WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.600 I think I find few things more upsetting than being falsely accused. 00:00:07.600 --> 00:00:11.279 ! Don't know if it's ever happened to you. Maybe something trivial. You're kind of running 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:16.000 ! running around at home with your brothers and sisters. Mum's favourite vase gets knocked 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:21.839 ! over. You were nowhere near it, but you get the blame. Or you're playing football. The 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.960 player you tackle takes a dive and you're the one that ends up in the referee's book. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:33.359 Those are quite trivial, aren't they? Sometimes it can be a bit more serious. Like those postmasters 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:41.200 sent to prison in the Horizon scandal. Or closer to home, perhaps. We say something to a loved one, 00:00:41.200 --> 00:00:45.439 or maybe someone here at church. They kind of get the wrong end of the stick about what we've said. 00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:51.439 They think we're saying something we hadn't said. And suddenly that relationship is strained or ruined. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:57.439 It's terrible, isn't it? That false accusation can feel like a dark cloud hanging over us. We're 00:00:57.439 --> 00:01:04.079 desperate to clear it up. Well, that's something of the situation that Paul is facing as he writes his 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:11.039 second letter to the Corinthians. He'd planted their church four or five years earlier. He'd then spent 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:18.960 18 months with them preaching to them, pastoring them, then he'd left to continue his missionary travels elsewhere. 00:01:20.080 --> 00:01:28.080 But since he'd left, serious problems had bubbled up in the church. Most recently, an anti-Paul faction, 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:35.840 making all sorts of false accusations against him. And at one level, this letter is Paul's response to 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:44.079 those accusations to show how they're totally unfounded and unfair. Actually, though, it's much more than that. 00:01:45.439 --> 00:01:52.640 Paul's realised that what's at stake in Corinth isn't just his reputation as a faithful minister, 00:01:53.439 --> 00:02:00.800 but the spiritual health and very survival of this church. Because godly Christian leadership, 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:10.079 faithful teachers who will bring God's word to us, who will model a godly life to us, are absolutely vital 00:02:10.079 --> 00:02:15.199 for the life of the church. Therefore, to move away from a faithful minister like Paul 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:24.879 is to cut ourselves off from the source of spiritual life and health. To turn away to perhaps a more 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:30.479 glamorous, more glamorous, outwardly impressive ministry would spell ruin for this young church. 00:02:31.280 --> 00:02:37.599 So in this letter, Paul spells out what healthy Christian leadership looks like, the kind of 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:44.400 leadership that we should look for and support as a church, the kind of ministry we should exercise 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:50.479 if we're called to lead. Indeed, the kind of church and people that we should be as we seek to minister 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:58.399 God's word to a lost world. And it all flows out of the God that we meet in Jesus. Who God is 00:02:58.399 --> 00:03:05.839 shapes the way that we do Christian ministry and leadership. And that's Paul's argument in this passage. 00:03:05.839 --> 00:03:12.079 We'll see first of all three marks of genuine Christian ministry, and then we'll see how those 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:19.440 three marks are grounded in two truths that the gospel reveals about God. So first, those three 00:03:19.440 --> 00:03:24.960 marks of genuine Christian ministry. And again, there are spaces to fill these in on those sermon sheets. 00:03:25.600 --> 00:03:33.760 Number one, genuine Christian ministry is clear, not clever. It's clear, not clever. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:41.679 Again, that first paragraph, verse 12. For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we 00:03:41.679 --> 00:03:49.759 behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom, but by the grace of God, 00:03:50.399 --> 00:03:55.919 and supremely so towards you. For we're not writing to you anything other than what you read and 00:03:55.919 --> 00:04:02.879 understand. And I hope you will fully understand, just as you did partially understand us, that on the 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:07.759 day of our Lord Jesus, you will boast of us, as we will boast of you. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:16.000 So that word boast comes three times in that paragraph. It comes 22 times in this letter of 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:22.480 2 Corinthians, 10 times in 1 Corinthians, but only 15 in all the rest of Paul's letters put together. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:29.839 In other words, boasting seems to have been a particularly Corinthian problem. They were a proud church, 00:04:29.839 --> 00:04:38.000 proud of their intellectual superiority as well-educated Greeks, proud of their spiritual gifts and 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:44.239 effectiveness, proud of their church leaders and their brilliant preaching. So with a twinkle in his 00:04:44.239 --> 00:04:50.719 eye, Paul says, you know, I've got something to boast about too, only not those things that you've been 00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:59.600 boasting about Corinthians. No, what I can boast about is my transparency. That's what that word 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:09.200 sincerity means in verse 12. It means being transparent. This bottle is transparent. You can see through it, 00:05:09.200 --> 00:05:16.480 and you can see that the water in it is clear, healthy water. Nothing nasty or unexpected in there, 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:25.520 if I drink from it. And that's what Paul was like. Transparent, clear. So transparent motives, 00:05:25.520 --> 00:05:34.160 verse 12. No hidden agenda, no secret ambitions. He was a WYSIWYG sort of guy. What you see is what you get. 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:43.200 And then transparent methods, verse 12. Not tricking people into the kingdom by using earthly wisdom, 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:52.800 clever arguments, emotional manipulation, but trusting God's grace alone to open blind eyes and change hard 00:05:52.800 --> 00:06:02.480 hearts. And then above all, a clear and transparent message. Verse 13. We are not writing to you anything 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:11.680 other than what you read and understand. London, I guess a bit like Oxford, is a city that prides itself on 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:18.560 cleverness. Clever finances. Clever media. Clever schools. Clever university. Clever government, 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:25.360 perhaps. And the temptation is to think that to win a city like London, we have to use the kind of 00:06:25.360 --> 00:06:34.000 cleverness that London values. Compelling persuasion. Entertaining speakers. Glitzy presentations. We want a 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:41.600 snazzy and successful church led by snazzy and successful leaders. So that when a colleague asks us where to go, 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:45.600 go to church, go to church, we can be proud rather than faintly embarrassed. 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:54.320 Well, that kind of ministry and that kind of church might flatter our egos so that we can boast, 00:06:54.319 --> 00:07:03.560 but it won't build God's kingdom. It might be popular. It might get positive media coverage. It might be praised by the wider 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:13.439 Christian world. But it won't save any souls. Only God's gospel can do that. So wise and faithful ministers, a wise and 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:21.600 faithful church will give itself to setting forth that gospel as clearly and simply as possible. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:29.279 That's not an excuse for being lazy or slapdash. Preaching the gospel clearly will require all the 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:35.279 gifts and abilities and talents that God's given us. But as a preacher of an earlier generation put it, 00:07:36.079 --> 00:07:43.119 no one can give the impression at one and the same time that he himself is clever and that Jesus Christ 00:07:43.119 --> 00:07:44.959 is mighty to save. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:52.479 So what kind of church do you want to be? What kind of reputation do you want to have? 00:07:53.359 --> 00:07:59.299 A clever church known for the cleverness of your message, the giftedness of your ministers, the impressiveness of your building? 00:08:00.299 --> 00:08:04.879 Or simply, that's the church where people talk about Jesus. 00:08:04.879 --> 00:08:15.159 Genuine Christian ministry is clear, not clever. Secondly, genuine Christian ministry is faithful, not flashy. 00:08:16.959 --> 00:08:20.579 It's faithful, not flashy. Verse 15. 00:08:22.000 --> 00:08:27.719 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first so that you might have a second experience of grace. 00:08:28.339 --> 00:08:34.519 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:37.519 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:43.120 Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say yes, yes and no, no at the same time? 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:53.620 A year or two ago, one of our children was having some orthodontic treatment and had to have five teeth removed in one go. 00:08:54.960 --> 00:08:57.039 Without naming any names, I felt very sorry for him. 00:08:57.439 --> 00:09:03.559 So I promised to buy him a large tub of Haagen-Dazs ice cream on the way home. 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:05.000 Which I did. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:10.459 Problem was, his mouth was very sore, so he didn't really feel like eating it at the time. 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:13.919 And then accidentally, a couple of days later, I ate it. 00:09:15.219 --> 00:09:20.799 Now, understandably, that unnamed family member was quite distressed. 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:26.599 Felt let down by his dad, who'd promised something, but then failed to deliver. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:30.500 And that's the accusation that some in Corinth were making about Paul. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:36.200 Like I said, Paul had spent 18 months in Corinth, planting this church. 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:41.259 Then later, when he heard about their problems, he wrote to them, promising them a couple more visits. 00:09:41.540 --> 00:09:45.639 One on the way up to Macedonia in northern Greece, and then one on the way back down. 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:54.919 But that first visit, on the way up, had gone so badly, been so difficult, that Paul had changed his plans. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:56.720 Decided not to visit. 00:09:57.840 --> 00:10:00.779 And now some of his opponents were using that as a stick to beat him with. 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:03.980 Paul is fickle, they were saying. 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:04.959 Flaky. 00:10:05.579 --> 00:10:08.720 He makes promises, and he breaks promises. 00:10:09.459 --> 00:10:11.579 He's not a strong, reliable leader. 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:13.339 He's a coward. 00:10:13.699 --> 00:10:14.519 A runaway. 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:16.159 A flip-flopper. 00:10:17.959 --> 00:10:20.720 Now, we'll see in a moment why Paul changed his plans. 00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:23.419 But for now, he simply says, verse 17, 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:26.120 Look, I wasn't being flaky. 00:10:26.839 --> 00:10:28.079 Vacillating, changing my mind. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:30.620 I really had intended to visit you. 00:10:31.520 --> 00:10:34.160 It's just that circumstances made me change my mind. 00:10:34.620 --> 00:10:36.120 I'm not being weak as a leader. 00:10:36.580 --> 00:10:38.600 I'm simply trying to be wise. 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:45.800 And again, I think he's tackling a mistaken view of Christian leadership that was doing the rounds in Corinth. 00:10:46.920 --> 00:10:50.000 That Christian leadership is all about being strong and decisive. 00:10:50.780 --> 00:10:54.280 Knowing what needs to be done, and sticking to your guns, come what may. 00:10:54.279 --> 00:11:03.759 But the big theme of this letter is actually the godly Christian leadership will often look weak and unimpressive. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:11.679 Because the godly leader is more concerned about doing the right thing than giving the right impression. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:17.799 If Paul had kept to his plan, gone back to Corinth, given them a real telling off, 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:22.879 then, yes, he would have come across as a strong, determined leader. 00:11:23.200 --> 00:11:24.759 And some people would have liked that. 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:29.159 But Paul knew it would have caused more harm than good. 00:11:30.059 --> 00:11:32.519 So he had the good sense and humility to change his mind. 00:11:33.360 --> 00:11:36.720 Genuine Christian ministry is faithful, not flashy. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:41.039 And again, is that what we look for and value in our leaders? 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:44.759 Not those who give the impression of being infallible, 00:11:45.580 --> 00:11:46.879 of never making a mistake, 00:11:47.319 --> 00:11:51.179 of always knowing the right thing to do and getting it done straight away. 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:56.239 But those who are faithful, utterly committed to our welfare, 00:11:57.099 --> 00:12:00.000 willing to admit when they've made a mistake, 00:12:00.959 --> 00:12:04.019 wise enough to change tack if a plan isn't working. 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.879 Because they're concerned not about their own reputation, 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:10.839 but only about the glory of God and the good of his church. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.959 Is that what we value? 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:15.379 Is that what we pray for, for our leaders? 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.479 That kind of humility. 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:20.459 Christian ministry is clear, not clever. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:22.240 It's faithful, not flashy. 00:12:23.259 --> 00:12:24.900 And thirdly, genuine Christian ministry. 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:27.019 Hopefully still filling in the gaps as we go. 00:12:27.740 --> 00:12:31.060 It's about loving people, not lording it over them. 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:35.220 It's about loving people, not lording it over them. 00:12:35.460 --> 00:12:37.920 Now we'll come back to verses 18 to 22 in a moment, 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:39.240 because they're really the heart of the passage. 00:12:39.980 --> 00:12:42.800 For now, let's just pick up Paul's argument from verse 23. 00:12:42.799 --> 00:12:46.919 But I call God to witness against me. 00:12:46.919 --> 00:12:51.059 It was to spare you that I refrain from coming again to Corinth. 00:12:51.059 --> 00:12:56.099 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy. 00:12:57.099 --> 00:12:58.839 For you stand firm in the faith. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:02.299 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 00:13:02.839 --> 00:13:07.500 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:13.820 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice. 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:19.480 For I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:25.720 For I wrote to you, out of much affliction and anguish of heart, 00:13:25.840 --> 00:13:29.080 and with many tears, not to cause you pain, 00:13:29.720 --> 00:13:32.980 but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:39.519 If you've read any Harry Potter, you might be familiar with the concept of a howler. 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:44.120 A howler is a magical letter in a bright red envelope 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:48.639 that literally shouts its contents at its recipients. 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:54.080 A howler is typically sent by an angry parent, Molly Weasley, 00:13:54.500 --> 00:13:59.820 to her disobedient and recalcitrant offspring, Fred and George. 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:04.700 Well, Paul here is explaining to the Corinthians why he'd changed his plans, 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:08.820 and instead of visiting them, sent them his own version of a howler. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:12.040 A stern letter calling them to repent. 00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:14.840 Now, that letter doesn't actually survive. 00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:18.100 It was written sometime between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, 00:14:18.760 --> 00:14:20.879 and it was clearly very strongly worded. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:25.180 A passionate rebuke for the way they were conducting themselves as a church. 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:29.039 Well, the reason that Paul didn't visit in person, 00:14:29.099 --> 00:14:30.899 the reason he sent that howler instead, 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.839 wasn't because he didn't love the Corinthians, 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.500 or didn't want to see them. 00:14:36.239 --> 00:14:37.120 Quite the opposite. 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.759 He'd done it, verse 23, 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.799 to spare them. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.679 To spare them the pain of another difficult visit. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:47.459 He'd done it, verse 24, for their joy, 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:49.479 and their faith. 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:52.500 So they'd have time to reflect on his rebuke, 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:53.560 repent, 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.960 and be restored. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.600 Above all, 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.879 chapter 2, verse 4, 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.480 he'd done it out of love. 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:03.039 And again, Paul is contrasting himself 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:05.800 with what the Corinthians valued in their leaders. 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:08.639 They wanted leaders they could be proud of. 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.860 Leaders with natural charisma 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:12.720 and spiritual authority. 00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:15.920 Able to impose their will on a church 00:15:15.920 --> 00:15:17.600 and get things done. 00:15:17.600 --> 00:15:20.180 And sadly, we're not that different. 00:15:21.300 --> 00:15:22.440 I remember an older, 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.759 wiser Christian leader 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:26.019 warning a group of us as young ministers, 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:29.480 your church will want to put you on a pedestal 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:31.659 and you will want to be there. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.560 And sadly, church history, 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:36.540 right up to and including today, 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:38.860 is littered with examples of leaders 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.620 who've succumbed to that kind of adulation. 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:42.540 Overbearing leaders, 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:46.040 celebrated for their apparent strength and success, 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:48.939 but essentially bullying and exploiting the flock 00:15:48.939 --> 00:15:51.299 for their own egos and gain. 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:54.059 But that kind of leadership 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:55.879 is not Christian leadership 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:59.000 because it's not Christ-like leadership. 00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:01.339 Christ-like leadership, 00:16:01.439 --> 00:16:03.059 the kind of leadership that Jesus showed 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:04.779 when he walked this earth, 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:07.860 is all about sacrificing my ego, 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:09.959 sacrificing my comfort, 00:16:10.459 --> 00:16:12.839 sacrificing my reputation for the good of others. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:17.399 Sometimes that will mean having to say tough things to people, 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.280 like Paul does here. 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:22.080 God-leadership does not shy away 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:23.580 from difficult conversations, 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.920 doesn't sweep problems under the carpet 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:27.580 and hope they'll go away. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:30.680 But equally, it doesn't relish 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:33.899 and seek out problems and conflict. 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.600 Sometimes it will decide with Paul 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:38.680 that discretion is the better part of valour, 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:42.699 and that a kind but clear letter or email 00:16:42.699 --> 00:16:46.719 is the way to give people time to reflect 00:16:46.719 --> 00:16:48.359 on what's being said, 00:16:48.739 --> 00:16:50.539 rather than a face-to-face confrontation. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.539 But it's overriding concern, 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:55.399 the thing that determines 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:57.479 whether and how an issue is addressed, 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:59.219 will always be love. 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:02.239 Not me getting something off my chest, 00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:04.539 me proving that I was right all along, 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:08.539 but the eternal welfare of those that I serve. 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:12.859 Shall we look again at chapter 2, verse 4, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.339 and read it through. 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:25.279 It's one of the most emotion-packed verses 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.180 in the whole Bible. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.460 Dare I say that a Christian leader 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:32.160 who never experiences these kinds of feelings, 00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:36.660 affliction, anguish, tears, 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:39.819 is not qualified to be a leader of God's people. 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:42.539 Because genuine Christian ministry 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:44.620 is about loving people, 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.600 not lording it over them. 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.680 And when you love people, 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:51.200 there is always the risk they will break your heart. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.140 Clear, not clever. 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.579 Faithful, not flashy. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:59.079 Loving, not lordly. 00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.279 But why? 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:04.140 Why does genuine Christian ministry 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:06.539 have to look and feel like this, 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.980 so weak and unimpressive? 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:12.140 We'll look again at verse 12, 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.220 back at the start. 00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.960 True Christian ministry looks like this 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:19.340 for the simple reason 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.640 that any other kind of ministry 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:23.860 will inevitably obscure the grace of God. 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:27.199 if a ministry or a church 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:29.719 is outwardly impressive in some way, 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:32.099 conservatoire-quality music, 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:34.539 TED Talk-style sermons, 00:18:35.219 --> 00:18:36.519 barista-quality coffee, 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.579 Hollywood lighting effects, 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.759 then if that church grows, 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:43.000 the credit will go to the church 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:43.740 and its leaders. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.479 Well done us. 00:18:45.939 --> 00:18:47.199 Let's write a book about it. 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:49.559 But if a church grows 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:51.900 despite not being particularly slick 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:53.100 and professional, 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.660 despite having very ordinary leaders, 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:56.799 very ordinary music, 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.940 very ordinary services and activities, 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:01.519 if it grows simply by a clear message, 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:03.120 a faithful ministry, 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:05.199 and loving pastoral care, 00:19:05.719 --> 00:19:07.619 God's ordinary means of grace, 00:19:08.219 --> 00:19:09.819 then all the credit and glory 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:11.139 goes to God 00:19:11.139 --> 00:19:12.579 and his gospel. 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.699 And that, I think, 00:19:14.739 --> 00:19:16.379 is what Paul is talking about 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:18.119 in verses 18 to 22, 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:20.579 and this wonderful exposition 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.939 of God's faith. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.919 It's really worth a sermon, 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.259 all of it on its own. 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:26.679 The point Paul is making 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:27.459 is that the character 00:19:27.459 --> 00:19:29.019 of genuine Christian ministry 00:19:29.019 --> 00:19:30.959 is shaped by the character 00:19:30.959 --> 00:19:32.039 of the God revealed 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.359 in the gospel. 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.859 Christian ministry is clear, 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.339 faithful, and loving 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.519 because God is clear, 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.519 faithful, and loving. 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.259 So as we draw to a close, 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:43.980 not another sermon, 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:46.079 but let's briefly dig into these verses 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:48.259 and what they tell us about God. 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:50.519 So we're looking into the Christian faith. 00:19:51.299 --> 00:19:52.920 They'll take us right to the heart 00:19:52.920 --> 00:19:54.220 of why God can be trusted 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:56.079 with our lives and eternities. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.480 If we're Christian believers already, 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.579 they'll give us two great reasons 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:01.180 to keep trusting God 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.500 for another week. 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.200 And children, 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.340 these are the last two bullet points 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:06.560 at the bottom of your sheets 00:20:06.560 --> 00:20:07.880 if you've made it that far. 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.460 Number one, 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.660 God is faithful to his promises. 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.500 Here's the first thing 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:15.420 that we learn about God. 00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.640 Faithful to his promises. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.560 Verse 18, 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:19.339 As surely as God is faithful, 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.779 our word to you 00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.839 has not been yes and no. 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.259 For the Son of God, 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.899 Jesus Christ, 00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:25.019 whom we proclaimed among you, 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.440 Silvanus, Timothy, and I, 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.759 was not yes and no, 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.740 but in him it is always yes. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:32.359 For all the promises of God 00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:34.480 find their yes in him. 00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:37.220 And that is why it is through him 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.779 that we utter our amen to God 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:39.799 for his glory. 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:43.159 We call the two halves of our Bible, 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.419 don't we, 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.039 the Old Testament 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:44.680 and the New Testament, 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.919 we could just as well call them 00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:46.799 the promise 00:20:46.799 --> 00:20:47.879 and the fulfillment. 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.700 The Old Testament, 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.539 with all its laws 00:20:50.539 --> 00:20:51.480 and history 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:52.599 and proverbs 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.240 and poetry, 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.919 is one long promise. 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.319 A promise by God 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.720 to sort out the mess 00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.279 that we've made 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.000 of our world 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.639 and our lives 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:01.879 and to bring us back 00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:02.940 into relationship with him. 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.339 The New Testament 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.240 is then the true story 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.019 of how all those promises 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.819 came true 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:08.079 in Jesus. 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:10.059 Now some of those promises 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.419 are huge and global. 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:13.299 Salvation for the world, 00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.619 blessing for the nations, 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:17.240 the restoration of the universe. 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:18.859 Other promises 00:21:18.859 --> 00:21:20.339 are deeply personal 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:21.679 and individual. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.759 Though I walk through 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.980 the valley of the shadow of death, 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:26.279 I'll fear no evil 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.899 because you're with me. 00:21:29.159 --> 00:21:29.839 Either way, 00:21:29.899 --> 00:21:30.299 the global, 00:21:30.419 --> 00:21:31.000 the personal, 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:32.700 whatever the promise, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.619 verse 20 is true. 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.679 Jesus is the one 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.360 who brings 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:38.660 all God's promises 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.460 to pass, 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.920 who fulfills 00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:42.000 every prophecy, 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.360 who accomplishes 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.940 every purpose, 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.500 who matches 00:21:44.500 --> 00:21:45.580 every prefigurement. 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.560 Perhaps there's 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.460 a particular promise 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.900 that you're struggling 00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:51.620 to hold on to 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.940 at the moment right now. 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:54.860 The promise of forgiveness 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:56.720 even for that sin. 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:59.120 The promise of power 00:21:59.120 --> 00:22:00.039 to change 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.680 even that habit. 00:22:02.840 --> 00:22:04.600 The promise of good 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.220 worked out 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.779 even in the most 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:07.440 difficult of circumstances. 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:10.180 The promise of God's 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.160 purpose for our lives 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:12.720 even when we feel 00:22:12.720 --> 00:22:13.360 totally hopeless 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:13.920 and useless. 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.380 If we're ever 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:18.059 tempted to doubt 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.240 a particular promise 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:20.440 of God, 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:22.299 we just look to Jesus 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.519 and all that he has done 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:26.980 to make that promise 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.620 come true, 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.600 love all by dying 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:31.480 and rising to new life. 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.099 Greatest promise 00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:33.819 of all kept. 00:22:34.439 --> 00:22:35.259 God is faithful 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.219 to his promises. 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.259 And secondly, 00:22:38.959 --> 00:22:39.619 God is faithful 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.480 to his people. 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.359 Verse 21, 00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:44.139 and it is God 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:45.379 who establishes us 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.240 with you 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.959 in Christ 00:22:46.959 --> 00:22:48.819 and has anointed us 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.179 and who has put 00:22:50.179 --> 00:22:51.379 his seal on us 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.539 and given us 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.099 his spirit 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:53.799 in our hearts 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.059 as a guarantee. 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:58.119 And here Paul shifts 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.759 from talking about 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.440 God's faithfulness 00:22:59.440 --> 00:22:59.940 in history 00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:01.579 to his faithfulness 00:23:01.579 --> 00:23:02.200 in our own lives 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.960 and experience. 00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.799 From the work of Christ 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.659 for us 00:23:05.659 --> 00:23:07.119 in keeping those promises 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:08.279 and accomplishing 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:08.940 our salvation 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:10.379 to the work 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:11.099 of the Holy Spirit 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.940 in us 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:13.679 in applying those promises 00:23:13.679 --> 00:23:14.859 and that salvation 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:15.599 to us today. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.419 And Paul uses 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:18.039 two pictures 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.359 to help us grasp 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:19.879 the wonder 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:21.159 of the Spirit's work 00:23:21.159 --> 00:23:21.839 in our lives. 00:23:21.839 --> 00:23:23.579 First he says 00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.039 the Spirit 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.119 is like a seal 00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:26.159 of ownership. 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:27.959 I've got a seal 00:23:27.959 --> 00:23:28.519 here, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:29.720 a piece of wax 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.579 which you melt 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.220 onto a letter 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.639 and then a stamp 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.379 that you put into it 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.119 which leaves 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.959 an indelible mark. 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.359 That's how I do 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:36.019 all my correspondence 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.579 to Reuben. 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.779 Well that is, 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:40.879 Paul says, 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.579 God has done something 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:44.039 similar for the Christians. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.879 He's poured his own 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.819 Spirit into our heart. 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:47.919 He's stamped us 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:49.720 as belonging to him 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:51.179 and he'll never 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:51.880 let us go. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.960 He's sealed us 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.340 as his own 00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:55.600 by putting his Spirit 00:23:55.600 --> 00:23:56.680 to live within us. 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.600 We're marked out 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.640 as his. 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:01.060 That's the first picture 00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:02.039 of God's faithfulness 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.360 to us, 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.960 a seal 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.700 that can't be broken. 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:06.500 But secondly, 00:24:06.580 --> 00:24:07.060 says Paul, 00:24:08.080 --> 00:24:08.620 the Spirit, 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:09.940 still in verse 22, 00:24:10.060 --> 00:24:11.120 is like a guarantee 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.019 or a deposit 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:14.420 guaranteeing 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.019 what's to come. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.779 If you ever buy 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.660 a house in England, 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.180 I don't know how it works 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.840 in other countries, 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:20.039 but here you have to 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.759 put down a deposit 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:23.140 10% of the purchase price. 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.079 And that deposit 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.059 is both a guarantee 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.700 that you'll pay the rest 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.200 because if you don't 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.099 you'll lose the deposit 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:28.839 and the house, 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.640 but it's also part 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.500 of the final payment, 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:32.900 10% of it. 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.680 Again, 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.119 the Holy Spirit 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:35.720 is like that. 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.859 He's the first 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.680 instalment 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:39.079 of our salvation. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.420 When God brings us 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.259 to faith in Jesus, 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:43.240 he puts his Spirit 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.200 to live in us 00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:46.000 so that even now, 00:24:46.460 --> 00:24:47.559 from the very first day 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.399 we belong to him, 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:49.779 we can know 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.759 and love God 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.679 and walk with God 00:24:51.679 --> 00:24:52.839 every moment of our lives 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:54.279 because his Spirit 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.700 is within us. 00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.179 Even now, 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:55.940 by the Spirit, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.319 I can call God 00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:58.139 Father 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:59.879 and come to him 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.899 in prayer. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:01.659 Even now, 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.179 by the Spirit, 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:04.019 we're being transformed, 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.220 made glorious, 00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.940 as bit by bit 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.200 he makes us like Jesus. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:09.919 And it's that old 00:25:09.919 --> 00:25:11.019 mastermind catchphrase, 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.599 I've started 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.399 so I'll finish. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.940 The same Spirit 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.599 who brought us 00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:15.659 to faith in Jesus, 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.219 who is at work in us now, 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.480 making us like Jesus, 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:20.079 will one day 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.379 finish that work. 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.459 Just as he's given us 00:25:23.459 --> 00:25:24.659 new spiritual life, 00:25:25.459 --> 00:25:26.399 just as he is giving us 00:25:26.399 --> 00:25:27.719 new moral life now, 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.719 changing us to be like Jesus, 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.740 one day he'll give us 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.679 new physical life, 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.799 resurrection bodies, 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.279 to live with Jesus forever 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.899 in the new creation. 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.339 God is faithful 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:37.980 to his promises, 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:39.359 he'll always keep them. 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:40.719 He's faithful 00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.500 to his people, 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.419 he'll always keep us. 00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:46.740 And the point is, 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:49.480 salvation is God's work 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.740 from beginning to end, 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.619 in its accomplishment 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.539 2,000 years ago 00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.099 by Jesus, 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.279 in its application now 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.079 by the Spirit. 00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.899 And that fundamental truth 00:25:59.899 --> 00:26:01.419 should shape 00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.879 how we do and view 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:04.079 all Christian ministry. 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.959 It's God the Son 00:26:05.959 --> 00:26:08.019 who brings all God's promises 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.799 to pass, 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.579 not any Christian leader. 00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:12.379 it's God, 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.699 the Holy Spirit, 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.879 who applies that salvation 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.919 to his people, 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:19.159 not any church minister. 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:21.919 Now the job of the Christian minister, 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.819 verse 20, 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:25.259 the task of us as a church, 00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:26.259 is simply to say 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:27.500 our amen 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:29.859 to what God has already done, 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:32.099 to proclaim Christ 00:26:32.099 --> 00:26:33.199 and his salvation, 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.619 clearly and faithfully, 00:26:34.619 --> 00:26:36.379 and to invite others 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:37.619 to discover 00:26:37.619 --> 00:26:38.619 and trust his faithfulness 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.159 as we have. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.459 Worldly church leadership 00:26:41.459 --> 00:26:43.000 will rely on itself 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:45.039 and so obscure 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.879 the faithfulness of God. 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.799 It'll be all about the leader, 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.479 his gifts, 00:26:50.739 --> 00:26:51.419 his cleverness, 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.939 his knowledge, 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.879 his persuasiveness, 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.779 or all about 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.299 this particular church, 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:56.879 its resources, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.599 its successes, 00:26:58.439 --> 00:27:00.179 its fame and reputation. 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:02.820 genuine Christian ministry 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:05.000 will rely on God alone 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.420 and his promises 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:08.700 and therefore bring glory 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.580 to God alone, 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:11.019 to his grace, 00:27:11.560 --> 00:27:12.320 his promises, 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.680 his son 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:15.240 and his spirit. 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:18.160 Let me read verse 20 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:19.019 and then let's pray.