1.15.22 - My Weakness & God's Power

Intro/Welcome

Welcome

Good morning/evening

Good to be with you

GJ - Thank Bill

Intro

Stand alone message today that I felt the Lord put on my heart.

I want to start by doing a little compare and contrast.

I’m going to show you a picture of two men

True Strength

I’m going to ask you “Who is stronger?”

[Picture of The Rock and John Piper]

Which one is the picture of strength?

Which one would you want in a dark alley in the middle of the night?

Which one would you want in a spiritual fight?

My Point is:

The world doesn’t measure strength in the same way God does.

True Success

Or i could ask:

How do you measure success in you life? How do you define a successful life?

OUR WOLRD: money, status, acheivements, accolades, respect, wealth, friends — the American dream.

this is the Kingdom of this World — but in the Kingdom of God it is different.

Paul, then Saul, had many of those things:

Philippians 3:5–7 (ESV)

5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

But he goes on to say:

Philippians 3:7–10 (ESV)

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.

Knowing Christ, sharing in His suffering and experiecing the power of his resurrection were the highest goals of Paul.

Not health, wealth and success

We might ask “What is Paul talking about?”

How did Paul get to this point? How might we get to this point?

To answer that question I want look at another section of Scripture Paul wrote.

Today

I want to look at God’s definition of strength

True strength in weakness.

2 Cor 12:9-10.

In 2nd Cor 12:9-10 Paul said some of the most astounding things.

Namely, in the midst of trial and suffering God says to Him

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

It makes a nice coffee mug verse — but what does it actually mean?

Can we actually live that way?

What I want to show you today is that, like Paul

1. We all have weaknesses, but if we embrace them rather than try to escape them the power and presence of God can be manifested in our lives.

[When we embrace our weaknesses rather than escape them, the power and presence of God can be manifested in our lives.]

In other words, It is preciesely in our weaknesses and limitations that the power of God is manifested and the gospel can go forth.

Bible

We’ll be in 2 Cor 12:9-10 today.

Go there in your Bibles.

Let me pray

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–3 (ESV)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Luke 4:18–20 (ESV)

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.

Text

Let’s look at our text.

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (ESV)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect/complete in weakness.”

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Comments:

Grace = favor, but also an animating power.

1 Corinthians 15:10 (ESV)

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

2 Corinthians 5. God’s Power Is Made Perfect in Weakness (12:1–10)

God’s grace is not just the unmerited favor that saves us but a force that also sustains us throughout our lives.

Sufficient = enough, satisfied

will we have enough food to eat.

John 6:7 (ESV)

7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”

Power = dunamai = dynamite

2 Corinthians 5. God’s Power Is Made Perfect in Weakness (12:1–10)

Paul is not speaking about power in general, but “the power of Christ” revealed in the crucifixion and resurrection

Perfect = completion, fulfilled

2 Corinthians 5. God’s Power Is Made Perfect in Weakness (12:1–10)

The verb “perfected” (teleitai) means “brought to completion” or “is made fully present.” The present tense indicates that it is not yet a finished product but that it is still in process of being made perfect

Paul’s Boasting

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (ESV)

...Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me [may dwell in me (NASB)]

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul says because this is true — I will boast all the more of my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest in me.

1. rest = dwell, tabernacle.

John 1:14 (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2. Content = well thought, pleasing, delight

Matthew 3:17 (ESV)

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Paul is saying, “I will embrace my weaknesses so that God’s power may dwell in me and flow through me. Therefore I will welcome weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities because God will get the glory”

He uses FIVE words here that bascially cover anything.

“Weaknesses” - limitations, sickness

Physical, emotional, psychological/mental

“Insults” = disaster, damage, to injure

“hardships” = distress, pressure

“persecutions” = on the account of Jesus

“calamity” = troubles, difficulties, stressful circumstances

Bascially, Paul is saying whatever the world throws at you, God’s power can be manifested.

That is a great promise.

Reflect

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

So let’s just reflect for a minute:

What is that for you?

What are you currently facing?

weaknesses, limitations, insults, hardships, persectusion, calamities.

Is God’s power flowing into and through your weaknesses?

Is God’s power being perfected in those areas of your life?

When we embrace our weaknesses rather than escape them, the power and presence of God can be manifested in our lives.

If not, then how do we get there?

to answer that, let’s look how Paul got there.

How did Paul get to this point? What is the pathway?

Two ways to approach our weaknesses/limitations:

The Way of the World — reject weakness, escape struggles

The Way of Christ — recieve weakness, embrace struggles.

Context

Let’s take a moment to look at the context of this passage. Why is Paul even saying this?

We’ll see what he means by weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.

Let’s pull the thread on this verse a little bit.

Aside: this is a good way to read your bible.

Simply Ask questions of the text.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul is pleading with the Lord in v. 8.

2 Corinthians 12:8 (ESV)

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

What is he pleading about?

2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

7 ...a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

Why does Paul need to be kept from pride?

The revelations he experienced

2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

What revelations is he talking about?

Paul visited paradise / the 3rd Heaven

2 Corinthians 12:2–6 (ESV)

2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

Why is Paul sharing this?

He is boasting (in the Lord)

2 Corinthians 12:1 (ESV)

1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Why is Paul boasting?

The Context of 2 Cor 12 is 2 Cor 10-13.

And here Paul is defending his apostlic authority and minsitry against the so-called ‘Super Apostles” (2 Cor 11:5, 12:11)

The Super Apostles

Who were these super apostles?

1. They were false apostles

2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (ESV)

13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2. False Teachers

They preach another Jesus, another Spirit and a different Gospel

2 Corinthians 11:4 (ESV)

4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

A. They preach another Jesus

In our day

they may preach a Jesus-of-love only

But there is no good news without the bad news.

God’s love is demonstrated in the death of Jesus for sin.

Futhermore, have you read the book of Revelation?

Jesus is coming back with a vengence.

B. Recieve another Spirit

presumabely a demonic spirit or spirit of the age.

In our day

Some pentecostal circles that take the Holy Spirit to extremes claiming you have to have such and such gift or some manifestation of power to be a belivers of Jesus

Or the Spirit of the age that says you can be whatever you want, whenever you want with not restrictions, limitations or regulations.

C. And a False Gospel

IN our day

The so-called “Prosperty Gospel” of health, wealth and success.

It’s a false gospel that completely overlooks suffering, a point Paul makes very clearly.

3. They Exploited the Church

They were men who were exploiting the church

Demonstrating worldly power and pomp to take money from believers

2 Corinthians 11:19–20 (ESV)

19 For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!

20 For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.

Skilled Orators

In that day, not unlike our own, there were skilled orators who would go and give speeches to entertain and charge money for it.

it was about entertainment, what is the newest idea?

Acts 17:21 (ESV)

21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.

How eloquently can he speak? How well was it presented?

Not only that, these super apostles - were evidently performing signs and wonders — mighty works of ‘god’

In short, these were men operating by the power of the World/the ways of the world.

In our day

This could be aking to the propserity preaches of health, wealth and success.

Or it may just be the latest ‘ted talk’ or youtube video on the latest technique for self-help

Or the latest technology that promises peace, prosperity and health.

4. Conclusion

So Paul, is battling against the spirit of the age in his day, which isn’t so different from the spirit of the age in our day.

Power, Prestige, Influence, Wealth, Reputation, Status

These are the things to be sought after

The things that give significance

The things that promise satisfaction, fulfillment and meaning in life.

And these things aren’t bad in and of themselves.

But their source is wrong —

The Spirit of the Age is that these things are found in our own abilities

our own powers

The American Dream

The can-do attitude

But these are the ways of the World

We boast in our strength! In our abilities! In our successes!

But that is not the way of Christ.

That is not the way of Paul, a disciple of Christ.

Paul’s Boasting

Paul gives a very different picture of a follower of Christ.

He does say he came with the marks of a true apostle:

1. True Teaching:

The True Jesus, the True Spirit and the True Gospel.

2. True Power

Signs and Wonders — miraculous works that accompany the gospel

2 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV)

12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

3. Powerful Revelation

Even Heavenly Visitations (2 Cor 12:1-5)

Timeline: 2nd Cor written 55 AD so sometime in the early 40s — about 7-8 years after his conversion

Visions and Dreams, Revlations of things he is not permitted to speak.

He saw the glories of paradise

4. Weaknesses, insults, persectuions, hardships and calamities

But Paul then boasts of another true sign of an apostle: “weaknesses, insults, persectuions, hardships and calamities”

which begins to answer our question.

How did Paul get to the point of welcoming weakness?

Paul had to go through it

We all want Pauline faith without Pauline Pain.

A. Paul’s Persecutions:

2 Corinthians 11:23–30 (ESV)

23 Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.

24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;

26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;

27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

B. The Thorn

We don’t know the exact nature of this thorn in the flesh:

many think it was a physical weakness — like illness, or some kind of disability Paul recieved, perhaps b/c of all the persecution.

C. The True Battle: Spiritual Warfare

But it’s not just the weaknesses we face, but the enemy that pelts us.

meaning some level of demonic activity

probably at least the voice of the enemy accusing Paul or reminding him of his weakness

Paul’s Response

So how did Paul get to this point?

He pleaded with the Lord

This is important — this is prayer

He was honest with the Lord about his suffering/limitations

He listened to the Lord

The Lord answered Him

My grace is sufficient

That is my power and my presence are more clearly amplified when you persevere by my Spirit.

These False aposltes were swelling with Pride and Arrogance

Dependent on their own ability — their own power— not the power of God.

But not so with Paul.

This is the true mark of an apostle // and of every follower of Chirst.

Humility

It means we are not self-dependent but God dependnt

humility looks like: God’s power perfected in our weakness

in fact, it may be precisely bc of our weakness that the power of God flows.