Nothing Truth
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
AG: Henry Augustus Rowland, professor of physics at Johns Hopkins University, was once called as an expert witness at a trial. During cross-examination a lawyer demanded, "What are your qualifications as an expert witness in this case?"
The normally modest and retiring professor replied quietly, "I am the greatest living expert on the subject under discussion." Later a friend well acquainted with Rowland's disposition expressed surprise at the professor's uncharacteristic answer. Rowland answered, "Well, what did you expect me to do? I was under oath."
TS: Apparently the Corinthians accused Paul of lying when he did not visit them as promised. Among the accusations were that he was proud, self-serving, untrustworthy, inconsistent, mentally unbalanced, incompetent, unsophisticated, and an incompetent preacher. (Not very nice was it?)
Paul declares both his and the Savior’s truthfulness
Willmington, H. L. (1999). The Outline Bible (2 Co 1:12–24). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
RS: There are times in which our truthfulness may be put to the test. There are times we may not be able to keep our word, or we intentionally mess up. Paul’s handling of the situation can serve as an example to us.
Paul’s Truthfulness (2 Cor 1:12-18)
Paul’s Truthfulness (2 Cor 1:12-18)
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.
For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand—
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.
Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace.
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.
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?
As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.
Paul has always been truthful with them.
He appeals to his confidence in his conscience. He had done all he could.
Paul made plans to revisit them
Paul had desires to do so
As a human, Paul couldn’t fulfill them.
He couldn’t foresee the future and its inevitable interruptions.
Paul had been open in his communications (v. 13)
He was straightforward and clear in his plans
He didn’t harbor a hidden agenda
Yet his own humanity had interfered.
Paul had genuine affection for them (v 14)
He was proud of them and their repentance
He knew of their hardships
He longed for the Lord’s return and their ultimate reunion
Paul had really meant his yes and his no
he wasn’t deceiving
AS: We should strive to be like Paul
Speak the truth
We may plan, but can’t always keep our plans.
We are mere human
We can’t foresee the future.
We should strive to be truthful and try to keep our word
better to not make commitments than to commit without intentions of keeping it.
We should also extend grace to others when they let us down.
The Corinthians had failed in this
When others let us down, give them grace
Try to find common ground
Did something unexpected happen?
Regardless of fault, forgive!
Jesus’ Truthfulness (2 Cor 1:19-24)
Jesus’ Truthfulness (2 Cor 1:19-24)
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.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,
and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.
Far worse than doubting Paul’s word, apparently, some had called Jesus into question!
Notice how Paul uses the full title of our Lord.
He did this for emphasis
Paul reaffirmed the surety of Jesus’ truthfulness
He is God and can never fail
Always faithful to keep promises
There is no unexpected circumstance for the Lord
With Him, Yes is Yes and No is No
It doesn’t change!
His standard is sure!
Paul points out 3 things Christ does for us
He establishes us
His grace saves us and establishes our relationship with God
He Anoints us
He sets us aside for His work
much like kings, priests, etc.
He anointed us with the Holy Spirit
He Seals us
Christ keeps us saved
Refers to the practice of placing soft wax on a document and imprinting that wax with a stamp indicating the authoriship or ownership. It attests to the authenticity of the document and carries the weight of the one who sealed it.
This speaks of His work in protecting us.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
AS: We can always trust Jesus
TO save us
TO seal us
TO Keep His promises
Faith placed in Him is never misplaced.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Be truthful
Extend grace to others
Trust the Lord