“Consolation” 2 Cor 1:1-11

There are lots of passages that we reference from 1 Corinthians. What it means to be the body of Christ. How the Spirit equips us through spiritual gifts. Love. But if you ask people what passages they know from 2 Corinthians, there are often not as easy to come by. 

Yet, 2 Corinthians stands in many ways as a continuation of the conversation from 1 Corinthians. Paul talks about some of the same issues from the first letter. And he starts 2 Corinthians off with a greeting that speaks deeply to an issue plaguing him from his first letter - what it means to be an apostle. 

The traditional use of the term “apostle” was held for those who walked with Jesus while he was on this earth. Those who were ministry with him. In other words, his disciples. But Paul clarifies that he, too, is an apostle. Even though he was not one of the original disciples called by Jesus, he still carries on the witness of his profound experience with the resurrected Christ on the Damascus Road. It was out of that experience that he received a call to go forth and serve Christ, perching the Gospel. 

For Paul, he knew that he was commissioned and sent by God to bring the Good News. Including to the Church in Corinth, even as they currently struggle. Further, Paul believed the Church, including the Corinthian Church, were also to serve Christ and preach the Gospel - they just need to figure out what that looks like for them. 

The problem is that the Corinthians are confused about what to do with suffering. Think back to 1 Corinthians - part of their claim was that Paul couldn’t be a true apostle because of how much he suffered. Yet, for Paul, that is actually a plus not a negative. By his suffering he was able to come to know the comfort of Christ. 

Further, Paul emphasizes that we don’t call ourselves. This call that he has, this call that we have, its is from God and God alone. We don’t create the call, we simply respond to the call. And Paul has continually responded “yes” to God. 

Oh friends, if you hear nothing else in this sermon hear this - we, too, are called to serve Christ and preach the Gospel. We are called to do that as individuals - but we need to be asking God what our call looks like for such a time as this. How does God want us to serve him in this season of our life? How are we to proclaim the Gospel with our lips and our lives?

But those questions are equally true of us together as the body of Christ. I firmly believe that we, as this church, right here, right now, in this place, are here for a purpose. We, too, have a call to serve Christ and preach the Gospel - but we need to constantly be asking God what we are to be doing. 

Sometimes churches get so caught up in how they have or have not done things in the past that it defines them. They focus only on a certain ministry, because they have always done it that way. Or they are hesitant to reach out to the neighborhood in a new way, because we have never done it that way before. But the truth is, it is not about how we have or have not done things in the past. Because it many ways it is not about us. It certainly isn’t about our preferences. It is about what God is calling and equipping us to do in order to spread the Gospel. 

Now does that always go as planned? No. Sometimes responding to God’s call isn’t about getting huge numbers or success by the world’s standards. It’s about helping us build faith and trust so we can step out again and again and again.  Like Paul, we are continually called to step out in obedience. It’s not a once and done decision, its submitting ourselves to God every single day. 

Throughout this Scripture passage you will find one of two words - either “comfort” or “consolation”. I tend to like the word consolation because it brings to mind so much more to mind. St. Ignatius of Lyola is describes consolation in this way - a state of our being where we are moving towards greater faith, hope, and love. Mercy and hope. In other words we are moving closer to God and we are embodying the love we receive from God in the world. 

But here’s the thing Ignatian says about consolation - it doesn’t mean that everything looks like is going smoothly all the time. Paul could probably tell us a thing or two about that, could he not? And is this not part of his argument to the Corinthians - to you it looks like I am suffering, but I am at peace with my Lord. For peace does not mean that we will not suffer - but rather that I know that I am doing God’s will and that God is the one comforting me in all circumstances. It is well with my soul.

But there is an opposite to consolation - desolation. Those times when we are moving away from God. What are some markers of desolation? Resentment. Selfishness. Ingratitude. Paul would say that this is true suffering. Not the suffering that everyone else can see, but rather the affliction that comes from rebelling against God. The confusion that can come to the Church when everyone is in it for their own gain and wanting to get their own way, instead of seeking the path of the Spirit together. That’s when we lack direction. 

Paul is coming to the Corinthians and praying that they have consolation. Comfort from God, but also perhaps this other meaning of consolation of a purpose in spirit that goes beyond themselves. A purpose that is rooted in their calling. A rootedness in God through Christ. 

Over the years, I have seen so many churches and Christians who seem to be in a spirit of desolation like the Corinthians. Why? Because they lack the peace that comes with finding the purpose to which they are called. 

For individuals, this often looks like thinking that only clergy and missionaries are called. But really, everyone who is a follower of Christ has a calling. To serve Christ and spread the Gospel. The real question is how is Christ calling you to do that. It may be through your job. Or your volunteer work. Or a passion that you have. We are all called. 

For churches, it looks like wandering around without a vision. Sure, churches may have vision and mission statements - but are they living into them? Have they made serving Christ and sharing the Gospel the priority? And what does that look like in the place where they are planted? Every church is called. 

Friends, I am praying for consolation for you this day. I am praying that you discover the calling on your life that comes from God. I am praying that the Church discerns our purpose in this community in a way that speaks into the abundant life of Jesus. Directs our focus outside and beyond ourselves. I am praying for consolation that lifts our hearts so that we can see the joys and sorrows of other people and allows us to walk beside them. I am praying for an openness to God that generates new ideas. I am praying for a heart that seeks first where God is leading us. Let us draw close to the very heart of God. Amen and amen.