Once again turn in your Bibles to the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 1, 2 Corinthians chapter 1. This week we will be finishing the chapter by covering verses 15-24 and I’ve titled this message “All the promises of God in Christ are yes and amen!” This is what Paul tells the Corinthian church in verse 20 “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” So what is the Apostle Paul saying, He is reminding the church that you can depend of God, God has & will keep His promises because all the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ, and Paul wanted to let them know that just as the Lord was dependable, so was he.
2 Corinthians 1:15 - And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 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, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
So after giving the Corinthians a message of comfort, and expressing his appreciation for them starting in verse 15 he tells them that he had planned on visiting them twice, Paul intended to leave the city of Ephesus and stop at Corinth on his way to Macedonia but his plans changed so apparently Paul’s critics in the church, the false teachers and those who had been led astray by them took this as another opportunity to paint the apostle Paul as a fraud and that you really couldn’t depend on him, Paul says one thing and does another, He says yes but he really means no.
Now the reason Paul didn’t come the first time was to give them time to change and make corrections, he said I didn’t come to spare you so he did it for their sake but of course his critics seized upon this as to question Paul’s dependability.
So I want to spend the first part of the message on the importance of dependability. Because Paul was dependable, so that’s point # 1 – The importance of dependability
Then point # 2 we’ll look at how God is dependable to keep His promises and how they are all fulfilled in Christ
And then point # 3 How the Holy Spirit is given as a guarantee of our salvation, that we who are saved can depend on God to keep us saved and secure. So let’s talk about the importance of dependability – Turn to Matthew chapter 5. Again, the accusation against Paul is that you couldn’t depend on His word, that he would say yes but his yes would end up being no.
A few weeks ago when my father preached and he told the trials and tribulations he went through trying to get a plumber. We’ll be there Monday, no - we’ll be there Tuesday morning for sure, we’ll definitely be there Wednesday -- And once again, guess what? They never showed up! So we understand the importance of being dependable and keeping your word - but look at what Jesus says in Matthew 5:33 Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Let your yes be yes and your no, no. It is so important that we are dependable and keep our word, Christians above all people should keep their word, keep your commitments. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 89:34
My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
Whatever happened to – All you need is a man’s word and a handshake?
But we live in a time where dishonestly is so common, not only do people lie they make vows and break them with complete disregard for the God of heaven who will hold them accountable. This is the world we live in which is why as Christians if we simply are committed to keeping our word and fulfilling our commitments we will stand out and people will notice that and it will be a good testimony. People are much more likely to listen to you if they know you are a honest person of good character.
If they see that you don’t keep your word, are they really going to listen to you when you want to share Christ with them?
Do you remember in Acts 6 when the apostles chose what many believe were the first deacons, what characteristics did they look for, the first thing they said, was “seek out from among you seven men of good reputation”.
Now sometimes a situation will arise and you may not be able to fulfill a commitment, the apostle Paul changed his plan but he explained to them why, because Paul didn’t take these things lightly and we should not treat things lightly. The house of God should not be treated lightly, and its not just church leaders every Christian should be dependable. Here is a practical way this plays out in a local church, if a member misses church on Sunday they’ll often let us know ahead of time or let us know why they missed later on, or if someone stays home sick they might call or send a text and say please pray for me. That shows character and commitment.
It also a sign of commitment when all the things around the church that need to get done, they just get done! It’s such a blessing to be part of a church where people have roles and responsibilities and they are committed, you never have to worry about it because the people in those positions are dependable.
God rewards people for their faithfulness and we praise God for all those people who are dependable. Ask any pastor, one of thee most important things for any church is to have a core group of people who love the Lord, you know where they are going to be on Sunday morning, and they serve and the job they do, you know its going to be done and it’s going to be done well. That is one of thee most important things you could ever ask for, and I’ll just speak for myself and the deacons and say we are thankful for your prayers and contributions.
Turn back to 2 Corinthians 1.
So we’ve been talking about people and despite what the false teachers were saying the apostle Paul was dependable, but now let’s talk about how God is dependable.
Yes, people makes mistakes, people will let you down at times, but God always keeps His word and in the Old Testament there were a lot of promises made - did God keep those promises? Look at what Paul writes, 2 Corinthians 1:19 - 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.
What does this mean? It means God is faithful, God will always do what He says and the promises that God made in times past, all those promises are fulfilled in Christ. Let’s look at some examples, turn to Genesis chapter 12. As you’re turning there let’s just think of this word promise, - when it comes to promises in the Bible what comes to mind? You have Isaac the child of promise, God made a covenant with Abraham, that even though he was old, and his wife was barren and beyond the age of child bearing, God promised Abraham that he would have a son. And this concept of promise from the Old Testament is brought into the New Testament is tied in with salvation itself, that a person is saved by faith / by believing the promises of God - and Christ is the culmination of the promises.
So there was the son of promise then we’re of course all familiar with the promised land – look at Genesis 12:1-3
Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country,
From your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So let’s ask the question> Did these things come to pass? Did the Lord make Abraham a great nation? Yes. Was his name made great? Yes. Was Abraham a blessing? Yes. Did God bless him and curse his enemies? Yes. Has all the earth been blessed by Abraham? Yes because Jesus Christ is the seed of Abraham and the whole world has been blessed through the Son of God. To find out more about this turn the book of Hebrews chapter 11.
Now you might say but there was one thing that didn’t happen…. Abraham himself did not possess the land, he dwelt in it only as a pilgrim. Technically the only part of the promised land that Abraham owned was his burial plot. So does that mean the promise of God failed? Remember the fulfillment of all the promises are found in Christ. Hebrews chapter 11 begins with these words “faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” Abraham was certainly a man of faith.
Look at verse 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Now skip ahead to verse 13 - These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
So how is the promise of the land fulfilled in Christ? Well # 1 through the salvation that Jesus purchased Abraham got a better country, a heavenly country, right now his spirit is in the presence of God but not only that, when Jesus returns what is He going to do? He is going to raise the dead and establish His kingdom at which point Abraham and his descendants will rule and reign upon the earth dwelling in the land, so in Christ Abraham is doubly blessed in that he get’s both an earthly and heavenly country because all the promises of God in Christ are yes and in Him amen.
And just in case you’re wondering where you fit in, do you remember the Scripture reading from this morning? That if you belong to Christ then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Those who have faith have a share in all of this!
So we see that not only does the Lord keeps His promises - when He delivers He delivers above and beyond what we can imagine. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says “Eye hath not seen nor ear heard nor hath entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” Whatever your understanding is about the promises of God I assure you they are better than you can possibly imagine.
Now let’s look at another example of the promises of God being fulfill in Christ, turn to 2 Samuel 7 and we will look at the covenant that God made with David. So we looked at the Abrahamic Covenant, now we will look at the Davidic covenant where God makes a promise to King David, so if you didn’t already know you may have figured out that the term covenant and promise are synonymous with one another. So you could say that all the covenants of God are fulfilled in Christ because a covenant is a promise or a binding agreement.
2 Samuel 7:1-3 Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” 3 Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you.”
David was the second king of Israel, Israel’s first king was Saul and he ended poorly and he willfully disobeyed the Lord, David however was a man after God’s own heart, David wanted what God wanted, David wanted to see the Lord glorified, Saul wanted to see Saul glorified, so David wants to build God a house, a temple – now ultimately it was the Lords will that David’s son Salomon build the temple but look at what the Lord tells David. Nathan the prophet is speaking for God he says in verse 11 the Lord tells you that He will make you a house.
It’s starts with David wanting to build a house for God, it ends with God building a house for David. A dynasty, an everlasting kingdom where David’s throne would be established and a descendant of David would forever sit upon the throne. Look at verse 12 - “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Now you can tell in one sense the Lord is speaking about Salomon – because He says “if he commits iniquity”, but remember, all the promises are fulfilled in who? In Christ – verse 16 - And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
If that is true then who’s sitting on the throne of David today? Luke chapter 1:31 the angel Gabriel speaking to Mary says And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen. You know…… One of the most rewarding things about studying the Bible is when you start to see how everything fits together and how Christ is at the center of it all.
And one last example, turn to Jeremiah chapter 31. Jeremiah 31.
Of course we could talk about how the Old Covenant of the Law was fulfilled in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” And in Galatians 3:24 Paul explains how the purpose of the Law was to show people their sin to lead them to Christ.
But what made the Old Covenant different was that it was temporary and it was conditional. It depended on the Israelites upholding their end of the agreement, which they didn’t do. We’re going to read about that in a moment.
But in the Old Testament Scriptures there are 3 great unconditional covenants, we already looked at two of them, the Abrahamic Covenant and the David Covenant both find their fulfillment in Christ now the last one we are going to look at, is the promise of the New Covenant.
Jeremiah 31:31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD.
33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” How are these sins going to be forgiven? How will this covenant be brought about?
Through the blood of Christ as Jesus said in Matthew 26:28 “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
There is only one hope of heaven! This is the promise God has made with mankind, that if a person would repent and by faith, place their trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin they will be delivered from the day of Judgement and not only delivered but given an inheritance in the Kingdom of God.
And to choose to walk by faith, it is not just a one time decision, it is a life long decision. And I trust that everyone listening to this message has either already made that choice or will make it at this very moment.
Now go back to 2 Corinthians and that is where we will close.
To go back to what the Lord told Jeremiah did you notice what He said? That part of the New Covenant is where God - instead of writing His law on tablets of stone, God will write His law in the hearts of men. How will He do that?
The thing that really set’s the New Covenant apart is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who assures us that we are children of God, the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all that is true.
God is dependable, He keeps His covenant promises and now finally in the New Covenant, we can depend on the Holy Spirit that He is the guarantee that God has saved us and that He will keep us saved – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
21 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.
Notice there are no first and second class citizens in the kingdom of God (those who are anointed and those who are not). No! What did he say? That God has anointed us!
All of God’s people are anointed, every born again believer is holy - set apart unto God, and we were anointed the moment the Holy Spirit came to indwell us! And what does the Holy Spirit do? He seals us!
Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
The Holy Spirit has been given to us to seal us, as a guarantee that we belong to God. And because God is our Father we can depend fully on Him to provide and He has provided, He has made provision through Christ, for in Him all the promises of God are yes and amen!
