Week 4 - 2 Cor. 12:1-10 | Weakness Wins

"True or false: It's fun to feel weak. False. “I love being weak”… said no one ever! Right!? Whether it’s failing to lift something heavy, being unable to open a jar of pickles, “I’m looking at your Rachel,” needing help to get out of a chair, weakness stinks! We don’t want to embrace weakness, we spit that trash out! Spit out the weakness!

This truth goes beyond the physical—it applies to mental, emotional, and spiritual struggles too. It’s not fun to feel like you’re failing as a parent, a friend, or a spouse. It’s not fun to lose control of your emotions, to battle addiction, to struggle with time management or money management. It ain’t fun to fall short in our faith. Nobody boasts about what they’re bad at. Nobody posts highlights of their weaknesses on social media.

Even this morning, most of us tried to project strength before walking into church. We dressed our kids nicely, put ourselves together, and put on our best face to look like we’re doing just fine. Why? Because projecting strength feels good, and weakness feels bad.

Last week, we talked about the cost of following Jesus. By looking at Paul’s life and his list of hardships, we were reminded that following Jesus is costly. Jesus Himself said it would be. Remember Matthew 16:25 and Luke 9:23?

“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25).

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

The cost is high to live a life loyal to God.

Jesus paid it. Paul paid it. And both would tell you it was worth it.

And this might be a harder pill to swallow if Jesus Himself hadn’t carried a cross far beyond what most of us will ever face. Remember Him leaving the comforts of home to live a life in abject poverty and be rejected and cruicified by the people He came to save! The cost was high for Jesus and it was anything but comfortable! However, by looking to the cross of Christ, where sacrificial love was on full display, we too can embrace the challenges of following Him and persevere through the suffering that every believer will inevitably face. His example inspires us but more than that, His resurrection and the Spirit He gives us through that power, empower us!

Along with that, we have the witness of saints that have gone before us who testify to the reality that for the Christian no suffering is wasted.

The reality is, everyone in life faces suffering, but for Christians, it has purpose. Paul, who suffered more than most, reminds us of this in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Even so, suffering is hard. It’s costly. And we all would do well to count that cost.

But if we’re not careful, we might start to think that God is calling us to a “just grit our teeth and bear it” kind of life—white-knuckling our way through pain while putting on a brave face for others. Never let anyone know how weak you feel!

But church, that’s not what God is asking of us.

Here’s the image I want us to hold in our minds throughout our chat this morning: I want you to picture a stubborn toddler who insists on doing everything by themselfs! “I do it myself.”

This image of the stubborn toddler sets the stage for where we’re going this morning. This is how many of us live our lives, we insist on doing life ourselves. Sure, life is hard, and suffering is real, but we tell ourselves, “I can figure it out. I’m strong enough. I’m smart enough. I’ll do it myself.

And God, like a loving Father, waits for us to turn to Him.

As we turn to 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, I want us to see three key truths about weakness and strength. Here’s what we’re going to unpack:

I. The Irrationality of Projecting Strength – Why trying to appear strong or self-sufficient doesn’t make sense when everything we have comes from God.

II. God Loves Us Like Toddlers – How God allows hardships into our lives to humble us and keep us dependent on Him.

III. Embracing Weakness as a Way of Life – How embracing weakness is not a passive surrender to failure but an pressing on in active surrender to God’s strength. It’s not giving up. It’s giving in to faith and dependence upon Jesus! It’s learning to continually be crying out to God for help!

These truths build to one central idea: Embracing weakness means asking God for help and trusting Him to do what we can’t.

So, as we read the text together, keep these three ideas in mind. Look for how Paul’s experience reveals the foolishness of self-reliance, the purpose of hardship, and the power of God’s grace in our lives.

Reading the Text: Let’s turn to 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 and see how Paul’s story shows us the beauty of God’s strength in our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:1–10 (NIV)

1 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Alright, now to our first point.

I. The Irrationality of Projecting Strength vv. 1-6

We see Paul once again carrying on with what he calls his vain boasting. Remember, he’s sarcastically trying to refute these so called “super Apostles” who were at the Church he planted, preaching a different Jesus, via an unholy Spirit, teaching a different gospel message than what Paul planted the Church upon! These guys were bragging about themselves and promoting strength and power and worldy ways of advancement.

So Paul says, fine you want to boast and compare resumes… let’s go.

Then he launches into it and last week we saw him boast in his sufferings! And we saw, few people have suffered what the Apostle Paul suffered. The cost to follow Jesus was and is high!

If you’re suffering, I hope this encourages you. Just because we face trials and hardship and challenges, that doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us or we’re outside of His will! Sometimes we suffer precisely because we are right smack dab in the middle of God’s will!

But now, by chapter 12, we find Paul once again going back to things of strength. He launches into this weirdly worded exchange where he’s talking about himself but doing so in the third person… “I knew a guy” he says who had a vision of the third heaven! I don’t know if it was in the body or an out of body experience — God knows — but i know this guy say some crazy stuff… stuff that is inexpressible with words and language! This experience this “guy” had, it is worth boasting about!”

Now, what the heck is Paul doing here?

By the end of this section, it’s clear Paul is referring to an experience He had. He says as much, in v. 7, “therefore to keep me from becoming conceited.”

Why would Paul be conceited, because hes the guy who had this crazy out of body vision of heaven!

Paul got taken up to what he calls the “Third Heaven” or Paradise. Which to us sounds a little weird, but to an ancient they’re all tracking. The third heaven is where God lives.

The diagram pictured shows, how the ancients thought of the cosmos. Essentially, Paul says I went to where God is and he hears things and see things too fantastic, too wonderful, his brain, his language, He can’t share what he saw. He’s not permitted sure, but even if he wanted to my guess is words would fail to convey what he saw.

Paul said I had this experience. Well sort of, Paul in utter humility is reluctant to even own his experience or say much else about it!

Which there are 2 things we need to learn from this!

First, let’s recognize that our world is more fascinated with spirituality than ever before. Do you know what the fastest-growing religion in the United States is today? It’s Wicca—the occult. People are searching for spiritual meaning and power, but they’re turning to dangerous and misguided practices to find it. Psychedelic drug use is on the rise. New Age practices, often rooted in demonic influences, are exploding in popularity. Our culture is obsessed with the unseen spiritual realm and the power it seems to offer.

Now, let’s take a moment to notice what Paul does in this passage. If anyone could claim spiritual experiences or supernatural encounters as a foundation for authority, it would be Paul. He had visions, miraculous experiences, and profound encounters with God. Yet, when he talks about these things, he’s incredibly reserved. He’s so cautious that he won’t even claim these experiences in the first person—he says, “I knew a man...”

Why is Paul so restrained? Is it because visions, miracles, and the unseen realm aren’t real? Absolutely not! They are very real. So, why wouldn’t Paul focus on them? Because they’re insufficient to build your life upon.

Listen, friends, you cannot build your life on spiritual highs or extraordinary experiences. Even Jesus, when He came preaching, healing, and performing miracles—doing things that shattered the natural order—was not enough for some people to believe. Why? Because saving faith doesn’t come through witnessing the miraculous. It comes through hearing the message of Jesus and believing in His name.

That’s why Paul kept his focus on the Scriptures and on Jesus, not on his spiritual experiences. He didn’t deny their reality, but he made it clear that those things are not the foundation of faith. Only Jesus—knowing Him, trusting Him, and loving Him—can save us.

Paul also teaches us to tread lightly when it comes to claims of the unseen realm. We need to check our hearts and ensure that our focus stays on Jesus. And beyond that, Paul shows us the irrationality of boasting about spiritual experiences.

Think about it. How did Paul get up to the third Heaven?

He didn’t do anything to get there. He can’t even decipher if He was there in his body or out of it. He got there because God brought Him!

I realize that it feels like we play a big part in the successes of our lives and to some extent we do. What we do matters. How we live and cooperate and partner with God matters. Small obedience in the everyday can have a big impact on our lives and there will be rewards in Heaven for it, But let’s not fool ourselves—without God’s grace, there would be no good in our lives at all.

Look at a few verses that remind us this is true:

James 1:17 (NIV)

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

1 Corinthians 4:7 CEV

7 What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you brag?

Ephesians 2:8–10 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We do have a role to play, but at the end of the day, nothing good in our lives is ultimately because of us. We have no reason to boast or brag. Paul’s life and message consistently remind us that boasting in any perceived strength is at best foolish and, at worst, dangerous.

Why? Because in reality, you and I are sheep—completely dependent on our shepherd. Or to put it another way, we’re like toddlers and God loves us as such! look with me at vv. 7-9a.

II. God Loves Us Like Toddlers vv. 7-9a

Just like a toddler, God knows, we all know when we insist on our own way and doing things by my self, it ends poorly! Because as strong as we may thing we are, we’re sheep. We’re toddlers, which means there ain’t much we can do own our own. We are weak!

And God loves us too much to let us live in a false reality!

Friends, God is not going to use your where you’re not nor is going able to work with us where He’s not.

When you and I pretend, when we avoid reality, when we put on a mask and project strength. That is a fantasy world and God does not live there! So His help is not available to you there! Only when we face reality, whatever the cost, can we meet God and find His help and strength to overcome whatever weakness we feel!

And God again He loves us enough, to do whatever it takes to bring us to an end of ourselves, to bring us into reality where we can see, feel and experiences our weakness.

For Paul, for all of us, this isn’t a fun experience! But it’s the only way to truly live friends!

Here’s the truth: God allows hardship to humble us and keep us dependent on Him.

There’s been a lot of ink spilled over what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, this messenger of Satan. I’ll give you the 3 best guesses: It could’ve been:

a Spiritual/emotional issue, like excessive anxiety and or depression Paul may have contended with facing down the pressures and worries about the people and Churches he planted.

It could’ve been:

a Physical issue: some sickness, diseases or ailment… like eye troubles, migraines/chronic sickness, or seizures

or it could’ve been:

a Relational issue: like persecution, opposition, accusations, or attacks from people.

We don’t know what it was exactly, just that God allowed some form of weakness, driven by the Enemy to persist in Paul’s life. And that it wasn’t a punishment but that God had a high purpose for allowing it. It was to be an ever present reminder of Paul’s weakness. And it was meant, not to drive Paul from God, but to help Him draw closer to God!

Are you thinking of the stubborn toddler? You should be.

Folks, I often find myself, waiting for my 3 year old to come to grips with the reality, as much as she wants to be independent, she doesn’t have it in her to be. She can’t do it by her self. And I often find myself, waiting, ready to help, but not forcing the issue. I find myself, letting her fail not so I can crush her but so that she will see for herself that she needs my help and when she finally comes to that truth, well then I’m there and I’m eager and honored that I can show myself to be her loving and strong daddy, that is there always to help her do what she can’t do.

God does this for us friends and the sooner we realize we’re toddlers, the sooner we’ll be able to embrace weakness as a way of life like Paul did. Look at it with me.

III. Embracing Weakness as a Way of Life vv. 9b-10

2 Corinthians 12:9b–10 (NIV)

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul doesn’t just accept weakness—he delights in it. And let’s be honest: that’s hard to comprehend. Weakness isn’t fun. We’ve already established that. I hate it when I’m trying my hardest to be a good husband and dad, but my home life feels chaotic. Rach and I struggle with communication, and I feel like I’m failing. Weakness stinks!

So what’s Paul doing here? What’s his secret?

Paul isn’t giving up or wallowing in defeat. He’s not saying, “Life stinks, I’m weak, just take me now, Lord.” No! Paul is leaning into faith. He’s viewing his weakness as an opportunity for God to show His strength.

Here’s the key: Embracing weakness isn’t surrendering to failure—it’s surrendering to God’s strength. It’s a life of dependence and faith, where we trust God to work in ways we never could.

And God promises to show up powerfully when we do. Listen to Psalm 138:2 (NLT): "I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name."

This is God’s promise: when we embrace our weakness and trust in Christ, His strength will carry us. His grace is enough, and His promises are backed by the honor of His name.

So let me challenge you: How many times do we settle for what we can do and miss out on what God could have done? How often do we cling to our strength instead of crying out for His?

Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t seem to “show up” more in your life? Could it be because you’re like a stubborn toddler, insisting, “I’ll do it myself”?

Friends, God is right there. He’s waiting for you to turn to Him. He won’t force Himself on you, but He’s eager to help. You just have to ask.

This week, embrace weakness—not as failure, but as an opportunity for faith. Cry out to God for help. Trust Him to do what you can’t. Depend on Him, and watch Him transform your weakness into His glory.

And there’s no better place to start than at the communion table. Here, we remember the strength of God on display in Christ’s weakness. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus denied Himself and took up the cross for us. His body was broken, and His blood was shed to save us—not through strength, but through sacrificial love.

At this time I’ll invite those on our communion team to come forward and beginning passing the bread first.

As they pass, please wait till everyone has a piece and we’ll all take it together. As you wait, I’d encourage you to read through the prompts on your bulletin insert.

Communion here at Crossroads is not for those who are strong but for those who recognize their need for Jesus. If you trust in Christ alone for salvation, you are welcome at this table. Come not to prove yourself but to find rest and renewal in Him.

As you wait, contemplate the prompts on preparing your heart:

Have I brought my struggles, sins, and shortcomings to God in honesty and trust?

Am I living openly and honestly with myself and others in the congregation? As James 5:16 reminds us, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Pretending, projecting strength, or hiding behind masks keeps us from true healing and the grace God offers through genuine community.

Am I at peace with my brothers and sisters in Christ, seeking reconciliation where needed?

Am I ready to depend on Christ, trusting His sacrifice for my strength and salvation?

And remember perfection is not achievable in this life, we’re after progress in our faith, not perfection. If you can in good faith answer yes to these questions, we invite you to partake. If not, consider setting this time out and do whatever you need to do to get your heart right with God and your community so you’re ready next time.

It looks like everyone has the bread. So let us all take it together remembering Christ body broken for us in weakness but raised to new life via the power of God!

And now the juice.

As you receive the cup, meditate on these truths:

The cup represents Christ's blood, shed for the forgiveness of your sins. It’s is by His wounds we are healed.

Revelation 12:11 CEV

We triumph over Satan, the Accuser, by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of other saints’ testimonies, who just like Jesus, did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Through faith in Christ, we are united with God and His people. We find strength and authority in the covering of His blood! That is why we plead the blood!

Remember also, this meal points to the day when all suffering will be replaced by the joy of God’s eternal kingdom. It’s but a taste of the feast of glory that will one day be revealed at His 2nd coming!

And now let us take together of the juice reminding us of Christ’s blood shed for us.

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Union

Gracious God, thank You for meeting us in our weakness and offering Your strength. As we leave this table, may we walk in humble dependence on You. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may bear witness to Your grace in all we do. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

And now the worship team is going to close with a new song. As such we invite you to remain seated and just listen.

Allow the words of "Abandoned" guide your heart.

This song is a prayer of surrender—a reminder that embracing weakness is not failure but faith. As you sing, invite God to take what you cannot carry. Lay down your strength, your pride, and your stubbornness, and trust Him to show His strength through your surrender.