2 Corinthians 12: Strength In Weakness

Sermon 10.18.26 - 2 Corinthians 12: Strength In Weakness 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 What “revelations”? (verse 7) 2 Corinthians 12:2-5 “A man” = Paul “Caught up” = har-pad'-zo = “snatched up” or “raptured” = 1 Thessalonians 4:17 “Third heaven” = the dwelling place of God (sky, space, throne) “no one is permitted to tell” = but he was given his mission for the Gentiles = Ephesians 3:2-6 Paul is being humble and not wanting to boast about being invited to heaven for a special briefing. Tormented by Satan? (verse 7) Satan can inflict physical harm on people = Job 2:7 = sores and boils Luke 13:11-16 = woman crippled Mark 9:25 = man blind and mute Matthew 17:15–18 = boy suffering from seizure Paul’s “thorn”? Physical = Galatians 4:13-14; 6:11 “As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn…See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!” Spiritual = Romans 7:22-23 “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.” External = 2 Timothy 4:14-15 “Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.” God does not always say “yes” to our requests? (verse 8) Jesus tells us to ask = Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” In accordance with God's will = 1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Jesus is our example = Matthew 26:39 “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” [he prayed this three times, verses 42 & 44]. His strength in our weakness? (verse 9) Paul’s "weakness" outlined = 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 The words made perfect in 2 Corinthians 12:9 mean “fully or entirely accomplished or made complete.” The same root word is used in John 10:10 when Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Bible “heros” and their weakness: Abraham – Struggled with lying, doubted God at times Jacob – A deceiver who manipulated his brother and father Moses – Hesitant leader with a stuttering problem, doubted his abilities, and initially fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian Samson – Strong but impulsive, a womanizer David – Committed adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrated the death of her husband, Elijah – Experienced despair and suicidal thoughts Jonah – Ran from God’s command, showing fear and reluctance Peter – Denied Jesus three times Paul - persecuted and killed Christians for their faith in Jesus 2 Corinthians 11:30 “I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” Psalm 73:26 “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”