(Through the Bible) 2 Corinthians 3-4 — Chuck Smith

Paul's Defense of His Apostolic Ministry

So we turn tonight to the third chapter of 2nd Corinthians. Paul the Apostle, it seemed, had the detractors to his ministry. Men that followed him around seeking to discredit him. There are always those, it seems, who are ready to come in upon another man's work and to reap the benefits of another man's labor.

But aren't really willing to go out and to break fresh ground themselves. Those that endeavor to live off the body of Christ rather than really developing the body of Christ. The body of Christ is not expanded by transferring people from one fellowship to another.

The body of Christ is expanded when we become a witness to the world and we bring others to Jesus Christ who do not know him. There were those who were willing to go around and follow Paul. To come into the areas that Paul had plowed.

Where Paul had planted. And seek to uproot Paul's ministry. Drawing people to themselves. Seeking to discredit Paul in the eyes of the people. Such was the case in Corinth. Those who followed Paul. Putting down Paul and his message of the gospel of grace.

Seeking to bring the people under the law. Challenging Paul's authority as an apostle. Lifting up themselves as the authorities and the authorized ones. And so it seems rather tragic that old blessed brother Paul was always it seems defending himself against those detractors.

As though he needed to. And so in chapter 3 we find this again the case. Do we begin again to commend ourselves or need we as some others letters of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you.

These people coming in and presenting their letters of authority which were many times falsified. Spurious. Paul said look. Do I need to have letters of commendation when I come to you. Or do I need to seek letters of commendation from you when I go elsewhere.

You are our epistle. Written in our hearts known and read of all men. Your faith in Jesus Christ your existence as a church. Is all of the recommendation that I need. You are proof of my apostleship. You are proof of the validity of my ministry.

The very fact of your existence is all that is necessary to prove the authenticity of my calling. Now the person who doesn't have that kind of proof needs all kinds of phonied up documents. To tell how great they are.

I get a kick out of some of the letters that I receive. Enclosed with them all of these letters of commendation. Your ministry itself. Bears witness to your calling. And so Paul said you are my letters of commendation.

The fact that you exist that's all that's necessary. That's all the proof I need of my calling of God. For as much as you are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ. Ministered by us. Written not with ink.

But with the spirit of the living God. Not in the tables of stone. But in the fleshly tables of the heart. And such trust we have through Christ to God word. So Paul just sort of lets it rest there. Not that we think that we are sufficient of ourselves.

To think anything as of ourselves. But our sufficiency is of God. Now Paul in the last of the last chapter you remember. Cried out and who is sufficient for these things. There have been so many times when I have faced.

The issues of the ministry. And I said oh Lord who is sufficient for these things. Who's able to do this. And Paul asked the question and who is sufficient for these things. And now he answers his own question.

Not that we think that we have any sufficiency within ourselves. Or not that we are sufficient within ourselves. But our sufficiency is of God. I believe that God deliberately allows us. To come to the end of our own capacities and abilities.

In order that we might learn to trust in him. In order that we might draw from that all sufficiency from him. God revealed himself to Abraham as El Shaddai. Which means the all sufficient one. And it's always good to know the all sufficient one.

And to be able to rely upon the all sufficient one. To fill up that which I am lacking. When I come to the end of my own resources. And how many times we are driven to draw from that sufficiency. That God has provided for us through Jesus Christ.

And Paul said he is the one who has made us the able ministers of this new covenant. Or new testament. Not of the letter. But of the spirit. For the letter killeth. But the spirit giveth life. Now this is one passage of scripture that unfortunately is often quoted out of context.

Especially by those who are looking for a more experiential relationship with God. Who are looking for more exciting experiences in the things of God. So often you'll hear them say, Oh but the scripture says the letter killeth.

But the spirit giveth life. As though the word of God or the teaching of the word of God will kill you. But the spirit and the moving of the spirit and the experiences of the spirit bring life. That is a gross misquotation.

Because it is taking the scripture totally out of its context. The Bible tells us concerning the word of God. That it is alive and powerful. And it is sharper than a two edged sword. And it's able to divide between the soul and the spirit.

The bone and the marrow. The word of God, the letter does not kill. It's alive, it's powerful. And it brings life. The letter that kills is the letter of the law. And Paul here declares, I am the able minister of the new testament.

The new covenant. The old covenant was by the law. And the old covenant in the letter of the law does condemn us to death. If you want to be righteous before God by the keeping of the law, Then it's too late.

It's already condemned you to death. You've been destroyed. The letter of the law kills. For the law said, He that does these things shall live by them. But also it says, If you keep the whole law and yet you violate him one point, You're guilty of all.

And thus the law condemns every one of us to death. And it is the letter of the old covenant of the law That condemns us to death. But it is the spirit in the new covenant That brings us life. Spiritual life.

The Glory of the New Covenant

And now he goes on to talk about this ministration of death under the law. Which was written and engraven in stones. It was glorious. So that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses For the glory of his countenance, Which glory was passing away.

Now, there is a misunderstanding many times as the purpose of the veil. When Moses came down with the tables of stone, Having met with God there on the mount, Having been privileged to see the afterglow of God.

God said to Moses, What do you desire? And he said, Lord, show me thyself. And God said, You can't look at me and live, But you stay there in the rock. I'll pass by. And then you can see the afterglow.

And it was so glorious that Moses' face shone for days After he came down from the mount with the tables of law for the people. But he put a veil over his face. Not because they couldn't look at the glory on the face, But because the glow was beginning to fade.

And they didn't want them to see the fading glow. But that was only a witness of the law that had been given. That it was going to be phased out. That God might establish the new covenant through Jesus Christ.

And so the purpose of the veil was that they would not see the receding glory that was upon his face. We'll get that when we get a few verses down. But this ministration of the law was glorious So that they could not steadfastly look at the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, Which was fading away.

How shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious or even more glorious If the old covenant which condemned man to death was so glorious And given in such a glorious way How much more this new covenant of life through Jesus Christ is glorious to those who have received it.

For if the ministration of condemnation be glory Much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth.

In other words, there is really no way to compare the glory of the old covenant with the exceeding glory of the new covenant. That new relationship that we have to God through Jesus Christ excels in glory.

Brings us into such glory. You see the old covenant was predicated upon man's faithfulness and man's obedience. The purpose of the covenant is always to bring man into a relationship with God. That's the primary purpose.

The old covenant failed. Not because it wasn't good but because man was weak and man failed. It was predicated upon man's obedience, man's faithfulness. Now this new covenant cannot fail because it's predicated upon God's faithfulness to his word.

A covenant predicated upon my faithfulness to the word of God failed. I couldn't be faithful. But we know that God is faithful to his word. And thus this new covenant whereby we stand tonight is certain, is sure.

That's why we can say with assurance, I know in whom I have believed. And I'm persuaded that he is able to keep that which I've committed. And I've committed my life and my future to him. And I'm confident that he shall bring me into the fullness of his glory.

Because he is faithful to his word. His word cannot fail. He will not fail. So the new covenant excels in glory because it's based upon God and his faithfulness. Now if that which was done away, that is the old covenant under the law, was glorious, was made glorious.

For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excels. Nothing to compare with. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is more glorious.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great boldness or plainness of speech. Not as Moses which put the veil over his face that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end or to the phasing out or the fading of that which is abolished.

You see, here it declares that it was because it was beginning to fade away and they didn't want them to see this thing fading out. But their minds were blinded for until this day there remains the same veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament which veil is done away in Christ.

So blindness has happened to Israel in part until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Even when they read the law there is a veil over their faces that they don't really understand the law. A very sad thing has taken place among the Jewish people.

For though they still verbally hold to the law, they do not practice or follow the law in establishing a righteous standing before God. Under the law, under the Old Covenant, it was necessary that there be a death of a substitutionary animal to atone for their sins.

You would bring the animal to the priest, you would lay your hands upon its head, you would confess your sins over the animal and then the priest would slay the animal and offer it as a sacrifice, a sin offering for you.

And thus your sins would be covered and you would then be able to approach the Holy God. Now today the veil is over their faces for they are endeavoring to approach God through their own good works. Ignoring the fact that God required the sacrifice of an animal for the wages of sin is death and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.

They have substituted now the sacrifice of the animal and are trying to instead place their good efforts and their good works as the basis for their coming to God and their righteous standing before God.

Nowhere in the law are substitutes ever suggested for the sacrifices and thus a veil is over their face even when they read the law today as they think that by their good efforts and good works they can atone for their sin.

But their minds were blinded for until this day there remains the same veil that's not taken away. Their minds blinded to the truth. Israel is blind in part. Now this veil is really done away in Christ.

When you see Jesus Christ as our perfect substitute for our sins, our sacrifice, we come to an understanding of the righteousness of God being satisfied through the death of Jesus Christ. But even unto this day when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.

They are just blinded to the truth. Now the Lord is that spirit and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. So there are a couple passages here that the Pentecostal people really grab on to.

This is the second one. The first one is the letter killeth, the spirit gives life. This is another one that they latch on to where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and they interpret that in a very broad way.

There is liberty to do all kinds of things. Liberty to scream out and to shout out and to run up and down the aisles and you know whatever happens to suit their fancies. Again it is taking it out of context.

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty from the law and from the bondage of the law. Free from the law there is no condemnation for Jesus provides a perfect salvation. So this is freedom from the requirements of the law.

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass or as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory even as by the spirit of the Lord.

The work of God's spirit within our hearts is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. When God first made man he made man in his image. God said let us make man after our image and after our likeness and so was man created in the image of God.

But through sin man fell and no longer was in the image of God. The image of God being a spiritual image. God is a spirit. Man was created a spirit being dwelling in the body possessing a consciousness.

But God said in the day that you eat you will surely die. When man sinned his spirit died. And so Paul writing to the Ephesians said and you has he made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins. God's chief emotional attribute is love.

God made man with the capacity to love. A need for love. God is light and so God created man with the light and mind and a consciousness of God. But through sin man came into darkness. His foolish heart was darkened.

So man made in the image of God. Fallen from that image. But now the purpose of God is to restore man into his image again. That man might receive a restoration of that which God intended him to be before he fell.

And that is what the spirit is doing in our lives tonight as we yield ourselves to the work of God's spirit within us. He is conforming us into the image of Christ. Now we all with open face or unveiled faces.

The children of Israel have a veil. Every time they read Moses a veil is over their heart and their eyes are blinded. But we with open face as we behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord. As I'm looking in the mirror seeing my reflection.

I can see the work of God that is taking place in my life as the spirit of God is changing me and bringing me into the image of Jesus Christ. How beautiful it is to look at God's work in our own life and just to marvel at what God has done.

There have been areas in my life the old nature that were extremely ugly. I used to have an ugly temper easily ignited at the slightest provocation. And it was ugly and I didn't like what I saw in me.

I hated that nasty demonstration of that temper and I tried to control it but I just couldn't. Things would happen and before I knew it poof it was gone and I blown up. And here I was ashamed embarrassed at the things I did and the things I said.

Guilty, defeated and with all of my efforts I could not control it. And one day I said God I'm sorry I just can't do it. I've tried Lord I just can't do it. And I gave up in despair ever hoping to have control over that temper.

And then the spirit took over and he did for me what I couldn't do for myself. And he took away the inward boiling the inward steam. It wasn't a thing of my keeping the cap on the pressure seething inside ready to just explode but just holding tight and keeping the lid on you know.

But somehow the spirit from within took away the pressure the steam. And I could look at a situation or I could experience a situation where at one time I would have exploded violently into that ugliness and there were no more explosions.

And as I looked in the mirror I saw the spirits work in my life changing me into the image of Jesus. How glorious it is when God works in us by his spirit bringing to pass those changes removing the ugliness of the self life and of the old life and conforming us more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.

And as David and I shall be satisfied when I awake in his likeness someday when I look in the mirror and I see the Lord. I'll be in glory at that point but what a day that's going to be when the spirits job is finished in my life and I am completely conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.

Beloved now are we the sons of God it does not yet appear what we're going to be but we know that when he shall appear we will be like him for we shall see him as he is. But thank God each day there are changes that are taking place as the spirit of God continues his work in my life conforming me into the image of God's dear son.

How does it happen? By just continuing to look to Jesus when I look to myself I can't do it. When I look to others to aid me they can't do it. The only place that I can find really effective help is by looking to Jesus Christ.

It seems that we want to look to man so quickly. Oh let's run down and counsel with a pastor on this you know. Let's see if he has some magic words that will change us. We're always getting calls. The story goes basically like this I've talked to seven other pastors and they haven't been able to help me now I want to talk to Chuck.

Hey I'm sorry friend but I don't have any help either. I don't have any magic formulas. I don't have any magic words. Your changes that are so necessary are not going to come to pass through counseling sessions.

Looking to man. Those changes that are necessary can only come to pass when you look to Jesus Christ. I don't know where the church ever got messed up in these counseling programs. Getting people to depend upon the counselor to solve their problems.

There is a interesting study that has just been released by I think it's the cells ice neck report. Oh it's really stirring things up something fierce. For they have made a pretty comprehensive study of people with mental problems.

Who have turned to psychoanalyst. To solve their problems. And they have found. That when a person turns to a psychoanalyst. To help them with their problem. In 45 of the cases. By the end of a year.

Therapy. With a psychoanalysis. Only 43%. Could quit counseling. Were helped enough that they needed no more counsel. Only 43%. Those who went to psychotherapist. It was a little better. 52 did not have to continue after a year.

Those who could afford a psychiatrist. Came off a little better for 61 who went to psychiatrist. Did not have to continue counseling after the year. However. Those who didn't go to anybody 73 didn't need any counseling at the end of the year.

As I said this study is turning the whole field of psychology on its ear right now. It's really the big buzz through all the universities that the release of this report. But it's just pointing up what I'm telling you.

Your help is going to come from the Lord. It's looking under Jesus that you're going to find your answers. And as long as you're looking under man and trying to make a crutch out of some counselor. You're not going to make it.

You've got to turn to Jesus and find the help that he offers. So we with open face beholding the glory of the Lord. Are then changed. From glory to glory. Into the same image. As his spirit is working.

Within our hearts. The best thing any counselor can do is make you dependent upon Jesus Christ. The greatest service any counselor can do for you is to bring you to Jesus Christ. And to a dependency on him.

Because he's the only one that's going to bring you any help. Several years ago when I was counseling a psychiatrist. He made me a very lucrative offer to go into business with him. He wanted me to begin counseling in his offices.

He had a clinic. And he said I can give you the technical problem with that person. I can tell you what's gone wrong. But he said having done that I can't do much more. He said you have the answers. I want you to go to work for me.

But the answer is just pointing people to Jesus Christ. Get people to trust in him. Get people to look to him. We with unveiled faces beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being changed. From glory to glory.

The changes do take place. As God's spirit works in my life. Therefore. Seeing we have this ministry. What ministry? Pointing people to Jesus Christ. We have received mercy. We faint not. But we have renounced.

Integrity in Preaching the Word

The hidden things of dishonesty. Not walking in craftiness. Nor handling the word of God deceitfully. But by manifestation of the truth. Commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Paul said look I am not seeking to be crafty. I'm not seeking to give some kind of a hype. Get people all hyped up emotionally and all. Handling the word of God in a crafty manner or deceitfully. But by the manifestation of truth.

Commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. I had lunch today with some people from Israel. And the man sitting next to me at lunch. Said you know. I first became acquainted with you.

When you were on television. On channel 13. He said one morning as I tuned in I saw you standing there. I saw the menorah behind you. And he said you were teaching from the Old Testament. And he said I call my wife and said look here's a rabbi that doesn't wear a yarmulke.

He must be a reformed rabbi. And he said I started listening. To your program every Sunday. Started watching. And he said you were so unlike so many of the other ministers that are on TV. He said so many of these Christian TV programs insult my intelligence.

All of the hype and all of the emotionalism. He said it insults my intelligence. But he said you gave me something to think about. And you started me thinking in many areas. This is what Paul is saying of his own ministry.

Hey I was straight forward with you. I didn't try and give some hype. I didn't try and use the word of God deceitfully. I renounced those hidden things of dishonesty. I did it walking craftiness. And believe me there's a lot of crafty fellows out there.

They've existed from the time of the beginning of the church. And unfortunately they still exist today. I do receive some of the most craftily written computerized letters you ever saw in your life. Every kind of gimmick you could ever think of.

If I'll just send in $5 or $10 or $15 or go to the bank and borrow $50 to get them out of the jam that they're in right now. Then I'll get a little square inch of the prayer rug where they kneel to pray for me.

Paul said we've renounced these hidden things of dishonesty. You're not walking in craftiness or handling the word of God deceitfully. But by the demonstrating of the truth. Commending ourselves in every man's conscience.

In the sight of God. Now there were those who were saying that Paul was preaching mysteries that you could not understand. The gospel that Paul preaches is hid. And so Paul answers them in a very clever way.

He said if our gospel is hid it is hid to those that are lost. They're the ones that can't see it. In whom the God of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not. Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them.

A very interesting passage of scripture and one that we'd like to spend just a little time with you tonight. Because I think it's a key that's going to help in your praying for your loved ones who are not saved.

As we mentioned earlier we have been created in the image of God. And one of God's characteristics is that he is self-determinant. That is he has a will and the capacity to exercise his will. The power of choice.

And God created you in his image and gave to you the power of self-determination so that you can determine your own destiny. And you do determine your own destiny. Having given us the power of choice it was necessary that God then respect the choices that we make.

The moment God would no longer respect my choice but force me to do something against my will. Then I am not really a self-determinant creature. So for this self-determination to be valid. It was necessary that God respect the choices that I make and that there be an opportunity to make a choice.

So God gave the opportunity for Adam to make a choice and then God did respect the choice that he made. So with you. You can choose to love God or you can choose not to love God. You have that choice.

You make the choice. And God must respect that choice. Or else it is a fallacy that God has given you a choice. Therefore if God respects the choices that a man makes. I really cannot pray. Oh God please save John.

Unless. John himself asked the Lord for salvation. He can't be saved. And for God to save John against his choice would be violating his choice. Which again destroys the whole purpose in giving us choice.

That sort of creates a dilemma in praying for the loss. Except this verse gives us the answer. Those. Who are lost. Who believe not. We are told here that the God of this world being Satan. Has blinded their eyes.

Or the minds of them which believe not. Lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is in the image of God should shine in them. Now. Why is it that John doesn't believe in Jesus Christ. Because his mind.

Has been. Blinded by Satan to the truth. He doesn't really see the truth. Of this glorious salvation that God is offering. Satan has prejudiced and poisoned his mind against God. Satan is holding him in a spell.

Now. Though God respects our choices Satan doesn't. He could care less that you have the power of choice. If he has the opportunity he's going to hold you. And he will blind your mind to the truth. And he will fill your mind with poison and prejudice against God and the things of God.

So that it is impossible for you to think rationally about your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Have you ever noticed how some people are so gracious and genteel. And they can talk to you rationally on any subject in the world except that of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Talk to them about the Rams chances next year. Oh and they can go on for hours. Talk to them about fishing in Alaska. Talk to them about the Hawaiian Islands. Talk to them about the space shuttle. Name your subject.

Oh they're so gracious. They'll talk so graciously to you. They can go on and on. Bring up the subject of Jesus Christ and they become totally rational. I don't like to talk about that subject. I don't think people ought to discuss things like that.

Totally irrational. Why? Because Satan has put such a hold upon their lives. Paul writing to Timothy said that we might take them from the captivity of the enemy who is holding them captive against their wills.

He doesn't respect choice. The God of this world has blinded their minds. So, Jesus said, Whatsoever things you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatsoever things you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

So the way to pray for your loved ones who are not saved is to pray that God will bind that work of Satan that has blinded their minds and is holding them captive. That God will bind Satan's work in their lives that have prejudiced and poisoned their minds against the gospel.

In order that they might be able to consider the truth of God without this ungodly pressure from Satan. For any man who will rationally look at the offer that God has made in Jesus Christ is a fool if he doesn't accept it.

But the reason why they don't accept it is they can't accept it because of Satan's power that is holding them in the captivity of the enemy. And so we through prayer can set them free from Satan's power.

And once set free from this blinding influence of Satan upon their minds, I don't know of anybody who just doesn't accept this gracious offer that God has made to us through Jesus Christ. So make that the direction of your prayer.

The binding of the power of Satan that has blinded their minds and that is holding them captive and whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven. When God will bind that power of Satan, God will take away the blinders that he has put over their mind and they'll be able to see rationally and clearly the offer that God has made to us through Jesus Christ.

And then loose that work of the Holy Spirit and the conviction of the Holy Spirit upon their hearts and that drawing of the Holy Spirit of their hearts to Jesus Christ. You can't just say, Oh Lord, save them.

God will not save them against their wills. There has to come the change of will and that desire in their heart and that asking of God for salvation. And whosoever comes unto me, Jesus said, I will in no wise cast out.

So our prayers are to set them free so that they can see. Paul said, For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ, the Lord and ourselves, your servants, for Jesus' sake. I will leave the exposition of that because I could get quite involved.

The Treasure of Christ in Earthen Vessels

For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters and God said, Let there be light.

And there was light. By His divine fire, God called light into existence and God saw the light that it was good. And God divided the light. Interesting statements if taken in a scientific context, which we are not intending to do tonight.

But God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness. And God said, Yahiyor wah Yahiyor. Let there be light or literally light be and light was. I like that. And God said, Light be and light was. Oh, that kind of power excites me.

God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. And now He has shined in our hearts, which were once blinded by Satan. Hearts that were in darkness alienated from God, but now the God who called the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We with open faces beholding the glory of the Lord. And this glory is in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.

God has taken one of the most glorious treasures that any. Well, it is the most glorious treasure any man can can possess. The light of the knowledge and the understanding of Jesus Christ is the most glorious treasure any of you could ever have.

Because that's that's eternal life. That's the treasure of eternal life. The most valuable thing that any man can possess that eternal life through Jesus Christ. For what will profit a man if he would gain the whole world and lose his own soul?

What can a man give in exchange for his soul? You see what you possess in your knowledge of Jesus Christ, the light and the understanding of Jesus Christ that God has brought to you is the most valuable thing you could ever have.

The valuable treasure of God. What does he put it in? We have this glorious treasure in earthen vessels. Or in clay pots. Our bodies. This old earthen vessel. This old clay pot. Becomes the dwelling place of the eternal God.