Untitled Sermon (4)

2 Corinthians 12:1–10 NKJV

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 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.

If, however, the Corinthians persisted in looking at things from the world’s point of view, he would accommodate himself to their perspective. But he would still try to lead them to realize that divine accreditation should be seen not against the backdrop of human greatness but human weakness. The marks of an apostle were the marks of Christ, including weakness and suffering (2 Cor. 13:4; cf. Isa. 53:3–4; Mark 9:12). In this passage (2 Cor. 11:16–12:10) Paul recounted his frailties and with poignant irony said, in essence, “These are the credentials of an apostle”

But what mattered to Paul was not his achievements but God’s work through him and the gospel that he preached.

*** The power of God is not only seen in the miraculous healing or miraculous rescuing, but also in the sustaining grace through hardship.***

Sometimes we think God isn't working if He doesn't answer our prayer for help or rescue, but He’s answering by giving us the grace we need to sustain us in the midst of what we’re going through

This miraculous experience did not bring attention to the power of God, but upon the righteousness of Paul - “I got to experience this, but others didn’t”

Paul is teaching us, when it comes to experiencing the power of God, miracles are great, lifestyle is even better, but the most powerful experience is in your pain & weakness.

ILLUSTRATION: Adi telling me she doesn’t want anyone to know about her heart condition on the softball team because she would be embarrassed, and it makes her seem weak, and the coach would hold her back.

His opponents had criticized his claims to apostleship on the grounds of weakness (cf. 10:10; 11:21), and they probably regarded the many persecutions and insults that Paul had experienced as inconsistent with his claim to be an apostle. (D.A. Carson)

POINT #1 - (vv. 1-4)

“boast”

talk with excessive pride about ones achievements, possessions, or abilities

seeking after the experiences (Matthew 11:7-19)

POINT #2 - (vv. 5-7)

v. 6

The idea is, who would like to boast about the ministry hardships, or the great difficulties you’ve experienced (Think about social media). You would rather boast about a magnificent, supernatural experience. But that would lead to others wondering how they can experience the same thing and why they aren’t or haven’t.

He doesn’t want others to view him as special or elite

Paul’s desire was that people would focus on how he lived, and if it lined up with the message he brought.

Vs. 7

“Lest I should be exalted”

to lift oneself up, be exalted, be haughty (arrogant)

“Was given to me”

This had divine purpose in his life

God was responsible because he brought good from it. The enemy would never do that!

So he would not become prideful

Something tells me this revelation wasn’t given to him until after Jesus spoke to him

“Thorn in the flesh”

18” tent stake

Major issue. No one can say for sure, but it probably was a physical affliction. (Gal. 4:13-15)

For when Satan cannot successfully attack your mind, he will attack your flesh (body)

“To buffet me”

Present tense: To buffet me even now continuously

Treat with violence or abuse

application: sometimes there are things God places in our life intentionally to keep us in a place of dependency upon Him.

Genesis 32:25-31

Vs. 8

Describes Paul’s relationship and perspective of what he was experiencing

Take this away because it’s hindering my ability to serve Christ.

This is a nuisance, and I don’t like it

This is painful and uncomfortable

Three times

Echoes the number of times Jesus asked the father to keep Him from suffering on the cross (Mark 14:32-42)

POINT #3 - (vv. 8-10)

Vs. 9

“My Grace” - good will, loving-kindness, favour

of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

Grace is the fuel that God uses to produce anything good in our lives. The outcome is spiritual fruit (ga 5 20ish)

“Sufficient”

To be possessed of unfailing strength; be strong, to suffice, to be enough.

Specifically: my grace is sufficient for thee, namely, to enable thee to bear the evil manfully (bravely/courageously); there is, therefore, no reason why thou shouldn't ask for its removal.

My strength is not sufficient to get me through this difficulty

“My strength” (strength, ability, power)

universally, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

"Power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature" means that something possesses power simply because of what it is, its inherent characteristics or qualities. This power doesn't come from external factors but rather from the essence or nature of the thing itself.

“Made perfect”

to complete (perfect), i. e. add what is yet lacking in order to render a thing full

“my power shows itself most efficacious (Successful) in them that are weak”

 The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity; man’s security is Satan’s opportunity. God’s way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it (Ps 88:7; Jn 17:15).(Jameson, fausset & brown)

Vs. 10

“Take pleasure”

To be well pleased with, take pleasure in a person or a thing

“Infirmities/ weaknesses”

Feebleness of body or mind, lacking strength

“reproaches”

A wrong springing from insolence, and injury, affront, insult

Greek usage to explain the mental injury and harm done to ones feelings because of deliberate recklessness

“needs/hardships”

calamity, distress, straits

In need of something

“persecutions”

Hostility & ill-treatment, especially on the basis of ethnicity or religion.

“distresses”

Dire calamity, extreme affliction

describes being in a narrow place

The walls are closing in

But he learned from this experience the lesson that pervades this letter: divine power (My power, v. 8; Christ’s power, v. 9) is best displayed against the backdrop of human weaknesses (cf. 4:7) so that God alone is praised (10:17). Rather than removing the problem God gave him grace in it. (Walvord & Zuck)

Possible applications:

God if you heal me, I’ll give my life to you wholeheartedly.

God I can’t use me because of this in my life (false)

Yes, I’m struggling because I’ve been legitimately wronged in this situation, but their sin doesn't justify me sinning and therefore I’m choosing to be sustained by Jesus

yes, I’m struggling because I keep getting bad news and am going through difficulty, but I’m trusting God in the midst of my pain and the hope of Jesus is sustaining me

Yes, I’m struggling because I keep failing and falling to temptation, but I’m trusting in the work of the cross and continueing to run to Jesus for strength & fruit of righteousness.

These are only things to brag about because we’ve ran to Jesus for His help, not because we’ve been able to persevere ourselves.

Paul is telling us that he’s been to heaven and experienced God in the midst of His throne-room, but what found was better is experiencing God’s presence in his pain. This was more important for the people of God to know about then what heaven was like.