1. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n God’s glory cannot be seen when its man’s glory they seek!

2. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n God’s glory cannot be seen when its man’s glory they seek! n This problem was evident in Paul’s first epistle. (1 Cor 1:11-12; 3:5-7; 4:6)

3. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n 1 Corinthians 1:11-12 (NKJV) - For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”

4. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (NKJV) - Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

5. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n 1 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV) - Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

6. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n In the second epistle the problem has reached this stage. (2 Cor 10:12)

7. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV) - For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

8. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n Sadly Paul had to defend himself against false charges from these men because they viewed him as a competitor for this human glory. (2 Cor 7:2; 10:10)

9. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n 2 Corinthians 7:2 (NKJV) - Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one.

10. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n 2 Corinthians 10:10 (NKJV) - “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”

11. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n In this kind of carnal atmosphere men will miss something far greater … the exceeding glory of God. (John 5:43-44)

12. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n John 5:43-44 (NKJV) - I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

13. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n It was judaizing teachers that were appealing to the carnality of brethren in their attempt to mix the Old and New laws.

14. The Corinthians had a sight problem because they failed to see the priorities of God. n It was judaizing teachers that were appealing to the carnality of brethren in their attempt to mix the Old and New laws. n Paul wants these Christians to see God’s past, present and future glory.

15. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Paul’s work with the Corinthians gave him an easy defense of his ministry. (3:1-3)

16. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NKJV) - Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

17. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

18. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n What they actually are in Christ came through Paul’s work.

19. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Paul could make a point like Peter where he can appeal to their own personal memory. (Acts 2:22)

20. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Acts 2:22 (NKJV) - “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—

21. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n His work was personal and done as a servant for their good. (Acts 18:8; 1 Cor 4:15)

22. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Acts 18:8 (NKJV) - Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

23. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 1 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV) - For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

24. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n If Paul was not a real apostle, then what would that make the Corinthians? (1 Cor 9:1-2)

25. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 (NKJV) - Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

26. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Real evangelism must take place in opening hearts and involving yourselves with people. It cannot be done at a distance hiding in an office.

27. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n This is a struggle for the mind. Paul tried to appeal to a logical consistency. Satan uses emotions and deceit to veil and close the mind.

28. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n This is a struggle for the mind. Paul tried to appeal to a logical consistency. Satan uses emotions and deceit to veil and close the mind. n Can you tell who really cares for you? (Gal 4:17) (Ex. Disciplining Movement)

29. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Galatians 4:17 (NKJV) - They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

30. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n The sufficiency comes from God. (3:4-6)

31. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NKJV) - And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

32. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Sufficient = able or competent. This shows the power and wisdom of God!

33. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Sufficient = able or competent. This shows the power and wisdom of God! n Earlier the sufficiency was shown in the way God has revealed the gospel. (2:16)

34. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 2 Corinthians 2:16 (NKJV) - To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

35. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Now the writing of God’s word on the hearts of the Corinthians is another example of the power of God. (3:5-6)

36. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Now the writing of God’s word on the hearts of the Corinthians is another example of the power of God. (3:5-6) n The power is not in men but the gospel of Christ. (2 Cor 4:2, 5)

37. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 2 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV) - But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, 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.

38. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV) - For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

39. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n If the gospel is not written on our hearts we have never been converted! (Rom 8:9; Heb 8:10-11; 10:16-17)

40. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Romans 8:9 (NKJV) - But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

41. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Hebrews 8:10-11 (NKJV) - For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.

42. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Hebrews 10:16-17 (NKJV) - “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

43. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n How does the Holy Spirit write upon our hearts? (Eph 1:13; 3:3-5)

44. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV) - In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

45. The Sufficiency of God. (3:1-6) n Ephesians 3:3-5 (NKJV) - how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

46. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 (NKJV) - 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, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.

47. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

48. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n The Old Testament Law was a ministry of death? Why?

49. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n The Old Testament Law was a ministry of death? Why? n Because it was never meant in itself to save. Men could not keep it perfectly. (Heb 8:6-8,13; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:20)

50. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Hebrews 8:6-8 (NKJV) - But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

51. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—

52. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Hebrews 8:13 (NKJV) - In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

53. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Acts 13:39 (NKJV) - and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

54. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Romans 3:20 (NKJV) - Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

55. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n God wanted men prepared to receive their Savior. If salvation came through the law then Jesus died in vain. (Gal 2:19-21)

56. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Galatians 2:19-21 (NKJV) - For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

57. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n How then were those under the first covenant saved? (Heb 9:15-16; Rom 4:1-6)

58. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Hebrews 9:15-16 (NKJV) - And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

59. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n Romans 4:1-6 (NKJV) - What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

60. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

61. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n When the two covenants are compared one is “better” or “more glorious”.

62. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n When the two covenants are compared one is “better” or “more glorious”. n This is illustrated by the veil placed upon Moses face.

63. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n If they could only truly see this glory, then they would have know about the utter emptiness in pursing men’s praise.

64. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n If they could only truly see this glory, then they would have know about the utter emptiness in pursing men’s praise. n Do we understand the awesome glory of the forgiveness of sin in Christ? (Jn 1:16-17)

65. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n John 1:16-17 (NKJV) - And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

66. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n It is possible for one to enter a local church with little understanding of what it really means to be a Christian. Satan looks to exploit these. (1 Cor 3:1-3)

67. The Glory that Excels (3:7-11) n 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NKJV) - And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

68. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 (NKJV) -Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.

69. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

70. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n We have a hope and a confidence that causes us to stand up and speak!

71. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n We have a hope and a confidence that causes us to stand up and speak! n Do you see the glory? Are you also compelled to speak? (2 Cor 4:13-14; 5:10-11)

72. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 4:13-14 (NKJV) - And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

73. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (NKJV) - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

74. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Why do we exist as a church? Is it the glory that excels or our current status among men?

75. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Why do we exist as a church? Is it the glory that excels or our current status among men? n Israel however continued looking at the earthly side of things and thus was blind. (3:14-15)

76. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 3:14-15 (NKJV) - But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.

77. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Why were they blind? They failed to have honest hearts. (Luke 8:15)

78. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n If you talked to these men they would point you to their heritage, the temple and many things God had done in the past. Jesus had deal with such things from the Jews. (Matt 3:9-10)

79. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n If you talked to these men they would point you to their heritage, the temple and many things God had done in the past. Jesus had deal with such things from the Jews. (Matt 3:9-10) n This blindness was foretold. (Matt 13:15)

80. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Matthew 13:15 (NKJV) - For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears Bare hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’

81. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n I have learned that most men do not want to think and do not want to see.

82. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n The only way to recover the mind is found in repentance. (3:16)

83. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) - Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

84. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n It is remarkable how Satan can lead smart men into very apparent foolishness but they will not see. (4:3-4)

85. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (NKJV) - But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

86. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n This is why we cannot play with sin. (1 Tim 4:1-2)

87. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NKJV) - Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

88. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n On the other hand, look at the incredible transformation that God can work in us over time. (3:16-18)

89. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

90. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Can you see the glory? Your heart and your mouth will be filled with praise! (Rom 8:29)

91. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Romans 8:29 (NKJV) - For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

92. The Blindness of Israel (3:12-18) n Yield your heart to God. Open your eyes and see the glory!