Promises Kept 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

How old were you when you made your first promise? Did you keep it? Did you follow through with what you said you would do? I bet it wasn’t too long after you made your first promise that you broke some promise you had made to your mom, your dad, or a friend. Promises kept and promises broken are woven into the very fabric of life aren’t they? We have been both the recipient and the provider of broken and kept promises.Promises kept strengthen relationships. Promises kept causes others to begin to recognize that we are willing to do the hard work of doing what we say we will do. Promises that are kept build trust. Keeping promises most often requires us to step outside of what is easiest for us in order to fulfill something for someone else. Promises that are broken on the other hand erodes relationships. Promises that are broken leads others to believe that they can’t trust us to do what we say we will do. A person who breaks their promises is a person who will gain a reputation of only looking out for themselves, saying what needs to be said to get what they want, and never intending to follow through. There are times we are unable to follow through and fulfill a promise we made because of extenuating circumstances, situations in life that are beyond our control. When that happens we need to own it, not avoid, but go to the person we’ve let down, explain what happened, and then do everything in our power to fulfill the promise we made, even though it might come later than we intended. In our Scripture for today we find a situation where Paul had planned to visit the people in Corinth, he hadn’t made a promise, but he had shared his intention. The circumstances of life had changed, it wouldn’t have been beneficial for the people of Corinth for Paul to have visited them when he had planned, so he altered his travel plans. Paul’s opponents in Corinth seized the opportunity to undermine Paul's integrity and character. They weren’t about to give him the benefit of the doubt. They didn’t want to hear any explanation about why his plan had changed. They wanted to magnify the fact that Paul had not followed through on his original plan so they could sow seeds of suspicion in the congregation. Let’s read our Scripture and see what we can learn. Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 1:15-22 and let’s read together.

15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both "Yes, yes" and "No, no"? 18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-- by me and Silas and Timothy-- was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:15-22 NIV)

Just last week we learned that when Paul’s character and integrity were being attacked, he didn’t dismiss the attacks and accusations, but instead he searched his conscience to see if he had done anything to offend or hurt the people of Corinth. Paul, after having thoroughly examined his interactions with the people of Corinth, wrote,

12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. (2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT)

Paul’s conscience was clear, but that didn’t change the fact that Paul had opponents in Corinth and those opponents were swaying some of the people in the church to question Paul. So, in verses 15-16 Paul lets the people know that he had intended to visit them twice, once on his way to Macedonia and then he had intended to stop by on his way back from Macedonia. Both of those visits that Paul had planned were to be for the churches benefit.  Paul had first shared his travel plans with the people of Corinth back in his first letter to the church, in the last chapter. Let me show you what I’m talking about. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 16:5-9.

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you-- for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. (1 Corinthians 16:5-9 NIV)

You can see that what Paul writes is more in line with thinking out loud instead of having carved his itinerary in stone. He says, “Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter…” “I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.” What he does know is that he will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost because the Lord has opened a “great door for effective ministry” for him. Paul wrote his first letter to the church in 53 AD. This was after he had spent 18 months in Corinth, in 51-52 AD, sharing the gospel, establishing the church, and discipling new converts. There was a strong relationship in place when Paul left to minister in Ephesus. Paul had not abandoned the church nor the people. As a matter of fact, Paul probably had more contact with the people of Corinth than any of the other churches he had planted. That is why, at the end of his first letter to them, he let them know about his plan to visit them again. That was his plan, but what is it they say, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.”  What changed? What took place that caused Paul to alter his original plan?Most Bible teachers believe that what happened was a report from Timothy that things in Corinth had only gotten worse since Paul wrote his first letter to the church addressing some of the problems that needed correcting. Paul dropped everything he was doing in Ephesus, sailed 250 miles across the Mediterranean and made his way to Corinth. His visit was not well received. Paul could have never imagined that his visit to the church would have gone so badly. Someone in the church had opposed Paul to his face and shamed him in front of the whole church and no one stood up for Paul. That visit has come to be known as the “painful visit.” Paul alludes to it in 2 Corinthians 2:1-2. Read this with me.

1 So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? (2 Corinthians 2:1-2 NIV)

What happened in Corinth led Paul to change his plans. Following his original plan on the heels of such a horrible interaction with the church would not have been good for anyone, Paul or the people of Corinth, so Paul decided to let everyone cool off. Instead of making a visit, Paul chose to write another letter, a letter that we don’t have, but it is probably through that letter that the people found out that Paul wouldn’t be visiting them as soon as he had planned. Linda Belleville, in her commentary on 2 Corinthians, writes,

A canceled visit to Corinth led the church to label Paul as a fair-weathered friend who, following the way of the world, made and changed his plans to suit himself and no one else. And if he was unreliable in small matters like this, how was he to be trusted in bigger matters like preaching the gospel? What the Corinthians failed to see, however, is that Paul’s travels in serving the gospel were not governed by personal whim but by his mission and his message. God, not people or programs, dictated his schedule (Belleville, Linda. 2 Corinthians. pg. 64)

Life can be so unpredictable can’t it? We talked just last week about how relationships can turn on a dime and begin to unravel. Our well meaning intentions can be misconstrued into something we never intended at all. This is exactly what was happening for Paul because of those who wanted to undermine his ministry in Corinth. There’s no doubt that Paul is quoting one of them, when in verse 17 he writes,

17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both "Yes, yes" and "No, no"? 18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-- by me and Silas and Timothy-- was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." (2 Corinthians 1:17-19 NIV)

The Greek word translated, “fickle,” means “light” meaning something that is insignificant, thoughtless, frivolous, wishy-washy, or unstable.” Was Paul actually what he was being described as by his opponents? Paul answered his critics by saying that he didn’t make plans in a worldly manner. The Greek phrase, “???? ?????” (kata sarka) is used by Paul twenty times in his letters and it is a phrase he uses to distinguish the way the followers of Jesus live compared to the way unbelievers live. A great example of this is found in Romans 8:5-6 where Paul writes,

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6 NIV)

  In 2 Corinthians 1:17-19, Paul highlights his faithfulness to the people of God and even more importantly his faithfulness to God’s call on his life. But in verse 18 Paul makes a dramatic shift, he writes, “But as surely as God is faithful…” The faithfulness of God was preached to the people of Corinth by Paul, Silas, and Timothy and their message was not crafted for their audience, but it was faithful to the truth of God. In verse 19, Paul writes,

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-- by me and Silas and Timothy-- was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." (2 Corinthians 1:19 NIV)

This is so important for us to understand because Paul is not telling the people in Corinth, “I know my plans changed, but you just need to trust me.” Instead, Paul transitions to the faithfulness of God in keeping His every promise. Paul is a messenger, God’s ambassador, sent on a mission. His singular passion in life is to be faithful to God, to do what God had given him to do. Therefore, Paul’s heart was to reflect the character and integrity of God in everything he did. George Guthrie writes,

…Paul suggests that his personal faithfulness stands grounded in the very faithfulness of God. His mission, his decisions, his pattern of life, and therefore his words are not perfect, but they so rest on the bedrock of the character of God and are so in sync with God’s gospel that Paul can speak of the integrity of his words and commitments with the utmost confidence. (Guthrie, George. 2 Corinthians. pg. 110) 

I’ve spent so much time this past week thinking about that last phrase: “Paul can speak of the integrity of his words and commitments with the utmost confidence.” When I substitute my name for Paul’s name and reread the statement I can’t read it with the same confidence and force. I want my character to so rightly reflect Jesus that people implicitly trust every word I speak, that there would never be any question about my motivation for saying what I say. I want people to be able to see a reflection of the heart of God, the lifestyle of Jesus, in the way I live. Far too often I fall so far short of living out what I say I want. I bet I’m not alone in my assessment of myself. So how did Paul pay such attention to the details of his life and words that he could have such confidence? That is a great question and I believe I know at least one answer. In Paul’s first letter to a young preacher named Timothy he wrote these words. Turn to 1 Timothy 1:15-16 and let’s read it together. 

15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-- of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NIV)

The part I want us to focus on is the last phrase of verse 15. Paul describes himself as the worst of sinners. In Greek the verb is in the “present tense,” which means it is happening now. Not, “I was the worst of sinners,” but “I am the worst of sinners.” This was written by Paul well into his ministry, long after his conversion, and yet his understanding of himself is that he is presently the worst of all sinners. He is as desperately in need of God’s grace now as he was when he stood over Stephen and cheered as he was stoned to death for being a follower of Jesus. Paul had not lost sight of his great need and God’s great provision!I’ve noticed something in my life and in the lives of many others I’ve known through the years. When we first come to know Jesus our eyes are wide open, our hearts are on fire, and we can’t get enough of the Lord and learning from His Word. His grace was indescribable back then, when we first learned that He truly forgives us of our sins and will never throw them up in our face. His love was overwhelming back then, when we first learned that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. His call to go and make disciples was all consuming and I would tell everyone I knew about what the Lord had done in my life and what He was willing to do in other’s lives as well. That was back then, back when His indescribable love and mercy were brand new. The emotion and passion I felt for the Lord back then was like when I fell in love with Connie. I thought about her all the time. Sometimes I would find myself in the middle of practice and my mind would wander to Connie. All of my friends knew about her. My parents heard about her all the time. I wanted to spend time with her, learn more about her, and when I wasn’t with her I was thinking about her. I know you can all relate to what I’m talking about when it comes to your husband or wife. You would have never married them if you didn’t feel the same way. As time rocks along we tend to settle in and the new wears off. We hear someone speak about the love of Jesus for those who are unworthy and it doesn’t even move the needle any longer. That passion we had to share our faith with others somehow was replaced by going and doing other things. We lose sight of our great need and His great provision. The clarity of it all begins to become muddied by the cares of life and the attraction of the world. Oh that the Lord would renew our passion and rekindle the fire we once had back when His love was new! I believe with all of my heart that if this is what we truly desire then the Lord will grant our request and the integrity of our words and actions will much more closely and consistently align with the character and integrity of Jesus. Let’s move on. Let’s take a look at verses 19-20.

19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us-- by me and Silas and Timothy-- was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes." 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:19-20 NIV)

All of God’s promises for peace, joy, salvation, goodness, fellowship, forgiveness, strength, and hope are found in Jesus–Jesus is the “Yes!” to every promise of God and God has never broken a promise…not one. Everything we’ve ever needed is found in Jesus. The people of Israel were looking for a coming king and Jesus came as the King of all kings! Jesus is the apex of the Old Testament–all of the longings, expectations, and predictions we read about in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus. That is why He told Cleopas and his friend, following His resurrection, when they were walking on the road to Emmaus,

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:27 NIV)

Throughout the Old Testament we find lots of types, shadows, predictions, and promises and Jesus is the “Yes!” to them all. He is the “Yes!” of God’s promise that One would come who would crush the head of the serpent in Genesis 3:15. Jesus is the “Yes!” of God’s promise to Abraham that through your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed in Genesis 22:18. Jesus is the “Yes!” of God that One would come who is greater than Melchizedek, the mysterious prophet/priest of Genesis 14. Jesus is the “Yes!” of God to the promise to Abraham that He would provide the sacrifice in Genesis 22. Jesus came as the perfect Lamb without blemish or spot, the Savior who had come to give His life for those who were alienated from God.  Jesus is the true manna from heaven that satisfies our hungry hearts. He is the water from the rock that quenches our thirst. He is the fulfillment of the Law, the true Sabbath rest. Like Joshua led the people of God to the Promised Land, Jesus, the “Yes!” of God, is leading us to a better Promised Land, a new heaven and a new earth. He is the true Boaz who takes the stranger and seats him at His table. He is the greater Elijah who can raise the dead with simply the power of His word. He is God’s “Yes!” that one from David’s line would reign forever. He is the Royal King declared in the Psalms whose end will be endless and boundless and gracious. He is Micah’s Shepherd who would come from Bethlehem and whose coming forth is from the Ancient of Days. Jesus is God’s fulfillment, God’s “Yes!” to Isaiah’s Immanuel, the One who is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting God, and our Prince of Peace. Jesus is God’s “Yes!” to  Isaiah’s Suffering Servant who was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and it was the punishment that was laid on Him that has brought us peace. Jesus is the great bright and morning star who will come again to dispel the darkness, who will wipe every tear from every eye and give us a new body fitted for a new creation. All of the promises of God find there “Yes” in Him.  He is the God who keeps His promises and all of His promises find their “Yes!” in Jesus. Before we go, we have to take a look at one final thing that Paul points out for the brothers and sisters in Corinth. You have to keep in mind, things are tense between some of the people and Paul. Uncertainty is in the air about how things are going to unfold in the future and yet Paul writes, 

21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV)

There is no uncertainty for Paul. He is standing upon what God has done and what God is doing in the lives of His people. The believers in Corinth are God’s people and therefore Paul’s family. God is at work. God is empowering them to stand firm in Christ. God has set His seal of ownership on Paul and the believers in Corinth. God has put His Spirit in their hearts. The future is certain if they would all keep their eyes fixed on the Lord and trust in His work. Life can be messy. When it comes to living life on the horizontal plane, even between brothers and sisters in Christ, life can be more than complicated, it can be downright heartbreaking. People break their promises. People disappoint. Relationships can suffer what we diagnose as irreparably damaged, no hope. That is why it is so important for us to live with the vertical fully in view. What we are incapable of doing, He is more than capable of accomplishing. He can take a tattered church like the church in Corinth and breathe new life into it. He can take broken relationships and bring healing and reconciliation. Pastor Spurgeon once said, 

If I were dealing with a mere human being’s promise, I would need to carefully weigh the ability and the character of the person who promised me. But with the promises of God, even though the greatness of the promise itself may stagger me, my eye must instead be fixated on the greatness of the Promiser. (Charles Spurgeon)

Oh my friend, the more we are satisfied with God the less we will be disappointed with people. Are you satisfied with God? Is He enough regardless of what is going on in your life? Is His forgiveness and grace enough to move you to continue to reach out in grace, even to those who have hurt you? I can’t answer for you, but I can tell you this: We do not have it within us to live as God desires for us to live. It is only when Jesus comes to take up residence in our hearts that God begins to transform us into the people He desires for us to be. If you are not a follower of Jesus, won’t you make that decision this morning?Mike HaysBritton Christian Church922 NW 91stOKC, OK. 73114October 23, 2022