Reading the Old Testament

G. K. Beale, in his book "A New Testament Biblical Theology" quotes William Mason:

"When we turn to the New Testament, we pass from the climate of prediction to that of fulfillment. The things which God had foreshadowed by the lips of His holy prophets He has now, in part at least, brought to accomplishment… The supreme sign of the Eschaton is the Resurrection of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Church. The Resurrection of Jesus is not simply a sign which God has granted in favor of his son, but is the inauguration, the entrance into history, of the times of the End. Christians, therefore, have entered through the Christ into the new age… What had been predicted in Holy Scripture as to happen to Israel or to man in the Eschaton, has happened to and in Jesus. The foundation-stone of the New Creation has come into position."  William Mason, Eschatology in the New Testament 1953

What a great summary of how to read the Old Testament in the light of the New Testament!

Last Week's Sunday School Lesson

Here is the outline from last week’s Adult Sunday School Lesson:

Old Testament Theology Lesson 6
(Exodus Part II)
Israel’s Deliverance from Egypt

Overview
God planned the bondage of Israel.
God planned the deliverance of Israel. (Genesis 15:12-16)

I. The people God used in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

Shiphrah & Puah (Exodus 1:15)
Moses’ Parents (Hebrews 11:23)
Moses’ Sister (Exodus 2:5)
Moses’ Brother (Exodus 4:10-16)
Moses’ Wife (Exodus 4:24-26)
Moses (Exodus 3:1-10)

II. The plagues God used in the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

(Exodus chapters 6-12)
Blood to water                             Boils
Frogs                                            Hail
Gnats                                            Locust
Flies                                             Darkness
Death of Egyptian Livestock       Death of Firstborn Son

Some interesting observations about the plagues
1. Pharaoh’s magicians were able to reproduce the first two plagues
2. Not until the 5th plague does the Bible tell us that the plague effected only the Egyptians
3. Water to blood, Frogs, Boils, Hail, Locust, Darkness are all mentioned in the book of Revelation

III. Pharaoh’s rebellion against God and the deliverance of Israel from Egypt

LORD will harden Pharaoh’s heart 3x’s Exodus 4:21, 7:3, 14:4
LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart 6x’s Exodus 9:12, 10:1, 10:20, 10:27, 11:10, 14:8
Pharaoh’s heart was hardened 7x’s Exodus 7:13, 7:14, 7:22, 8:19, 9:7, 9:35, 14:15
Pharaoh hardened his heart 3x’s Exodus 8:15, 8:32, 9:34

IV.Why?

We don’t have to guess as to why God dealt with Israel and Egypt the way he did. The Bible tells us.

1. God's Self-Glorification
2. Picture of Salvation in Jesus Christ
2. Reward for Believers
3. Judgment for Wicked
Exodus 4:21-23, 9:13-16, 11:4-9, 13:1-16, 15:1-21, Acts 7:1-53, Hebrews 11:23-29, Revelation 15

Ministry of the New Covenant

Today in my sermon on II Corinthians 3:1-4:6 I defined the ministry of the new covenant as follows:

The ministry of the new covenant is the joyful responsibility of displaying the glory of Christ through our words and our deeds.

I’m always hesitant to define, or redefine something past its most basic definition. However, I do feel that it is helpful at times to expand the definition of some terms. Today was a good example.

When most people hear the term “ministry” they think of it as an occupation. Such as a pastor, or counselor, or director of some sort of specific services to specific people (think of ‘Bikers for Jesus’, Soldiers for Jesus, and Klingons for Jesus-yes they exist, I mean the group, not acutual Klingons.)

Anyways, you get the point. While it’s true that “ministry” does apply to those who serve the community of Christ for an occupation, it’s equally true that the New Testament presents ministry as something that we all do.

Let me break down my definition of the term “ministry” from II Corinthians 3.

Joyful- Paul states that the new ministry is (1)of the Spirit (2) gives life (3) of righteousness (4) and has permanent glory. In contrast he states that the old ministry is (1) of the letter (2) kills (3) of condemnation (4) and its glory has come to an end. Paul never describes the new covenant of as “joyful” in this passage, but I would argue that joy is the spiritual result of knowing the difference between the old and new covenant/ministry.

Responsibility of displaying the glory of Christ- I get this from verse 18. Paul says:

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Paul says the “we all” behold or reflect the glory of the Lord. No longer do the responsibilities of ministering the new covenant belong to the priests and prophets, but we all (through Jesus Christ- verse 6) show the world the worth of Jesus Christ.

Through our words and our deeds- The way we display the glory of Christ is by spreading the gospel. We do this with our words and the way we live our lives. Paul speaks of this in II Corinthians 2 when he says that we spread the fragrance of Christ where ever we are.

Paul says in chapter 4, that this ministry is by the mercy of God. You and I don’t deserve to see and reflect the glory of the new covenant in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. We deserve the judgment and condemnation of the old covenant. Yet in His infinite mercy the Almighty allows us to joyfully display the glory of Christ through our words and deeds. I believe this is what it means to be ministers of the new covenant.

Monday is for Music

Not sure why, but I like this song