The Power of GOD: Applying It, Pt. 2
Notes
Transcript
5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6 For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
GOD might stick us with a thorn
To keep us humble
We feel like we can’t take it
God’s grace is all we need
Our pain and weakness is the arena for his full loaded power
We learn to appreciate our weaknesses
In this context, Paul is defending his office as an Apostle of Jesus. The reason is Corinth had become all about the show, and were accepting false teachers and all their claims of achievement. Furthermore, they criticized Paul and his work, claiming he was weak, unimpressive in appearance and his preaching wasn’t worthy to listen to. Paul calls them foolish, lacking understanding for thinking the success of their ministry and they’re worthy to be heard was based on their self-glorification of what they’ve claimed to do compared to Paul and others. So since Corinth accepts such foolishness, he feels the need to relegate himself to their level to teach them a lesson regarding boasting and weakness. He speaks of the heavenly revelation he received, but won’t go into detail because he doesn’t want them to credit the authenticity of his apostleship solely or primarily on his claims of high revelation, rather on what they’ve seen and heard in him.
GOD might stick us with a thorn
But then Paul uses that revelation experience to admonish them. He says directly after GOD initiated that experience in his life, GOD then gave him a thorn in his flesh. Thorn here being used figuratively to describe an troubling bodily experience.
Application: Please realize that sometimes GOD will give us a thorn in our flesh. It might be a sickness, disability, headache, etc. I would venture to say that we all have or have had a thorn in our bodies.
Some may ask why would GOD even do that. Well notice Paul characterizes it as a messenger from satan to torment. Meaning while GOD gave it, satan uses it for his own purposes to inflict pain in our lives. It happened with Israel, more than once. Even Job’s experience can be considered such.
To keep us humble
But like with all human activity, satan has his purposes, but God’s are different. God’s intention is keep us humble or not conceited with the great experiences he has blessed us to have
Application: Realize that the pain that we might be experiencing from this or that, is to prevent us from being conceited about what we or others would consider a ground to glorify ourselves.
We feel like we can’t take it
When something is this painful, we like Paul might beg GOD over and over to remove it. I can’t take it Lord! GOD has certainly removed thorns. According to Numbers and Judges, nations would be a thorn in Israel’s side. But time and time again, GOD removed them.
God’s grace is all we need
But what happens when GOD doesn’t remove the thorn, and it’s pain? That’s what Paul had to experience. He begged GOD on 3 separate occasions. The third time GOD replied saying “My grace is all you need!” That is to say, I’m not removing it.
Application: We might have to hear this, because some pain might not go away. But do we believe God’s grace is enough for us to continue serving him, trusting him, etc.
Our pain and weakness is the arena for his full loaded power
Well GOD, how is it you say this, and why should I trust it? Because of his grace, favor, and kindness toward his children, no doubt it comes with power!! Not just that, but in weakness, not moral weakness, but physical weakness with respect to suffering. It is the arena which Christ’s power is fully applied!!
Illustration: In circuits, in order for power to flow, there has to be a load, homes, businesses, etc. Load is resistance. When everybody gets home from work, it is when resistance is highest. That necessitates more power generation.
Application: It is when we are weak that Jesus’ power is on full display!
We learn to appreciate our weaknesses
Paul had to learn to accept and appreciate God’s word of his grace and power. So he came to two conclusions in his life, that he would gladly talk more about his weaknesses, and he was satisfied in areas of weaknesses, confine spaces. Why Paul, because he realized when Christ’s power was most effective in his life, and that’s in his periods of pain and weakness.
Application: We must learn not to complain and dwell on periods of weakness. Because if we want the full effect of power, we must aim to be satisfied with them. Christ will deliver. Christ will heal. Christ will strengthen to endure. Some of our highest praise and joy, come from distress, because we’ve witness the power of Christ move in our lives in a might way!!
Conclusion: How do we respond to our periods of weakness and pain? Have we recognized the full stretch of Christ’s power when we’re weak? Do realize it’s in those moments, that we’re stronger than we think, because Christ is strong in us!!