Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 24 May 2020
Text: 2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Title: “Our hope for you is steadfast”

INTRODUCTION:

1. A vital text of “Grace-Gifts” (blessings from God)
(1 Corinthians 12-14)

a) Diversities of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4)

b) Many gifts listed (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

i) Supernatural gifts (Special but restricted and limited)

ii) Ministry gifts (Continuing)

2. Three special blessings were highlighted

Now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

a) Faith

b) Hope

c) Love

3. Faith, Hope and Love
(Romans 5:1-5)

a) Faith (Romans 5:1-2)

i) Justified by faith

ii) We have access (to God) by faith

b) Hope (Romans 5:2-5)

i) Rejoice in hope of the glory of God

ii) Hope is a fruit (result) through tribulation)

iii) Hope does not disappoint

c) Love (Romans 5:5)

i) Love of God has been poured out

ii) Into our hearts

iii) By the Holy Spirit who was given to us

A STEADFAST HOPE

“And our hope for you is steadfast,
Because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings,
So also you will partake of the consolation” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

1. Hope expressed

a) By the Apostle Paul personally

b) “Our hope”
Sustained by all who had ministered with him in the Corinthian Church

i) Timothy (1 Corinthians 4:17)

ii) Titus, (2 Corinthians 7:6-7)

2. The substance of Hope

a) Source of this Hope

i) From God

ii) As a gift/ a blessing

b) Means through which this “Hope” came about

i) Faith

ii) Tribulation

iii) Perseverance

iv) Character

v) Hope

3. Evaluation of this Hope

a) “Steadfast”

b) Meaning of this word:

i) Well-founded

ii) Verified

iii) Certain

c) The Lord’s involvement underscores this Hope

d) Where God is involved, “steadfastness” is certain

REASONS EXPLAINED

1. Faith in God

a) It is not “blind faith”

b) It is based on the Scriptures

2. Hope in God

a) It is not “false hope”

b) It is connected closely to “Faith”

i) Based on the Scriptures

ii) Evidenced in life

iii) Experienced personally

3. Hope applied
“And our hope for you” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

a) Hope in God

i) As the Father of mercies

ii) As the God of all comfort

iii) As The One who comforts us in all our tribulation

b) Hope in the Comfort that God gives

i) His comfort will abound if and when tribulation abounds

ii) His comfort can help others

iii) His comfort will lead others to salvation

CERTAINTY FOR THE REASONS EXPRESSED

1. Knowledge of God

a) The phrase written, “Because we know” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

b) The word “know” (Perfect Participle of “oida” οιδα)

i) It comes from a word that speaks of deep knowledge

ii) It is knowledge that is not just theoretical

iii) It is a depth of knowledge confirmed by experience

2. Paul’s knowledge of God

a) Extensive

b) Experiential

c) Deep

APPLICATION OF OBSERVATIONS

1. Acknowledgment of tribulation experienced by the Corinthians
“As you are partakers of the sufferings” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

a) “Partakers”

i) They were “in a special fellowship”

ii) They shared a common experience

b) “Of the sufferings”

i) Of sufferings for the sake of Christ

ii) Of sufferings that Paul had experienced himself

iii) Of sufferings that other believers had endured

2. Encouragement to exercise Hope
“So also you will partake of the consolation” (2 Corinthians 1:7)

a) The word “consolation”

i) Same as “comfort”

ii) The application is logical and obvious

b) So also

i) The theological truth had already been expounded

ii) The equation has been established

iii) It has been proven to be true

iv) It would apply to the Corinthians

v) It has universal application

CONCLUSION
A favourite text to read, re-read and meditate on:
(Romans 8:31-39)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. This is our Faith

2. This is also our Hope

3. Nothing will separate us from the Love of God

I AM PERSUADED

The Love of God is a wonderful theme in the Scriptures;
The Love of the Lord has truly many outstanding features.
It is a Love that surpasses the greatest human expressions;
Well-understood, it will help us greatly in our tribulation.

When we go through suffering, we hope for swift answers;
But sometimes affliction lasts longer than one desires.
The pain we go through may be deep. intense and unforgiving;
It challenges our very trust in God and Pain can be intimidating.

The heart, the mind and the soul must be persuaded thoroughly;
It is not enough to speak of a faith that exists theoretically.
Thank God for good doctors who show kind compassion;
But the Pain may still persist for it is part of our affliction.
The Apostle Paul was able to speak and write convincingly;
For he had borne great pain and tribulation personally.
Tribulation is not ours to choose, with reference to intensity;
But “persuaded-faith” teaches us that God loves us very dearly.

Charles Tan
Inspiration: Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 1:7