2 Corinthians 1:19-21 God Can Be Counted On
George Parsons, weighs in on the difference between a command and a promise: “A command from God is something we should do; a promise from God is something God will do. A command must be obeyed; a promise must be believed. When God gives a command He says, “YOU WILL”; when God gives a promise He says, “I WILL.”
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
Again listen to 2 Corinthians 1:19-21NLT 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. 21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us,
Again listen to 2 Corinthians 1:19NLT 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.
The firmness of Paul’s statement, and his use of Jesus’ full title, indicates that the person and work of Christ were under attack from the false teachers at Corinth.
Verse 19b...and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.
The word “yes” in Greek means certain and true. Someone has said that God’s favorite word is “yes.” “Amen” is Hebrew and means “so be it” or “it’s already done.”
All God’s OT and NT promises of peace, joy, goodness, forgiveness, salvation, sanctification, fellowship, hope, glorification, and heaven are made possible and fulfilled in and through Jesus Christ.
In 1994, a 67-year-old carpenter named Russell Herman died in Marion, Illinois. In his last will and testament he bequeathed the following:
• $2.4 billion to the town of Cave-In-Rock
• $2.4 billion to the city of East St. Louis
• $1.5 billion for projects in southeastern Illinois
And in a final act of unprecedented generosity, he left $6 trillion to the Federal Reserve to pay help off the national debt There was only one problem: at the time of his death, the only thing Mr. Herman actually owned was a 1983 Olds Toronado.
Russell Herman may not have left behind anything of monetary value, but he did leave us all with a good reminder: you can’t give away what you don’t possess.
The bottom line is that he did not have the resources to make any of this a reality. Not so with God. He has all the means to make good on all His promises. Our big idea today is this: In a world of broken promises, God can be counted on.
Repeat this, “I can count on God.”
“When you become a follower of Christ, you are actually saying a collective yes to the truth of Jesus’ teaching and preaching.”
Listen again to 2 Corinthians 1:20NLT 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.
“Every time you trust, believe, and stand upon Jesus’ completed work, you are giving glory unto God!”
Here’s 6 principles to help you with God’s promises.
Focus on promises that are repeated elsewhere in the Bible.
Joshua 1:5NLT No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.
Hebrews 13:5NLT Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.
Be willing to accept all of God’s promises, not just the ones you like.
Hear Jesus’ words in John 16:33NKJ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Remember the ultimate aim of God’s promises is to glorify Himself.
Psalm 119:38NKJ Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You
Some promises are conditional. (God will do His part as we do ours.)
Deuteronomy 11:22-23NLT “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. 23 Then the Lord will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you, and you will take over their land.
James 4:10NLT Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Promises must be appropriated and applied by faith.
Hebrews 11:6NKJ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Charles Spurgeon once said: “Do not treat God’s promises as if they were curiosities for a museum; but believe them and use them.”
Make sure you are prepared to receive God’s promises.
Psalm 66:18NLT If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
Again, “In a world of broken promises, God can be counted on.”
Verse 22, Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God.
The word- anointed is borrowed from a commissioning service that would symbolically set apart Kings, prophets, priest and special servants. The Holy Spirit sets part believers and empowers them for the service of gospel proclamation and ministry. (Acts 1:8, 1 John 2:20,27)
Benediction.
