INTRODUCTION

Some years ago, Office Administration, an office supplies business, was prospering through selling high quality paper, envelopes, and pens to various local companies. However, with the advent of the personal computer and email, demand for these products began to diminish. The management, however, were unfamiliar with the new technology. Moreover, they felt that they had good products which had been much appreciated for many years. So, instead of adapting to the new situation, they decided just to keep selling paper, envelopes and pens. Sales continued to plummet. Eventually, their warehouses were full, but their order books were empty.

At this point, the managing director’s son, who had been trying for some time to change the company’s product range, offered to buy out the older management. A deal was soon concluded and the son took over. The warehouses were emptied of old stock, and in came personal computers, printers, and business software. The well-respected company name, Office Administration, was retained, but below the signs and the letterheads was written ‘Under New Management.’ The company soon began to prosper again. The company name and business was the same – Office Administration – but the product range was now suited to a new age and the new ways that offices were administered.

In a sense, the story of the whole Bible is about Grace Administration. However, what Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:5-18 is that the coming of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has changed the way grace is administered. The Old Testament administered grace in a way that suited the times and the people then – through prophecies, types, and symbols. It was glorious – for its time. But now, the same grace is to be administered directly, and only, through Jesus Christ. Grace Administration is ‘Under New Management.’ And, as such, it is even more glorious. For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory (2 Cor.3:11).

This passage and that illustration help us answer the question: What’s the difference between the Old and New Testament?

This is an important question because our answer will determine the place of the Old Testament in our lives and how much we enjoy the glory of grace. We get our answer from 2 Corinthians 3:5-11.

BACKGROUND

Paul was being attacked and undermined by Judaizing false teachers in the church of Corinth. In verses 1-4, Paul argued that his letter of recommendation (the Corinthians’ lives) was far superior to his opponents’ recommendations.

In verses 5-11 he argues that his New Covenant ministry is far more glorious than the Judaizers’ Old Covenant ministry.

In our next sermon, we’ll see how he argues that his New Covenant ministry is far more transformative than the Judaizers old Covenant ministry (12-18).

How is the New Covenant better than the Old Covenant?

1. WE HAVE MORE SPIRIT (6)

God…has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life (6).

The key questions here are: What does Paul mean by ‘the letter’ and ‘the Spirit.’ In the context, he’s contrasting the Old Covenant (‘the letter’) with the New Covenant (‘the Spirit’) to show the superiority of the New Covenant (3, 6).

Is Paul saying there was no Spirit in the Old Covenant, and that there is no letter in the New Covenant? No, the Holy Spirit was at work in the Old Covenant (Ezek. 11:19); there are letters in the New Covenant. He’s saying that the Old Covenant in general had more letter and less Spirit; and the New Covenant in general has less letter and more Spirit, and therefore more life. More Spirit = More Glory.  So why would you want to follow the Judaizers back to the Old Covenant?

What’s the effect of more Spirit?

2. WE HAVE MORE LIFE (7-8)

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory…will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? (7-8).

‘The ministry of death’ is clearly a reference to the Old Covenant. Some conclude from this that the Old Testament only resulted in death and that no one was saved. It said, “Do this and live!” But no one “Did this”, and so no one lived. However, Moses, and many Old Testament sinners who followed him, were saved (Hebrews 11). So, if ‘the ministration of death’ did not ensure only death for all, what does ‘ministry of death’ mean? It means that there was more death in the Old Covenant compared with the New Covenant (millions of animal sacrifices compared with the one sacrifice of Christ). More Life – More Glory.

So, how did people get life in the Old Testament?

3. WE HAVE MORE RIGHTEOUSNESS (9)

For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory (9).

The Old Covenant was a ‘ministry of condemnation’ whereas the New Covenant is a ‘ministry of righteousness.’ Again, this cannot mean that there was only condemnation and no righteousness in the Old Covenant, or that there is only righteousness and no condemnation in the New Covenant. It’s not a contrast between bad and good (an absolute contrast) but between good and better (a relative contrast). It’s not a contrast between darkness and light, but dawn and noon.

Righteousness was provided and given to believing sinners in the Old Testament as well as the New (Gen. 15:6), just as condemnation was announced in the New Testament as well as the Old (John 3:17). However, in terms of effects, there was more condemnation in the Old than the New, and more righteousness in the New than the Old. There were more brought to know and feel they were condemned in the Old, and more to whom righteousness was revealed in the New. More Righteousness = More Glory.

How long will this New Covenant glory last?

4. WE HAVE MORE PERMANENCE (10-11)

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory (11).

The glory that shone through Moses faded and was brought to an end (7, 11), reflecting the temporary and transient nature of the Old Covenant. Moses’s old administration of grace was temporary but Christ’s management of grace is permanent. More Permanence = More Glory.

CHANGING OUR STORIES WITH GOD’S STORY

Rejoice in God’s grace and glory in the Old Testament. If there was grace and glory in the Old Testament, then we should read it, learn from it, and teach it knowing that it can make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:14-17). We read the Old Testament to find and enjoy the grace and glory of God in his words, acts, and people.

Rejoice more in God’s greater grace and glory in the New Testament. The New Testament is not a new ‘business’ but a new way of administering the same ‘business’ of grace. It is Grace Administration ‘Under New Management.’ It has more Spirit, life, righteousness, and permanence.

This covenant [of grace] was differently administered in the time of the law, and in the time of the gospel: under the law it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the paschal lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the people of the Jews, all fore-signifying Christ to come, which were for that time sufficient and efficacious, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins, and eternal salvation, and is called the Old Testament (Westminster Confession 7.5).

Under the gospel, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the ordinances in which this covenant is dispensed, are the preaching of the Word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper; which, though fewer in number, and administered with more simplicity and less outward glory, yet in them it is held forth in more fullness, evidence, and spiritual efficacy, to all nations, both Jews and Gentiles; and is called the New Testament. There are not, therefore, two covenants of grace differing in substance, but one and the same under various dispensations (Westminster Confession 7.6).

SUMMARY

PRAYER

Gracious and glorious God, thank you for the greater grace and glory of this time. Help me to find more grace and give you more glory.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What role has the Old Testament had in your Christian life?

2. How has this sermon changed the way you view and read the Old Testament?

3. Why are we so tempted to trust in law rather than grace?

4. How does more grace bring more glory to God?

5. How does Luke 12:48 relate to this passage and your life?

6. How did the sections from the Westminster Confession of Faith teach you?

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INTRODUCTION

The most popular Bible verse in 2020 was Isaiah 41:10. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. In 2019 it was Philippians 4:6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. In 2018, Isaiah 41:10 was back on the top spot. In 2017 Joshua 1:9 was the winner. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

What does this tell us? it tells us there’s a lot of fear and anxiety in the world, and that many turn to the Bible for help. Why is that? It’s because, deep down, we have a sense that however big our anxiety is, God is bigger. Therefore, the more we know of God in our lives, the less we will know of anxiety in our lives. Big fear can be defeated by our bigger God. How does God calm our inner storms? Jesus shows us how in John 6:16-21.

NB: While all anxious people need more theology, some may also need specialist counseling, medical help, and other practical remedies. Anxiety is often a multidimensional problem requiring a multidimensional approach. Physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, vocational, social, and relational factors may all contribute to anxiety.

BACKGROUND

John 6 reveals Jesus as both our provider when we’re hungry (6:1-15) and our peace when it’s stormy (16-21).

What storms overwhelm us with fear?

1. LIFE IS STORMY (16-19)

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened (16-19).

The disciples had five reasons to fear. It was dark, it was stormy, and they were in a small boat, they were in the middle of the lake, when they saw what they thought was a ghost. No wonder they were frightened. They had good reason to be.

CHANGING OUR STORIES WITH GOD’S STORY

We have many good reasons for fear because there are many storms in our world:

• Medical storms: We’re sailing along happily when out of the blue the pop-up storm of cancer capsizes us and sends us to the bottom of the ocean. “Will I die?”
• Financial storms: We’re full-steam ahead when the tsunami of job loss overwhelms us and we begin to sink. “Will I have enough for the month…for bills…for tuition…for retirement…?”
• Relational storms: Our marriage was coasting along, but unfaithfulness has torn our sail and our heart. “Will our marriage survive?”
• Family storms: Your daughter is cutting herself. Your son is experimenting with drugs. Your sister won’t talk to you. You’re sailing backwards. “Will we ever be a happy family again?
• Friend storms: You’ve worked so hard to get friends on your boat, but they keep disappointing and hurting you, and jumping on to other boats. “Will I ever have friends?”
• Conflict storms: Stormy relationships with employees, colleagues, bosses, neighbors, clients, the school, the church, the doctor, the insurance company. “Will I ever see blue sky again?”
• Church storms: So many churches and denominations have torn up the map that tell us what to believe and how to live. “Will there be a church left for my kids?”
• National storms: America used to be a nation with borders and morals. Now it has no borders and no morals. “Is our ship sinking? Or has it already sunk?”
• Global storms: Dark clouds of terrorism, climate change, pandemics, and shortages are gathering. “Is the world coming to an end?”
• Spiritual storms: You’ve rejected God. Or, you’ve fallen into temptation and now addiction. Guilt and hopelessness are raining down upon you. “Can God ever shine his love on me?”
• Eternal storms: The horizon at the end of life looks dangerously stormy. “Am I ready for my final journey? Am I ready to die? Am I ready to face God?”

As you can see, many of these fears are legitimate and understandable. It’s not a sin to be afraid. It’s what we do with that fear that matters.

What should I do with my fear? Take it to Jesus.

2. JESUS IS PEACE (20-21)

But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going (20-21).

Do you find it helpful when someone says to you, “Don’t be scared,” or “Don’t be afraid,” or “Stop being anxious”? Of course not. We have good reason to be fearful. We need good reasons to not be fearful. Bare commands never work. We need to know ‘Why?’ Why should I not be afraid? Give me a reason to calm down.

That’s what Jesus does here. He gives the disciples a reason to substitute peace for panic, the greatest reason of all. “It is I; do not be afraid.” He doesn’t try to minimize the danger they were in. He magnifies himself to minimize their fears. “It is I” therefore “Do not be afraid.” Or “Do not be afraid” because “It is I.”

What is it about this one letter “I” that can have such a calming effect? It’s not just that it diverts our attention away from our “I” to another “I” (although that is therapy itself). It’s who the “I” is that calms their fears and gives them peace. The more they knew his “I” the less they knew fear. When they were glad about who the I was, they took him into the boat, and the fear was over

CHANGING OUR STORIES WITH GOD’S STORY

Listen to who the “I” is, to listen to your fear less. Let’s get to know this “I.”

• I know: I know you, your circumstances, storm, your world, your fear, your everything.
• I care: I not only know; I care. I remember how horrible fear is and empathize.
• I rule: I am in control. I rule over the storm, and the fear, anxiety, and worry it produces.
• I provide: I am Lord of all and can therefore give you enough of the all for right now.
• I heal: I can heal your body, your family, your friendships, your soul, your nation.
• I love: In a world of hate, I can bring you into a world of love.
• I forgive: Yes, you brought a lot of this on yourself, but I can forgive and forget all your sin.
• I accept: When you are rejected I accept you. When you are shut out, I welcome you in.
• I keep: There are many threats to you and your family, but I keep you in the palm of my hand.
• I promise: In the storm of lies and deception, I am the truth and I speak the truth
• I assure: When spiritual doubts assail you, I assure you of true faith.
• I’m powerful: You are up against mighty forces but I am all-powerful.
• I’m patient: Yes, you have long sinned against me, but I am rich in patience and mercy.
• I’m present: You feel alone but I am with you. I will never leave you or forsake you.

Take the “I” into the boat, and you will be in the eye of the storm. The bigger we can make his “I” the smaller he will make our fears.

CONCLUSION

PRAYER

Peace-full Jesus, pacify my storm with who you are. Use your ‘I’ to be the eye of my storm.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why are people so afraid in our world?

2. What stirs up your fears? What are your biggest fears

3. How has God calmed your fear in the past? What verses has he used?

4. What verses can you think of that support each of Jesus’ “I’s” on page 4?

5. What other ways does God calm fears in the Bible?

6. Who can you bring this “I” to among your family and friends?

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The StoryChanger podcast is motivated by this math: Truth + Transparency = Transformation. Today Jo is bringing truth and transparency together as she tackles the problem of suffering and loss so that we can win even in our greatest losses. And I can tell you this, Jo is speaking about this from deep personal experience.

Jo De Blois is Chief of Staff at Puritan Reformed Seminary.

Listen here.

Reading: Romans 5:3-5

My passion for work has always competed with my passion for my wife and family. How can I be productive and yet also get a better work-life (or work/wife) balance? Work and life fought each other to the death (almost literally). I actually ended up in hospital with blood clots because of the stress of trying to balance without sacrificing productivity.

That was when I came across The Energy Project guru Tony Schwarz. He’s famous, not only for being the ghostwriter of Donald Trump’s Art of the Deal but also for his work at Harvard Business Review. His mantra is: “Manage your energy, not your time.” His basic idea is that we cannot increase our hours without burnout, but we can increase our energy to avoid burnout.

In this podcast, I summarize the three most important elements of his thought.

Listen here.

Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-3.

Two very different animals. Two very different ways of living. But they reflect two very different kinds of worker, two very different ways of working.

Listen here.

Reading: Ecclesiastes 9:10

Have you ever felt, “I just can’t go on”? Jo had a recent experience of this. Listen to how she got going again with the Lord’s help.

Listen here.

Reading: Matthew 11:28-30.

Jo De Blois is Chief of Staff at Puritan Reformed Seminary.