The Thorn (2)

Me

Intro… my name is Jerry… maybe a funny story from that day or the week. Maybe even about UAM move in day how I’m not in college anymore?

We

Have you ever felt so weak that you feel like you can’t keep going?

Have you ever questioned where God was during a period of hardships?

Have you ever pleaded that God would fix a problem in your life, only to feel your prayers had gone unanswered?

God

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 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. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 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.

When I am weak, then I am strong.

OT is full of weak men and women God made strong by His power alone:

Abraham - one old man would have descendants as countless as stars… then commanded him to sacrifice his only son (WHAT A THORN).

Moses - murderer who was too afraid to speak on his own that God chose to meet face to face with a national superpower and free a bunch of weak losers.

Israelites - disobeyed and made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Finally made it to the Jordan and God made the decision to split an already weak nation up.

Joshua and Moses both had their conquests, all done by God’s strength

Gideon - weakest family & youngest. God called “Mighty Warrior.” Had 32,000, 10,000, 300. God did all the work.

You

We