The Joy of God's Promises

Introduction

Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth was a vindication of his ministry and his message. There were those in Corinth, like everywhere else, who were trying to undermine Paul and stop the preaching of the Gospel. Paul begins his letter in the manner that our very life should express.

2 Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”

Treasures from Second Corinthians, Volume 1 III. The Clarity & Confidence in God’s Word 1:18–20

Paul makes it clear that as God is faithful, Paul’s word was also faithful and did not waver or vacillate. His message was not a “Yes” then “No” message. It was not fickle and unstable. What Paul told them about Jesus Christ was true, dependable, and reliable. God’s Word is true and His promises are true and can be trusted. That is very important, especially in those times when we encounter complications from a change in our plans and are setback, tripped up, or moved aside. The reliability, dependability, believability, capability, credibility, durability, impeccability, infallibility, and sensibility of the Word of God gives us a firm foundation from which we can live our lives and face our storms and complications when there is a change in our plans. D.L. Moody said, “God never made a promise that was too good to be true.” His promises are good and they are always true

It seems that the church of today has lost its praise, lost its joy of being a Christian and the results finds us worshipping without zeal. We certainly need to learn to bless the Lord under all circumstances as Paul did.

Paul blessed the Lord in the face of affliction - (v.6)

Paul blessed the Lord in spite of adversities - (v.8)

In our text this morning Paul is telling these Corinthian believers whatever our circumstances, there is one thing we can be sure of. We can be sure of the promises of God concerning our salvation, because it is of God and not of man. We should joy in the promises of God. Let me give you three reasons for this joy.

God the Father said it - (v.18) our salvation is based on what God says. His words are the final authority.

God spoke it before it was needed

Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

God spoke about it when it was needed

Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Jesus Christ secured it - (v.20)

In Jesus we have a present condition

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

In Jesus we have permanent change

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The Holy Spirit sealed it - (v.22)

Ephesians 1:12–13 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”