Yes and Amen

“Power in Weakness – A Journey Through 2 Corinthians”

Many of you have been walking through some really hard days lately. There’s been discouragement, delays, and deep disappointment. Some have looked around and wondered, “Is this really the year of God’s promise? Or is this just the year of more loss?”

Some of you are already experiencing the year of restitution, but for you, it might feel more like a year of destitution. 

This is precisely why we’re diving into 2 Corinthians. This letter wasn’t written to perfect people living in perfect circumstances; it was written to weary believers trying to hold onto hope while everything around them felt like it was falling apart.

This is where God’s grace meets us.

Paul doesn’t write as a man standing on a platform of success. He writes as crushed, weak, misunderstood, and often unsure of how things will turn out. 

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

And yet he points to God as our comfort. His grace is enough. His power shows up best in our weakness.

(2 Corinthians 12:9) “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

This week, as our VCA Kids were worshipping in the conference room, their voices resounded so loudly and contagiously that I could not resist but I complimented the teacher that were leading them. That is when she told me that she had no physical energy that day before leading her kids in the chapel time; she literally led them in weakness.

We’re almost halfway through the year. And some of you are thinking, “What’s left? I haven’t seen the breakthrough. I haven’t felt the restoration.” But one sister in my LifeGroup reminded us so beautifully: the year doesn’t end today. It ends on December 31. In other words, God is not done yet. His promises are still true. He is still writing the story.

We’re reading 2 Corinthians because this message isn’t for people who have it all together. It’s for people who are barely holding on but still believe that God is faithful, gracious and powerful to show Himself up to each one of us. God will comfort us in all our troubles, and we will offer this comfort to each other.

Are you ready to begin?

2 Corinthians 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 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. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

Some Background

A Brief Timeline

c. A.D. 33/34 – Paul is converted on the road to Damascus.

A.D. 48/49–51 – Paul plants the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:10 “… for I have many in this city who are my people.”) 

Before A.D. 54 – Paul writes a first (lost) letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 5:9 “… I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people).

A.D. 54–55: Paul writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus to address multiple church issues (divisions, lack and abuse of the spiritual gifts, Christian sexual integrity, marriage and singleness, food and understanding of the Lord’s resurrection).

Shortly after, Paul makes a painful visit to Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:1).

Later in A.D. 55 – He sends a severe letter (also lost. Scholars agree that is not 1 Corin.), calling for repentance (2 Corinthians 7:8).

A.D. 55–56 – Paul writes 2 Corinthians from Macedonia.

Out of love

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle… by the will of God

Paul was deeply personal and pastoral, not just theological, but emotionally invested in the well-being of the churches. Every time you love someone, you run the risk of getting disappointed.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to recognize him as a spiritual father, an apostle for their benefit, not for his own fame.

Some of us were so hurt by our past experiences in the church that it is hard to believe there are people chosen by God who do not live for other reasons but for His pleasure and the care of His people. But we should not judge the whole barrel by a few bad apples. Most pastors worldwide do not seek interests other than the church's.

The good signal of a person who seeks your growth more than any personal benefit is a genuine desire for you to have the grace and the peace

2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God of All Comfort

While we are in this side of heaven we will face trials. Honestly, it is part of God’s way to lead us on constant growth.

When live tuna (or other fish like cod) were transported long distances, there was concern that the fish would become lethargic and die. That is because tuna needs constant movement to breathe through its gills. To solve the problem, a natural predator, like a small shark or another aggressive fish, was introduced into the tank. The predator's presence would keep the tuna alert and active, helping them stay breathing, alive, and fresh until arrival.

(John 16:33) “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Am I saying your life must be in constant stress? No. God has grace that brings righteousness that brings peace that brings joy (Rom 14:17) for everyone who seeks the kingdom of God first (Matt. 6:33)

But when you face trials, there is comfort for you

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 … the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too

The Lord comforts us in “any affliction”: emotional and mental afflictions, physical afflictions, relational afflictions, and spiritual afflictions.

Anxiety, depression, chronic illness, family conflict, job loss, or even spiritual dryness—God has comfort for you.

“Christ’s sufferings” is a specific kind of suffering that arises from identifying with Jesus and serving His mission. This does not mean that we die on a cross, but rather that we follow the same path of faithfulness in a broken world. When we’re rejected for doing what is right, when we grieve over sin and injustice, or when we suffer for truth and misunderstandings, we’re participating in the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:10 .. the power of his resurrection …becoming like him in his death).

A Lifegroup leader came to me this week, worn out. He said, “I feel like I’m losing my life. I don’t have time for myself. Leading this group is costing me everything.”

He looked at me, hoping I’d offer a way out. But I stayed quiet—not out of indifference, but because Jesus said this would happen. “Whoever loses their life for My sake will find it…” (Matt. 16:25) Sometimes, following Jesus means surrendering our preferences, our rest, and even our rightful comforts. But in losing our lives for Him, we discover the one who truly matters. 

So I make the closing words of 1 Corin. My words. 

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Yes, and amen.

2 Corinthians 1:17-20 17 So then, was I indecisive or capricious when I was [originally] planning this? Or the things I plan, do I plan in a self-serving way like a worldly man, ready to say, “Yes, yes” and “No, no” [at the same time]? 18 But [as surely as] God is faithful and means what He says, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No” [at the same time]. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but has proved to be “Yes” in Him [true and faithful, the divine “Yes” affirming God’s promises]. 20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Christ they are [all answered] “Yes.” So through Him we say our “Amen” to the glory of God.

Paul desired to visit the Corinthians again because they had been generous during previous visits, bringing offerings to the Judean brothers who were under fierce persecution. He knew he could count on their support, but he didn't want to persuade them forcefully. We will see that in 2 Cor. 8.

But the point is that maybe one person might ask, “Is Paul truly planning to visit us out of love and care?” And Paul’s response would be: “Yes—absolutely yes.” But another might say, “He’s just coming to get money from us again.” To that, Paul would firmly answer: “No. Absolutely not.”

Paul wasn’t being double-minded or manipulative. His yes and no weren’t worldly or self-serving. His plans—and his motives—were rooted in God’s faithfulness, not in a human agenda.

Paul’s ultematly says, 

2 Corinthians 1:19 … but in him it is always Yes.

"Yes, I am expecting some support because I know God has said yes to the provision over your life. “

Paul speaks with confidence because “all the promises of God are Yes in Christ” (v. 20). That includes the promise of provision, fellowship, joy in giving, and mutual trust.

Because in Christ, every promise of God is Yes.

If you need any extra proof of God’s provision for you, for every single aspect of life, stop looking outside. Look inside. 

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

The Holy Spirit is God’s ultimate provision for us and through us.

Let’s be filled with the Spirit before we leave today.