Untitled Sermon (5)

The Thorn

2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Grace. †God’s unmerited favor toward humanity and especially his people, realized through the covenant and fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

THORN

1 a stiff, sharp-pointed woody projection on the stem or other part of a plant.

2 a thorny bush, shrub, or tree, especially a hawthorn.

a thorn in someone’s side (or flesh) a source of continual annoyance or trouble.

We are not sure of the nature of the thorn, but what we do know for sure is that this thorn had an affect upon Paul.

And that the thorn was Satanic in nature.

The beseeching of god

2 Corinthians 12:8 KJV 1900

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

It is interjected in the story line that Paul said for this thing I besought the Lord.

Encumbered

Hampered

Inconvenienced

what is evident in the life of Paul is this thorn grove Paul to call on the name of the Lord. We know that because Paul sought the Lord three times to be free of the thorn.

God's Grace

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV 1900

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

His Grace is sufficient, it's more than enough to do what's needed.

God's Grace in Action

Isaiah 40:10–15 KJV 1900

Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, And his arm shall rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, And his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, And carry them in his bosom, And shall gently lead those that are with young. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, And meted out heaven with the span, And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, And weighed the mountains in scales, And the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, Or being his counseller hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, And taught him in the path of judgment, And taught him knowledge, And shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, And are counted as the small dust of the balance: Behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.

(KJV 1900)

8  But thou, Israel, art my servant,

Jacob whom I have chosen,

The seed of Abraham my friend.

9  Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,

And called thee from the chief men thereof,

And said unto thee, Thou art my servant;

I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

10  Fear thou not; for I am with thee:

Be not dismayed; for I am thy God:

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;

Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

(KJV 1900)

13  For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,

Saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

14  Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel;

I will help thee, saith the Lord,

And thy redeemer, the Holy On

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,

That the everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Fainteth not, neither is weary?

tThere is no searching of his understanding.

29 He giveth power to the faint;

And to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord wshall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings xas eagles;