God's Power Made Perfect in Our Weaknes

Introduction

Our last time together we studied 2 Corinthians 11:16-33.

The topic at hand was boasting. Paul was addressing the False apostles that starved for recognition, exploited achievement, and wanted to be the center of attention and the struggle was that Corinth responded to that type of manner in these apostles.

2 Corinthians 11:17–20 “17 What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.” These apostles must have been paid well while the Corinthians suffered. They were given the best seats and the best treatment and they were like rock stars to the church at Corinth. So, Paul shifts gears and uses irony or we would call reverse psychology in a secular manner to communicate in this boasting arena if you will.

1 Corinthians 9:22 “22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

Paul was using the tool of boasting to win back over the church and get them on track.

That is where we find ourselves tonight.

Someone please read the next verses:

2 Cor. 12:1-10.

Tonight, I want us to read this in the NIV Version. I think it is a good read for this text.

The New International Version (1984) Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 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. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not 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 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me 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.

1. The Problem with Self-Promotion (12:1-6)

The New International Version (1984) Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord

Paul basically says “it is not profitable to boast.” Yet, Paul finds that to reach the church in Corinth, “He must do as the Romans do” if you know what I mean. This was their language and the way of the people. Its not my manner. Its not the mark of a true servant of the Lord. It is not becoming of an apostle. But its expedient. It is a communication the Corinthians recognize and enjoy and in the meantime the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit will have to make some light bulbs come on for the Corinthians to understand that this is not the manner of a woman or man of God.

You might ask why is this seen as foolishness?

It can potentially mislead believers to thinking that self promotion aligns with our daily Christian practices.

He states its necessary, He states in around about way its expedient, but the end game is not profitable.

So, if boasting is not of God and not becoming of a man or woman of God, what should we boast about?

Boast in God and His Character-celebrating God’s power, faithfulness, wisdom, and sovereignty rather than drawing attention to ourselves.

Jeremiah 9:23–24 “23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; 24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.”

Psalm 44:8 “8 In God we boast all day long, And praise Your name forever. Selah”

Why do you believe we are encouraged to boast about God?

Boasting about God represents one of humankind’s most profitable activities, since human beings invariably imitate what they worship, resulting in genuine aspiration to become like Him.

2. Boasting in what God has Done.

Simply we boast about what God has done in our lives rather than what we have done. And I quickly ask you:

Did you do it? Or, was it He at work in you that caused you to do it?

The key distinction: celebrating God’s work through us, not our accomplishments by ourselves.

1 Corinthians 1:31 “31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.””

Jeremiah 9:24 “24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.”

These are times we can offer up praise to God for what He is doing, in the church, in other’s lives, and i ourselves.

3. Boasting in Weakness and Dependence

Paul boasted in his weakness and said its in those times God’s power in his life was most evident. In other words, it is when I am weak that He is strong. God’s power is what we must totally rely on. When we boast in our weaknesses and we boast God, it magnifies Him and His work to bring about moral character.

4. Boast in Others as Encouragement

Scripture is full of references and directives that we boast in others.

Proverbs 27:2 “2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.”

Proverbs 31:30 “30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

You remember that one of the ways that Paul encouraged the churches where He had ministered was by boasting on them.

2 Corinthians 7:14 “14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.”

Boasting in others is an encouragement to the overall body of Christ.

What we Should Never Boast About

Paul repudiates all boasting in one’s righteousness, wisdom, or status before God (Romans 2:23; 3:27; 4:2; 1 Corinthians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8–9).

Romans 2:23 “23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?”

Romans 4:2 “2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

No benefits of the flesh can provide grounds for boasting, because they are ultimately gifts of God (1 Corinthians 4:7).

1 Corinthians 4:7 “7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”

Notice what Paul boasts about, but notice that he tells of the experience in the third person. Paul writes of a mystical experience. Paul is boasting. but notice what he is boasting about-paradise, heaven. he is boasting of one of the great blessings that the believer will enjoy when we depart this world. He boasts in something we all have to look forward to.

Paul is distancing himself to be the one to be focused on, but the encouragement or boasting of what is to come, not himself.

Paul teaches us that true apostleship, true discipleship is established by the building up of the believers about us.

1 Corinthians 14:26 “26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

What else as testimonial can we boast about that points people toward the Lord?

-Salvation, healing, God’s provision, His ways of lifting us from despair.

The New King James Version Chapter 12

12 Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. 2 So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. 3 (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)

Moses is the author in this case:

According to the biblical record, Moses is the author of Numbers.1 The book repeatedly uses the phrase “The Lord said to Moses,” establishing his role as the one recording God’s instructions

The awkwardness of Moses referring to himself in the third person underscores the tension between necessary self-reference and the desire to avoid self-promotion. God’s Holy Spirit instructed for Moses to address this about himself.

Similarly, when Luke records Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, Paul describes himself as “a man who served the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials,”3 speaking of his own service while maintaining focus on the Lord rather than his accomplishments.

The deeper principle unites all these examples: true biblical meekness flows from disinterest in self and a burning passion for God—the conviction that “it doesn’t matter what happens to me; it only matters what happens to God,” which is the denial of self in order to magnify the person and purposes of God.

2. God’s Strength Perfect in Weakness (12:7-11)

God offered up an instrument in the life of Paul to help him combat pride. What was it?

Paul received a thorn in the flesh.

“a messenger of Satan to buffet me”

buffet

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 2852. κολαφίζω

2852. κολαφίζω

In the show NCIS with Mark Harmon, his character

The move is known as the "Gibbs Slap" (or "Headslap"). It is used by the lead character, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon), to scold actions, stop foolish behavior, or grab the immediate attention of his team members. [1]Agent Anthony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly) is the most frequent recipient of the slap, usually for his childish remarks or inappropriate comments.

WE do not know what the “thorn in the flesh” is, there is only much speculation.

A physical ailment-eye disorder, epilepsy (as a result of Paul’s conversion experience), hysteria, migraine, depression, poor hearing, leprosy, but you get the point. All speculation.

Possibly the recurring opposition and persecution.

We just do not know. But what we do know is that it kept him n check, it kept him humble and dependent on God.

Does anyone tonight have a testimony as to how God has used something in your life to keep you humble and dependent on God?

Paul pleaded three times and notice God’s response:

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 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.”

How many across this room tonight could say at your lowest ebb God showed up in the largest way in your life?

“Therefore most glady I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ rest upon me.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 “10 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.”

So then, taking into account that Paul did not want to boast, but in this particular ministry need He found it expedient to boast, even though he knew it was unprofitable, He found things he could boast about.

We end here tonight with the fact that He boasted in his weaknesses, his low ebbs, his fears, his tragedies, because these were growing times. These were times God manifested Himself in the greatest of ways.

As we think about that tonight, as you walk out of here, what or who will you boast about this week when God offers you a moment to share?