Lest I Should Be Exalted: Blessings and Infirmities

2 Cor 12:1-10

Having addressed the matter of being a true apostle, Paul continues to answer the criticisms from those who were listening to the false apostles. Paul did not like having to defend himself, but he continues to do so.

Another criticism that needed to be addressed was regarding the signs of an apostle, and the special experiences they had. Paul was able to answer that as well.

In this twelfth chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of an experience and what he learned from it.

I. The Glory (vv. 1-6)

Paul goes from the low points of his life mentioned in chapter eleven to this high point.

The Christian life contains its highs and lows.

I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord

Again, the false teachers claimed such things and Paul is setting the record straight.

This was something he did experience.

Certainly not on a daily basis, and actually infrequently when you study the book of Acts.

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago

Many believe this was Paul referring to himself in the third person.

Whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell

Accurately describes the vague nature of such experiences.

This “man” was caught up to the third heaven

Wait! I thought there was only one heaven?

Yes, but there is also the “heaven” where we live and breathe and there is the heaven where the planets orbit the sun.

The third heaven is where God dwells and where believers go when they die.

Paradise….unspeakable words

Things too wonderful to describe.

Interesting how Paul was reluctant to speak of such an experience.

Why are others who claim to have been to such a place so eager to write books about it?

Paul did not want to boast of these things.

He would rather glory in his infirmities.

Of such an one will I glory…..one who is favored by Christ.

Yet of myself I will not glory….the boasting which is self-centered.

While we should not expect to have such experiences as Paul did in this regard, we will have what are called “mountain-top” experiences which are exciting.

That could be an extra measure of successes, a larger portion of blessings, or a period of consecutive victories.

Those are wonderful times, but Paul wants to share the lesson he learned from this time of glory.

Lessons we need to keep in mind.

What is it that we should glory in?

II. The Grief (vv. 7-8)

There is always a danger which accompanies those times of blessing and victory.

Lest I should be exalted above measure

We must always be alert to the subtle nature of pride.

Spiritual pride is dangerous….thinking you are superior than your brothers in Christ because you are being blessed by God.

How we must remain humble through times of blessing and favor.

There was given to me a thorn in the flesh

God helps us in this task and allows griefs and trials to assist with keeping us humble.

Something that is unpleasant.

Something given to Paul, but also the messenger of Satan.

Yes, it is from God and from Satan.

How can it be both?

Satan sends it for discouragement, and God allows it for growth.

The sovereignty of God to allow Satan to do what he does, but to turn it for good.

Nobody knows for sure what this thorn was, but it was likely a physical infirmity.

Something that was unpleasant and likely painful.

God loves His children!

But God does not remove all painful and inconvenient circumstances from their life.

The love of God is not the concept of God making all things easy in your life.

That would be detrimental to our spiritual walk.

It would result in less growth, potential laziness, and more self-reliance.

Therefore, God in His love, allows thorns for a purpose.

Nothing God allows is without purpose.

Your pain has a purpose.

Your difficulties have a purpose.

Your struggles have a purpose.

It is not random.

God takes no pleasure in making you suffer for the sake of suffering.

It is to accomplish a purpose…..and that can be a multitude of purposes.

Here, the purpose was humility.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me

Nothing wrong with asking God!

This was not something Paul enjoyed!

God does not expect you to become a person that likes pain and difficulty.

You can and should talk to the Lord about it.

But God does want you to accept His answer.

Paul may have even prayed, “Lord, I could serve you more if you remove the thorn!”

III. The Grace (v. 9a)

God did not answer Paul’s prayer.

God did not remove the thorn.

Is God being unloving?

God had a different plan.

My grace is sufficient for thee

The wonderful grace of God.

That empowering favor of God.

The strength-supplying grace of God.

It is sufficient—completely satisfying; enough.

Carries the idea of being content.

THE GRACE OF GOD IS TRULY ALL YOU NEED TO GET THROUGH THE THORNS.

Is God’s grace enough for you?

Will you rely on God’s available grace to get your through?

This is the lesson God wants His children to learn!

God’s people are not exempted from the thorns, but they have been given grace to overcome.

IV. The Growth (vv. 9b-10)

For the rest of this chapter, we will hear the lessons Paul learned from this experience of having the revelations he had and dealing with the thorn God allowed.

Once Paul heard this Word from the Lord saying that His grace was sufficient and that His strength is made perfect in weakness, he was changed.

He accepted God’s answer to the prayer he was praying.

God might not answer your prayer in the way you wanted Him to.

Will you accept His answer?

Paul did!

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities

This is an example of how a believer has his mind transformed by the Word.

Allowing Scripture to change your thinking and outlook.

Do you think Paul remained discouraged about the thorn after he received the answer from the Lord?

No!

He rejoiced!

That the power of Christ may rest upon me

Here is an example of what spiritual maturity looks like.

Paul would rather have the thorn with God’s power than to have the thorn removed and lose God’s power.

Can you say the same?

Spiritual immaturity is where you become upset with God for not doing what you asked Him to do.

Spiritual immaturity is placing your physical comfort above your spiritual maturity.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG.

If more believers would realize this truth!

Are you weak?

Ok!

Then be strong BECAUSE OF IT!

That is spiritual growth! From thorns, not visions and revelations!

Paul did not allow the thorn to slow him down or quit.

And Jesus wore a crown of thorns for you…..never forget that.