Bible readings:           2 Corinthians 1: 18-22 Isaiah 43: 18-25

In our first reading from 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Paul is dealing with some unpleasant reports from Corinth over a failed promise to visit them.

The Narrative

In response, this morning we’re presented with Paul’s letter to explain the change in his ministry – the source of his absent. Paul had previously visited Corinth and preached the gospel with his people (Silas and Timothy). During this visit, their ministry was very successful, the people of Corinth were filled with joy and affection and so they invited them back again. In response, Paul said Yes, I will come again to visit you briefly on my way to Macedonia and then again on my way back to Judea.

Unfortunately things did not go according to his plan. God had other plans for them. And so his Yes turned into a No. As a result some in Corinth became upset and began bastardising his name. Some said things like Paul lied to us. Paul is not trustworthy. Paul’s playing games with us. When Paul says Yes you don’t know if it is really a No or a yes. Paul is fickle. He’s inconsistent. He doesn’t have any spiritual authority. He’s just full of stories. As a result Paul’s image was damaged, tainted. His witness of the gospel of Christ was weakened.

How does this relate to us? I think we can all relate to this story in some way. Maybe you know what is like to long to spend some time with a love one, only for things to be beyond your control. Perhaps you have been falsely accused of something before. Perhaps like Paul you have been misunderstood. You have been called a liar. You have been accused of being fickly/unreliable. Perhaps because you have made a promise that you haven’t been able to fulfil. You have said the wrong thing by speaking too soon. Maybe someone holds a grudge against someone. Maybe you have acted on your own flesh and made a mistake.

So what do you do? What do you do when the account/narrative is against you? What do you do when your reputation is on the line? What do you do when it seems the damage has already been done? What do you do when someone betray you? What do you do when someone will not give you a chance? Do you act on your own flesh or trust in the Lord? Do you rush to respond or exercise restraint? Do you hold a grudge or respond with love?

Let me tell you something brothers and a sister, sometimes this is just a test to see if we will really submit to the will of the Holy Spirit or do as we please. If we will chose a path of reconciliation instead of holding a grudge. If we will recognise that an eye for an eye will only leave everyone blindness. And I know this can be very frustrating and painful even.

I want to share something with you brothers and sisters. Over the past year or so I have been experiencing some spiritual irritation. At first I couldn’t quite understand why I was feeling this way. I have felt really lonely and isolated. In search for answers, I came across a tweet that really saddled my heart from Revd Mmasape Zihle‏, the wife of one of our London District Chair, Revd. Dr. J. Zihle.  She tweeted: Loneliness is not about being alone but rather the absence of emotional and spiritual connectedness to other(s). It gave me a different perspective.

There have been times when I have felt bewilder by the state of our churches. There have been times when I have felt discouraged, depress by the lack of young people within our circuit. There have been times when I felt depress by lack of unity among our young people. There have been times when I have felt the fight for social justice have been fought questionably.

And for someone at the early stage of my ministry at times, I felt hopeless and questioned how I could ever fulfil my calling and bring about a much needed change. At times in a state of bewilderment I have questioned my ministry. In search for answers and to avoid leaving the Methodist church completely I started visiting other Methodist churches, HTB and Hillsong even.

And so with a heavy heart after a period of seeking the face of the Lord and reflecting I recently formally decided to transfer my membership to Methodist Central Hall Westminster. To be honest some part of me is still thinking how can I ask us to unite in love and fight for a radical revival when am leaving the ship. How can I bring myself to tell you all that I’ve moved? How can I bring myself to tell you that my ministry has changed? How can I expect you, brothers and sisters, to understand?

So what did Paul say? In Paul’s defence he writes: ²⁰ For in him every one of God’s promises is a “Yes.” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God. ²¹ But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, ²² by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first installment.

In other words Paul is saying, look my loyalty has not changed just to seek after my own agenda. Just to seek after my own glory. Just to seek after my own interest. I do not answer Yes and No in the same breath. I do not just say things just to get what I want. I do not sit on the fence. I do not say things for my own gains. Sometimes I say Yes, but then No happens, but that’s not on purpose. My action are not based on a human agenda but inspired by the Holy Spirit. My ministry may appear to have changed, but only because of my commitment to yield to the Spirit which acts as a guarantee.

In our second reading Isaiah writes, ¹⁸Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. ¹⁹I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ²⁰The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, ²¹the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.

So what can we take from today’s readings?

1. Brothers and sisters this morning through the prophet Isaiah, I believe God is submitting to us that we should forget about all the past hurt, struggles and disappointment that others have caused us and look forward to the promise of a new life. I’m suggesting to us that he has already started making a way in the desert for us. Amen! For the glory of God! I’m submitting to us that through unity among ourselves, hardwork and perseverance he’s going to set us free. Amen! For the glory of God! And for the oppressors, the ones who occupy leadership position but use it for their own evil agenda, or pretend to like us but really want our downfall, they will be exposed. Amen! For the glory of God!
2. Brothers and sisters I’m submitting to us that we all need to be careful not to judge others and to encourage especially our young once. Let us keep in mind that we have all sinned and fallen short in the eyes of the Lord. We have disappointed others before. We have all made mistakes along our Christian journey, but as we take on Jesus Christ and rise to walk in the newness of life in Christ we get the Holy Spirit as an assurance of His salvation. Amen! For the glory of God!
3. Brothers and sisters I’m submitting to us that we need to be careful with our words, especially when we’re angry or disappointed. Sometimes is best to walk away but that doesn’t mean we’re in the wrong. We need to be gentle and use diplomacy. Peter Banning from Hook got caught up when it turned out that his word was not his bond and the consequence of disappointment was hard to repair. This morning I believe that God is urging us to put our faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ “for in him every one of God’s promises is a “YES” For this reason it is through him that we say the “Amen,” to the glory of God.” He’s the same yesterday and the same tomorrow, he does not change.

Merciful God, give us the Spirit of wisdom, patience, strength and gentleness to treat one another with Love even when they disappoint us and help us to live in your image in order to draw others closer to you. Amen