2 Corinth. 12:7-10

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. 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.

I.       We have the tendency to look at what we have done. (Verse 7a)

A.    God give Paul a reminder that it is not him but Christ who does the work.

B.    God will keep letting things come into our lives to remind us that God can take care of things and not us.

1.     The weaker we are the more God will show Himself with our problems we face each day.

II.     God brings things into our lives to keep us looking to Him. (Verse 7b)

A.    God let Satan bring this thorn in the flesh into Paul’s life.

1.     God did it with Job.

B.    Life is going to be full of problems. That is not going away.

1.     How we deal with it is what is important.

2.     My wife & I saw a sign which says “ do you do knee-mail?”

III.    God wants us to look to Him for all strength to do all things. (Verse 9 – 10)

A.    Paul said “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.

B.    Every time we have a problem, we can be happy that God will work us through it.

1.     We pray and take it to God.

a)     Philippians 4:13,13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

b)     Isaiah 41:10,10 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.

c)     Ephesians 3:16,16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

d)     Remembering always, God’s grace is sufficient for thee.

2.     We remember that when we are weak, God is the one who will take care of things in His time.

a)     God must get the glory in all things.

b)     He is the one who brings us through each thing and not our selves.

c)     God has always used the weak in the Bible to show Himself.

(1)   Gideon was one example  . (Judges 7)

IV.    The results of knowing you can’t do the right job by your self can be pleasure.

A.    I take pleasure in that the problem will be taken care of through Christ, which gives me the victory.

1.     I don’t go looking for problems, but when they come, I take pleasure that God through Christ will take care of it.

B.    You have peace with your self that Christ is in control of your life.

1.     No problem is to big or to small that Christ can’t handle it.

Conclusion:  God will let things come into our lives so He can work through us to get the victory. God is the one we praise and tell others what God has done. To God be the Glory great things He has done.

Sunday Biker Services 10/23/05