2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Series Theme: Real People with Real Issues Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 Title: A Sticky Situation

Introduction: I concur with Dr. Dharius Daniels, “One of the roles and primary purposes of the church is to serve as the educational arm of the kingdom. The church has an assignment not to solely inspire you, but to educate you. Its role is to educate us on how to live our lives the King’s way. The church has taught us how to pray, the church has taught us to give, the church has taught us how to serve, the church has taught us how to sow, but the church has not taught us how to suffer!”

John 16:33 says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus sets us up to understand that some things are inevitable. There are some things you can’t pray away, rebuke away, bind away, certain things you cannot alter...you will have to ENDURE. The Apostle Paul says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus

Christ.” (2 Tim. 2:3) He also says, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:5) We must understand that the “Gospel is not only a gospel of avoidance, but one of endurance. Jesus does not call us to avoid some things, but endure some things. It is not always about AVOIDANCE, but ENDURANCE.

How do I manage what I cannot avoid? I cannot manage what I can’t understand. Every season of inconvenience can be categorized into three categories: STORMS, THORNS, AND CROSSES!

And it is in this series, Real People with Real Issues, that this mini-series of sermons shall come.

In the previous series we have discussed the storms and thorns. Thank you Pastor, Dr. Dharius Daniels. As Christians, we have been called to not only avoid some things, but endure some things. And we are called and commissioned to endure OUR STORMS, OUR THORNS, & (today) OUR CROSSES!

Storm – a temporary season of inconvenience that is induced by the adversary to provoke us to act impulsively because the adversary knows my impulsive activity can cause harm to me that the storm cannot.

Thorn – is an inconvenience sent by the adversary intended to aggravate you to the degree that you abandon your assignment.

Cross – is the inconvenience that you choose to endure because you value Christ’s cause more than your convenience.

Keep in mind that Storms are about your Life & Thorns are about your Assignment.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Modern English Version (MEV)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 I asked the Lord three times that this thing might depart from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I. The Nature of the Thorn (7)

a.A Thorn is an inconvenience sent by the

adversary intended to aggravate you to the degree that you abandon your assignment.

i. The Apostle Paul’s assignment: ii.(Acts 26:15-18 - Modern English Version

(MEV) iii.15 “I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ “He

said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness both of what you have seen and of what I will yet reveal to you. 17 I will

deliver you from your people and from the Gentiles to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

iv.Now, that's a strong statement, isn't it?

The Lord says, "Paul, I have chosen you to go to the Gentiles. You are now hereby made a minister.").

b.“It has been conjectured that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was chronic ophthalmia, inducing bodily weakness, and a repulsive appearance...” At any rate, it was a physical condition!

II.The Necessity of the Thorn (7a)

a.A thorn was necessary to keep Paul humble!

b.To keep him from being puffed up, from getting the big head, from getting beside himself...

III.The Nuisance of the Thorn (7b)

a.It’s buffeting you

i. buffet = to strike repeatedly

1.not killing you – but aggravating you

repeatedly... 2.not killing me - but getting on my

nerves...

IV.Conclusion – the Necessary Benefit of the Thorn (8-10)

a.Grace is sufficient – There’s a benefit – in it

that Paul didn’t see – Satan sent it – God allowed it – cause you needed it.

Paul was not the first person who ever had to deal with thorns!