Promises of God

Scriptural Text: 2 Cor 1:18-20

Message: Promises of God

Illustrations:

Genesis 1; Isaiah 64:4; John 4:24; Romans 8:28: God became man that man might become like God.—Augustine

Isaiah 64:4 (ESV) 4From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.

2 Corinthians 1:12–21. The charges and criticisms were brought against Paul that resulted in this letter.

These criticisms, so long in number, point out one thing. Paul was an extraordinary servant of God.

“But the Lord said unto him [Ananias], Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel.…” (Ac. 9:15–16).

The present passage gives Paul’s answer to some of the charges against him.

(1) He was not hypocritical, had a pure conscience (v. 12).

(2) He was not hypocritical, did not write one thing and mean another (vv. 13–14).

(3) He was not fickle and indecisive in his plans (vv. 15–17).

(4) He was not inconsistent in his message and preaching (vv. 18–20).

(5) He was just as much in Christ and anointed as others (vv. 21–22).

for our understanding of the passage 2 Cor 1:18-20,

Paul was not inconsistent in his message and preaching (vv. 18–20).

Paul gives two forceful reasons why he preached with strong affirmation and authority, two reasons why he insisted that what he preached and taught was the truth.

(1) The Son of God, Jesus Christ, was not fickle and inconsistent. He was the absolute truth;… (2 Cor 1:18, Acts 10:36, Act 17:2-3)

therefore, He had to proclaim “yes”—that is, nothing but the truth.

“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all)” (Ac. 10:36).

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ” (Ac. 17:2–3).

(2) All the promises of God are sure and certain in Christ. In Christ all the promises of God …• are “yes”—fulfilled in Him• are “amen”—so be it; yes, indeed (2 Cor 1:20)

And when we say “Amen,” we glorify God.

Point: figuratively (2 Cor 1:19) The Conduit as Person “we proclaimed, Silvanus and Timothy and I; Container as Jesus…, in him it is always Yes; Container as People…among you,…(Acts 9:20, 2 Cor 4:5, Pr 12:19, Zech 8:16, Mal 2:6)

“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Ac. 9:20).

“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Co. 4:5).

“The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Pr. 12:19).

“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates” (Zec. 8:16).

“The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity” (Mal. 2:6).

God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ (2 Co 1:18–20; Mt 5:17; Lk 4:16–21; Ac 2:29–31; Ac 3:21–26; Ac 7:37; Dt 18:15–18; Ac 13:23; Ac 13:32–34; Ac 26:6–7; Ro 1:2–3; Ro 15:8; Heb 9:15)

2 Corinthians 1:18–20 (ESV) — 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. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

Romans 1:2–3 (ESV) 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

Romans 15:8 (ESV) 8For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs,

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV) 15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

The promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend. These promises are, however, conditional upon obedience on the part of believers.

God’s promises must be received by believers by faith (Ga 3:22, Jn 1:12, Ro 4:13–16)

Galatians 3:22 (ESV) — 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Disaster awaits those who reject God’s promises (Jos 23:12–16; Jn 3:18–20; Jn 3:36; 2 Ti 2:11–13; Heb 6:4–12; 2 Pe 3:3–10)

John 3:36 (ESV) 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Promises are received by perseverance and obedience (Heb 10:36, Ro 4:19–24, 2 Co 7:1, Heb 6:12)

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV) — 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV) — 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Hebrews 6:12 (ESV) — 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

All God’s promises are guaranteed in and through Jesus Christ.