6-16-19 Sermon Notes
“Clearing Up Misunderstandings” –2 Corinthians 1:12-24 and 2 Corinthians 2:1-4
Introduction
Last week, we looked at what it means to ‘die to self’ in verses 8-11. This week (three of our thirteen-week series), we will be focusing on the Corinthian church’s misunderstandings of Paul.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-24
Paul’s Change of Plans
12 “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace. 13 For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 Because I was confident of this, I wanted to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I fickle when I intended to do this? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say both “Yes, yes” and “No, no”?
18 But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
23 I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.”
Read 2 Corinthians 2:1-4
2 1 “So I made up my mind that I would not make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I grieve you, who is left to make me glad but you whom I have grieved? 3 I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. 4 For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.”
Message
Introduction – Have you ever been misunderstood? What does it feel like to be misunderstood? What are our options when we are misunderstood? Whose fault is it when we are misunderstood?
Being misunderstood is the crux of what Paul was faced with in the verses that we just read.
Paul was being ‘accused’ of being:
1. fickle. verse 17
2. two-faced. verse 18
3. domineering. verse 23
In verse 12, Paul begins the undertaking of restoring his relationship with the church by saying that he has a ‘clean conscience’ and that the integrity of the gospel message was intact. He also addresses the concern by the church that his letters were too difficult to understand. Some in the church were looking for ‘hidden meanings’ in his letters. In essence, Paul tells them not to ‘read between the lines’ when he said, 13 “For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, 14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
The ‘fickle’ misunderstanding was based on the fact that Paul did not come to visit them when he said he would. Paul originally said that would come and visit them on the way to Macedonia and then again on the way back. This is pointed out in verse 16” I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea.”
Though his goal to visit them may have been altered, his plans were sincere and everything would come together at the proper time.
Paul addresses the ‘two-faced’ misunderstanding by firmly stating, 18 “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”
But, more importantly, the message he had already preached to them had proven to be true and powerful. Without question, it was approved and confirmed by Christ. 18 “But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”
Have you stopped and considered what it means when we say “Amen” at the end of a prayer? Paul includes an ‘Amen’ in verse 20 – “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
The “Amen” that often concludes our prayer or declaration of praise expresses confidence in God’s love and faithfulness and the certainty of His promises. It essentially means: “So be it.” It is the voice of faith, reaffirming and accepting the truth of Christ’s unshakable message of love, power and hope. In Revelation 3:14, the Lord Jesus is called the “Amen.”
Paul addressed the ‘domineering’ misunderstanding by simply saying, 23” I call God as my witness—and I stake my life on it—that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.”
Paul concludes his explanation of why he did not come to visit them by telling them that his change in plans was because he did not want to show up during the ‘healing process’ as a result of his previous visit to them. It would be like pulling the scab off a healing wound. He reminded them of his great love for them by finishing this section of the letter by saying, 4 “For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.”
Concluding Remarks and Application
Paul had a number of options to answer the misunderstandings of the Corinthian church.
1. He could have said that he was done with them and start another church.
2. He could have ignored their misunderstandings.
3. He could have pretended that their misgivings about him did not hurt.
4. He could have said that their misunderstandings were their fault.
5. He could have said, “It’s my way or the highway!”
But, what did he do? He addressed each misunderstanding in a firm and loving way. It seems that he was more interested in rebuilding a relationship with the church than simply saying he was right and they were wrong.
So what do we do when we are misunderstood? A few things come to mind.
1. What is the misunderstanding?
2. What caused the misunderstanding?
3. What part do we play when we are misunderstood?
4. How important is our integrity in clearing up misunderstandings?
5. Can we ignore it and it will disappear?
Suggestion: Use Paul’s response as an example of what and how we can react when we are misunderstood. And let’s do it from a position of integrity and clear conscience just as Paul did. 12 “Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity.”
P.S. Let our ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be ‘no.’ It is OK to say ‘no.’ Too often, we say ‘yes’ when we really should be saying ‘no.’