The Thorn of Authority

Text

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 NKJV

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.

Body

Paul’s Thorn

There was a thorn in Paul’s flesh.

2 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV

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.

“Thorn” means “splinter,” “stake,” or “something pointed.”

There are three basic possibilities as to what this “thorn” or affliction was that was in Paul’s flesh.

If flesh is a reference to the body, then it is a physical ailment like an earache, headache, eye trouble, epilepsy, or recurrent fever.

If flesh is a reference to our fallen nature in humanity, then it may be that the thorn was temptation.

And it could also be that Paul is in stead referring to persecution or opposition.

But most interpreters and scholars speak of it as a physical ailment.

Many suggest that is was eye trouble, citing Galatians 4:15:

Galatians 4:15 NKJV

15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.

We truly don’t know for sure. Unless you know Paul, you can’t truly know.

But we do know that Paul’s thorn was a painful, humiliating experience. And it was partly given to prevent pride.

Paul’s Response to His Thorn

So how did Paul respond to this problem in his life?

If you are dealing with anything today that might be considered a thorn in the flesh - something difficult, something that you don’t understand, something that won’t pass - I want you to hear me well today...

What was Paul’s response to the thorn?

The first thing he did was ask God to take it away:

2 Corinthians 12:8 NKJV

8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

But it didn’t happen:

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

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.

God looks for people who will not put the focus on themselves, but will make His power the focus.

And if you’ve not heard a single scripture I’ve cited this morning... if every word I’ve spoken has went in one ear and out the other... I want you to hear the last words of this verse...

“Therefore… MOST GLADLY… I will rather BOAST in my infirmities… THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME.”

I’m going to try something real quick. I’m going to read that verse backwards to help you better understand what it means:

“If I desire for the power of Jesus Christ to rest upon me, then most gladly, I will boast in my infirmities!”

Hear me today: THERE IS AUTHORITY THAT COMES FROM A THORN.

Before the rose ever comes close to blossoming, there must first be a thornbush! And you have to travel up through the thorns to see the rose buds that came up from them!

And OH, what a contrast the rose gives us! The thorns are still there, but LOOK WHAT CAME FROM THEM!

My God, I am trying to help somebody today!!!

Brandon Jones

He wasn’t the boy that you would find amongst all the cool kids.

He wasn’t the first to get picked for games. They didn’t flock to him to have a fun time or create a new friendship with. And they certainly did not run to him first when looking to strike up a conversation...

… he had a terrible stutter when he talked...

It was unmistakable and there was hardly ever a sentence he put out that didn’t contain it.

As he grew up he was mocked by some. Because if anywhere, in school you certainly will have trouble if you have a hard time communicating.

It was something that hindered many parts of his life. From daily things like making a phone call to bigger things like going on a first date, it would be something that was more of a challenge for him than the regular person.

What did he do to deserve this affliction? Why did God decide to put this weight and burden on him? Why? Why? Why?

No one could possibly understand what he went through in life to deal with such a clear and exposed struggle.

But the young man was raised up in a godly home. An Apostolic Pentecostal home. And the people in their church surrounded him with support and the promise that God had a purpose and plan for him, even with his affliction.

One day he was singing alone as a young man, and his mother overheard him, shocked! She immediately insisted that he sing a special at church the next Sunday.

And when he got up to sing, he shocked more than his mother, because when he opened his mouth and began to let out his voice - THERE. WAS. NO. STUTTER.

And not only was it smooth-sounding words coming out of his mouth without stutter, it was beautiful, incredible, masterful vocal ability. He was and has been one finest Apostolic male singers that ever walked in shoe leather! He would go on to attend and graduate from Indiana Bible College with a music degree.

He would sing at large-scale ministry events, including North American Youth Congress. And he still does today.

But what made the absolute difference in this man’s voice, what pushed it above and beyond, what MINISTERED to people… was the fact that THE STUTTER OF HIS SPEECH EMPHASIZED AND POWERFULLY CONTRASTED THE ANOINTING AND WORSHIP WHEN HE SANG!!!

I HOPE YOU’RE HEARING WHAT I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY!

IN THIS MAN’S LIFE, IT WAS NOT THE GREAT SINGING ABILITY THAT BLESSED MASSES - IT WAS THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A THORN IN HIS FLESH THAT GAVE WAY TO A PARTICULAR ANOINTING!

“THEREFORE, MOST GLADLY I WILL RATHER BOAST IN MY INFIRMITIES, THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME!!!”

Your Thorn, Your Response

We all deal with thorns of some sort. Some affliction. Some thing we don’t understand. Something that has caused your stress levels to skyrocket, caused pain in your body - I’m trying to speak to you today...

IF YOU’RE LIVING FOR GOD AND YOU’VE GOT A THORN, YOU’VE GOT AUTHORITY!

There ought to be some shouting right about now!

WHAT IS A THORN AND A PAIN WITH US - IS AUTHORITY AND POWER WITH GOD!

Yes, Paul suffered from a thorn in his flesh that seemed as if it would never leave...

But don’t you for a moment forget:

Paul wrote more books of our Bible than ANYONE!

Paul was a travelling missionary - an apostle!

Paul expanded the church far and wide!

Paul went from tent-making to church-planting!

Paul would preach to dignitaries and outcasts, alike!

Thousands would be saved and the world turned upside down due to his anointed ministry!

Don’t let your thorn cause you to take a back seat! That thorn is your authority!

Conclusion

2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

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.

I am speaking in the prophetic: IT IS TIME FOR THE POWER OF CHRIST TO REST UPON YOU - EVEN WITH THAT THORN!

2 Corinthians 12:10 NKJV

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.