2 Corinthians 12:9
Notes
Transcript
Power and Weakness
Power and Weakness
9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
I guess that 2 Corinthians 12:9 is among my favourite moments from Paul’s writing.
Paul is having a discussion with the Corinthians about false prophets and apostles.
And his argument with false preachers lasts about two chapters. They’ve really ticked him off.
What bothers Paul?
As I browse chapters 10-11 I pick up some clues as to what the problems are:
Paul is not so impressive…
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.”
The Corinthian church is excited by preachers who come with new ideas - and are perhaps a bit more charismatic and interesting than the apostle Paul.
Paul is not surprised. He points out that he is not a great speaker. But what he does speak - is the truth.
A different Jesus…
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 a different gospel from the one you accepted, you submit to it readily enough.
Paul is worried that the Corinthians are finding different versions of Jesus more interesting than the original Jesus that they first heard about.
Jesus 2.0
Both of these problems that Paul is describing are common to us in church today. Common to us as preachers.
We turn on the television and hear a preacher telling his story - and start to think is this the same Jesus we are talking about.
Folks in the congregation will come along and say - hey did you read this book, hear this teaching - so and so has the solution to all our problems.
And you look a little closer and find that they’ve made Jesus a little different to the one in the gospels.
Super Apostles
5 I think that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
Paul is having to argue for his authority - his position in the church. And he is worried about these ‘super apostles’ - who seem to have come to the Corinthian church and turned them against Paul in some ways.
Unimpressive / Jesus 2.0 / Super Apostles
Unimpressive / Jesus 2.0 / Super Apostles
Just as Paul had to argue for his place - we know that church today is much the same as it was back in Paul’s day.
Unimpressive…
Us preachers sometimes feel like we need to be extra entertaining to attract the congregation.
Extra Charismatic.
We’re competing with youtube / instagram and tik tok for your attention.
And I could fall for it - just as you could fall for it…
Jesus 2.0…
Jesus says some wild things to us - he shows us some wild ways of living.
Like Luke 3:11
11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”
I have to confess I have more than one cloak… a cupboard full of clothes and I’m not even very fashion conscious - but in winter I wear quite a few layers.
People are shivering and cold - sometimes even knocking on my door - asking can you spare a pair of shoes or some old clothes… and its true - I gave a bunch away…
But I could do with less.
Jesus 2.0 doesn’t say anything that would upset me about having lots when others have none.
Super Apostles…
I don’t think Paul is talking about guys with cloaks that came from a far away planet. The implication of the language he uses is more like they are pre-eminent - or above Paul in rank and authority.
What is interesting about Paul is that he doesn’t insist on his rank and authority - he argues for it… inviting the congregation to test his integrity - to examine his life.
He didn’t ask them for lots of money.
He didn’t ask them for glory.
He just asked them to follow Jesus.
And he says:
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
My power is made perfect in weakness
My power is made perfect in weakness
And this is where we find these words from 2 Corinthians 12:9 - Paul has just spoken of the great Revelations and Spiritual insights he has received - but he says.
7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Many people argue about what this ‘thorn in Paul’s flesh’ was - some sort of defect…
I quite like that we don’t know what it was.
Failing eye sight?
Sciatica / Chronic Back Pain?
Perhaps some sin?
Maybe Epilepsy?
Maybe he stammered and stuttered like Moses?
In Paul’s day any of these defects could be seen as a sort of curse from the gods… Sickness was associated with sin.
But the beautiful word that Paul heard from God:
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
I guess we learn something about the way Paul prayed here… three times. And he seems to be saying that three times was enough. Perhaps it is also in that every time Paul prayed God gave him the answer:
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV84)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Sufficient Grace
Sufficient Grace
There is so much to be said about these words in 2 Cor 12:9 - the one amazing thing is that it is God speaking in the first person - out loud to Paul - of all the things that God might say out loud to Paul this one thing is important enough:
My grace is sufficient!
As Paul moans about that thing that he doesn’t like about himself.
Maybe its his pot belly.
His balding head.
Maybe it is some inability that drives him mad.
Something that causes him embarrassment and shame.
But God’s word to Paul - My grace is sufficient.
And I hope you can hear God’s word to you.
Not sure what the ‘thorn in your flesh is’?
A short temper. And addiction. Sore back. Unlucky in love and out of work?
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Mark 6:6-13
Mark 6:6-13
We zoom out from Paul - and back to Jesus in the gospels a few decades earlier.
Jesus is sending out his disciples:
Mark 6:8–9 (NRSV)
8 He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9 but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics.
Can you imagine!?
Not even a cell phone.
Vulnerable and powerless. Completely ‘insufficient’ for any task before them.
He does not send his soldiers out with swords and horses.
He does not send them out with weapons of war or manipulation.
He sends them out with one simple gift:
7 He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
And in their vulnerability - and in Jesus authority and his authority alone:
13 They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Why were they successful in their ministry?
Was it money, power - nice cars and Apple iPhones?
Was it their amazing education and intellectual abilities?
Or was it just that Jesus had sent them.
Jesus had authorised them.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
And his grace is sufficient.
Application
Application
I’m not sure what this all means for you.
And I don’t want to be to cliched quoting Leonard Cohen… but he is cool:
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
I just want you to remember that where you are weak - God is strong. Where you have no ability - God has ability.
Where you and I mess up - God will pick up the slack.
This has implications for how we treat ourselves.
But also for how we treat others.
Amen.
