Sermon Tone Analysis

Fading Glory/Forgotten Scars

We are told that scars heal, and that glory fades.

However, there are some scars that will never be forgotten or rather should never be forgotten.

Jesus' sacrifice created scars that will never be healed.

These scars are the basis of every ministry that we do as believers.

Most especially included in that is pastoral ministry.

Paul came to them originally with nothing but the Cross of Jesus.

He patiently taught them who the Messiah was, what He came to do, what His victory looked like, and what the future promises of that victory would look like.

Their memories proved to be short term at best.

New leaders who they seemed to like much better than Paul had come in and started teaching a variety of different things which seemingly rather than become unified against apostasy, the Corinthians became splintered in turmoil.

Whenever Paul would come up in conversation these other teachers would boast about their accomplishments and dare that Paul would do the same.

"Let's compare resumes, which of us is better for the job?"

So the Corinthians have been pleading with paul to do just that.

But here he brings out the first big reason that this shouldn't be necessary:

They knew Paul and were well acquainted with who he was and what his credentials were.

Their testimony was his testimony.

He is reminding them that it was he that fathered them spiritually speaking.

That all of this was actually by the hand of Jesus.

Bringing the Holy Spirit into the conversation.

Who do we give credit to?

Is it leaders?

Ourselves?

Hard work?

Paul gives all ministerial credit to the Spirit.

Paul had zero confidence in his own abilities.

He knew what his abilities were, he knew what gifts he was given but he made no qualms of admitting shortcoming and failures.

Paul was confident in the gifts Jesus gave him.

But only because they were in fact from Jesus and the Spirit.

What is the New Covenant?

Simply put "The Church".

Both covenants are for groups of people.

Also, we must note that he says "a" new covenant.

We are a mystery.

God the Father promised the Nation of Israel a new covenant and while its true we are a starting place for that renewed covenant... we are not that New Covenant.

One day the Nation of Israel will be in right relationship with their Messiah but that day isn't today.

For now we enjoy that reality alone and distinctly separate.

"Ministry of Death"

The Law.

Friends the law has a purpose.

It is the letter that determines and declares the justice of God.

It has not been undone or forgotten but rather it is fulfilled in Jesus.

Jesus didn't throw out the Law but rather appeased or fulfilled the wrath that our rebellion against the Law generates.

If there was no Law there could be no redemption.

For if there was no Law there would be no justice to establish a standard against whereas the wrath of God would not be diminished and would require instant and swift retaliation against His nature.

Moses and the Veil

So Moses went up on the Mountain and met with the Pre-incarnate Jesus.

His glory was so miraculous that when he passed by it caused Moses' face to actually glow.

The issue became that as time passed his face lost its glow; his, that is Moses', glory diminished.

So what started as His needing to cover his face because his face was too glorious for them became a source of concern for Moses as it faded, so each time he went and spoke with the LORD he would make sure that the people saw his freshly radiant face.

We cannot bask in the glory of God if we are not in fellowship with God.

Three ways that the Christian can fellowship with God.

Reading and studying Scripture privately.

Privately praying.

Corporately gathering in worship.

The Christian doesn't need a veil.

Our glory is not something that is at first overwhelmingly bright and then diminshes but rather the glory of our covenant is one that grows brighter the longer we walk with Jesus.

We have nothing to hide.

Moses was afraid of the people and the reaction they would have to his fading glory.

But we live in communion with one another.

The Scriptures and the Holy Spirit have put us on the same equal playing field: sinners saved by grace.

The Law has taught us each that we are imperfect and in need of a Rescuer.

The Grace and Mercy of Jesus reaches down and saves us.

We have no reason to hide ourselves in boastful speech or mighty words, we can be as weak or as mighty as we really are because our community is one that is upheld not by glories that fade but by the ever increasing glory of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives.

His grace will transform you.

Paul's big concern for the Corinthian church is that they had largely not changed.

They were at the same place he had left them after being their pastor.

It shouldn't have been this way.

What happened?

Surely, Jesus' grace will not return void?

No, and so he is here reminding them that the Christian faith needs no pomp and it certainly doesn't need any ego inflation because at the very beginning Christianity reminds us how small and rebellious we are and how mighty and majestic He is.

A Comparison

The Jewish people can only see the harshness of the law and thus only a portion of the glory.

A portion that will fade in light of His glory.

This isn't saying that the Law is bad, on the contrary, we absolutely need the Law.

However, the Law wasn't designed or intended to stand by itself.

God loves us too much.

For the Law by itself would have been only judgment.

Jesus and His ministry of reconciliation flow from the Law.

But it takes away the harshness.

We no longer have to be rigid and say no forgiveness because Jesus has forgiven.

The Christian faith invites us to share one another's burdens where the Law required us to live up to a standard.

Points of Worship

Jesus is the better glory.

Jesus takes care of our short comings.

Jesus and the Holy Spirit will change us in glorious radiance.