Change of Plans
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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By way of introduction turn with me to, James 4
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Turn to 2 Co 1 now. Paul was very aware of living by the will of God, even having his “plans” modified by Him. While travelling once Luke wrote in Acts 16:6 “Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.” Sometimes God answers NO.
Can i share a story? A friend and I were on fire, evangelizing, sharing the bible everywhere we could. So much so that an enterprising pastor invited us to come tag team be Youth Pastors (we were barely saved much less ready to be pastors) after meeting for an hour because the “Holy Spirit” told him so.
We went to our pastor and wives and they all said, you aren't ready. Would take 20 years of trials and mistakes and growth before God called out for real. This was a no to me at the time, but was really a “Not right now”.
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. 1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Church in Corinth, Paul started on 2 missionary journey, about 50AD (s Ac 18:1-17) remember the dissipation that Corinth was infamous for. They lived promiscuously, in excessive self-indulgence. Even a vulgar, pagan world considered them, on the dirty side.
12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Pauls boasting (godly acknowledgement, not bragging) which was what he saw as fruit in their lives from Christ and that they would see same in him
Paul lived life exactly as he preached. We need to live not by fleshly wisdom, but by Grace of God. Its humbling
There is no such way to attain to a greater measure of grace as for a man to live up to the little grace he has.
Phillips Brooks
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.
The plan, see map - animated of 2 trip. He said as much in 1 Corinthians 4:19 that intended to get back there. He had visited a second time (inferred in 2Co 2:1; 12:14; 13:1, 2)
Paul would meet Titus in Macedonia, then would visit 3rd time (12:14; 13:1-2; Acts 20:1-3) which is when he would write romans. in AD 57. Here he says, I really wanted to see you on the way to Macedonia and then see you again on the way back out.
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?
he had intended but didn't make it he answered in 2 Corinthians 2:1–2 “But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?”
look, he says, do you think i didn't plan this in a godly manner being led by the Holy Spirit? Remember what they did. The opponents of Paul would probably accuse being wishy-washy. Not coming afraid. Paul says I don’t say yes when I mean no. Thats what people in the world do. Say sure will help you move when in front of you, but then not show up ;-) Jesus said let your Yes be yes, Matthew 5:33–37 “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.” Paul wasn't making knee-jerk decisions but approaching everything by prayer, supplication.
This is a mistake I make at times, talking out loud, not examining, praying enough, being patient.
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.
God is yes, not because he lets you get your way, but because He will always do what He says. Paul remember, lives like one who emulates jesus. He even said, 1 Corinthians 11:1 “1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” remember we are supposed to be conformed to the “image” of Jesus. As we are in the image of God (living) it is the same with Christ.
Genesis 5:3 “And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” We including Paul are being made into: In ref to image and glory in next verse - Romans 8:28–30 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
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.
Now this seems weird for Paul to use so much theology to explain why he wont make it. As I said before, he is establishing that he really is like .look
Promises yes/amen (so be it). All - Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”” John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” This is a statement and a promise - and Jesus fulfilled all of it.
glory of God through is the fulfillment seen in us. Because we saw Jesus save us from our sins and filled with Spirit 1 John 2:24 “Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.”
God establishes us where we are. In every way Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.” Romans 16:25 “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began”
God anoints us (election) to lead/preach, etc and it is powerful Isaiah 59:21 ““As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”” 1 John 2:20 “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”
as we see this we can be assured by the Holy Spirit that we are sealed like Jesus and that we have this guarantee by that holy spirit. John 6:27 “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”” Ephesians 1:13 “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
All of this a peculiar guarantee: 2 Corinthians 5:5 “Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.” Romans 5:5 “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
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. 1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
Paul is assuring them, that since we are all sure we know God, then having seen Pauls witness he isn't lying, scared, or worldly/namby-pamby. Pauls heart has been moved to not just bring them more pain. Its hard sometime when someone is struggling to not bring even more hurt into it. He says lypo, to be in grief, distressed.
2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;”
Paul was used to confrontation. After all was a Jew. Its built into their genes.
At the same time, he doesn't want to “dominate’ them spiritually. ITS NOT ABOUT CONTROL. when we share spiritual things, direction, exhortation, rebuke, etc. it is for us to serve, to bring that person where they are walking joyfully in the Lord. But he determined, (krino) he judged himself and saw he wasnt ready to do it right.
2 Corinthians 4:5 “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” Mark 10:44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.”
If you are living in sin, you are the living dead. There cannot be joy in such a walk. There cannot be peace in such a walk. Thats Paul’s desire, to see that the folks in Corinth have joy. Not pain. Those who live in the spirit walk in the Spirit. Where you living at? Are you going on the fact of what Christ did, or you feelings about it?
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 5247 Feelings Aside
A man once came to a preacher and said, “I was filled with joy in the meeting yesterday. Now it has all gone—all—and I do not know what to do. It is as dark as night.” “I am so glad,” was the preacher’s reply. He looked at the servant of Christ with astonishment and said, “What do you mean?”
“Yesterday God gave you joy. Today He sees you are resting on your emotion instead of Christ. He has taken it away in order to turn you to Christ. You have lost your joy, but you have Christ. Have you ever passed through a railway tunnel?” “Yes, often.” “Because it was dark, did you become melancholy and alarmed?” “Of course not.” “And did you, after a while, again come into the light?” “I am out now!” he exclaimed, interrupting the servant of Christ. “It’s all right, feelings or no feelings!”
Psalm 33:1 “1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.” Isaiah 29:19 “19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel.” Philippians 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”