epistle for April 6, 2007
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation April 6, 2007
The staff at FreeWay Foundation and
Pillsbury College & Seminary pray for
you a blessed Easter.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Take Off That Veil!
(II Corinthians 3:13 – 4:18)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
It could have been the plot of a "B" movie: boy meets girl; boy falls in love
with girl and works hard to earn enough to get married; after the wedding and the
honeymoon night, boy discovers he married the wrong girl . . . not the beautiful
sister but the ugly older sister! Of course, you recognize that this story didn't
originate in Hollywood, but in Genesis 29.
How could such a "mistake" have happened? Surely the wedding didn't
take place in pitch darkness! The most logical explanation, considering the customs
of the day, is that Leah wore a thick veil over her face. Jacob was fooled by Uncle
Laban, and he had to work an additional seven years for the hand of his beloved,
Rachel.
The purpose of a veil is to hide something; to conceal something; to cover
up something. This purpose is clear in Exodus 34:29-35. Here Moses' face began
to shine (glow; radiate) because he had spent time in the presence of Almighty
God. When he came down from Mt. Sinai, he put a veil over his face. It was not
to keep from frightening the children! According to Paul in our text, Moses put the
veil over his face so that the people would not notice that the glory was fading away.
SPIRITUAL VEILS
According to II Corinthians 3:14,15, the veil represents dullness of mind and
spiritual blindness. Paul explains why in I Corinthians 2:14, "The natural man does
not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." A spiritual veil
prevents believers from "seeing" . . . produces an inability to discern and understand
Godly truths.
The good news of II Corinthians 3:14-16 is that Christ removes the veil. He
takes away the barrier so that a Christian may gain wisdom and insight. In I Corinthians
2:7, 9-10 we learn two vital truths on this subject. First, God's secret wisdom is
destined for our glory. Second, God reveals this wisdom by His Spirit.
When Jesus removes the veil, remarkable things happen in a believer's life.
The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom . . . to see, to change, to grow, (II Corinthians 3:17).
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE VEIL IS REMOVED?
Radiance: When the veil is removed, we radiate God's glory:
His light shines through us. (II Corinthians 3:18; 4:6)
Transformation: We start being transformed into the Lord's likeness.
(II Corinthians 3:18; 4:10; Romans 12:1,2)
Growth Daily: We daily increase in brightness. (II Corinthians 3:18; 4:6)
Insight: We start developing the mind of Christ.
(II Corinthians 4:6; I Corinthians 2:10, 12, and 16)
Humility: In humility, we see ourselves as vessels with no real value except
for the "treasure" of the presence (light) of God within us.
(II Corinthians 4:7)
Overcoming Power: We experience all-surpassing spiritual power to live
victoriously in spite of circumstances. (II Corinthians 4:7-9).
Through God's power Christians may be down but they're
not out! Emotionally, we may be pressured. Mentally,
we may be perplexed. Spiritually, we may be persecuted.
Physically, we may be punched. But praise God, we're
triumphant! (Romans 8:37)
Boldness: We have boldness to speak of our faith in Christ. (II Corinthians 4:13, 14)
Encouragement: We are able to rise above discouragement. (II Corinthians 4:16)
WE DO NOT LOSE HEART!
Renewal Daily: We experience inner renewal daily.
(II Corinthians 4:16; Acts 3:19)
Vision: When the veil is removed, we change our perspective from concentrating
on the visible temporary things to the invisible, eternal realities.
(II Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 11:1, 27)
HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO MY LIFE?
Matthew 27:51 records that the veil of the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top
to bottom when Jesus died on the cross. This event signified that all persons now have direct
access into the presence of God . . . can "see" God.
Today, we Christians are "Temples" of God. "Removing the veil" signifies our getting
rid of the spiritual dullness of mind so that we may know God and experience dramatic
transformation of our live. Removing the veil also allows others to "see" God in us . . . His
light shining.
Remember this chorus we used to sing?
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me;
All His power and passion and purity.
O Thou Spirit divine, All my nature refine
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
Seek Those Things Which Are Above
(Colossians 3:1-24)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on a believer's position in Christ
1. Believers have been raised with Christ to sit with Him at the place of
authority . . . "the right hand of God," v. 1.
2. Believers are to "set" (focus) their minds on spiritual things, not on
physical things, v. 2.
3. Believers have absolute security because their lives are hidden with
Christ in God, v. 3.
4. Because Christ literally is the believer's life, they also will appear
with Him in glory, v. 4.
II. Meditation: on "taking off" and "putting on"
1. Remove (take off; get rid of): (vv. 5, 8-9)
(1) Fornication (5) Covetousness (9) Malice
(2) Uncleanness (6) Idolatry (10) Blasphemy
(3) Passion (7) Anger (11) Filthy Language
(4) Evil Desire (8) Wrath (12) Lying
2. Receive (put on; cultivate): (vv. 10, 12-15)
(1) Knowledge (5) Kindness (9) Tolerance
(2) Holiness (6) Humility (10) Forgiveness
(3) Acceptance (7) Meekness (11) Love
(4) Tender Mercies (8) Long-suffering (12) Peace
III. Revelation: on the positive results of such a changed life
1. Spiritual edification and encouragement of each other, v. 16.
2. Worship, including singing with grace to the Lord, v. 16.
3. "Whatever you do" . . . do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
giving thanks, v. 17.
4. "Whatever you do" . . . do it with your whole heart, as to the Lord
and not as unto men, v. 23.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Rejoice in my position of authority and security in Christ.
2. Focus my mind on spiritual things, allowing Christ to really "BE" my life.
3. Renounce sin and embrace righteousness in my daily living.
4. Worship God and serve others (with thanksgiving) in the name of the Lord
and with my whole heart . . . as UNTO the Lord.
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Remember the rules of chocolate:
1. If you get melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.
2. Chocolate covered cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit,
so eat as many as you want.
3. A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one
place, isn't that handy?
4. If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't
eat all your chocolate – what's wrong with you?
5. Why is there no Chocoholics Anonymous? Because no one wants to quit!
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