Untitled Sermon (14)

2 Corinthians 12:1 ESV

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Six of Paul’s visions are recorded in Acts (9:12; 16:9, 10; 18:9; 22:17, 18; 23:11; 27:23, 24), and his letters speak of revelations he had received (cf. ; ; ).

2 Corinthians 12:2 ESV

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

2 Corinthians 12:3 ESV

And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

2 Corinthians 12:4 ESV

and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

2 Corinthians 12:5 ESV

On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—

2 Corinthians 12:6 ESV

though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

The greatest times of Spiritual development is in the greatest time of pain

Learn to Embrace the Pain and not resist it because in it is the Hand of God

In the Deepest Pain we learn the greatest lessons

He defined the thorn= Stake= to drive straight through someones chest

The Greek says a thorn for THE flesh ; Not thorn for flesh

A messenger of satan = Angel / a demon

False teachers ripping and tearing up the Church

To harass= To buffet = to torment

2 Corinthians 11:13 ESV

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 12:8 ESV

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

If Hes asking the Lord to take it away it had been the Lord who gave it to Him.

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.