Sunday May 8, 2022
https://www.facebook.com/Encountertexoma/videos/733105104719717
2 Corinthians 12:7-10- “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
WHAT IS THIS THORN IN THE FLESH?
The thorn punctured any pride that might surge within Paul because of his grand entry into heaven.
Paul’s “thorn” was an effective cure for any mistaken euphoria that his visions might evoke!
THORN- (skolops)- occurs only here in the New Testament. It refers to something pointed such as a stake for impaling. “Stake” would be a better translation than thorn.
Paul said, “I’ve got this STAKE in my flesh!”
Most interpreters through the years have assumed that Paul alludes to some bodily ailment. His eyes or epilepsy.
Others have claimed that Paul suffered from some psychological ailment or distress, some personal anxiety or torment.
Less incapacitating problems have been suggested such as depression over his earlier persecution of the church, a tendency to despair and doubt or even sexual temptation.
Still others interpret the stake to refer to persecution or adversaries—the rise of the Judaizers, for example—who have dogged him throughout his ministry.
THE AMBIGUITY OF THIS PASSAGE! IT REALLY HELPS!
All of us have a thorn. We all walk around with something about ourselves we wish we could change. I can identify, can you?
WHAT IS THAT STAKE IN YOUR FLESH?
THE AMBIGUITY OF THIS PASSAGE!
Did God give Paul this thorn in the flesh? Did Satan give this thorn in the flesh and God didn’t stop him? Did God allow it?
Theologian- “The passive voice implies that God gave it to him.”
Here’s my question. Why would Satan continually inflict something in Paul’s life that would cause the POWER OF CHRIST to work through him in greater measure?
BUT HERE’S WHAT I DO KNOW. GOD IS ABLE TO TAKE WHATEVER PAIN IS IN MY LIFE AND USE IT FOR HIS GLORY AND PURPOSE!
THIS IS WHAT WE KNOW. THIS THORN/STAKE WAS SUCH AN ANNOYANCE IN PAUL’S LIFE THAT HE PRAYER IT BE REMOVED.
Since Paul prays so fervently to have the stake removed, it was probably something that he felt interfered with his ministry.
Paul prayed three times!!
THREE TIMES: REQUEST DENIED! THE STAKE IN HIS FLESH WOULD REMAIN.
Father change this situation!!! Response: “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (THREE TIMES)
THERE WOULD BE NO QUICK FIX!!
BUT….GOD HAD AN ANSWER!
“My grace is all you need! My power works best in your weakness!”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31— “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
GOD’S SOLUTION TO PAUL’S PROBLEM WAS GRACE!
- God’s undeserved kindness gives us hope!
- God’s undeserved kindness empowers us!
- God’s undeserved kindness sustains us!
We learn from the message given to Paul that God’s grace is not just the unmerited favor that saves us but a force that also sustains us throughout our lives.
His weakness becomes the vehicle by which God’s grace and Christ’s power is most fully manifested to himself and to others.
Paul teaches us that his thorn in the flesh served as a portal for God’s power to be more evident in his life.
DON’T BECOME ANGRY OR BITTER AT GOD FRIENDS!
PAUL HAD TO RECEIVE GOD’S GRACE !!!! (“We receive your rain” on Pandora)
HOW DO WE KNOW PAUL RECEIVED GOD’S GRACE IN THIS MOMENT?
2 Corinthians 12:10- “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
THREE THINGS TO RECEIVE GOD’S SUSTAINING GRACE!
- God knows your pain.
Hebrews 4:14-15- “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”
The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, knows your pain! You’re not in this alone!
2. You need to talk to God about your pain.
Hebrews 4:16- “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Paul boldly asked God three times to remove the stake!
3. Receive God’s answer.
GOD WILL TALK TO YOU!
Paul resigned himself to submit to God’s will about this weakness.
Paul had to humble himself and receive God’s grace! GOD’S SUSTAINING GRACE!
When I’m going through something I usually don’t see the value of it until later!
BUT MY FRIENDS IT’S A SET UP!
Paul didn’t just receive God’s grace!
Paul received the power of Christ working through him!
Paul said, “I’d rather be weak because when I’m weak then I’m strong because the power of Christ is working through me.
CONCLUSION:
Some of you have been praying and praying about something. Over and over you’ve been praying.
You’ve got discouraged. You’ve wanted to quit! You’ve even got mad a God. Not that you’ve let anyone know, but God knows!
You’re becoming weary and tired, even depressed. Could it be that your loving kind Heavenly Father has been willing and ready to pour out his grace on you but you’re not receiving that grace because you’d rather He give you what you want?
ARE YOU READY TO SURRENDER TO WHATEVER GOD IS SAYING?
GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST MY FRIEND!
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU THROUGH THIS MESSAGE?