And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.  2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Again Paul is teaching us the differences between the Old (Mosaic) Covenant and the New Covenant in Christ. For those Christians who believe we are still in the Mosaic Covenant, the Apostle Paul as an ex Pharisee is showing you the differences. In Christ you are now a Minister of the New Covenant by the Holy Spirit, Amen!

In the Old (Mosaic) Covenant only those born in the line of Aaron, The Leviticul Priest line, could be priests. Everyone who was in the Mosaic Covenant couldnt be a priest, it’s important to understand this. In fact, if you tried entering The Temple, the Holy of Holies, and were not a priest, God will strike you down instantly! Why? Because sinful people could not stand in the presence of a Holy God. This is why the Temple had a courtyard, it separated those who were sanctified and those who were unclean in their sins

Fast forward to the New Covenant, it’s no coincidence when Jesus Christ said “It Is Finished” on the cross, the veil was torn, a great earthquake shook the land of Jerusalem, and eventually the Temple would be destroyed and never rebuilt again. The Old Covenant was fulfilled by Christ at the cross! Everything from the Mosaic Covenant was a shadow of Christ to come! The Sacrifices, The Priest line , The Temple, are all fulfilled by Christ, there were shadows pointing to The Lord, The Messiah, the Son of God

As a Born Again Christian, you have been raised to a new life, a new creature, you are filled and sealed with the Holy Spirit, therefore as Paul tells us “He (Christ) has made/enabled/qualified Us as Ministers of the New Covenant” Think about that!

Many Christians will just say they are nobody, they are just a member of a Church, NO! If you are Born Again in Christ, You are a Minister of Christ! What does a Minister do? They have a Ministry for Christ! We all have ministries, we are all preachers of the New Covenant, Go and preach the gospel to everyone, baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye 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 tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

When we compare the New Covenant in Christ with the Old Covenant with Moses, there is a big difference. You might ask what are the differences? Well here the Apostle Paul, who was a Pharisee, is going to walk us through the differences with the Covenants, which were prophesied by the prophets of the Old Testament

As the prophet Jeremiah said “ I (God) will put the law on their minds and write it on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33) As the prophet Ezekiel said “ I (God) will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26) This is why Jesus said “You must be Born Again to see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3) In the New Covenant the Law of Christ is written on our hearts and the Holy Spirit lives inside of us!

As the Apostle Paul says “The letter of Christ, not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God” This is why you need to be Born Again, regenerated, because then you have the Law written in your heart, without the Holy Spirit, your just another Israelite wandering in the wilderness full of disobedience and left to your demise.

Not in tablets of stone but on tablets of the human heart! So what are the tablets of stone being referenced here? Of course it’s the Ten Commandments, the Law of God, in the New Covenant the Law is written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle John said “The Law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ! (John 1:17) 

There are many today who are trying to Keep themselves under The Law, trying to earn their own salvation,  As the Apostle Paul said “For the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the Law of Sin and Death” (Romans 8:2) The Law brings forth death, this is why there is only salvation through Jesus Christ alone. 

If you are Born Again, The Law of God is written on your heart, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you! We have been given a new heart , a new mind, and we are a new creature though Jesus Christ, Amen!

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17

Today we are looking at one scripture, but this statement by Paul is so important we can’t just skip over it. Paul starts by saying “For We Are Not As Many” , now it’s very obvious even since the beginning of Christianity , there were already many wolves and false prophets selling a false gospel to make money, as Paul says there are many

This is a huge issue in Christianity today, as I believe the overwhelming majority of Christianity is filled with false teachers and unfortunately false converts. Christianity has become a Billion dollar business, all you have to do is turn on your TV to TBN and see these mega Pastors begging for money, while living in mansions and flying private jets. It’s absolutely disgusting that these wolves would trample on the blood of Christ to make money, and in the process deceive many on the broad road to Hell

Jesus warned this would happen, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in Sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15) Many of these wolves appear to be “real Christians” they say all the right things, they even use the name of Jesus, what did Jesus say “Many will say to Me, Lord Lord, Have we not prophesied in your Name, cast out demons in your Name, done many wonders in your name” (Matthew 7: 22)  But notice Jesus response to them “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23)

Notice Paul says “They corrupt the Word of God” , these false prophets and false teachers will use the name of Jesus and twist scripture to fulfill their agenda, make money and a name for themselves. John the Baptist said “He (Christ) must increase, I (John) must decrease” ( John 3:30) John didn’t start a new ministry, name it after himself, build a huge building, living a luxurious life. No, John’s ministry was all about Jesus, he even died for Christ without anything left in his name

Paul goes on to say “But as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak before God in Christ” The word sincerity can also mean clearness and purity, with a clean conscience we preach the gospel of Christ. Now you might ask, how do we know who is fake and real? Go back to Jesus teaching in Matthew 7 “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16) The Apostle Paul gave his life (literally ) for Christ, beheaded at Rome, it puzzles me how anyone can call Paul a false teacher

Look at the false teachers of today, what fruit are they producing? Are they willing to give their life for Christ to promote the gospel and Kingdom? Most of them are in air conditioned buildings, having a steak dinner, in a 3 piece suit, you can clearly know them by their fruit

We don’t peddle the Word of God for profit or money, we share the gospel because it’s our higher calling by our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen!

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?  2 Corinthians 2:12-16

It’s interesting when we see the shadows from the Old Testament show up here in the New Testament. Whenever the Israelites offered God sacrifices or offerings , the aroma was pleasing to God, (Numbers 15:3) why? It’s because God is pleased with our heart towards him, to worship God in Spirit and Truth!

The Apostle Paul says here “For we are unto God a Sweet savour or aroma of Christ” Think about that, everything you do, ever act of worship or service to The Lord , is pleasing to God. As the Apostle Paul said “Present your bodies as a Living Sacrifice” (Romans 12:1) Live your life for Christ, in everything you do, be sanctified and led by the Holy Spirit, as His temple!

Not only are we a pleasing aroma to God but also to the Church, when you are around Born Again believers, doesn’t it just please your soul and re energize you? This is part of the Church , to fellowship with one another , to share our spiritual gifts with one another, to comfort one another. However the false convert gives off a worldy stench, as Jesus said they make him want to vomit them out of his mouth” (Revelation 3:16)

While we the Church are a pleasing aroma to God and others, we are the aroma of death to the world. Why? Because the real gospel exposes sin and its penalty, the real Jesus requires repentance and baptism of the Holy Spirit, the real Church is Born Again and follow the Word of God has their authority!

The world hates the real Jesus Christ of the Bible, the world hates the real gospel that is not watered down and sugar coated, the world hates the remnant of the real body of Christ! The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing! (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Continue to love and serve The Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul, you are a pleasing aroma to God, for the world you are the aroma of death, as Jesus said “they will hate you, because they have hated me first!” (John 15:18) Amen!

But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 2 Corinthians 2:1-8

The Church, the body of Christ, is a family not an organization. Like all real families, there are going to be conflicts and problems, the question is how will the Church respond to these problems? Many Christians have this unrealistic idea that there is a “perfect Church” , the perfect Church will never exist because the Church is the people, and people are not perfect.

With that said, the Apostle Paul is grieved and sorrowful over a member of the Church of Corinth, their conduct or behavior , but as Paul says here “that you might know the love which I have more abundantly for you” Many people view discipline as hateful, but as the Bible says “God loves those he disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6) Church discipline is for the love of the Church, and we as Christians should appreciate when someone points out something we are doing wrong, even though our flesh really hates it. Paul had great love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, however he love them enough to discipline them also

Notice the spiritual maturity of Paul then, he instructs the members to “forgive and comfort him” Once the member was disciplined , he was then forgiven. We can learn alot from this model Paul is demonstrating here, while we should discipline those in the Church , we should also be willing to forgive them also. Church discipline has become a foreign concept in today’s Church, as most leaders in the Church today don’t shepherd anyone, but as Paul warned “a little leaven (sin) leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:6) When we allow sin to run rampant in the Church, it eventually corrupts the entire Church body, which is what we see mostly today

For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:9-11

Notice Pauls warning, Satan will take advantage of these situations to bring more division within the body of Christ, we see this everyday! This is why we need to repent and forgive one another as mature brothers and sisters in Christ. As the Apostle Paul closes here “If there is anything to forgive, I have forgiven in the person of Christ”!

We forgive because Christ has forgiven us first, Amen!

And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might have a second benefit; And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:15-20

When we put our faith and trust in the world, we will always be let down. But when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we will never be forsaken because God is faithful. The world is fallen with fallen people, many people will make promises they never intend to keep, or make statements that are simply not true. Don’t be surprised when the world fails you, but God will never fail

We as Christians are not to live as the world, but to live as Christ. As Jesus said “Let your Yes be a Yes, and your No be a No”(Matthew 5:37)  We as Christians need to be honorable and truthful, not just making false promises as the world does. Be careful about the words you speak, if you are not sure , then be honest. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. If you want people to see Christ in you, then you must act like Christ

As the Apostle Paul was making his rounds to different Churches, I’m sure at times there was confusion whether he was coming or not , or whether Paul was going to keep his promises. But as Paul said “But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay” We don’t ever have to wonder if God is going to keep his promises, because God can’t lie (Titus 1:2) Every promise by God is a guarantee, its a done deal, we have victory through Jesus Christ!

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, in Him was always Yes! Amen! When you look at all other religions , they are all created and featured upon a flawed and sinful human. Christianity is true because Jesus Christ is the sinless Lamb of God. Nobody in the world has ever been able to find fault in Christ or accuse him of a crime, because Jesus is the true living God in the flesh, the Son of God

As Paul says “For ALL of God are in Him (Christ) are Yes! And In Him (Christ) Amen! In Christ we have a guarantee of salvation, eternal life, and victory, there is no question of whether it is a done deal, it is already finished at the cross!  Our God is faithful and we have blessed assurance in Jesus Christ, Amen!

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. 2 Corinthians 1:12-14

 We as Born Again Christians are called to be the Light of the World and Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5) With that being said, we are going to be in the world even though we are not of the world. Remember what Jesus prayed “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but you keep them from evil” (John 17:15)

Many Christians try to isolate themselves from the world, or almost hide away, but is that Biblical? How can we be The Light of the world, if the world doesn’t know we exist? This is a fine line we need to walk, because we also don’t want to be too involved with the world either. This is why whenever you get involved in anything, we should pray for the Holy Spirit’s discernment and lead to follow

Notice what Paul says here “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom” First notice we as Christians are not being led by worldly wisdom or motives, we are being led by the Holy Spirit, our conscience which convicts us of right and wrong, and when we are good examples for the world in Christ, we can rejoice that we are representing Christ in honor and respect. 

We have conducted ourselves in holiness and sincerity! When you are a true Born Again Christian you will stick out in the world like a sore thumb. Everyone can tell who you belong to by the fruits you are producing (Matthew 7) If the world can’t tell if you’re even a Christian, then there is an issue. How can you be a child of the light, when you live in the darkness?

As Paul goes on to say “We (Church) are rejoicing , even as you also are in the day of the Lord Jesus” Everytime you go out into the world and be a true disciple of Christ, all of Heaven is rejoicing. There is no better feeling, when you go out into the streets and share the gospel with non-believers, you can just feel the joy coming from God. Remember as Jesus said “All of Heaven rejoices over one sinner repenting” (Luke 15:7)

It’s easy for us to be like Elijah and hide in a cave, but Christ has called you to “Go and share the good news with everyone” (Matthew 28:19) Go into the world , in the name of the Father, Son , and Holy Spirit, knowing the Church and the angels are all rejoicing over your life, and serve The Lord in Spirit and Truth, Amen!

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

Often people who don’t understand the gospel as “good news”, don’t understand the depravity of their condition and the fate for their sins. When we look at the Ten Commandments, the moral law of God, we see how wretchedly sinful we are, and how far away from God we have strayed. 

When we come to this understanding by the Holy Spirit, we appreciate the love and sacrifice God has made for our souls, even when we didn’t deserve it. Christ has delivered us from our sins, Christ has delivered us from depravity, Christ has delivered us from Hell. Jesus Christ is our great deliverer! Just as God saved the Israelites from the slavery in Egypt, God has saved us from the slavery of sin and death in Christ, Amen

So looking at the Apostle Paul’s words here “Who delivered us from so great a depth” Christ has already rescued us from the pit of Hell, there is nothing to great that Christ can’t deliver you from today! Christ can deliver you from addictions, Christ can deliver you from bad habits, Christ can deliver you from the slavery of sin, in whatever form it may have a hold on you! 

As Paul continues to say “In whom we trust that He (Christ) will yet or continue to deliver us” Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone, he will deliver you! God will never leave or forsake you, Christ will never fail you, God can’t fail. You will say How will I ever overcome this addiction? Because Christ will give you the gift of the Holy Spirit, God living inside of you, you are the living temple of God as a Born Again Christian

What the Church needs to do also is pray for our brothers and sisters in this spiritual warfare as Paul says “You also helping together by praying for us” Prayer matters, the greatest gift you can give someone is to earnestly pray for them. The world mocks prayer as a cop out or weak, but the intercession of our worship to the Triune God, is more powerful than all the militaries in the world combined

Do you need deliverance? Turn to Jesus Christ, our Lord and great Deliverer, as the Father has called you and the Holy Spirit has sanctified you and the Lord Jesus Christ will deliver you, Amen!

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Jesus said “ In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33) As a Christian you will have problems and suffering. There is no doubt about this, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. Some will say, “Whats the point of being a Christian then”? Remember as Jesus said “The rain falls on the just and unjust” (Matthew 5:45) We live in a fallen world, there are going to be tribulation for believers and non-believers

However as a Child of God, as a Born Again believer, you can have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) You might ask “Why or how can I obtain this?” Because when your Born Again in Christ, when you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you, it’s doesn’t matter what happens to you in this world, going back to Jesus words “Take heart or courage, I (Christ) have overcome the world” (John 16:33)

The Apostle Paul starts with his teaching “The God of All Comfort” God knows your pain and suffering, but God will provide his peace and comfort. As Paul says here also “Who comforts us in all our tribulation” Think about that , no matter what tribulation you will face, Christ will comfort you! 

But not only will God comfort us, but we can be a comfort for others. As Paul says “That we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble” This is why we as the Church need to fellowship together, we are to be a comfort for each other. How do we obtain this comfort? By the Holy Spirit living inside of us, our Lord and Savior , the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ! 

Now remember, just as Christ suffered we will also suffer as his servant. However our consolation, our comfort will abound with Christ! Jesus said “He will never leave or forsake us “ (Hebrews 13:5) Even though we have tribulation, we have the comfort of Christ , Amen!