Highs and Lows of Life
Notes
Transcript
2 Cor 12:1-10
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Intro:
Intro:
AG: Devil’s Best Tool
The devil, according to legend, once advertised his tools for sale at public auction. When the prospective buyers assembled, there was one oddly-shaped tool which was labeled “Not for sale.” Asked to explain why this was, the devil answered, “I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful implement that I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts otherwise inaccessible. When I get this tool into a man’s heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (p. 337). Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
TS: Paul continues to document his ministry for Christ. I ch 12, he discusses the highs of receiving visions from God and the Lows of a thorn in his flesh which God wouldn’t remove. Paul endured both with meekness. He had a humble and gentle attitude and was patient in enduring unfair treatment.
RS: We would do well to follow Paul’s example. Whether we are on top of the mountain or in the valley of trials, we need to patiently endure and continue relying on God’s all sufficient Grace.
1. The Vision of the Apostle
1. The Vision of the Apostle
a. Where he went (2 Cor 12:1-3)
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.
And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
Paul turned to discussing visions and revelations
God had revealed Himself to Paul and inspired Paul’s writings.
inspired- God breathed
God overrode Paul’s will and put on the parchment EXACTLY what He wanted said in Scripture.
A definite high point in ministry.
The Corinthians had been taken in by false prophets claims of revelation and visions
Paul dealt with this head on
He was suddenly transported to paradise.
b. What he heard (12:4-6)
He heard things so astounding that he cannot describe them in earthly language.
6 of Paul’s visions are recorded in Acts and some of his other letters discussed them as well
For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
3rd heaven/Paradise are the same
they are both used in Rev to describe where the Tree of Life is located. We call it heaven usually.
1st heaven is our atmosphere
2nd heaven is interplanetary and interstellar space
3rd heaven is the abode of God .
and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
Paul’s reluctance to boast led him to leave out his name and refer to “a man in Christ”
almost all believe Paul is talking about himself.
Paul was more interested in the Corinthians judging him on his ministry not visions.
AP: We have a vision as well.
God’s Word!
We need no special vision and thus shouldn’t elevate one who claims such in our esteem.
At the same time, we should all value the revelation we have!
His word is our all sufficient guide
to knowing God
to knowing His expectations of us
to knowing right from wrong.
Like Paul, we should desire to live in a way that our lifestyle displays the gospel
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.
2. The Vexation of the apostle (2 cor 12:7)
2. The Vexation of the apostle (2 cor 12:7)
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
a. What he received (12:7a)
Satan was allowed to inflict Paul with a thorn in the flesh to torment him.
a “messenger of Satan to harass me”
a demonized person is probably what is referenced here
He might well have been a demon indwelling the ring leader of the Corinthians opposition.
Trough them he was tearing up the church Paul loved.
That would have been a stake in Paul’s heart.
Torment/harass- the Greek word used here always refers to ill treatment from adversaries (the false prophets) in others contexts.
b. Why he received it (12:7b)
Regardless of the exact nature and identity of the thorn, the reason for it is eye-opening. Look again at the last phrase in v7
God permitted the Devil to do this to keep Paul from pride.
2 points to make here:
God allowed it
God sets the limits of what Satan and his messengers can and cannot do.
Go back and look at Job this week
Satan had to get God’s permission!
God is sovereign over Satan still to this day!
There is comfort in this!
Other passages seem to indicate that God has or exerts a restraining influence and will continue to do so until the Great Tribulation when that restrainer will be taken out of the way.
God had a purpose for it
God was interested in Paul’s character not his comfort!
Paul had much that could be used to become arrogant and conceited.
God prevented that by intentionally saying NO to Paul’s request for deliverance
AG: We can take heart in what is revealed to us:
God is in control
God is growing us
3. The Victory of the Apostle (2 Cor 12:8-10)
3. The Victory of the Apostle (2 Cor 12:8-10)
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
a. Paul’s request
Three times he asked to be relieved.
This is a natural response and there is no sin
Even Jesus asked to be delivered in Gethsemane
He persisted in prayer for relief.
b. God’s refusal
Each time God responded all he needed was God’s grace.
God said no repeatedly.
He reminded Paul that His grace was enough
God’s grace is constantly available for Paul and for us
While God would not remove the thorn, He WOULD continuously supply grace to endure it.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
c. Paul’s realization
When I am weak... THEN I am strong.
This is the point God was making and wants us to grasp
d. Paul’s contentment
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Our circumstances DO NOT dictate our contentment!
Quite the opposite
God’s grace helps us be humble while going through high points in our life of victory and causes us to be enduring in the valleys.
God’s grace is sufficient!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Today, you may be on the top of a mountain in your life or in the valley. You may even be somewhere in between. Circumstances will change, that is inevitable. Only God knows whether they will get better or worse.
What we can rest in today is the knowledge that God’s grace is sufficient to the needs of the day.
