Sufficient Grace. Perfect Strength.
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
When I was probably 8 or 9 years old we decided to see what would happen if we tied a rock to a young tree.
The tree ended up growing at a slant until it reached the point where the rock was tied.
After that it grew straight up again.
As we grow in our walk with Christ, things are going to enter our lives that effect that growth.
There will be times when we struggle.
What we need is help.
We need someone to come along, take off the weight that is hindering proper growth, and hold us up.
In this picture we have a tree that is being supported.
Why?
To help it grow.
As flawed and sinful human beings, we have no ability to grow straight and true on our own.
We need the support that God’s grace and strength offers.
Let me show you another picture.
For those just listening to this, the picture is of a man rolling a boulder up a hill.
Jesus comes along, supports the boulder with His cross, and then they sit and talk.
Without the support of the Cross, life is going to crush us.
Every step we take is going to feel like climbing a hill while pushing a boulder.
If we are going to have the abundant life Jesus promises, we must find our strength in Him.
We must cast our cares on Jesus and leave them in His capable hands.
The passage we will consider today might be familiar to some of you.
This is Paul’s personal testimony about how he endures trials.
To endure any hardship, remember two principles.
Why? What will happen when we remember these two principles?
Strength and grace will be given in our hour of need.
Principle #1…
1. God Has A Purpose For My Pain vv. 7-8
1. God Has A Purpose For My Pain vv. 7-8
There is a physiological truth that we would do well to remember.
All pain has purpose.
Why do I say that?
When you stub your toe, nerve impulses travel from your toe to your brain carrying a simple message.
OW!
The purpose of that pain is two- fold.
1 - To make us aware of an injury.
2 - To help us avoid repeating the injury.
Pain alerts us to the reality that something is wrong.
It also motivates us to avoid that pain in the future.
However, all of us are familiar with growing pains.
Growing pains are not negative.
They actually serve as a sign that our bodies are behaving as God designed.
This helps us to understand that there are different types of pain.
There is the pain of injury.
There is the pain of growth.
Regardless of what kind it is, there are two important truths about pain.
Truth #1…
a. Purpose doesn’t make it hurt less v. 7
a. Purpose doesn’t make it hurt less v. 7
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.
Let me be clear about what we are not doing today.
We are not concerned with what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was.
Why not?
The omission in the text of any description of Paul’s thorn makes it apparent that it doesn’t ultimately matter.
What was this messenger of Satan?
We don’t know with 100% certainty and at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is what this thorn accomplished.
Paul is very clear about God’s purpose for this thorn.
He had been given incredible revelations detailed earlier in the book.
The temptation was to be prideful of what God had revealed.
Therefore, God allowed something into Paul’s life to keep him humble.
That is the very clear purpose for this thorn in the flesh.
However, knowing that it had a purpose, didn’t make it comfortable.
Just look at the description here.
A thorn in the flesh.
Anyone ever gotten stabbed by thorn?
I have.
You know what I learned?
It hurts!
It doesn’t matter if the thorn is long or short, small or large, it hurts!
Every year our family goes blackberry picking.
We wear pants, long sleeve shirts, and sometimes even gloves.
Why? Because the blackberry thorns hurt!
What Paul is describing for us is something that caused him pain.
This verse makes it very clear that whatever this thorn was it brought major discomfort on a continual basis.
Paul calls his “thorn in the flesh” a messenger of Satan.
He describes it as being sent to buffet him.
The word translated “messenger” is the same word for angel.
This would suggest a spiritual component to the thorn.
However, “buffet” is a word meaning to beat or strike with the fist.
This would suggest a physical component.
The only comparison I can think of is when God allows Satan to afflict Job. Satan, a spiritual entity, is allowed to physically impact Job.
This comparison is important because God allowed both of these situations for a purpose.
Job was taught of the glory of God, of His majesty, power, and sovereignty over all things.
Here Paul learns those same lessons.
Paul also learns of God’s sustaining power.
Paul says this thorn, this messenger of Satan, was given to him.
The word used here is the same one we find in Matthew 7:7.
Matthew 7:7
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
The pain we face is a gift from God.
That doesn’t make it feel good.
But it does give us strength to endure.
God has a purpose for your pain.
Yes, it will still hurt.
Yes, it may hurt worse than anything you have ever faced.
This is the hope we cling to. God has a purpose for my pain!
On the other side of this darkness, there is light.
On the other side of this trial, there is blessing.
Through this valley is a mountain top that will give us a clear perspective.
The pain we endure is growing pain.
This thorn in the flesh given to Paul was evidence of God’s love and care.
It was a preservation.
God prevented Paul from being exalted with pride!
God has a purpose for our pain.
He is going to grow and mature us and make us tools for His purpose.
But that process is going to hurt.
That is our first truth here.
Purpose doesn’t make it hurt less.
Truth #2…
b. Purpose doesn’t mean it can’t be removed v. 8
b. Purpose doesn’t mean it can’t be removed v. 8
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
There is a mindset we must avoid.
The mindset is that if God has allowed something, our only option is to endure it.
God allowing something into our lives does not mean we cannot request its removal.
That’s exactly what Paul does here.
More than that, Paul requests the removal of his thorn repeatedly.
Three times Paul pleaded with the Lord for relief.
He pleaded. He entreated, earnestly implored God to remove his thorn.
It was not sinful to request relief.
How do we know?
The first way is how God responds to Paul. We will get to that.
Added to the immediate context is what the rest of Scripture reveals.
Look with me at James 5:16.
James 5:16
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The context here is prayer for healing.
An effective, fervent prayer is repeated and consistently offered.
Jesus told a parable that expressed this same idea.
Go to Luke 18:1-8.
Luke 18:1-8
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’
4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ”
6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.
7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
In both passages we just read, people were seeking relief from a situation God allowed.
In James it is sickness.
In this parable it is injustice.
In both situations they were not condemned for seeking relief!
When facing trial, difficulty, and pain; it is okay to pray for our circumstances to change.
However, this is where we must remember that there are three answers to prayer.
Yes, No, Wait.
A spirit-filled Christian will trust God no matter which answer is received.
God has a purpose for our pain.
That doesn’t mean pain must be silently endured.
It is okay to ask God to change our circumstances.
Whether the change comes or not, we trust Him.
With our faith in Christ alone, we seek relief.
We understand that Whatever He allows He gives grace to endure.
We further understand that Whatever He allows is ultimately for His glory and our good.
Therefore, we walk by faith, we endure with hope, and we pray about everything.
God has a purpose for my pain.
That is the first principle that will enable us to endure,
Purpose doesn’t mean it won’t hurt.
Purpose doesn’t mean it can’t be removed.
Principle #2…
2. God Will Provide For My Perseverance vv. 9-10
2. God Will Provide For My Perseverance vv. 9-10
Provision does not mean automatic strength.
Provision must be taken advantage of.
What do I mean?
If you were attending an event that said “lunch provided” you would still need to actually fill a plate and eat it.
God’s provision that enables us to persevere must be taken advantage of to be effective.
There is something we must do in order to get what God provides.
This is a principle we see all through Scripture.
Take, for example, Philippians 4:6-7.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
There is a principle here.
The peace of God that passes understanding is only granted to those who give everything to God in prayer.
In the same way, The ability to persevere comes only as we accept God’s provision.
What does God provide?
What are we given that enables us to persevere?
In the midst of trial, God is…
a. Providing grace and strength v. 9a
a. Providing grace and strength v. 9a
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.
Paul has prayed three times for his thorn to be removed.
This is God’s response.
His grace is sufficient.
I love this idea.
What does to mean for God’s grace to be sufficient?
He gives all the grace we need at exactly the right time and in exactly the right proportion.
How many pennies make 1 dollar?
100
That’s the exact right amount.
God gives us the exact right amount of grace when we need it!
His grace will meet our every need!
We will never be like Oliver standing before the throne saying please sir can I have some more!
He gives us all the grace we need for the situation we face!
Look again at what the Lord tells Paul here.
My grace is sufficient for you.
Grace is not an impersonal force.
God’s grace is personally and individually applied to each of us.
This statement is not about the sufficiency of God’s grace in general. It is about the sufficiency of God’s grace for Paul personally in this particular struggle.
When we pray for a specific need, we find God’s grace sufficient for that need.
This is why continual prayer is need for all our cares and concerns.
You don’t pray about situation A and get grace for A-C. God gives grace for each situation as we encounter it and as we pray for it.
SITUATION A
GRACE
Situation A-C
As we bring our needs before Him, He meets them all with His grace.
The Lord goes on to tell Paul that His strength is made perfect in weakness.
We are weak.
This was demonstrated at the very beginning in the garden of Eden.
Adam and Eve fell for the lies of Satan and sinned, bringing death on us all.
Apart from the grace and strength of Christ, we all fall.
We are weak.
When trials strike, when temptation rears its ugly head, when we are overwhelmed by the circumstances of life, we need help.
The promise here is that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.
This means that our weakness is a perfect match for God’s strength.
Trials and temptation and suffering are all thorns in the side designed to help us see our desperate need of Christ.
If circumstances and situations in our lives have revealed our weakness, count it a blessing, because our God has strength to spare.
His strength is made perfect in weakness.
The strength is His, the weakness is ours.
The Lord didn’t tell Paul “you got this.”
The Lord reminded Paul how much he needs God’s strength.
We are weak so that the power of Christ is fully displayed.
It is in our weakness that the power of Christ is seen.
If you are weak today, cling to the strength of Christ.
Is there a thorn in your flesh?
Are you facing a trial?
Children difficulties, school is hard, the loneliness of this pandemic is getting to you, relationship difficulties, work problems, no work, family issues.
Take the problem to Jesus.
Lay it at His feet.
Leave it there.
His strength is made perfect in weakness.
We are able to endure because God has provided for our perseverance.
All the grace and strength we need is ours when we come to Him.
That is what we have been given so that we might persevere.
But there is more.
In the midst of trial, God is…
b. Providing the power of Christ v. 9b
b. Providing the power of Christ v. 9b
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.
This is a very difficult attitude to have.
Paul expresses gladness at his situation.
We must be careful to note here that it is not gladness at his pain, but gladness that the power of Christ is present in his life.
The word “rather” is interesting here.
After being told that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is perfect, Paul will no longer ask for the removal of his thorn.
Instead, he will boast in his infirmities.
This word “infirmities” encompasses physical sickness as well as inability or lack of qualification.
Paul is referencing not only his thorn in the flesh, but anytime he finds himself without the ability to accomplish a task.
In those moments, he is going to boast.
Paul is going to verbally put his weakness on display.
Why?
In the moments of our inability, the only solution is the power of Christ!
When we have no idea what to do, that is an exciting moment because it means we are about to see Christ do something!
Our weakness is an opportunity to see God’s strength!
The words “may rest upon me” are a word picture of the power of Christ taking up residence in our lives.
It is the idea of His power dwelling on us.
In our weakness, in our infirmity, every time we lack ability, there is an opportunity for the power of Christ to be displayed.
Power = ability, control, and influence of God.
In our inability, He is able.
When all we see is chaos, He is in control.
When things are beyond us, He moves and influences all things to carry out His will.
There is power available to us.
It is the power of Christ.
It is limitless power. It is power that made the world, the universe and all things!
To access this power we must recognize our weakness and inability.
We lack power because we are unwilling to admit our need of it.
We don’t have because we don’t ask.
We live in a society that continually preaches personal autonomy.
We are told at every turn that we can do anything.
At the same time we are told that failure is not our fault, it is the fault of society.
These two messages are very dangerous.
You cannot do anything, you are going to be limited by your abilities and your weaknesses.
That’s okay, that’s normal.
There will also be times when my failures are entirely my own fault.
As Christians we must learn to see our need.
We need the power of Christ because we cannot do life on our own!
I am not self-sufficient. I am God-dependent.
We must learn to boast in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us.
The thing is, we all know we are weak.
We have felt our inability, experienced pain and suffering.
Yet we resist turning to the only true source of strength!
When we embrace the reality of our weakness, that is when we find strength.
We don’t always know how much we need the Lord and His strength until we get in over our heads.
Where I am weak, Christ is able.
Therefore, weakness is not something to be denied and avoided, it is to be embraced and declared.
Why?
So that it is evident to all that the power of Christ is what gets us through!
We boast in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon us.
God provides for our perseverance with grace and strength.
He provides for our perseverance with the power of Christ.
Paul gives us one more provision here.
In the midst of trial, God is…
c. Providing a new perspective v. 10
c. Providing a new perspective v. 10
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.
This is one of those verses that you read, and it almost seems unreal.
How can anyone have this attitude?
It seems utterly ridiculous and completely unattainable.
Look at what Paul says again.
He takes pleasure in these things!
Pleasure – εὐδοκέω (eudokeō) be well pleased; take delight. to delight (take) v. — to take a high degree of pleasure or mental satisfaction in. Finite verb, present, active, indicative, first person, singular.
Pleasure – εὐδοκέω (eudokeō)
Paul takes satisfaction in suffering.
Not because he enjoys pain.
He takes delight in suffering because that is when we experience and display the power of God!
However, this attitude is only possible with a crystal clear view of Christ.
Infirmities are what Paul has already mentioned. Weakness, sickness, or an inability to accomplish a goal or task.
Reproaches are when we are intentionally disrespected or insulted through words or actions.
Needs are times when we face distress or pressure because we lack basic necessities.
Persecutions are times when we are targeted and abused because of our faith in Christ.
Distresses are times of trouble, difficulty, and oppression.
It is in these circumstances that Paul takes pleasure.
When have we been weak, sick, or unable to accomplish a goal or task?
For me it was yesterday. I had a really bad headache all morning and it made it hard to focus. That’s a little thing compared to what some of you endured just this last week!
Compared to what Paul faced, a headache is nothing!
Before he ever wrote the words in this verse, Paul was stoned and left for dead.
He takes pleasure in that.
Again, not because he enjoys the pain.
Paul rejoices in the glory God receives when His children endure trials with steadfast faith!
The book of Acts describes Paul being slapped in the face at a trial. He counts that joy.
In Philippians Paul tells us that had endured times where he lacked the basic necessities of life.
Through these he learned contentment.
Have we been in need? What did we learn through it?
Over and over again Paul was persecuted for his faith.
Acts 21:13 records his attitude toward persecution.
Acts 21:13
13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Trouble, difficulty, and oppression were Paul’s constant companions.
This was foretold by the Lord at Paul’s conversion. Look at Acts 9:16.
Acts 9:16
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Paul was well pleased to endure these trials.
How is that possible?
He gives us the answer right here.
“For Christ’s sake.”
This is part of what gives Paul the perspective needed to endure.
He is suffering for the sake of Christ!
This isn’t about Paul!
Suffering isn’t about you and me.
Suffering is about Christ.
Through our right response to suffering, the power of Christ is seen.
We learn, grow, and are made stronger as we face suffering with faith and hope.
Paul ends the verse with these words “for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Weak = inability. Deficient in a skill or capacity.
Strong = the skills and qualifications to do something well.
Notice Paul doesn’t say “if I am weak?”
He says “when I am weak.”
He is speaking from experience.
We are all going to be weak. It is a matter of when not if.
When we are weak it is possible to find strength.
That strength comes through the grace of God and the power of Christ.
The availability of strength in weakness has caused Paul to look differently at his trials.
We too can view trials and pain differently.
God has a purpose for all things.
Part of that purpose is our growth and maturity.
We cannot grow without resistance.
During this past year we have all heard and maybe even said that the end times are upon us.
I won’t pretend to be able to say definitively if they are or are not.
What I can say is that our responsibility as believers is the same no matter what.
We have a responsibility to reach people with the gospel.
We have a responsibility to be salt and light.
The political reality of our nation doesn’t change our responsibility.
Freedom or restriction doesn’t change our responsibility.
Grace, strength, and power are ours in Christ.
Trials are opportunities to exalt Christ and advance the gospel.
That’s how Paul saw them.
We have to change our perspective.
We cannot endure trials if we dread them.
We must view them from a divine perspective.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As we bring the message to a close this morning, let me read the passage again.
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.
God allows pain into our lives for a purpose.
That being said, it is okay to pray for our circumstances to change.
When God answers, whether yes, no or wait, respond with faith.
If God has allowed a trial, He will give the grace and strength necessary to endure.
Power comes when we are at our weakest.
To experience the grace, strength, and power of Christ we ask for it.
As we grow, we see trials for a different perspective.
The ability to rejoice in suffering comes when we understand that in our weakness Christ gives strength.
Our desire must be for the exaltation of Jesus Christ.
Today I want all of us to read something as our commitment.
COMMITMENT:
When pain comes I will trust God. I will ask for His grace and strength. I will learn to rejoice in trials. I will seek to exalt Christ always.
If you haven’t already, you are going to have pain in your personal life, in your relationships, in your parenting, in your marriage.
There will be trials.
There will be a need for the grace and strength of God.
In every situation and in every circumstance, our responsibility is to exalt Jesus Christ.
As we exalt Christ we will be able to endure.
Endure trials through the grace, strength, and power of Christ.