When I am Weak, then am I Strong

When I am Weak, then am I Strong

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Introduction:

* The original contest of our text this morning is that of the apostle Paul defending his apostleship.

* There were leaders in the church at Corinth that had became lifted up in their own pride, and were attempting to look down their haughty nose at the apostle Paul, the very one who had labored and suffered to start the church at Corinth.

* In the chapters preceding our text, Paul defends his qualifications as a true apostle.

* These arrogant teachers had accused Paul of taking advantage of the church. They said that Paul was using the church for the money or living assistance he received from the church. They accused the apostle Paul of being a “money preacher.”

* Paul goes through a lengthy discussion of how he had never taken any salary or support from the church at Corinth, and that I actuality, the churches of Macedonia, had met his needs as he ministered to the Corinthians.

* These false teachers, Jews that claimed to have the authority of the Jewish leaders, had came to the church at Corinth and had boasted of visions and revelations that God had given to them. These false teachers were leading the Corinthians away from the teaching of Paul.

* In the process of defending himself from these accusations by rebellious, prideful, leaders in the church, Paul more less says “If you want to hear about visions and revelations, I can tell you about visions and revelations! Paul then begins a conversation of revelations and visions that he had received from the Lord. Listen to the words immediately preceding our text:

2 Corinthians 12:1–4 (KJV 1900)

I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

* After Paul discusses being carried up into heaven and seeing this visions from God, Paul then begins to tell of a “thorn in the flesh” that God had placed upon him so that people would not “exalt him above measure.”

* Now I have a notion that Paul’s problem was very poor vision. When we get to his Epistle to the Galatians, we will find that he mentions that he had to write in large letters, which would indicate that he did not see well. We will discuss that later. Whatever the thorn was, Paul asked the Lord three times to remove it, and the Lord refused.

Observations:

I. God will use even use the Devil and his angels to bring about His will in our lives. (Verse 7)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

* Of the 175 uses of the Gr. word, angelos, in the NT, most are in reference to angels. This angel was from Satan, a demon afflicting Paul.

* This messenger or “demon,” was sent to Paul by God, to keep him humble because of the great revelations that God had given to him.

* Just like with Job, Satan was the immediate cause of Paul’s suffering. The Bible plainly teaches that God does use even Satan and His angles to accomplish His will in the lives of those who love him.

* I want you to notice that Satan may have been the immediate cause of Pau’s suffering, but God was the ultimate cause. Satan cannot harm a child of God unless He had been given that authority by God.

Job 1:6–12 (KJV 1900)

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

II. It is not the will of God for every sickness to be healed. (Verse 8)

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

* Sometimes sickness is the will of God.

John 9:1–3 (KJV 1900)

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

* Notice the assumption on the part of the disciples of Jesus that sickness was the will of God…

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

* Jesus here says that it was the will of God that this man be born blind. It was not some misfortunate incident, God in His wisdom, and for His own glory, caused this man to be blind! On purpose!

* When Jesus walked this earth He miraculously healed many, but Jesus did not heal everybody.

* Jesus raised the dead, but Jesus did not raise everybody from the dead.

* Those who preach and teach that it is always the will of God that every believer be healthy, wealthy, and successful are false prophets and liars.

2 Peter 2:1–3 (KJV 1900)

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

* If you would need any further proof that sometimes it is the will of God for believers to suffer, just look at the lives of the Apostles themselves:

* The apostle Paul said of the will of God for Christ’s apostles in I cor. 4:

1 Corinthians 4:9–13 (KJV 1900)

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

Simon surnamed Peter Origen an early church writer, says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master, and was therefore, at his own request, crucified upside down"

James the son of Zebedee: He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I shortly before the day of the Passover, in the year 44 or about 11 years after the death of Christ. From Acts 12: 1-2.

John: No death date given by early writers. We do know that John was boiled in hot oil, which he survived and was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos.

Andrew: A variety of traditions say he preached in Scythia, in Greece, in Asia Minor and Thrace. He is reported to have been crucified at Patrae in Achaia.

Matthew: There is a legend that he died a martyr in Ethiopia

Thomas: He died for the Gospel also by a sword wound.

James Alpheus : James son of Alpheus was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

Jude (Thaddeus) according to tradition Jude taught in Armenia, Syria and Persia where he was killed for his faith. Tradition tells us he was buried in Kara Kalisa in what is now Iran.

* In that great “hall of faith” chapter in the book of Hebrews, we have a more accurate picture of what the lives of those who have loved God and followed Chirst looked like:

Hebrews 11:32–12:4 (KJV 1900)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

III. It is not always the will of God for every prayer to be answered. (Verse 9)

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

* Closely related to the health, wealth, and welfare false prophets of our day are the “Name it and Claim it” false prophets.

* Jesus taught His disciples that all prayer was subject to the will of an all knowing, and a sovereign God. A God that says He will do what He wants, when He wants, to whom He wants however He sees fit according to his Devine, sovereign will!

* There are those who are on the radio and television preaching that whatever you claim in the name of God, if you have faith, God has to do it! All you have to do is name it and claim it!

* This kind of teaching is arrived at by taking certain verses from the Bible out of context and making them sound like if you have enough faith you can have anything you want from God. This is not what the Bible teaches. There is a theological term for this kind of teaching and preaching. The word is boloney!

* I am so glad that everyone does not get what they ask for form God! I am so glad that God answers prayer only according to His will, and not our will!

* The Lord heard Paul the first time and the second time and the third time. It was not that the Lord did not hear his prayers; it was that the answer of the Lord was no.

* You might as well get used to the idea that the Bible teaches that just like our parents didn’t give us everything we asked for, God, our heavenly father is not obligated to give us everything we ask for.

* This is one of the reasons that we get discouraged as Christians sometimes. We somewhere along the line get the idea that God is obligated to give us everything we ask for. One of the reasons for discouragement is our false expectations.

* Jesus prayer in the Garden is the greatest example of someone praying, asking God for some kind of deliverance, and God in his wisdom choosing not to grant his request. Listen to the words of Jesus as He earnestly pleads with God to deliver Him-

Mark 14:32–36 (KJV 1900)

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. * Like as in Paul’s prayer in our text, Jesus prayed this same prayer in the Garden that night and God chose not to answer his prayer to deliver him, but gave him grace to endure. * There may be one here who had earnestly pleaded with God for something, but God has not answered your prayer. * You can take comfort in the revelation that Jesus and Paul both illustrated that God did not answer their most earnest requests. God had a better plan that delivering them from their suffering. God had in His wisdom chosen to deliver them through their suffering by his Grace. * You and I can take comfort in the fact that if the Grace of God was sufficient for the apostle Paul in his suffering, it will by for you also. If the Grace of God was sufficient for our savior in suffering, it will be sufficient for you also.

IV. Living with the Grace of God through our trials and weakness is greater than being delivered from them. (Verse 9b)

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

* Listen to the list Paul gives of some of the trials and Infirmities he had already been through:

2 Corinthians 11:24–30 (KJV 1900)

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

* God has chosen to use the weak, the base, and the small things to reveal Himself.

1 Corinthians 1:23–29 (KJV 1900)

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;

and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

V. Conclusion: When we live with a graceful attitude though our trials, the power of God is magnified. (Verse 10)

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

* All throughout the book of Job, his friends, sounding pious and spiritual tell Job that all his sickness and problems have happened to him because he had displeased God.

* These men sounded spiritual and right, but they were dead wrong. Sometimes suffering is the will of God for a believer in order to be a showcase for the power of God in our lives.

* The Apostle Paul make mention of the fact that He is “filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ” in his own flesh in Colossians 1:24:

Colossians 1:24 (KJV 1900)

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

* The Bible teaches that just like the apostle Paul, we, are also partaker’s of Christ’s sufferings. Listen to the words of Peter in I Peter 4:

1 Peter 4:12–14

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

* This is the power of our testimony- the grace of God, being illustrated in our lives to on looking world.

* When we suffer with a good attitude- with an attitude of thankfulness in spite of our suffering and trials, God is magnified! The power of God is revealed in us!

* Seeing the power of God revealed in us, men and women are drawn to Christ.

* Will you make the decision right now to glory in your trials and suffering instead of complaining and whining? Only then will you understand the peace of God “which passes understanding.”

Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV 1900)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.