2 Corinthians 12:1-10

2 Corinthians 12:1–3 ESV

1 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. 2 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. 3 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—

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SLIDE 3

2 Corinthians 12:4–5 ESV

4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—

2 Cor 12.1-

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2 Cor 12:

SLIDE 4

2 Corinthians 12:6–7 ESV

6 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. 7 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.

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Intro: (read 1-7)

Needless to say, our recent studies in the book of II Corinthians have been difficult ones..

If Paul wasn’t talking about giving… he was was talking about himself…

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And as he talked about himself.. in a positive light.. He did it, to set a contrast… - to combat the campaign that was set against him by a movement of influencers that were gaining a foothold in that church. ++

He would take opportunities to highlight others.. in a negative light..

So… chapter 11 ended, with Paul talking about himself… and now, as we move into chapter 12, he’s doing it again.

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Suddenly.. we read on..

And here it is.. the same thing.. it’s continuing..

If you haven’t been with us in the past few weeks, let me quickly re-cap the context.

Paul.. is talking about himself.. here again.. in chapter 12…

Corinth was a very modern, very wealthy city. It was a trade port, so it was inundated with many different cultures and traditions. If something was new and culturally hip, it would quickly take root in Corinth.

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One of the most popular forms of entertainment in this day was the sophostic speaker. They were of a philosophical tradition of speaking and entertaining that combined an elaborate and outrageous appearance, with a speaking style that set out to combat and disprove a topic. They came with recommendations and reviews in hand and were a very sought after form of entertainment.

They weren’t sincerely out to disprove fact… it was simply a form of entertainment.

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Like anything that becomes popular… this fad began to influence the church. Speakers in elaborate dress with impressive titles and letters of recommendation would come into the churches. They impressed the people with their speaking skills, with their appearance and with the letters of commendation they brought with them.

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As the church was being entertained by these speakers… by these guys that Paul just mockingly called, “super apostles”… they would occasionally get some push back from those who were taught by the Apostle Paul.

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“Wait a minute… that’s not what Paul taught us.” - To which they would reply… “Who is this Paul, and what is this Paul saying? Does this Paul come with letters of commendation like we do? Does this Paul speak as well as we do? Does this Paul look as impressive as we do?”

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Paul is an apostle who brought the Gospel to us early on.

Paul taught us about grace and how to live lives that honor Jesus.

Paul did not come with letters of commendation.

Paul is not, at all, a good public speaker.

And Paul does NOT look impressive. In fact, he would often show up after working all day… still sweaty and dirty.

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Culturally, the Corinthians were gaining an expectation of what a church leader should look like. One which was influenced by culture… and not influenced by the methods and doctrines that Paul taught them.

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If we carried this context over into modern terms…

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-People might visit a church and say, because of the cultural expectations that they have gained:

“I didn’t enjoy the worship… it wasn’t very good.

The speaker who gave the talk wasn’t engaging.

There isn’t a cool coffee cup in my visitor bag.

There are weird people here.”

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To which we might answer.

“ - The worship was for God, not you. Only God could call it good or bad.

-There was no speaker… there was a pastor. It wasn’t a talk, it was a sermon… and maybe it wasn’t engaging to you, because you were expecting entertainment, and not discipleship.

-Yes, there are weird people here… we think you’ll fit right in. “

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This is the kind of thing that Corinth was dealing with… and because of it, the people were beginning to sympathize with the complaints against Paul…

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Paul knew, that if they followed the teaching of these super apostles… they would be led away from the Gospel..

So he fought, to defend his credentials… and his message…

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Not for the sake of his own validation… but ultimately, for the sake of the Gospel.

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Though the theme of his conversation varies..

the message.. remains the same..

Paul is using a petty method…

To communicate an important truth..

To a petty group of people..

The people in Corinth.. had begun to embrace a tainted gospel..

Impressive teachers were coming into their midst..

And they were bringing.. a different gospel.. than the one which Paul had already preached..

And to validate their new message..

They had to invalidate.. the old messenger..

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It wasn’t good enough.. that a message would remain the same..

…unencumbered by the persuasive presentation of some charlatan.

No..

The perception of truth that the people of Corinth began to embrace…

was directly linked.. to the messenger.. .

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People have always been this way… they can be swayed to think and believe a different way… if they are impressed with the one who brings new ideas to them.

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Paul had been discredited..

Therefore.. his message was discredited..

For this reason.. Paul reluctantly concluded that it would be necessary (though foolish) to give a personal defense.. ++

And it’s been a long one..

Sharing first.. his heart and his intention for the church at Corinth..

That he could present them to Christ.. as a pure virgin

He shared then: his fear..

That they have possibly:

“been deceived, by one who preaches another gospel” ++

He reminded them: of how he came..

Taking care of his own needs..

Not being a burden.. not seeking profit or gain from them..

As some had probably accused him. ++

He reminded them:

That the works of Satan.. don’t always come as a manifestation of darkness and evil..

But they come.. more frequently.. in the church..

…in the appearance of: “righteousness” ++

He reminds them.. of his qualifications..

Not only.. by way of who he was..

But also.. by what he had gone through.. – sacrificed.. suffered.. and endured.. ++

As Paul has given this direct message to the church in Corinth..

He has given to us..

An example..

..of which.. we spoke quite extensively last week.. ++

For we live in a world where our faith has been.. and continues to be..

.. misrepresented in the eyes of humanity… ++

So many people.. so many organizations.. so many churches..

Have claimed the gospel of Christ.. as their motivation..

While simultaneously carrying out.. deeds that are contrary to the Gospel… ++

Because of this… The faith that we represent..

By their examples.. and as we’ve also considered.. sometimes.. to our shame..

By our own hypocrisy..

The faith that we represent..

Stands in judgment.. to the world. ++

Paul didn’t want the church in Corinth to embrace a different gospel.

Paul didn’t want the church in Corinth to credit the schemes of the super apostles..

Paul didn’t want the church in Corinth to discredit him, if it meant that by doing so… they would discredit the true Gospel.

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Paul is defending the message by defending the messenger. He has already said that this defense was superfluous… then he said that this defense was foolishness… and now… in chapter 12… he says, as he boasts… that there’s nothing to be gained by it..

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But Paul is out to prove a point…

As Paul takes this same message into chapter 12..

The message of eternal life..

Will be defined.. and will have impact.. and will be verified..

Not as it should be..

But rather..

“by us!”

We.. are the ambassadors.. of the heavenly kingdom..

SLIDE 5

.. to this foreign world..

We are..

We are the citizens of heaven..

And no longer are we “of this world”

Yes.. we are “in” this world..

But not “of” this world.

And as residents of a spiritual home…

2 Corinthians 12:1 ESV

1 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.

We exist.. in part.. as ambassadors of the heavenly message..

For the reality is: “truth is truth is truth”

And it’s only the H.S. that can convince someone of this..

However.. as the H.S. brings belief to the mystery..

All too often..

It is the Christian.. through whom that mystery is defined..

So last week..

this was our charge!

How can we.. by example.. be better windows.

For, we are not desiring.. that people would see us..

.. but rather.. it’s our desire..

That they would see through us..

A bad example of the faith.. translates over to an opaque presentation..

They look at us.. and they see… us.

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And conclude.. “oh.. that’s Christianity”

A good example.. translates over to a presentation that is more: translucent.. or clear..

They look at us.. and they see..

Hopefully..

Jesus.. His character.. His message.. His grace.. His compassion.. His wisdom.. Him, and Him alone!

As Paul takes this same message into chapter 12..

there is a different theme.. a different angle..

For he continues to present.. his qualifications..

And in that.. he also presents: how these qualifications.. are to be handled..

Again.. by example.. he teaches the humility that accompanies great spiritual revelation..

.. And the example.. of how a believer.. handles.. and manifests his/her faith..

.. through affliction..

Boasting.. is not profitable! - but for you.. it’s necessary.

Paul is either contradicting himself.. or..

.. he’s putting the Corinthians down.

–personally: I’m choosing the 2nd option. ++

These are a people who have been swayed by boasters..

So Paul tells them, they shouldn’t have to be convinced into believing truth by a boaster…

Itt’s dumb. It’s a waste of time.. it bears no real value.. there’s not real profit in it..

But.. for you people..

It’s necessary. I’ll boast, because apparently, that’s what you need to hear. ++

I don’t know about you..

But that kind of sounds like a put down..

And maybe it should be received as one..

Maybe they need these little jabs to invoke w/in them.. the necessary mentalities of regret.. and humility..

..so that they will see.. just how ridiculous they’ve been.

We deduce.. by Paul’s content..

that these other teachers.. who have been teaching an altered gospel..

Have not only been speaking of their intellectual qualifications..

..or their birthright..

..or their connections to Jesus and the Apostles..

.. or their skills.. ++

But.. apparently.. they are also talking about their direct line to God..

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You know… the one where the evangelist.. knows of someone in the congregation..

Someone here today.. the Lord is telling you.. that it’s time to sow your seed of faith.. and you are one of 12 people.. who.. on this very day.. will be writing checks for $5000.00… The Lord has told me… that if all 12 of you do this: then, in return, He will bless your life with riches beyond imagination.. But if 11 or less do it.. then there will be hardship in exchange for your disobedience…

The Lord is telling me right now.. that someone here today.. in this section over here.. – well.. you are about to experience a healing.. - and it’s wavering.. on your faith.. - and even now.. if you are believing it hard enough.. .. you will .. right now.. begin to feel the tingle of God’s healing power.. in that area of infirmity!!!!

Now.. don’t get me wrong..

I believe in the voice of the God..

.. and the gifts that He can deliver through us for the edification of the church…

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The knowledge.. the discernment..

I believe in visions.. I believe that we are sometimes given things to share…

I believe.. that the sincere reality is not disqualified by the sensational exploits…

But…

I believe.. that the sincere reality.. is NOT.. disqualified.. by the sensational exploits..

Unfortunately.. we sometimes become conditioned by the sensational exploits of charlatains..

And in turn, discredit something that is real, because someone fakes it for personal gain. ++

For the sensationalism that we sometimes witness.. in church / on tv..

It’s like: “wow!” That’s cool!

The domineering angered voice of prayer that cries out w/positive confession for the demons to be bound in faith…

Wow.. that’s so much cooler than the prayer..

.. the one that’s not.. faith in personal words.. but rather..

`it’s faith.. in what God’s able to do.. .. yet.. leaving room for His will to be done..

You know.. that prayer.. that is quiet.. and gentle.. and ongoing.

… and we who are conditioned by sensational.. well, we just aren’t impressed by these kinds of prayers!!!

Paul’s predicament.. was a little different.

The false teachers were apparently claiming great spiritual revelation..

And by doing so.. were elevating themselves..

Their contact w/God.. their personal line w/God.. is why.. they are so honorable.. and: good looking!!!! ++

But Paul communicates it a little differently..

He’s letting us know..

That yes.. he has great revelation from/God..

But.. it’s a revelation.. that would cause him to be self-exalted in his flesh..

..if.. it weren’t for his suffering… ++

That’s an incredible thought.. – skip ahead to vs. 7.. and notice.. that’s how it ends..

An abundance of revelation.. would have caused Paul to be conceited..

However.. the thorn in the flesh.. the messenger of Satan.. was there.. to harass Paul..

To keep him.. humble… in the face of what would otherwise be..

Tremendous arrogance… ++

I find it easy to assume.. simple to speculate..

That those who were claiming spiritual revelation..

Were also.. exhibiting characteristics of “self exaltation”..

Now.. in vss 2-7… we get an account which.. to this day.. and probably into the ones to come..

has utterly baffled me.

In the following verses… Paul gives testimony of a man who had a tremendous vision. The context would indicate that Paul is most likely talking about himself.

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To Paul..

It might be another person… but that wouldn’t fit in the context of Paul’s arguement.

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For it falls in line w/the surrounding context..

It was a common teaching method of Jewish Rabbis to speak of themselves in 3rd person. - And the emphasis of vss 1,5, and 7 weigh in as a support for this being Paul’s own experience.

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In this vision, if in deed this is Paul… we found out… that he saw heaven… or, the third heaven.

That Paul is actually talking about himself..

In 4 it says:

For in vs. 5 he said:

SLIDE 6

I’ll boast of a person like that..

Psalm 148:4 ESV

4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Psalm 148:8 ESV

8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!

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According to this Psalm… there are different degrees.. or levels of heaven.

heavens is a term that speaks of, in general terms… the sky… or of the realm beyond the sky… the stars…

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Heaven is also defined as the place where God dwells.

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Whatever the case was… Paul went there and it was an incredible thing to see… It wasn’t the general outer space type of heaven… - it was a place that Paul called ‘Paradise’...

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It was a place where great things were spoken and revealed… a place where Paul received information, that he wished he could boast about.

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But.. I’m not going to boast of myself..

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Except.. in my infirmities..

But.. let’s consider the common interpretation for a moment..

For the surrounding context falls in line w/the possibility of this being Paul..

For there are people on this planet right now..

Who claim to have seen heaven..

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Maybe they have… maybe they haven’t. I don’t know. But maybe the fruits of their experience will show us something.

One.. a guy named Roberts Lairdon, as a teenager was taken into heaven..

Came back.. wrote a book.. promoted himself.. and went on the preaching circuit..

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Another, a guy named Jesse Duplantes. was taken up into heaven to encourage Jesus.. because Jesus was depressed..

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Like many others… they use these testimonies.. as validation for their own exalted spirituality..

…and.. they’re continually promoting themselves by these testimonies..

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But look what Paul says…

it’s a little different..

He is basically saying..

“I’m not exalted.. because I saw heaven.. “

But rather… because I saw heaven.. I am now.. afflicted..

If this is Paul… which is most likely is.. .. he’s been quiet about this experience for what many estimate as being 14 years.. and even now.. he’s not directly implicating himself…

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He didn’t write a book on this experience..

He didn’t promote himself on it..

He didn’t boast on it..

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What did Paul boast on?

He said.. “Hey y’all.. look at me.. I’ve got infirmities.” ++

I like the fact that Paul doesn’t name his thorn..

Paul is so understanding of our nature..

He didn’t name the false teachers or the heretics here..

Not to the church.. ++

At times.. he would name a few to the church leaders..

But not to the mixed congregation..

Why?

Because we humans like to emphasize the symbol.. the image.. or the person..

We emphasize person over problem. Messenger over message…

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When the person becomes emphasized.. we go into witch-hunt mode..

We worry more about killing the witch..

Than we worry about the witchcraft.. ++

If we knew exactly what the thorn in Paul’s flesh was..

we might… over emphasize. We might think more about the thorn… than the true reason for it being there..

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The point here.. is not whether Paul had goopy eyes.. or a bad back.. or epilepsy..

Some say.. the thorn was… the continual persecution he endured..

I don’t care what the thorn was..

That’s not the point.. and God is trying to keep us from the distractions we are so naturally drawn to..

The point is this..

Paul suffered - he called it a messenger from satan.

God allowed it… and this harassment that he experienced… humbled him and prevented him from becoming prideful.

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No one would look at Paul and say… “What an impressive fellow.” - Why? Because this harassment prevented that.

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No one would look at Paul and say… “What an impressive speaker.” Why? Because this harassment prevented him from being an impressive speaker.

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No one would look

The success of Paul’s ministry..

Was not to be an issue of personal strength.. impressive skill.. or inspiring personality..

It was.. – to be.. – solely.. the LORD.. ++

For this reason..

Shallow hearts were easily swayed away from Paul’s leadership..

Shallow hearts.. immature believers..

.. they were easily drawn away.. to a more impressive presentation..

…drawn away..

not by the leading of the Lord..

But.. by the programs.. the location.. the humor.. the crowd.. the economic status of the crowd.. the size of the crowd..

… the qualifications and presentations.. that are.. outward..

Physical.. rather than: spiritual. ++

SLIDE 7

Why am I aligning myself with this or that particular doctrine?

Why do I put myself under the teaching.. of this, or that teacher..

Why do I subscribe to this philosophy.. or this practice.. or this principle of practically expressing my faith in every day life..

I believe.. to truly be confident and confirmed in these things..

We need to question them.. regularly..

I do..

I question Calvary Chapel… and I hold up the factors that I see as being negative..

And I consider them.. and I weigh them..

I question my doctrine..

2 Corinthians 12:8–10 ESV

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 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.

I have a fundamental difference to reformed theology..

But.. I thought.. maybe I’ve been given a slanted view..

’ve recently been spending a lot of time.. studying the Presbyterian doctrines..

Calvinism..

I even read.. Institutes Of The Christian Religion.. by John Calvin..

And it was brilliant..

I even talked to friends.. who hold to these views..

I even asked them.. to convince me..

But now matter what.. when I applied the basic laws of Biblical Interpretation to these views..

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I still.. stand here today..

w/a fundamental difference..

Not because Calvary Chapel aligns itself to a particular doctrine..

In fact.. when my own organization takes a stand on something.. it provokes my rebellious nature to look into that thing.. more deeply..

To a degree..

I believe Paul is challenging the church in Corinth..

Question your decision..

.. re-affirm.. your doctrine.. your leadership.. your principles..

Many of you know my testimony w/arthritis.

I’ve had.. broken legs.. several of them.

And as a result.. I had painful arthritis in my ankles..

It became most noticeable when I was about 19… and it progressed.. until I was about 27.. ++

The first time I went for prayer on this issue..

I tried the.. name it in faith method..

I went forward in church.. I had the hand put on my head.. the yelling.. and all that..

I walked out of church..

I’m healed.. I’m healed.. I’m healed.. ++

This pain.. this discomfort.. it’s a lie of the devil..

Then.. it only took me a few days… to realize..

That if the arthritis was still there.. even though I was saying it wasn’t..

It was.. still there! ++

The next time.. I just asked some people to pray for me..

And I didn’t have any spectacular expectations..

I was trusting the Lord.. that he was able.. ++

Nothing happened. No big deal.

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Years later.. Julie began to bug me about it..

“why don’t you just ask the elders of the church to anoint…. Etc”

I thought.. “whatever” ++

Until I went to church that night..

Troy taught on that passage. -

SLIDE 8

James 5:14 ESV

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

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And I thought of Paul..

He asked three times..

And then.. the Lord told him..

“My grace is sufficient”

I was already at the “grace is sufficient” place..

I was fine w/it.. ++

But I felt encouraged by the obvious direction from God.. to ask for prayer..

Again.. no big expectations.. no shouting.. no claiming.. no positive thinking faith..

Just the elders.. anointing me.. and asking God to heal me.

And.. it worked.. ++

I was actually surprised. I wasn’t claiming it in faith… I wasn’t expecting it… - But, God did it anyways..

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But if it didn’t work.. I was already fine w/it..

And it was this passage that gave me peace.

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Jesus was really fond of Paul.. and definitely.. Paul was used by God in a mighty way..

and ask..

“Why did God heal that person.. and not me?”

Well… Jesus didn’t

Really?

No he didn’t..

In acts.. Peter and John lifted a crippled guy to his feet..

A guy.. that Jesus definitely walked by.. several times…

Jesus was really fond of Paul.. and definitely.. Paul was used in a mighty way..

But he wasn’t healed.

No.. he was, instead, taught a lesson.. ++

“you’re going to keep your infirmity.. for in it.. you are going to learn.. how good my grace is…”

There’s a principle coming to the surface here…

And it lines up with the theme of the previous chapter.. ++

Paul is continuing to use himself as an example to the folks in Corinth..

And this is the next level.. of his witness..

Yes.. he’s weak.. yes.. there are things about him.. that are not real impressive or desirable..

And.. that’s not his disadvantage… that’s his advantage.. ++

For there is a principle of true spiritual strength coming to light..

The strength.. that we desire.. as Xtians..

Is found.. in, and through.. our weakness..

What’s that? By being weak.. we are automatically strong in the Lord?

No.. we’re all weak.. but we’re not all strong in the Lord..

It’s in the confession.. the realization.. the acceptance..

that I might not be the best example of humanity..

I might not dress cool.. look cool.. talk right.. be smart.. be healthy.. be strong.. be rich.. be desirable..

I might not.. have what it takes to be successful in the world..

But.. no matter what.. I have what it takes.. to be successful to the glory of God.. ++

And it mirrors last weeks message..

When I am weak.. he is strong..

When I get my confidence.. my personal strength.. my personality.. my skills.. my rules.. my stuff.. in total submission to His will..

Then.. that window that I’m trying to be.. to the world.. that shows them Jesus..

Becomes.. a little more clear.. ++

I fall back on the principle of:

SLIDE 9

(NKJV)

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

28 Come to cMe, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you dand learn from Me, for I am 6gentle and elowly in heart, fand you will find rest for your souls. 30 gFor My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

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[1]

It doesn’t matter how good or strong I am..

When I’m yoked up to Jesus..

He is everything..

I can’t pull anything.. when I’m yoked up w/Him..

He does the pulling… He sets the direction…

This leaves me with two choices:

ONE: I can fight against the yoke… I can fight against His direction… and be miserable in the process...

OR:

TWO: I can go the direction He’s going… and carry the load that He’s carrying… and be at peace, as He becomes my strength… my victory… my success.

But when I surrender..

My confidence.. my strength.. my stuff..

Then.. my life experiences.. what He’s doing.. where He’s going.. and who He is..

Wow!

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Today… you… have the same two options.

c []

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You can keep trying to do things in your own strength. You can keep on trying to fix yourself. You can keep on trying to save yourself. You can keep on trying to be good in your own strength…

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d []; ; [; ; ]

Or:

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6 meek

You can wake up and realize… that your strength… your resolve… your will… your ambition… -isn’t going to get you anywhere with the Lord.

e ; [, ]

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If you want to experience His healing… His strength… His victory… then you do it, by simply trusting in Him… and surrendering to Him.

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f

We are weak… and like Paul said in vs. 5… this is our reason to boast. Why? Because, in our weakness, we give God room to… to be our strength.

g []

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So, I encourage you today… to let God be your strength. He can do it better than you anyways.

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[1] The New King James Version. 1996, c1982. Thomas Nelson: Nashville

Pray.