2 Corinthians 12:1-­‐10 1 I must go on boas5ng. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revela5ons from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Corinthians 12:1-­‐10 Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man
—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard Inexpressible things, 2 Corinthians 12:1-­‐10 things that no one is permiHed to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, 2 Corinthians 12:1-­‐10 so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revela5ons. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Some have said it is: ! The persecu5ons and unfortunate accidents Some have said it is: ! The persecu5ons and unfortunate accidents ! Tempta5on to unbelief Some have said it is: ! The persecu5ons and unfortunate accidents ! Tempta5on to unbelief ! Some kind of physical medical condi5on Some have said it is: ! The persecu5ons and unfortunate accidents ! Tempta5on to unbelief ! Some kind of physical medical condi5on ! Inflamma5on of the eyes Some have said it is: ! The persecu5ons and unfortunate accidents ! Tempta5on to unbelief ! Some kind of physical medical condi5on ! Inflamma5on of the eyes ! Spiritual sickness of temper, pain, and remorse The exact nature of Paul’s thorn in the flesh is uncertain. However the uncertainty of the specifica5on does not mean we cannot have a certainty of applica5on from scripture. God’s objec5ve in allowing the thorn in the flesh was to keep Paul humble Why? Why? God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6 2 Corinthians 12:1-­‐10 8 Three 5mes I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 2 Corinthians 12:8 8 Three 5mes I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. Greek Word: pleaded—Parakaléō Meaning: two words together (close-­‐beside & make a call); refers to believers offering up evidence that stands up in God's court. -­‐HELPS Word-­‐studies This word is used all throughout the New Testament in the way that people would come and ask of Jesus, and the way Jesus would come before the Father. Paul begged God to take it away! Have you ever prayed like this before? You ask God to take away things or circumstances that you think you cannot bear? And what did God tell you? What did God tell Paul when he asked? We o`en look for a “yes” or “no” from God, but some5mes God does not say “yes” or “no”. 2 Corinthians 12:0a 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” “My Grace…” What is Grace? What is Grace? • Grace comes from God. What is Grace? • Grace comes from God. • Grace is an adtude toward you What is Grace? • Grace comes from God. • Grace is an adtude toward you • Grace is God’s adtude of kindness toward you What is Grace? • Grace comes from God. • Grace is an adtude toward you • Grace is God’s adtude of kindness toward you • Grace is God giving Himself away to people He is inclined to bless Grace is “the kindness of a master toward his inferiors or servants, and so especially of God toward men.” – Strong’s Concordance “My grace is… sufficient for you” “My grace is… sufficient for you” Greek word: Sufficient—Arkeó Meaning: content; sa5sfied Sufficient means “to enable you to bear the evil manfully; there is, therefore, no reason why you should ask for its removal.” – Strong’s concordance In other words: "My grace is all you need.” – NLT Unstoppable Prayers require God’s Grace to be Your Contentment “ For My power…” Greek word: power—dynamis “ Meaning: “is needed in every scene of life to really grow in sanc5fica5on and prepare for glory; power to achieve by applying the Lord's inherent abili;es.” -­‐ HELPS Word-­‐studies “for My power is made perfect…” Greek word: perfected—teléō Meaning: properly, to complete (consummate), i.e. finish (qualita5vely) the necessary process – with the results "rolling-­‐
over" to the next level (phase) of consumma5on -­‐ HELPS Word-­‐studies [This root (tel-­‐) means "reaching the end (aim)." It is well-­‐illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a 5me to func5on at full-­‐
strength (capacity effec5veness).] -­‐ HELPS Word-­‐studies “for My power is made perfect in weakness” Greek word: weakness—asthéneia Meaning: “refers to an illness that deprives someone of enjoying or accomplishing what they would like to do; expresses the weakening influences of the illness or a par5cular problem, especially as someone becomes wrongly (overly) dependent.” -­‐ HELPS Word-­‐studies “My power works best in weakness." – NLT “My power works best in weakness." – NLT "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” –ESV Unstoppable Prayers require God’s Power to be Your Strength 2 Corinthians 12:9b-­‐10 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecu5ons, in difficul5es. For when I am weak, then I am strong. “But God o`en brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, He will keep us from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered to cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger of Satan which he sent for evil; but God designed it, and overruled it for good. Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we are to con5nue praying. Troubles are sent to teach us to pray; and are con5nued, to teach us to con5nue instant in prayer. Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet He does not always give what is asked for: as He some5mes grants in wrath, so He some5mes denies in love. When God does not take away our troubles and tempta5ons, yet, if He gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace signifies the good-­‐will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all afflic5ons and distresses.” – MaHhew Henry “Prayer is the greatest of all forces, because it honors God and brings Him into ac5ve aid.” ― E.M. Bounds