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.