When I am weak...
Weakness and Strength • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 22 viewsPaul learns the relationship between his weakness and God's power being shown in him.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Good morning church and thank you for joining us this morning in worship. This is a crazy week for us as a church. Tomorrow we send our youth kids off to Oklahoma for camp. We will be working together to turn our church into Ancient Nazareth during the week, and getting ready for Vacation Bible School the following week. We’d ask for your support and help during these next couple weeks. In missions we call this “pray, give, and go.” Over the next two weeks, we’d ask you all join with us in prayer. For the kids, for camp, for VBS, and for God to move throughout it all. If you can give, Mrs. Deonna has a list of items we are collecting for VBS and you can sign up to bring those in for us. If you’d do us a favor and make sure they get into the church by ( Date) we would supper appreciate the help. And thankfully for all of you all, “going” in this case just requires you to come to the church. If you are available the week of vbs, let Terra know and we can probably find a way for you to help, even if it just means putting a robe on you and giving you some sandals to mill around as a lady from Nazareth.
With that said, today is a rare day on my preaching calendar where I create space in case the schedule messes up and I don’t have a set passage. So this week I’m jumping ship and cheating by moving up to the book of 2 Corinthians before we’ve finished 1 Corinthians. Same Paul, same church, same cultural issues, and same church problems but this time: “Part 2”.
Today we are in 2 Corinthians 12:10, a familiar passage for some and one that, while famous, rarely is studied in the way that it should be. When we do this, it gives us insight into who God is, who we are, and the relationship between our strengths, weaknesses, and God’s power living through us.
I thought this appropriate today because I feel like there are many of us who have, at the very least in the past year, felt as though we were coming up close to the limits of our capabilities. Like we had 20 miles to the next filling station but only 3 miles left in the tank.
Tension
Perhaps for you, this year you came face to face with physical limits for the first time. For some things you used to be able to do with ease have become hard. Some relationships have failed or become strained. Some have lost jobs, some have gotten 1 step ahead for the first time in a long time only to fall 3 steps back. We’ve all felt that way at a time or another and today Paul expresses some similar struggles with, what he calls his “thorn” in the flesh. So, let’s read together 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
Truth
2 Corinthians 12:1–10 (ESV)
1 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.
2 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.
3 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—
4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
6 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.
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.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
9 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.
10 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.
Prayer
Exposition
People don’t have the final say about us, God does. vs. 1-6
People don’t have the final say about us, God does. vs. 1-6
1 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.
We have talked in here about the constant battle people in the Greek and Roman world’s played with the idea of boasting and bragging to gain honor and status. The people wanted it and even more demanded it of anyone who would be popular or followed by any number of people. We’ve talked about Paul’s desire for them to hear only the simple Gospel message. And in 2nd Corinthians, the battle still wages. Paul, again, outlines how worthless a practice it is because it doesn’t build anyone up but the person who brags on themselves. And they are nothing to brag in. Yet, Paul changes his tune in a notable way. He says that “I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.” You see, his opponents and those who question he credentials as a leader all claim to have special, hidden, or secret knowledge about spiritual matters and God himself. Ironically, however, Paul actually has what they only claim too.
2 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.
3 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—
4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
6 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, apparently, 14 years prior to this letters writing was actually given a glimpse into the “third heaven” or what is known as “paradise”. This would have happened somewhere between 42-44 a.d., before Paul’s missionary journeys. According to Luke 23:43 and Rev. 2:7, this is the dwelling place of Christ and his saints. The encounter was such that Paul had no real concept of space or time, noted by his “in the body or out of the body, I do not know” statements. In verse 4 we are told that in this vision he was told things by God that he was not allowed to tell men. The very definition of secret knowledge, but one that was only meant for Paul’s ears. Whatever it was, and whatever he was shown, it was of such magnitude that Paul embraced struggle, pain, persecution, and ultimately death because of his 100% confidence in Christ’s plan.
But, I think this is so important to notice because what the people wanted, Paul could deliver. He could scratch their itch for “special knowledge” yet he withheld because it was never about that for him. Paul cared nothing for his status or his popularity with men or even within the church. He cared only about making Christ known and people seeing him elevated, not himself. This clearly helps us see the reality that people don’t really have a say when it comes to categorizing us or identifying us. What is popular or “in” right now is as fleeting as sand in a tornado, yet some will try to build their houses on such a useless foundation. Yet, what God says, what God loves, what God honors and builds, lasts eternally. Paul has determined that bragging in his own knowledge, his own goodness, his own efforts is useless compared to what Christ has done. Brothers, don’t chase the world’s honor for it is vain and useless. Instead, spend your life honoring God and seeing his will done in your world.
God doesn’t use us just in spite of our weaknesses, but because of them. vs. 7-8
God doesn’t use us just in spite of our weaknesses, but because of them. vs. 7-8
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.
First off, we have to talk about this thorn. Many have conjectured over the years as to what it might be.
perhaps incessant temptations
maybe the fact that he faced oppositions and malefactors everywhere he went
some say chronic maladies (such as ophthalmia, malaria, migraines, or even epilepsy)
Some claim a speech disability.
I personally think it was eyesight troubles, residual issues from his revelation of Christ on the road to damascus and a struggle that plagued his letter writing. Some claim, and some evidence suggests that Paul might have used ghost writers in his older age, paying someone or using a fellow beleiver to physically put pen to parchment when his eyesight made such easy tasks impossible. But, the truth is we simply don’t now. Yet Paul sees now, that the thorn, whatever it was, has been given purpose. It has been a constant source of harassment but, at the same time, it has served to keep him from taking the vision that he was given and beleiving himself to be a person worthy of it. The thorn has succeeded in keeping him humble and helped him to not become conceited or puffed up in his own mind.
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
Despite the good that came from it, Paul would still have rather done without it. 3 times he asked God to take away this pain that this thorn. Many in this room, in our church family have cried similar asks to God in prayer too. I myself have prayed over and on behalf of sick and pain ridden friends and church members. I’ve been at death beds with families where we’ve all sought the Lord, begging for relent and relief to not hear the affirmative to our prayers. I know some of us in this very room are praying for similar things right now. Paul asked fervently for God to take this struggle out of his flesh and out of his life 3 times and the answer was no. Even understanding that God was using this struggle to refine him and keep him humble, even having a vision of heaven that caused him to say that our momentary struggles are not even worth comparing to the surpassing glory of what’s to come, he still asked.
This can cause us to wonder as the will and plans of God when we see it only from our perspective and not his. Paul was given great influence and the ability to plant churches for the kingdom. Yet, he wasn’t chosen for the great asset he would be. God didn’t need a man of his caliber. He wasn’t the right stuff. He was a legalist, a pharisee, and a man who hunted down Christians to see them punished, even up to death. Prideful, arrogant, and self-righteous. That was Paul. Yet, in the face of God’s glory he was not only blinded, not only humbled, but weakened for a purpose. God didn’t just use Paul in spite of how weak he was, he used him because of this. If the truth of God could break the most calcified of hearts and take such hate and turn it into sold out devotion, His power and glory would be painted on the humble canvas of Paul’s broken body.
We can feel like we are not enough many times in our life and friends, the cold truth is you are not. That is, alone. God didn’t buy you back from sin death and hell because you were a prize to be won but because you where a hopeless fixer-upper. But it just so happens, those are his favorite projects. Remember, a strong and self-sufficient you can sometimes be lulled to believing that you accomplished this or made this happened but a man or woman who has been humbled can see that the power and glory of God is what is responsible for seeing the Gospel to change hearts and minds.
We boast, not in ourselves, but in Christ for who he is and what he’s done. vs. 9
We boast, not in ourselves, but in Christ for who he is and what he’s done. vs. 9
9 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.
The last two verses of this passage show us an important perspective from God’s response to Paul’s request and Paul’s understanding now. God is asked 3x for Paul’s thorn to go away and he responds “No.” It’s not just a “no” but a know with an explaination. God helps Paul see what is really happening. He can only see it from his angle of the pain, the struggle, and the setback. But what God is really doing is oblivious to Paul.
My grace (that is the grace Paul received at the cross, on the road to damascus, the grace that has rescued him from the hand of those that meant him harm so many times, the grace that deemed him worthy to see a vision of heaven, and the grace that keeps sustaining him through his journeys) is sufficient (we read this word and think it to mean “good enough or that’ll do” but in the greek it actually means “to be full and satisfied.” Its the picture of eating your favorite meal until you body is satisfied as you kick back from the table and sigh. To be filled to the top with perfection.) For you (Paul). For my power is made perfect in weakness. (Paul’s weaknesses and struggles are being allowed to continue because God is using them as a beacon to reveal his own power in his life and ministry. His power is made, perfect, meaning it could not be greater or better displayed. Paul’s weakness makes the perfect canvas for God’s glory and so will ours if we will lean into this truth. You aren’t called to be good enough, strong enough, perfect, or even close. You are just called to be his. To walk this out in faith and follow where he lives. If you do this, Christ’s grace will be enough to satisfy you too.
Think about it. He’s already paid of off your debt on the cross. Even if this life eventually ends for you or I, even if it does so in agony, we know we ultimately win the victory because all they can do is kill us. They have no power of eternity. They can’t win only Christ can and he already has. And if you are on his team, if you’ve been rescued by him and have given your heart and soul over to his leadership and repented of your sin, you ultimate victory is assured. Your super bowl ring is guaranteed even though you never played a single down. You did none of the work but Christ made sure you got all of the benefit for his victory. This is why Paul says that he doesn’t need to boast in himself. He didn’t do anything worthy of boasting in. Instead he will use what he’s got in his lungs to boast in Christ and what he’s done. He is the one worthy of praise and honoring. He is the one whose power is currently raising Paul to be able to accomplish what he’s been accomplishing, even in the midst of his physical struggles.
Its as if God spoke to Paul...
Paul, my son, I know you are struggling and you’ve been asking me to relieve this thorn from your life and your ministry for a while but I want you to see it the way I see it. I know you feel weak and you feel like this is holding you back from what could be but in all reality, what can’t see is that by allowing it to continue on in your life you are becoming a beacon for my greatness to all who see what I’m doing in you and through you. The grace I poured out on you when I first saved you and showed you the reality of Christ’s sacrifice for you was only the start. This too is a part of that Grace that I’m still bringing to bear on your life and ministry. I’ve got this and I’ve got you. What you see as suffering is actually serving to further show people my love and my glory.
Paul’s response is one that helps us see what its like to really get this.
Therefore (because of what God has made known to my heart) I will boast (I am gonna brag, I am going to herald) all the more gladly (with more fervor and gladness that you might think) of my weaknesses (paul doesn’t care what you or anyone else might think about him or his greatness. He proves it here by declaring that all he will speak will be in how great he is not. How strong he isn’t. No he is determined that he will speak of his frailty and unworthiness. Why?) , so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. If, by me getting smaller, weaker, more invisible, Christ becomes bigger, stronger, and visible then I will live out loud boasting of his glory and my insignificance, because, then his power and glory will surpass my own and others will see him working in and through me.
When you feel weak, remember your Jesus is powerful. vs. 10
When you feel weak, remember your Jesus is powerful. vs. 10
10 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.
The truth is that we, by following Jesus as his followers are not exempt from hardships. Jesus guaranteed them. But instead, we can learn how to live with them and even walk, in faith, using them to glorify God.
Paul lines out his struggles by name: weaknesses- his own physical limitations that he comes up against where his body and mind fail before he’d like them too. Insults- those who try to belittle him and his reputation, declaring him unfit to serve or even listen too by demeaning his character and integrity. Hardships- daily struggles normal to the wear and tear of life. Persecutions- those that are not satisfied with his belittlement but actually seek harm for him and seek, in some case his life and well-being. Calamities. This one I want to impress upon us for a minute. Give then context of the list we can figure its meaning straight away given its company. However, there is a context that I beleive illustrates how it differs. “steno-hor-reeha”. It means “distress, troubles, difficulties” and these all we could have guessed and we’d be right in doing so. However, its also used in a very specific way at times. Its sometimes used to discuss being shoved into a very small room that closes in around you. Like a jail cell that gets smaller. Adding these two understandings together we get what Paul is saying here. Struggles that seem to close in around you so tightly you feel like you won’t get through it. And upon this point I want us to end this morning.
I know that some of you right now feel like calamity seems to have moved into your spare bedroom and follows you around like you owe him money. Take heart even in situations that seem hopeless. Paul has taken to boasting in his weaknesses because of a central truth that has served to redefine his view of a successful like, his view of hardships and trials, how he sees his identity, how he interacts with the world. Compared to what he’s tasted and seen in Jesus Christ, even the calamities that close in around him, that would normally bring him to his knees, now become reasons to boast. Not because they aren’t hard or because he likes them. No. He boasts because of what God is using them to do in him and through him. God is taking all the way’s he feels weak and helpless and showing up to be enough for the task. God didn’t take his thorn but he made himself sufficient in Paul’s life through grace.
Landing
In what ways are you struggling right now. In the quiet of your own mind name them before the Lord. Go ahead, lift them up to him right now. What calamities seem to be always there. Can you say at this time that you have found God’s grace to be sufficient, all satisfying, all fulfilling in the midst of those struggles? Have you asked him? Have you prayed thorugh this. Not just for the results you want or for those obstacles and thorns to be plucked from your situation, but that His will would be done and that your attitude would reflect a satisfaction in his will? Could you say, as Paul did, that you would rather boast in your weakness and Jesus’ greatness than the other way around?
Let me put is simpler still: Friend, have you found Christ to be enough? That he supplies strength when you don’t have any? That he gives hope when you have all but ran out. That he can have your worship and praise even when it seems to only pour down rain upon you?
arthur and Dee 46 year anniversary today
