A VEIL LIES ON THEIR HEARTS

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. Ex. 34:29-35
      1. This O.T. narrative of Moses putting a veil over his face
         is used to illustrate the condition of the heart among the
         Jews in Paul's time.  2 Cor. 3:12-18
      2. The veil on Moses' face, which prevented the Israelites
         from seeing the radiance pass away, illustrates the
         condition of heart which prevented the Jews from seeing
         that the law of Moses had passed away.
   B. Whatever, therefore, may stand between a person and the
      knowledge of truth, can be rightly represented as a "veil."
      1. Let us observe some present day veils on people's hearts.

I. THE VEIL OF PREJUDICE.
   A. Jesus came into the world so that men might escape spiritual
      blindness.  John 9:39
      1. The way of man is not in himself.  Jer. 10:23
      2. If the blind lead the bind, both will fall into the ditch. 
         Matt. 15:14
   B. The Jews described by Paul in 2 Cor. 3 had their minds veiled.
      1. Though they read the Scriptures written by Moses, they
         could not see the truth in them because that had the
         veiled face of prejudice.
      2. Few vices of the mind are more harmful that prejudice.
   C. The veil of prejudice must be taken away.
      1. Nathaniel said, "Can anything good come out of
         Nazareth?"  If he had held to this prejudice, he would
         never had become a disciple and, later, an apostle of
         Christ.
   D. We must guard against prejudice because it will cause the
      truth to be veiled in our hearts.

II. THE VEIL OF HUMAN REASON.  Rom. 1:21; Prov. 26:12
   A. The ability to reason is a precious gift from Almighty God. 
      He expects us to use it wisely and properly.
   B. Jesus offered proof that He was the Son of God.  John 20:30-
      31
      1. We must examine the evidence and make proper
         judgment.
      2.  "Faith is the evidence of things not seen."  Heb. 11:1
         a. Looking at the evidence causes us to believe in
            things not seen.
      3. If we judge that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, we are
         then obligated to submit to His will.  John 13:13-15
   C. To use our intelligence to properly understand the mysteries
      of God is a great blessings.  Matt. 13:17
      1. As a young child rejoices in learning some new thing, to
         understand God's plan of the ages is a wonderful thing. 
         Rom. 16:25-27

III. THE VEIL OF SELF-INDULGENCE.
   A. Unbelief in God results more from moral difficulties than
      intellectual ones.  John 3:19-21
      1. People can understand God if they truly so desire.  2 Cor.
         1:13
      2. The satisfying of their own fleshly desires is often the
         problem.
         a. Sin occurs when one's lust has conceived.  James
            1:13-16
         b. Nothing hinders man from his service to God more
            than his desire to please himself.
         c. Self-indulgence keeps many from seeking the truth
            and serving God.
      3. Many are more interested in satisfying their own fleshly
         appetites than anything else.  Phil. 3:19
         a. Consider the example of Eli's wicked sons.  1 Sam.
            2:12-17
            (1) There own selfish desire for the better meat
                (roasted instead of boiled) caused them to
                commit this great wickedness.
         b. The rich fool was wrapped up in his own self-
            interest.  Luke 12:16-21
            (1) It has been often shown how the rich man used
                the personal pronouns, "I," "my," "mine."
            (2) He was interested in taking care of himself, not
                in serving God.

IV. THE VEIL OF BITTERNESS.
   A. Bitterness will certainly hinder one from hearing and
      accepting the truth.
      1. Evil people of this world are often filled with bitterness
         against God's people.  Rom. 3:14; Psalm 64:3-4
   B. Sometimes in the very intimate relationship of marriage, there
      is bitterness.  Col. 3:19
      1. We must be on guard because bitterness can spring up at
         any time.  Heb. 12:15
   C. Sometimes there is bitter envying and strife in the hearts of
      Christians toward other Christians.  James 3:14-15
      1. Hate or malice toward another is a darkness that can
         blind our eyes.  1 John 2:11
      2. Instead of replacing love with bitterness, let us replace
         bitterness with love.  Eph. 4:31

V. LET'S LOOK AT THE POSITIVE SIDE: ALL VEILS ARE REMOVED THROUGH    

   CHRIST.  2 Cor. 3:16-18
   A. When we are transformed into the same image of Christ, we
      are liberated from the veils which cover our hearts.
      1. By beholding the glory of the Lord, we are transformed
         into the same glory.  John 1:14
      2. The glorious gospel of Christ shines in our hearts. 2 Cor.
         4:3-4
      3. The new man resembles the One who made him a new
         man.  Col. 3:10
   B. Bearing the image of Christ now, assures us of bearing His
      image later.  1 John 3:2; Phil. 3:20-21
      1. The righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom
         of their Father.  Matt. 13:43
      2. Rom. 8:29-30 - Thus, Paul views the whole process of
         redemption from beginning to end.
         a. God foreknew His children (foreknew that some
            would become His), and predestined them to be
            conformed to the image of His Son (He
            foreordained how they should be).
         b. Those whom He predestined, He also called (called
            them by means of the gospel), and those whom he
            called, He also justified (set them free from sin by
            means of the death of Christ), and those He justified,
            He also glorified (gave them eternal life). 
         c. Their present state of glory prepares them for the
            ultimate glory which is yet to be revealed. 

Concl.
   A. With an unveiled face, by the revelation of Spirit of our God,
      we can see the image of Christ.
   B. As we behold His glorious image, we can be transformed into
      the same glory.
   C. When this life is over, we shall be forever transformed into
      His glory, for we shall see Him as He is.