The Greater Glory

Text: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Service date: 3/2/25
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Sermon:
Before we start the sermon today, let’s investigate some background: When Moses came
down Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments, his face was radiant from being in
God’s presence. Moses must put a veil on to keep the people from being terrified by the
brightness of his face.

Paul adds that this veil kept them from seeing the radiance fade away. This veil illustrates
the fading of the old system and the veiling of the people’s minds because of their pride,
hardness of heart, and refusal to repent.

The veil kept them from understanding references to Jesus the Messiah in the scriptures.
When anyone becomes a Christian, the veil is taken away, giving eternal life and freedom
from bondage.

Paul states that Christian’s and believers have a great boldness in speech, this boldness
means, “literally speaking out of every word and conveys the idea of freedom to say all
and thus means to speak freely, openly, boldly, fearlessly, without constraint.” The Greeks
used this word for speaking in a democratic assembly. This type of boldness “Refers to
fearless and frank speaking with the freedom to speak openly even in the face of
opposition.”

The veil that Paul is referring to means, “that which is spread out over or downward and
hence a veil, a curtain or a cloth drape.”

When believers see corruption in leadership, we have a responsibility and a calling to
speak out on that corruption. It would be easier to veil our eyes to the truth and keep with
the status quo, but our veils have been removed. We need to speak about corruption.

Paul states that trust in Christ removes the veil and provides freedom, which means, “that
which is capable of movement, freedom to go wherever one likes, unfettered.”

When we remove our veils, we can live freely. We can live lives that best reflect our
personality and purpose. Without our spiritual veils, we can see the value of each person,
place, difference of religion and idea that they have. We can treat all people with love and
respect. We will not be relying on teachings that is soaked in patriarchy and bad theology.

The truth is many churches would rather have our eyes veiled by the corruption that is at
the root of their organization. Yet, Christ’s love for us opens our hearts, mind and spirit to
the truth that is around us.

We are called to remain open to truth as well as preach the truth, regardless of how
difficult it is to understand or to accept.

​God’s love frees us from shame, self-hatred, addictions, and dead-end pursuits. By
trusting Christ, we are loved accepted, forgiven, and freed to live. The Holy Spirit’s way
of transformation works better and lasts longer than even Moses’ glorious experience.
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Conclusion: Let us be people who remove our veils and speak love with boldness.