The Power of a Recommendation

(2 Corinthians 3:1-6)

It is not always what you know, it is who you Know, God.

1. Letters of recommendation (2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

   1. Calling Cards and Resumes
   2. New Testament practice
   3. The Corinthians were Paul's letters
   4. We, like the Corinthians, are the letter of Christ for the lost to read.

2. The Sufficiency of God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

   1. Our confidence we have through Christ toward God is a confidence of trust
      1. 2 Corinthians 1:15 15 Because I was sure of this. I wanted to come to vou first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.
      2. 2 Corinthians 8:22 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters. but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you.
      3. 2 Corinthians 10:2 2 I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh.
      4. Ephesians 3:12 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
      5. Philippians 3:4 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: And here, 2 Corinthians 3:4
   2. We are not sufficient (5) (we do not have the ability/power to have sufficiency)(5,000)
   3. Paul's sufficiency was found only in God (5) (any sufficiency we have is from God, 1:19-20)
   4. God makes us competent to be ministers (slaves) of the new covenant
      1. Minister (means slave) of the New Covenant
         1. Not the letter because the letter kills (Romans 2:29; 7:6)
         2. But the work of the Holy Spirit

Conclusion:

1. As people with the message of Christ written on our hearts, make sure people can read it.
2. Make sure you have humility, and find your sufficiency in Christ.
3. Walk in the Holy Spirit, for only in Him do you have life.