A Change of Plans
2 Corinthians • Sermon • Submitted
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Well on Christmas Day, two Sundays ago, I was excited as after service I would be flying out to Northern California to be with my wife and our children and spend Christmas night together. You see, many of you know that they had left on Tuesday, earlier in the week and I was home, stuck even on Friday and Saturday, because the roads were closed to non-essential traffic.
So, when Sunday afternoon, came around, there was a sense of excitement as I rushed to the airport to catch my 3:30 flight and later that day see my family. But there was one problem, 3:30 came and went, and no take-off. 4 O’ clock came and still, we were stranded. Then 4:30, and finally at 5 o’ clock, I finally got an update about my flight. It was cancelled.
In this moment, as you can imagine, it was a bit of a… “wait, say what?” situation. It was Christmas Day, it wasn’t April fools, but still, I thought “you’ve to be kidding me?!” and I wish they were, but low and behold, my flight that day was cancelled. Still, as I waited at the tail-end of a 300-person line to see about changing my flight, I thought “well surely, there must be a flight out of Columbus or a nearby airport over the next day or so…” Unfortunately, after waiting an hour and a half to get to the counter (and we thought Walmart lines were bad), I was told that the next available flight would not be until Friday afternoon; 5 days later.
Now, to make a long story short, I knew that this too would pass, I also certainly knew that there would be some character development here, but finally I knew that I would be using this mess-of-a-situation, as a sermon soon. After driving back that evening, on what seemed like 60-mile skating rink in between the airport and Kenton, I finally arrived back at 9:30 pm to Kenton.
Fast-forward to the next day, this time, having come to the realization that the next flight wouldn’t be leaving unto Friday… I thought to myself, well this changing was sermon prep a little. Whereas I thought I was going on vacation, I know, was preparing to work on a sermon for this Sunday… and the question became. “what am I going to preach on.”
It was there, on Monday morning, in looking in 2 Corinthians, that the heading of Paul’s situation jumped out at me. Just before verse 12, in 2 Corinthians, the heading is “Paul’s change of Plans.” And I thought to myself, wait Paul, you had change of plans? No way, me too! I then began to read the through the scripture, and ponder the words that were spoken, and this is the direction for our mornings message today.
You see, as we begin a new year. Just by a show of hands… who has a resolution? Who has plans for the year ahead? I know, I do… I have certain things in my life that I would like to accomplish this year. For instance, I would like to weight, I would like to read the bible twice through, and I would like to take my wife on a 15-year anniversary trip later this year. So, I have goals that I’ve set out to accomplish in my life, but here’s the question… How do we make plans in life?
If you have goals for this year, or for your life, what is guiding your decisions?
If you have your bibles, turn with me to 2 Corinthians 1. As we consider 3 points this morning.
1. God’s plans for your life should be based on His Will. 2. God’s plans for your life should be based on His Word. And 3. God’s plans for your life should be based on His Will his Work
1. God’s plans for your life should be based on His Will.
Paul One of the most famous missionaries to ever live. Would go on to under God’s hand, write 13 books of the bible. And finally, he would complete several missionary journeys all throughout the Mediterranean, advancing the gospel from one city to the next and humbling sharing the Love of Christ everywhere he went. Yet we reach a problem. A problem in travel plans.
You see, originally, Paul Goes and starts the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey, which you can read about in Acts 18. And After spending 18 months in Corinth, he leaves, only to find out that things aren’t going well with the church. So, he proceeds to write them the letter of 1 Corinthians which designed to correct things in the church. IN time, he finds out that his letter was ineffective; it fell on deaf ears. So, in response, Paul would go on to visit the church (described in 2 Corinthians 2:1 describes as a painful visit) then he goes on to write them another, more sever letter (as it’s known). Finally, Paul would find out from Titus, that severe letter and this painful visit paid off. The people of Corinth have for the most part repented and turned back to God, except for a few critics and naysayers, the people have turned to the Lord. And so, Paul writes this letter of 2 Corinthians to reaffirm his love and commitment to them. But he also addresses false these naysayers and religious leaders in the Corinth church. He first addresses his travel change of planes:
He writes - 2 Cor 1:12-17:
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”?
If we stop and give context to what is going on here, Paul explains that his hope, or his plan ultimately was to visit the Corinthian church twice. He was going to travel from Ephesus to Macedonia and on the way… stop in Corinth. and then in returning from Macedonia, he planned to return for another visit. But for whatever reason his plans changed, he wasn’t able to stop there on the way, but only on his return from Ephesus.
And in the lack of consistency with keeping with his plans, those who opposed Paul, used this as an opportunity to show how he couldn’t be trusted. How he wasn’t Good for at his word. And Paul goes on to explain how his conscience testifies that he has conducted himself with integrity and godly sincerity.
But here’s the key where I want us to focus for a moment, Paul would write:
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.
You see, Paul makes a key distinction here, insisting that his plans are not based on worldly wisdom but based on God’s grace; God’s provision for his life.
You see, here’s the point, Paul knew that his life was not about him. Instead, It was based entirely on God’s will and design for his life. Paul would write in his last letter to the Corinthian church he explains, in 1 Cor 16:
5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
If we go back to verse 7, we glean this sense of devotion from Paul. As he says I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you…. If the Lord permits.
Here’s the point, Paul understood, that he could make plans… that there was nothing wrong with in of itself… in fact, we should have goals and aspirations and vision for our life… but it has to be the right blueprint.
You see I’m remind about the man who asked a mail-order company to send plans for a birdhouse. Instead of sending him the plans for a birdhouse however, they sent him plans for a sailboat. This man tried to put it together, and tried and tried he did… but, it just wouldn't work. He couldn't figure what kind of bird was going to live in this dumb birdhouse. So, he wrote a letter, and sent the parts back to the people. They wrote a letter of apology and added this postscript: "If you think it was difficult for you… you should have seen the man who got your plans trying to sail a birdhouse."
You see here’s the point this morning… God knows what is best for your life. It’s not that making plans are wrong, we see that Paul has commitment to making plans, but ultimately, your plans have to be committee to Christ. We read in James 4: 13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.
Church, God knows what his purpose is for you. God knew what his design was for Paul, God sees what’s best for our children and our family and for the future. And he simply wants you to come to him.
As we begin a new year. As we set out with hopes, and aspirations and dreams… there’s nothing wrong with this… but in everything would we look to the WILL of God for our lives. Proverbs 16:3 tells us : 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Church, are we committed this morning? Are we looking to him for every area of our lives? Are we seeking his design, his vision, and his purpose?
2. God’s plans for your life should be based on his Promises.
As we continue in 2 Cor 1:17-22 Paul talks about his change of plans and asks: 17Was 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.
As we look at this scripture together, Paul accusers are continuing to question his honesty, on the basis that he didn’t keep his initial travel plans. And Paul assures them, that’s ridiculous, that his answers are not yes and no at the same time; he’s not wishy washy. Instead, his answers are simply yes… Or, they’re… no. it’s not yes and no at the same time.
But here’s the key, verse 20 explains: “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.”
God is not a wishy-washy God. God is the creator, the sustainer of life, he holds everything together. Your very breath that you take is from Him.
You say, I get that… what’s the point. Well, there’s 2 applications here. First of all, the bible is full of thousands promises. Thousands of promises, that God gives you. And you must remind yourself of God’s promises over your life. For example 2 Corinthians 1:3 for instance, we’re told:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
Church, I don’t know about you, but I am glad that I stand in God’s mercy this morning. I’m glad that he comforts us, so that in times of distress… (1,000’s of promises) that we can overcome. But all throughout scripture, he speaks his word, he speaks his promises over our lives.
So as the year begins, and problems take place, that you can turn to your father, and his promises over you are not wishy washy, or fickle.No, they are firm. The word amen by the way The word Amen, by the way, means to be firm, reliable, dependable, and true. In other words, God’s promises for our life are not wishy washy… They’re not by chance. No, they are reliable, they’re dependable and true.
But also, the 2nd standpoint of His promises, we know that as we follow The word… Galatians 6:7 makes it clear: 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
You see, I don’t know about you, but as I consider plans for the year ahead… I want to be following God’s promises, God’s word in my life for the year ahead.
I’m reminded of a story, which dates back to November 27, 1983. And on this day, Avianca Flight 11, in route from Paris to Bogotá via Madrid, approached Madrid’s Barajas Airport. The weather was good, and there were no mechanical problems with the 747 jet. The crew was experienced; the pilot had more than 20,000 hours of flying time and had made this same approach twenty-five times before. Yet, with its flaps extended and its landing gear down, the jumbo jet smashed into a series of low hills about seven miles short of the runway. The plane cartwheeled, broke into pieces, and came to rest upside down. Tragically, 181 of the 192 people on board lost their lives. Investigators determined that a series of errors by the crew caused the crash as The crew misunderstood the reality of their location. They thought they knew the truth about the plane’s position, but they did not. Shockingly the final and fatal error came when the pilot, so sure he knew where he was heading, ignored the computerized voice of the planes’ GPW (or ground proximity warning system), which repeatedly warned him, “pull up! Pull up! Pull up!” The cockpit recorder had his strange reply to the warning. He said, “shut up, gringo” and switched off the warning device. The next moment, he was dead with the rest of the victims.”
You see here’s the point this morning. God calls out to us. For us as Christians, the holy spirit indwells within us, and his desire is for us to follow his leading in our lives. His desire is for us to follow his will and his word… but it’s a decision that we must make on our end.
Just like the plans warning system, the Holy Spirit calls out to us: “pull up, pull up, pull up…” Church, we must listen to his voice and his leading in our lives.
We must listen to his voice in our life and not our own.
So, as we begin a new year. Both form a standpoint of planning things ahead, and from a standpoint of the challenges that will surely meet us, are we listening to His promises over our lives? Church, all his promises are yes and amen. He is a good, good father. He loves us, he’s not wishy washy. And he desires that we would live our lives according to will and according to his word this morning. Are we willing to do that?
3. God’s plans for your life should be based on His Work
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.
As we look at the word anoint for a brief moment it’s the Greek word chriō. And this word is borrowed from a commissioning service that would symbolically set kings, prophets, and priests apart for a life of service. Here Paul explains that God has anointed us, he has set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Paul then goes on to explain: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.
The word work, means fellow workers or companion workers. Paul’s entire life was sold out for Jesus. In Philippians 1:21-24he would explain: 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith
But what about us? Some 2,000 years removed. Are we as committed to sharing Christ as Paul was???
We’re told in Colossians 3:17 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Church… in everything that you do this upcoming year. Will it be in the name of Jesus? As you consider the year ahead, as you look at plans and goals? Will it be In the name of Jesus?
Can I challenge you with something for a moment… if you’re looking at decisions, whether its plans for the future, or decisions right then in that moment… if you can’t say, I do this in the name of Jesus… then you probably shouldn’t be doing it.
Think about it, you can sing worship songs in the name of Jesus. You can work in Jesus’ name. You can spend time with your family, in Jesus’ name… it has his seal of approval.
But what about other things. Can you get intoxicated in Jesus’ name? Can you look at inappropriate content in Jesus’ name? Can you use vulgar language in Jesus’ name? How about this, can you watch the show you’re watching in Jesus’ name? It’s tough, it’s challenging, I get it… but as we begin the year, would everything in word or deed (everything we do) be in the name of Jesus. Would all of our plans be in the name of Jesus. Would we raise our children in the name or Jesus. Would we submit to his will. In the name of Jesus.
I’m going to call the Elders back up at this time.
And as they come forward, and we prepare for communion. I just want to circle back around to the idea of God’s will for our lives…
You see, the great thing about the new year, is in some ways, it’s kind of a fresh start. It’s kind of a clean slate. In some ways, even our society gives us a free pass.
But here’s the question for you this morning, is there an area of your life that you need to repent of? Is there an area of your life that you need to surrender to God?
You see, I think of Jesus the night that he was betrayed. And as we look to Him. Ultimately, we see that he knew that painful torment, the humiliation, the mocking, the abusing, the insults that would be hurled on Him the next day. And being God, he had the ability to end it all right then. He the ability to bring wrath on his captors, he had the ability when he was on the cross, to come down, to end the pain, to end the punishment, to end the torment. And yet he remained….
You see, in Luke 22 we’re told:
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Church, this morning. Jesus was willing to humble give his life for us. And ultimately, he was concerned with the will of the Father. Ultimately, he would give himself out of his love.
Church, would we reflect in our own lives and be willing to follow the will of the father in our life, and then, live out our lives in love to the glory of His name.
So, here’s what we’re going to do, in just a few moments, I will pray, and if you’ve accepted Christ as your savior, then as the elements come by, hold onto those and then we’ll take them together corporately. But the bible makes it clear:
28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
Pray
1 Cor 11:23-24
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
1 Cor 11:25-26
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.