BE ENCOURAGED!

“The Ultimate ‘Yes!’”

Pastor Duane Cross | 09.22.2013

“He comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”  (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.  2 Corinthians 1:15-22)

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8)

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.”  (I John 1:9)

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”  (Ephesians 2:8)

GOING DEEPER QUESTIONS

These questions are designed to help you go deeper with the sermon during your week – to take a closer look at the scripture and find fresh ways to live out the main points of the sermon. Going Deeper questions also are used for discussion in all of our Grow Groups at Hope

Scripture Reading

2 Corinthians 1:15-24, Romans 5:8, I John 1:9, Ephesians 2:18-19

Getting Started

1. Where you raised in a “No” home or a “Yes” home? Explain.

2. What kind (if any) of a church environment were you raised in? Was it a “No”
or “Yes” environment?

3. Share a time in your life when God said “No” to your prayer. How about
“Yes”?

A Closer Look

1. Read through 2 Corinthians 1:15-24

a) What did Paul’s “Yes” mean to the Corinthian Church?

c) What does Paul mean in verse 17? In what ways might the Corinthian church be
misunderstanding Paul’s intentions?

d) The gospel is about God saying “Yes” to people through Jesus. How was Paul’s life,
prayers, and plans grounded in the gospel? |
(see 1 Corinthians 1:18:25; 2Cor. 6-3-13; 7:2-7; 10:1-5)

Digging Deeper

“Amen” is one of the few Hebrew words spoken around the world today though most people are unaware of its origin. The word means “Yes!” or “I agree!” or “That’s what I want to say too!”

1. What does Paul say in this text that you want to say “Amen” to? Explain.

2. What are some promises of God that have a “Yes!” attached to them for you?

3. What promise of God do you find difficult to believe that the answer is “Yes!”?

4. How does God’s anointing, seal of ownership, and Spirit affect how you live out the Christian life? (2 Cor. 1:21-22 cf. 5:5; 1 John 2:20, 27)