Sunday 10:21:12

Spiritual leaders • Recognize that God intends good from our suffering (2 Cor 1:1-7) • Correct spiritual issues (2 Cor 2:1-4) • Know the goal is lives changed by Christ (2 Cor 3:1-6) 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 vv. 7-11 Old covenant – glorious – brings condemnation – fading glory New covenant – more glorious – brings righteousness – surpassing, lasting glory v. 12 – Such hope, such confidence in the new covenant makes us bold. What religion has the hope, the power, and the glory of Christianity? vv. 13-15 – The Old Covenant keeps people from seeing the glory of the new covenant. vv. 16-17 – In Christ, the veil is taken away and people are set free. Free from trying to be good enough to meet God’s standards. Free from trying to earn God’s favor. Free from the endless cycle of covering over their sins. Jesus met God’s standards for us. He earned God’s favor for us. He covered our sins for us. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! v. 18 – Jesus is making us like himself. Spiritual leaders grow in likeness to Christ actively and intentionally You cannot lead people to a place you are not going. Have you made the decision to follow Jesus? – Not just to be saved, but follow him? It’s sad to say, but many people want salvation without following Jesus. To follow Jesus is to • Love what he loves • Do what he did How will you get there? To follow Christ, there are things that belong in your life: 1. A desire to grow 2. Bible study and Prayer 3. Confession and Repentance 4. Humble reliance on the Holy Spirit To follow Christ, there are things that do not belong in your life: • Sexual immorality, lust, impurity, greed