Sermons for the Month
God's Word To Us - "YES!"
DATE: February 23rd, 2003
SERVICE: 7th Sunday After The Epiphany
TEXT: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22“To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN The Apostle Paul could be described using many words. In fact, when I was a teenager I participated in the Bethel Bible Study series at my church. My friend Gary and I were the two teenagers among a bunch of "old people". (They were probably in their 40's.) In any case, I recall that as we studied the book of Acts, I commented to the Pastor that I felt Paul was an arrogant chauvinist. (The pastor's eyes became quite large as I said that.) Well, I would not still use that description for Paul since I've come to admire him. I'd have to carefully consider what descriptive words I would use. I can tell you, though, that I would not call him "wishy-washy". Yet, that is exactly what he is being accused of being in today's second lesson form 2 Corinthians. We often are wishy-washy, giving "yes" and "no" answers although we may not realize it. For example, one person asks another, "Are you going to the concert?", and the response is, "Yes, if the roads are clear, or, no if they are not." Or, just as you have started eating in a restaurant the server asks, "Will you be having dessert tonight?" The response is, "Yes if it's tempting enough and I'm not too full, or, no, if I can't take another bite." (Unless you are like me and order your meal based on whether or not the dessert is good.) Maybe one of you said to another, "Are you going to take a nap during the sermon?", and the response might be, "No, if she captures my attention, or, yes if the first couple minutes are dull." In such situations it's not that we are trying to be wishy-washy, but there are just too many things up in the air to give a concrete answer. This response may be annoying, but it's not a crime. In today's Second Lesson, though, Paul is being criticized for being wishy-washy, and "by association" the steadfastness of God is questioned. The few verses we read are Paul's defense. Before we continue with that topic, let's talk a bit more about what's going on in Corinth at the time of this writing. It seems that false teachers, who claim to be apostles, have infiltrated the newly formed Christian church in Corinth. As they promote themselves, they discredit Paul and call into question the genuineness of his apostleship. Throughout the letter Paul refutes their accusations. His ultimate goal is not self-preservation, but protecting the Church which God has used him to form. In the midst of all this, Paul is compelled to explain the reason for the change in his travel plans that affect his return to Corinth, for which he is being criticized. The word on the street in Corinth, it seems, is that because of the change he is unreliable, not to be trusted. Isn't it incredible that a change in plans is equated with a change in character? This is certainly a sign of people who are looking for a reason to create conflict. And, what makes it worse is that the accusations being flung at Paul were extended to God, bringing into question God's trustworthiness. So, Paul loudly proclaims, "Our word to you has not been "yes" and "no". In other words, in spite of the change in plans, he, Silvanus and Timothy have been sincere, honest and unambiguous in their dealings with the Corinthians. That's important. He's telling them not to grasp onto one little issue which has angered them, and then to run with it, but to look at the big picture. Have they been faithful in their message? Have they consistently had the church's best interest in mind? Are they committed to their ministry? The answer to those questions, Paul says, is a resounding "yes". Now, I could focus on how these are important questions to keep in mind today as people feel compelled to criticize those in leadership, but instead I'd like to get to what I think is the heart of these few passages from Paul's letter. He moves the discussion beyond his personal integrity and focuses on the faithfulness of God. His words are profound, "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, … was not 'Yes' and 'No'; but in him it is always 'Yes'. For in him every one of God's promises is a 'Yes'. Now that's a mind-boggling statement. It means that in Jesus all that was written and proclaimed in the past by the prophets has been fulfilled. (Luke 24:44) The covenant promises addressed to Abraham and his descendants are realized in him. (Galatians 3:16) But, it's not just about the past; Jesus is the living Word of God. In him all wisdom, righteousness, forgiveness are found. There is nothing that is not in Jesus, who is the first, the last, the beginning and the end. And because of that, everything we need to be faithful people is supplied by God through Jesus. One way we affirm that is by saying, "Amen", a Hebrew word that conveys the idea of firmness and reliability. When we end our prayers with that one word we are expressing the faithfulness of God. It is this reliable, faithful God who, Paul said, has anointed them - that is commissioned them for service. It is this reliable, faithful God who has sealed them - that is identified them as authentic followers and will keep them safe. And, it is this reliable, faithful God who has given the Holy Spirit to them with the promise that something better is yet to come. And that same reliable, faithful God who did these things for the first followers has done them for us. Let's see if we can understand this better. (Invite someone forward, perhaps a confirmation student.) Now, let's consider a "Yes" or "No" question. Will _________ shovel snow again today? The answer could be totally wishy-washy, couldn't it? It all depends on whether or not there's snow to shovel. Or, perhaps, ___________ as never shoveled, and therefore would not be doing it again, although today could be the first time. (Remember, the question was, "Will _________ shovel snow again today?") Perhaps __________________ has a snow blower and therefore would move snow but not shovel it. There are many variables. So, let's ask an easier question. In Jesus, has God said "yes" to _________________. The answer is not wishy-washy. It's "yes". In Jesus, has ________________ been commissioned for service? The answer is not wishy-washy. It is "yes". (We all are called to use our gifts to further God's will in the world.) In Jesus has _________________ been identified as God's authentic follower, in God's care forever? The answer is not wishy-washy. It is "yes". (Words of the Baptism service, "You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.) In Jesus, has ____________ been filled with the Holy Spirit, and promised that something better is yet to come? The answer is not wishy-washy. It is "yes". It's so important for us to remember as we hear a lot of "no's" and "maybes" that in Jesus, God always says "yes" to us, and then hopes to hear our "yes" back. There is nothing wishy-washy about that. AMEN