Notes from "Check Yes or No"

Here are my notes from my message today entitled, "Check Yes or No" based on 2 Corinthians 1:18-22.

Introduction:  The title for this morning’s message comes from a George Strait song with the same name as well as remembering back to elementary or middle school where notes were passed between boys and girls with a question usually related to do you like me with two boxes at bottom.  Usually with the obvious directions to check one.  

This morning we are going to look a similar question the people in Corinth were asking.  They wanted to know if it was yes or no. We will look at three P’s to help us understand and live out this passage from the Word of God.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:15-22

Preach vs. 18-19-

The But—How often have you heard or used the following in relationships: I love you, but, I am proud of you, but, I forgive you, but, I was wrong, but, I was going to call you, but, etc.

·         "Hearing the word but removes everything before it from our memory." Mike Glenn in The Gospel of Yes

·        

       Paul is dealing with the but.  He is dealing with the people of Corinth’s disappointment and questioning of whether he can be trusted.  Does his yes mean yes? See vs. 15ff-Because He promised to come and then didn’t.  

·         Vs. 18-People can & will disappoint us.  But here is the good news:  God is faithful.  Greek word, pistos-to be trusted, reliable

·         Because God is faithful, our message was not Yes and No.  The message is still true even though their actions have caused people to doubt.

·         Vs. 19-What did they preach and should we also preach

o   In Jesus, it has always been Yes

o   Has our preaching become focused on do this, don’t do that?  Are we focused on getting behavior right before you can follow Christ.  When we talk about our faith, are we focused on what we are against or what we are for. 

o   We need to follow Paul’s example and preach Jesus. 

o   Jesus is Faithful, Forgiving, Loving, Righteous, Savior, Lord, Holy, Trustworthy, Powerful, Present

Promises vs. 20-

·         Vs. 20-No matter how many promises God has made, they are yes in Christ.

·         Greek word, epangelia, a law term, “an undertaking to do or give something” plural to indicate every promise made by God

·         Before we unpack this thought, for the next 60 seconds with a partner, I want you to list as many promises of God, you can think of. Go

·         How many?  Some have estimated as many as 3000

·          

      Slides with promises of God-http://bible.org/article/selected-promises-god-each-book-bible

·         All are yes in Christ.  Some may ask: is this for now or later?

o   Some might explain as being specific for particular situation that will be experienced in the future i.e.heaven

o   Or we might let our circumstances define it as later because we are not seeing it now

o   MacArthur, “All God’s OT and NT promises of peace, joy, love, goodness, forgiveness, salvation, sanctification, fellowship, hope, glorification, and heaven are made possible and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.”

·         Don’t fall into the trap of God is _____, but

o   Are we going to believe God’s Word or our circumstances?

·          

      Our response: Amen to the glory of God

When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, "And all girls."

This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, "Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?"

Her response, "Because everybody always finish their prayers by saying 'All Men'!"

o   Hebrew word that means “so be it”, -it is agreeing and verbally expressing we believe the promise or truth

o   Barclay writes “Jesus is the guarantee that our prayers will be heard and that all the great promises are true.”

Prepare vs. 21-22

·         Now it is God (repeat)who makes us stand firm in Christ

o   Not based on you, but on the God who created the world, rose Jesus from the dead

·          

      He anointed us

o   MacArthur Bible Commentary, “This word is borrowed from a commissioning service that would symbolically set apart kings, prophets, priests, and special servants. The Holy Spirit sets apart believers and empowers them for the service of gospel proclamation and ministry.

o   Set apart for a purpose, to go out

§  Are we keeping our anointing to ourselves?

·        

        As believers, we have the Holy Spirit within us

o   Seal of ownership-We are His!

§  MacArthur, “This refers to the ancient practice of placing soft wax on a document and imprinting the wax with a stamp that indicated authorship or ownership, authenticity, and protection.  The Holy Spirit attaches all these meanings to His act of spiritually sealing believers.”

o   His Spirit-a deposit guaranteeing what is to come

Closing

·         Centered on Scripture-Believe the truth about God and about yourself.  In Bible Memory, Michelle Anaya will start with “Why do we memorize Scripture? One Answer: The Sword of Truth-if we don’t know the truth, then you will believe the lie.” Spend some time this week looking for the promises of God

·         Holy Spirit Empowered-You are anointed.  Are we keeping it to ourself or going out? What “greater” thing will God do through you this week?