Jesus makes clear to three would-be disciples that following Him means self-denial, suffering, and sacrifice.

The word of God has the power to destroy strongholds of the world through the gospel. It will accomplish the ends for which God has set it forth.

Our faith is inflamed with the beauty, the truth, and the goodness of the gospel. 

Dr. Michael Horton exposits 2 Cor. 3, in particular to those seeking to go into pastoral ministry. He shows from this text that pastors are a "letter of recommendation" from Jesus as ministers of the New Covenant. 

A life invested in, and devoted to, Jesus  matters because of the resurrection.

Paul exhorts the Corinthian believers to live according to their New Covenant status by portraying the world in absolute contrasts.

At the end of 2 Corinthians Paul proclaims a fitting benediction upon his readers.

Obsessed with success and power, the disciples are confronted with Jesus' radical definition of greatness.

How can Paul characterize the letter (the law) being a ministration of death, but the Spirit giving life when he speaks elsewhere of the law in such a positive manner?

 The story of Jesus healing the blind man (in Mark 8) is surprising in many ways. It is also revealing how difficult it is to see Jesus clearly.