Relying On the Ultimate Patron
2 Corinthians 1:12-24
I. Ordinary people don’t make good saviors.
A. Paul had planned to visit Corinth again (2 Corinthians 1:16).
1. But the previous visit had been difficult.
(a) Paul decided it was better not to visit at this time (2 Cor. 2:1).
B. Paul is concerned that might be troubling to the Corinthians.
1. It could cause them to question his sincerity/dependability.
2. So Paul assures them about his sincerity (2 Cor. 1:12).
(a) We have conducted ourselves with God’s holiness and sincerity.
(b) He’s saying, “We’ve done the right thing with right motives.”
(c) We’ve acted in accordance with God’s grace.
(d) “…especially in our relations with you” (assurances of relationship).
C. Different cultures have different norms for how people relate.
1. In Japan, being a contributing member of the group is highly valued.
(a) It is shameful to do something that would harm the group.
(b) Japanese children used to be punished by putting them out on the steps, shaming them for being excluded from the group.
2. On the other hand, our culture places a high value on individualism.
(a) Putting the kids on the step would not be an effective discipline.
3. In ancient Greek culture, relationships were often based on patronage.
(a) The wealthy citizens would support others.
(b) This would create an obligation of loyalty.
(c) Patron and client were bonded by expectations of support and loyalty. Illustration: Don Corleone in The Godfather.
4. People would “boast” about the patron they were connected to.
(a) These were public expressions of loyalty.
(b) This carried over into relationships in the church (1 Cor. 1:12).
(c) Paul wants them to be able to boast of him (2 Corinthians 1:14).
(d) He is not referring to bragging.
(e) He wants them to know they can depend on him.
(f) He is trustworthy, like a good patron, despite changing plans.
D. Our message is not, “Yes, yes” and “No, No” (2 Corinthians 1:17).
1. People often make promises they are not committed to fulfill.
(a) Paul assures them that is not how he makes plans and promises.
2. Paul is concerned that if they think he makes false promises, then maybe the Gospel that he preaches is a false promise (2 Cor. 1:18).
II. God is unchanging and his promises are always true.
A. The truthfulness of the message is based on God’s faithfulness (2 Cor. 1:18).
1. “As surely as God is faithful…”
(a) He is saying that that is absolutely sure.
(b) God is always faithful.
(c) If God was unfaithful he would be untrue to himself (2 Tim. 2:13).
B. The Gospel can be trusted (2 Corinthians 1:19).
1. The Gospel is not “Yes” and “No”.
(a) It’s not something that may or may not be true.
(b) It’s not something in which God will change his mind.
2. In Christ, the Gospel is always “Yes.”
(a) God has made many promises to us (2 Corinthians 1:20).
(b) In Christ those promises are always “Yes.”
(c) By “In Christ,” he means for those who are “in Christ.”
(d) We are “in Christ” when we have been born of the Spirit.
(e) So, for believers all of God’s promises are always “Yes.”
C. God’s Word can be trusted as absolute truth. What does God say?
1. His Word is eternal (Psalm 119:89; 152).
(a) Thoroughly tested: (Psalm 119:140).
(b) Forever right: (Psalm 119:144).
2. God’s faithfulness can be depended upon (Psalm 89:1-2).
(a) His faithfulness is “established in heaven itself.”
(b) It is not established on earth where things change.
(c) It is established in heaven, the place that is eternal,not temporal.
III. God is the one who is the ultimate patron; the one who can be depended upon to take care of his people.
A. Paul is saying, “You can trust me but ultimately our faith rests on God.”
1. He is the one who makes us stand firm in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
2. His promises to us are always “yes”.
(a) He has anointed us with his Spirit.
(b) His seal upon upon us declares that we are his.
(c) His Spirit within us is his guarantee that his promises for our future will be fulfilled to us.
B. Application:
1. Our faith is not supposed to be based on human relationships.
(a) Hopefully your mentors will be faithful.
(b) But the reality is people sometimes fail us.
(c) Make sure your faith is God-dependent, not people-dependent.
2. You do this by deepening your relationship with God.
(a) You’ve got to spend time with God in his Word to have faith!