Our Unwavering God

ME

Have you ever have someone, or a lot of someone, like a whole group or community misunderstand you? I remember what that was like 13 years ago when I came to this church. Most of you know I became a Christian, got baptized, and was called to ministry at a neighbouring church, but was encouraged after my internship to serve elsewhere. Here I was, a 29 year old fresh out of seminary would-be pastor being given the privilege to lead a youth ministry at MCBC, of course I jumped at the prospect. Except, the situation at the time inside MCBC, especially in Koinonia, was a bit different. Many youths were hoping a couple who was already serving as their counselors was going to be their new youth pastor. With that backdrop, it was a tough first year to say the least, lots of push back on plans, lots of non-communication, and miscommunication. And being green, at first I tried to fight back, and became even more authoritative and flex my pastoral muscles, and it backfired on me with a worser reputation. Before he was just unliked, now he is downright mean. Then I try to become soft, and now no one pays attention to what you say or do, or they question your every move, which makes you more insecure about things. When you are put through the ringers, you try to be everyone else but yourself, and it usually fails.

WE

But this isn’t an uncommon experience isn’t it? For some of us here, the prospect of going into a new thing, new opportunity, new stage of life can be a daunting task. For those who are high school going into post-secondary, the good thing is you have no reputation to protect since no one in the thousands of people know you (unlike high school’s mini-popularity contest). Or first time you have been promoted in a job and everyone else thought so and so is more qualified than you, is there longer than you, is smarter and more capable than you, and you have to prove yourself to a group of colleagues, who are now your subordinates who question why you are where you are and why did you get the job and not them, it can be an awkward and insecure experience. People’s bias or preconceived conclusions about us, whether they are true or not, are the hardest things to overcome and change. So we give one another advice to stay low, and things will be better. Or, you got to prove them wrong by changing their expectations. And that can be a pretty tiring task when you have to do this for weeks, if not months, every day 9 to 5, with no guarantee things are going to change. This is the background behind this letter we are going to continue to reflect on today.

GOD

A bit of raison d’etre: I was contemplating what to preach next after , realize there was an advantage to follow a lectionary, because you get a diversified genre of books in the Bible you don’t normally preach. I still look forward to explore the minor prophets, or something from Leviticus in the future, and I believe Edward is going to help us explore the wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs beginning next week.

But the disadvantage I have found is you put a lot of time researching and preparing for one sermon including background of time, place, setting, context, who’s who, and the next time it’s going through that all over again, it seems wasted until you pick up the material again. Plus as one-offs they are okay, but now that I preach two messages per month, it can be hard to follow. I knew I wanted to explore the church community relationships with God and one another more and the most direct genre come from Paul’s letter written to different churches in different contexts during his three missionary journeys. And it just so happens last Sunday our guest speaker spoke about the beginning of 2 Corinthians, so I prayed about it and read the letter in one whole sitting and find this letter can address challenges of being a community, plus our previous English lead pastor finished 1 Corinthians several years ago before he left, all that is to say for the foreseeable future unless the Holy Spirit draws me elsewhere, I will be focusing on 2 Corinthians, bit by bit.

The difficulty of preaching from a letter is originally there are no chapters or verse numbers, and how you divide its parts can be challenging. It’s like the transcript of a phone call, or nowadays text conversation and if you cut at the wrong places, you lose the context of the message. You will lose something anyways because it was suppose to be read originally in one flow by the letter carrier, in this case Titus (who also delivered the first letter, as well as another letter in between 1 and 2 Corinthians) to not only the church in Corinth but the province of Achaia. It would have been delivered in a dynamic way, and the messenger represents the sender or senders, and would be trained and prepared to answer any questions, and if they couldn’t be answered, would bring those questions back to the original senders. Such is the genre of letters or epistles. And for a refresher if we were to study a letter, we would begin with the sender and receiver, and some sort of greetings and thanksgiving. So turn with me to page 964 in the pew Bible.

The Apostle Paul begins this letter this way:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Last week, we learned about the beginning where thanksgiving usually is, and instead Paul focused on comfort from God through various trials and sufferings. It’s always good to notice how Paul describes himself at the beginning of the letter, “an apostle of Christ Jesus BY THE WILL OF GOD” which may seem surprising, wouldn’t everyone in Corinth know Paul, being an eyewitness of Jesus and commissioned by Him to share the gospel, would for sure be doing it IN the will of God? Well, that’s where things got tricky and why I started with illustration of my first year in ministry. Now Paul’s been around the rodeo now for many years, assuming this letter was written around 64-65 A.D., but apparently his reputation, especially in Corinth, has become questionable not only because of who he is in his letter vs. in person, but also rumours begin spreading about his reputation has begin to undermine his message. Now I am sure that never happens at a church, right? And no, it doesn’t have to be a pastor being maligned. Anyone in church can be a sitting target and it can all start off innocent enough (though is it ever truly ‘innocent’) with a misreading of intention. Let’s take a look at what trouble was brewing in Paul’s beloved yet estranged community:

I. The Reward of God is Unwavering (v. 12-14)

English Standard Version Chapter 1

12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

After we end off with Paul requesting the church of Corinth to bless their mission in Macedonia, at times dangerous and life threatening, with prayers of the saints, Paul begins by talking about boasting. Now your immediate reaction might be to say, boasting?! Isnt’t boasting a sin? Or, may I never boast except boast about Jesus Christ and with him crucified. Paul is not boasting in a prideful manner as far as we can tell, because simplicity and godly sincerity is hardly anything to boast about, whereas earthly wisdom (that is, wisdom absent of God) tells you to have to be the center of attention, to always put yourself first and forward like a walking resume at an interview, even at times exaggerate or cleverly manipulate words a bit so you sound more experienced, more professional, and all the more hireable than you really are. Paul does none of that, he sticks with simplicity and godly sincerity, and neither is it something he musters in himself but by the grace of God, so God is the source, and supremely, which is an odd word as it means especially so toward you, or else Paul will seem like he’s picking favourites.

Why are you supremely so good to the church of Corinth, and just so-so or decently to Thessalonika. It’s a weird ESV translation to me when especially would do just fine. Simplicity means integrity, holiness or a sanctifying way, which is all to say Paul’s conduct reflects his character. There is nothing which he say or does which contradicts who he is. Whereas godly sincerity means honesty, straightforward attitude, and purity of motive which makes you wonder why does he mentioned these two traits fueled by God’s grace? We will get to that in verse 15 onwards, though we see hints of the conflict in v.13 which seems like somehow the church of Corinth felt Paul is keeping back something from them. Why would they think that? Because they question his character and motive. Instead Paul says, don’t focus on rumours about me, but focus on the day when we are both face to face before Jesus who is sitted on the great white throne of judgment, we would be sharing about how our confidence in Him gave birth and maturity to the ministry work we did together! Giving credit, sharing stories of their fellowship, love and unity, despite suffering and persecution. Now we see the true heart of boasting: Boasting is about confidence in something, and in our fallen nature, we will boast in the wrong thing, such as ourself, and boasting is corrupted. But in Christ boasting is about the other. It’s always self-giving.

Question is: what and who have you boasted about lately? Maybe it’s your small group leader, or even your small group. No, not because it’s perfect but because you went through something, together, which brings you closer to one another and closer to the heart of God. It can be serving one of the struggling brother or sister, or it can be a great time of prayer of encouragement. All that is to say, boast in Christ what He has done in your community!

Boasting is about confidence in something, and in our fallen nature in the wrong thing, such as ourself, boasting is corrupted, but in

--So we can take away from Paul this thought: When in a community such as the church we are in conflict, we need to allow the Spirit to remind us whether we have the right motive, live a life of integrity not so

Let’s continue:

English Standard Version Chapter 1

15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea.

What is ‘this’ at the beginning of verse 15? Let me paraphrase: Because I (Paul) was sure of this (his relationship with the church of Corinth, because they know who he is and what he stand for), he was eager to return to Corinth once again. Boy was he wrong! Paul’s original plan was to make a pit stop at Corinth in Achaia before heading North to Macedonia where the churches of Philippi and Thessalonika would be, and then instead of by land travel East from Macedonia, he would head south AGAIN to drop in on Corinth (because you know, they are buddies buddies), before heading back to Judea across the Sea which is actually safer than on land. This was the travel plan he laid out when he wrote his first letter to the church of Corinth towards the end (). There’s also a subtle point which in the English translation you won[‘t be able to pick up, the idea of “send me on my way” in the original Greek doesn’t just mean, well see you, tutelu! But send me on my way WITH SUPPLIES, PROVISIONS and FINANCIAL SUPPORT. In fact, this is what many scholars believe this second experience of grace (the greek word is charis) is what Paul is referring to, financial support for the grueling mission journeys ahead. Paul is saying he would make the extra trip again to Corinth so he would see them supply him and others again with ‘grace.’ He made that plainly in his first letter to the church of Corinth:

he would se them supply others again with grace. He made that plainly in his first letter to the church of Corinth:

English Standard Version Chapter 16

3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

The word gift is charis, more commonly translated as grace! So the next time I come to you ask you for some grace… or send me on my way, wink wink... just kidding, those words to us English readers are codewords for money and other provisions. So the travel plan is set, but what happened? Paul begins his next point with two questions, rhetorical ones where the answer from the church of Corinth should be, No! Of course no! That’s not you, Paul!

II. The Character of God is Unwavering

English Standard Version Chapter 1

17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

Except the reason Paul ask these two rhetorical questions was because he is asking the church of Corinth, in light of the times they’ve been together, some scholars say he spent over 18 months in Corinth and their total correspondence and relationship has been 6 years by the time of this letter, in light of his simplicity and godly charity, do you accuse me of flip flopping over decisions in a cavalier way, changing plans due to my preference or whim? The word vacillating simply means wavering and flippant decision making for ones own benefit or convenience.

It’s like your dad cancelled the trip to go see a baseball game with you last minute because his beer buddies called him out and he chose them instead of you. That’s how the Corinthians felt! That’s what it means to make plans according to flesh, not according to the will of God, but Paul’s own will. Somehow the church of Corinth thought his travel plans delayed is the result of a LACK of integrity and not saying what hes says he will do, which are probably all rumours that have been fed by his opponents in his absence from Corinth. I mean it sure would fit with other descriptions of him we will find out in the next few messages or so, that he is not much of a leader, indecisive, weak in presentation and delivery, unlike the letters he write. But Paul doesn’t rely on his own character or conscience for his defense, he connects it back to the One who sent him in the first place, and as the master is, so the apprentice.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him.

Paul is saying: “If you don’t believe me, believe the one who sent me” (hey, didn’t Jesus said that in the Gospel of John?) God is faithful in his sending of his own Son, Jesus Christ, and the gospel shared of his life, death, and resurrection is attested not only by Paul, but by Silvanus (a latin variation of the Aramaic name Silas, which in Hebrew is Saul) and Timothy, and that gospel is as true as it was proclaimed six years ago as it is now, and will always be true. Paul just raise the stakes by the last sentence, that all the promises of God find their Yes in him. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Covenant expectation of a Messiah. From Adam to Abraham, David to Solomon, all the prophets spoke of God becoming a King who would rule a people for himself, and Jesus has now fulfilled that vocation! So as his emissary, his ambassador and apostle, by extension, the God who never wavers will use his unwavering message to be delivered by an unwavering messenger! They can be confident of Paul’s divine reason for his delayed travels because they had been confident of his divine message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Faithful and unwavering, steadfast focus is who our God is, in fulfilling his mission even if it meant to be crucified on the cross for our sins. Logically, since everything finds their yes in Christ, God keeps his promise in Christ and we say our Amen to God through Jesus Christ. This means when we pray and we say Amen at the end , which means ‘truly,’ what I say I truly mean, there is no falsehood, no half-heartedness or double-mindedness, and where there is Jesus, supply us with the faith necessary to trust and thus claim God’s promise! Jesus is the living embodiment of Amen because what he truly says, he truly does, according to the wll of his Heavenly Father!

III. The Gifts of God is Unwavering (v. 21-22)

English Standard Version Chapter 1

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Lastly, Paul offers four examples of things Christ has done in Him, in the Corinthians, and by extension on our behalf, part of the promise to those who follow him by accepting and claiming the gospel Paul preached, which is instrumental to our understanding of what it means to be a Christian community.

v. 21 God establish us (Paul, Silvanus or Silas, and Timothy) with you (church of Corinth) in Christ. To establish is to strengthen or build up something, in this case the relationship He has with his believers in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Everything depends and falls on this relationship, because out of this relationship is where all other relationships with one another, i.e. the church happens!

God anoints us, and I don’t think this us is just P.S.T., Paul, Silas and Timothy but also the church of Corinth and from hereonin all the us refers to this community though separated by distance and even distrust, nevertheless shares the same anointing, that is, those God anoints with His Spirit who is everywhere and there at the same time. He is our link to our common lineage in Christ.

v. 22, God has put his seal on us, a promise to the church of Corinth and by extension to us as well we are safe and secured in our relationship and status before him. A seal is used to not only protect the contents of a letter within the envelope, but also bears the mark of the sender’s authentication and his ownership of the letter and its content. We have been sealed, that is Jesus claims ownership over us and authenticates our relationship in Him as our owner he protects us in our faith as surely as he protected Paul and his team, and the church of Corinth that he who began a good work in us will complete that work through us!

He has given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. A guarantee is an economic term like a downpayment or first installment. For those of us who ha sa mortgage and leased a car before, you know what this means. It means we get the benefit of using the vehicle or entering into the condo or house or appartment and make it ours. However, try as we might, we still know as long as we haven’t paid our final cheque or automatic withdrawal, it’s still not ours. The feeling is different, when you are debt free, or credit free than still owing, but fully owner. Aren’t we glad there is but one Spirit and he is constant, and has been given once for us. And it’s our unwavering God whose yes is a yes, and no is a no who is the guarantor! Think about it for a second. For now on earth we have the Holy Spirit dwell in us to teach us, guide us, empower us and warns us in life. Doesn’t get any better than that, does it? Except it does! One day, in our redemption we will see God face to face and He will be our God and we will be His people. For now, we get a taste, a preview of what would eventually be our inheritance. God with us, always!

Relationship, Anointing, Seal and Guarantee. This is the gifts of our unwavering God to help us, individually and as community

YOU

So Paul got into a bit of trouble and he will flesh it out further as we continue to explore this letter. If it’s just about his traveling plans, the church wouldn’t react the way they did. Travelling plans, as we shall see, is but the tip of the iceberg! Yet Paul did not waver but as patiently as he can, using all the rhetorical knowledge he would have been trained in, but more importantly knowing who it is he belongs to and represent and owns him, as long as he knows he is in Him, that is Jesus Christ through the holy spirit, he need not to second-guess his own motives and intentions, because the messenger is as trustworthy as the message. This is our challenge too. In any community, and yes, even your workplace is a community. Your school is a community. Undoubtely church is a community and your small group is a community. When disagreements, accusations or doubts arose, are we going to be quick to defend ourselves by raising up all our spikes so we won’t get hurt or mistreated, or arre we going to calmly examine ourselves in the mirror of our unwavering God, whose reward, whose character, and whose gifts are unwavering, all will supply all that we need if we would depend on His provision, His reputation, and His ways to handle life’s situation. Yes, it may mean to the world you look like a fool, or a coward, because you didn’t use earthly wisdom and attack back with vengeance, but know whatever you say or do, you aren’t just representing yourself, or even MCBC, or Christians, but an unwavering God who has already shown us in His son Jesus the way of

WE