Wscal - Morning Devotions

Dr. Michael Horton exposits 2 Cor. 3, in particular to those seeking to go into pastoral ministry. He shows from this text that pastors are a "letter of recommendation" from Jesus as ministers of the New Covenant. 

A life invested in, and devoted to, Jesus  matters because of the resurrection.

Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to live according to their New Covenant status by portraying the world in absolute contrasts.

At the end of 2 Corinthians Paul proclaims a fitting benediction upon his readers.

Obsessed with success and power, the disciples are confronted with Jesus' radical definition of greatness.

How can Paul characterize the letter (the law) being a ministration of death, but the Spirit giving life when he speaks elsewhere of the law in such a positive manner?

 The story of Jesus healing the blind man (in Mark 8) is surprising in many ways. It is also revealing how difficult it is to see Jesus clearly.

 Jesus, our priest-king, is seated in Heaven.

The foundational notion of being born again describes not just a life-changing past event, but the essence of our present life in Christ and the future of a glorious new creation.

We were reminded by Paul that all our sufferings – insults, slanders, hardship, persecutions and difficulties – if suffered for Christ’s sake become the perfect opportunity (as weakness) for the manifestation of Christ’s glory.  And for that reason, "his grace is sufficient for you".

Hebrews shows us that Psalm 102:25-27 reveals the eternal permanence of God's Son, our Savior, Jesus.

Paul calls us to repentance and to demonstrate gratitude for the reconciliation that we have in Jesus Christ.

Learning from Paul's example--not only what he prayed but also that he prayed.

Paul defends his ministry by contrasting it with Moses' ministry.

Jesus is the king who can be trusted to rule our lives and circumstances with absolute control, for he would never succumb to power's corrupting influence.

How do we guard our hearts from hypocrisy in ministry?

The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.

Our hopes and lives can only rest secure in Jesus Christ the Son, who is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8).

Paul beautifully explains how Christ is the great Yes to all of God's promises, to which believers are called to submit their Yes of faith.

 Although much more simple and with much less outward glory than the Old Covenant administration, the ministry of the New Covenant holds forth more fullness, evidence and spiritual efficacy than the Old.