A Guarantee.

A Guarantee.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

As a child, I was taught not to question authority. The battle cry in that day was, mine is not to reason why, mine is to do or die.

Patriotism was based on my country, right or wrong. Such is the basis for fanaticism and blind loyalty.

Then came to Vietnam War, it brought our country to its knees, leadership was questioned, and patriotism was challenged.

Watergate was the final straw as the credibility of leadership suffered a crushing blow. Politicians are no longer believed, many times for good reason. Some will say anything to get elected, as promises fall on deaf ears.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ”Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.“

Today, because of that lack of integrity, everybody sits in judgment of authority figures. We go to church and critique the pastor at his message.

Think of what I’m about to say: “Rather than sit in judgment of the message, shouldn’t the message sit in judgment of us.” PH

Are we supposed to critique the worship service, or are we to enter into the experience and worship God?

Remember this, we are not to be found in the role of critiquing worship services, but rather we are to participate in the worship experience.

-I am here to worship God, not to be a critic. PH

Therefore, we have to agree we are living in a nation where authority is questioned, and leaders are challenged– there is a lack of trust, and a spirit of unbelief.

Question, Does losing our faith in humanity, Have to alter our ability to trust God?

Romans 3:3-4a NKJV ”For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…

Please hear this, Although questioning the credibility of leadership has intensified in our days, it is not a new problem.

Paul addressed the issue of human leadership versus God’s leadership. Hear the verses above todays text.

2 Corinthians 1:17–20NLT ”You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.“

Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that he should lie, and Hebrews 6:18 says, it is impossible for God to lie.

Always remember, man-made-kingdoms come and go, human authorities, rise and fall.

However, the integrity of the church is not based on the fickle nature of man or the credibility of human government.

Rather, it is based upon the faithfulness of God, and the assurance of His Word, because of His timeless, unchanging nature.

James 1:16-18NLT”So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

Several truths I want to bring out from the text, that will give you a definite “Yes” from Jesus.

1. God is the one who establishes us.

God desires for His Church to be planted, rooted and grounded in Jesus. P.H

Listen, 2 Corinthians 1:21TPT ”Now, it is God himself who has anointed us. And he is constantly strengthening both you and us in union with Christ.“

Notice, the word established and anointed, go hand-in-hand. You can’t be anointed, and not be established! P.H

How does he do this? First, He establishes us.

Second- 2. He has anointed us.

D. L. Moody was to have a campaign in England. An elderly pastor protested, "Why do we need this ’Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, etc. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?" A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, "No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody."

Christos is the Greek word for Christ, which means the anointed One.

In our passage, verse 21, the word “anointed” is the Greek word, Chrio which is used in the Septuagint (a Greek translation of the Old Testament before the time of Jesus) For kings, priest, and prophets.