2 Corinthians 1:13-24 New Living Translation
13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14 even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.
15 Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— 16 first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
17 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.
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
It is GOD who enables us to STAND FIRM
2 Corinthians 1:21 New Living Translation
21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us…
1 Peter 5:10 New Living Translation
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Ephesians 6:10-11 New Living Translation
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
The Spirit empowers us
2 Corinthians 1:22 New Living Translation
22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
Ephesians 1:13-14 New Living Translation
13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
We OWN our faith
2 Corinthians 1:23-24 New Living Translation
23 Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24 But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 New Living Translation
3 Dear brothers and sisters when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? 4 When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?
Sermon Questions
- How does Paul describe the faithfulness of God in contrast to human indecision in 2 Corinthians 1:18-20?
Consider why it’s important to trust that God’s promises in Christ are always fulfilled with a “Yes.” How does this influence your daily walk with God? - In what ways does the Holy Spirit help us stand firm in our faith according to 2 Corinthians 1:22 and Ephesians 1:13-14?
Reflect on how the Holy Spirit works in your life. How does this assurance give you confidence in God’s promises? - What does it mean to “own” your faith, as Paul discusses in 2 Corinthians 1:24?
Think about the difference between being told how to live out your faith and making the choice to stand firm by your own faith. How can you take personal responsibility for your spiritual growth?