministry of death” (2 Corinthians 3:7)

5. It was a ministry of condemnation

Because it included many curses ( Deuteronomy 27 )

(III) THE MINISTRY OF THE NEW COVENANT CONTEXT

1. The ministry of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:8)

2. It is a more glorious ministry (2 Corinthians 3:8)

3. It is a ministry of righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:9)

4. It is a ministry that far excels the Old Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:10-11)

(IV) REASONS FOR THIS CONTRAST

1. Not to put down the Old Covenant ministry

a) It had its place

b) It had its function

c) It had its glory

2. To help people understand and appreciate the greatness of the New Covenant ministry

a) Some did not understand the New Covenant

b) Others did not appreciate the significance of the New Covenant ministry

c) To help people have a deeper sense of appreciation of the significance of the New Covenant ministry