"Thorns, The Gift Of A Handicap"

2 Cor.12:7-10,

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 The Message

Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

2 Cor.12:1-6,

2 Corinthians 12:1–6 The Message

You’ve forced me to talk this way, and I do it against my better judgment. But now that we’re at it, I may as well bring up the matter of visions and revelations that God gave me. For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don’t know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise—again, whether in or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard. This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I’m not saying another word apart from the humiliations. If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I’d still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I’ll spare you. I don’t want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you’d encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.

***Super Apostles - thought they were better…eloquent speech, boastful.

…preaching a different message, that didn’t point to Christ, but self....

Titles…causing division…turning the Church into a Tyler Perry sitcom of “The Have & Have-Nots”

Mesmerizing the minds of the Corinthians…now they’re having questions about their Pastor…Why he hasn’t said or done this?

~thinking their gift(s) were more transparent & acceptable to represent the Church~

Starter kit for ministry: Thorn, Vision & Revelation,

Thorns - affliction, pain, discomfort,

Intro: Paul is using his experience to share about the power of Christ…taking the focus off of himself.

***Paul felt compelled to defend his Apostleship***…not profitable. (Some wanted to see, know his credentials)

1 thing nobody can knock, is your experience with God!

Boasting with no benefits, but it gives God the glory!

Vs. 7 - God & Paul’s relationship - can’t be explained, only experienced/encountered.

Revelation precedes Elevation

…stay humble

James 4:6,

James 4:6 KJV 1900

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Paul - caught up to the 3rd Heaven in power, but brought back down to Earth in weakness. (Useless to talk about it, because he wasn’t allowed to speak on)…boast about weaknesses instead. (Glad about it)!

***We get 2 Revelations, 1 Vision, 1 answered prayer, 1 correct prophesy more than someone else…now we’re Supercalifragilisticespialidocious”…w/no true relationship w/God.

~True spiritual maturity is the absence of pride

…Messenger of Satan to buffet (beat, strike w/a fist)

Pride: Enemy…used to keep us from getting beside ourselves.

~It’s hard to be egotistical, vain & proud w/thorns~

(You need God’s grace)

*Vs.8-9

If God won’t remove it, He’ll improve it…His grace is sufficient.

We should be vessels unto honor(manifestation)

1 Peter 5:10,

1 Peter 5:10 KJV 1900

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

*Vs. 10

God’s power is displayed in our weakness, to show His strength though us.

Are you loving the skin you’re in?

Don’t complain but comply…deal with it!

God wants to turn your thorns into testimonies & your hurt into humility.

(in other words),

“There’s Purpose In My Pain”

God’s NO will save you!

Rom. 5:20,

Romans 5:20 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

His answer will make you feel weak, but His grace will make you strong.

2 Cor. 9:8,

2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

So, whatever God gives you or wherever He places you, He must give you more grace.