DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration 27 august, 2017

LESSON 657: THE SUPERIORITY OF GRACE TO THE LAW MEMORY VERSE: “For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.” – 2 Corinthians 3:9 TEXT: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

SUMMARY (1) Our previous study dealt with Paul’s Passion for godliness in the church: In the church, there is the necessity to maintain godly discipline in matters of soundness in faith, morals and Christian conduct in order to maintain divine standards. Discipline is to purify, humble, correct and to lead the offender to genuine repentance Church discipline is not to punish the victim but to effect his restoration. Church discipline should be done prayerfully and in the spirit of love and concern The study of today touches three related points: The transforming power of the gospel of grace The constrast between the old and new covenants Transformation through Christ, the glory of the new covenant

SUMMARY (2) The transforming power of the gospel of grace (2 Cor 3:1-6 ) The gospel of grace crushes sinful human nature and purifies the heart to obey God. In the new covenant, God’s law is written in the heart and reflected in our character. God empowers gospel preachers; yet His plan excludes man’s merit, ability and talent. The contrast between the old and new covenants (2 Cor 3:7-10 ) The Law was glorious in the sense of bringing God’s holy standard down to mortal man. Yet the Law was limited in that it could not empower man to keep God’s holy standard. But the gospel of grace exceeds in glory, for it purifies and empowers man to obey God. Transformation through Christ, the glory of the new covenant (2 Cor 3:11-18 ) The greater glory we now enjoy comes through the revelation of Jesus Christ (vv. 11-14). Tradition blocks this revelation; turning to the Lord removes the blockage (vv. 15,16). Looking at Christ’s glory changes us to become like Him through His Spirit (vv. 17,18).

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1A What are the benefits of giving letters of recommendation to believers who relocate to other locations? Romans 16:1,2 I Corinthians 16:3 Matthew 7:15

QUESTION 1B What is a greater testimony than letters of recommendation? 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 1 Thessalonians 1:6 -8

QUESTION 2 Why was the letter of recommendation not necessary for Paul to Corinth? 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 1 Thessalonians 2:10

QUESTION 3 Why is inward cleansing important to the Christian life? Jeremiah 31:33 Ezekiel 11:19,20

QUESTION 4 Differentiate between the Old and the New Covenant. John 7:37-39 2 Corinthians 3:7-10

QUESTION 5 How would you compare the glory experienced by Moses and that which is experienced by believers today? 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Corinthians 3:11

CONCLUSION The gospel of grace exceeds the law because the law only tells man what is required of him but the gospel has the power to transform man to obey God. The impact of the gospel should be demonstrated by a visible godly character; this is more convincing than any human letter of recommendation. Religious tradition hinders man from seeing Christ’s glory; it blocks man’s view and keeps him in bondage to human works to establish human righteousness. Repentance or turning to God removes the veil that hinders us to see Jesus; it allows man to receive the light that comes through Christ’s gospel. Having been saved by faith through grace, one must keep looking at the glory of Christ through His word by the Spirit to be changed into His likeness.