Don't Touch my Thorn!

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

My brothers and sisters, we live in a world that teaches us that the only way to be successful is to finish School, go to College, obtain a Degree, secure a good Job. Make that Job a Career - Meaning that’s what you do for the rest of your life! Build a family, give your career everything you’ve got for 20-30-40 years, retire, and create legacy. And according to the Worlds standard, that’s how you make your mark on society. We make plenty of room to brag about the things we accomplish - Where we live, what we drive, how much money we make. We even do it for the people who are around us- “You ought to see what my Son did, etc, look at how far my daughter has come, etc”. I’m not saying that we should not celebrate accomplishments- All those things CAN be wonderful, However! what I would suggest to us today GSM, is that we do not forget to celebrate the who really did all the work! I know many of us have heard this story about hide weakness. We celebrate strength, success, and self-sufficiency. We admire the people who look like they have it all together.

But the gospel tells a different story.

And in this pericope of Scripture , Paul teaches us that God does not always remove or sufferings or weakness. God redeems our weakness so that Christ can be revealed through it.

In 2 Corinthians Chapters 11-13, Paul is defending his Apostleship through Jesus Christ. Many of the leaders and other Apostles in Corinth ( Yes there were other Apostles outside of the 12) who were boasting about the things there were accomplishing. There were bragging about the Miracles, signs and wonders, that they were performing. When we get Chapter 12, we approve a familiar passage of Scripture! Paul begins telling a story in the 3rd person point of view. Meaning he’s telling a story about himself, without NAMING himself! He starts off by saying “Without a doubt, it doesn’t profit me anything to boast or brag about the mysteries and revelations of the Lord.” Paul said, “ i know in Christ Jesus 14 years ago who was either having a vision or in the Spirit, He couldn’t tell- who was caught up or taken to the third heaven or the most Holy Place of the Heavens. There were things that Paul he said nobody shouldn’t even repeat or talk about. It’s like someone telling you their secrets and we never share them! Paul says in verse that although he may want to talk about what he heard and saw, he refused to be a fool. He declared he would speak the truth of the Gospel, But would be wise in not sharing what is not necessary, so people would not think of him above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

Now verse number 7 makes a bit more sense- 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

We focus of the Grace of Ogd being Sufficient, but we don’t make a boast about our persecution

Humiliation is the key unlocking the power of submission.

The thorn of persecution is an opportunity to be humbled by God.

Being humbled is the set environment for submission.