Christ's Celebrate Recovery Church

Scripture: II Corinthians 12:1-10

C.I.: The Power to Overcome

In this series we have seen: trying to overcome spiritual problems by physical solutions does not work,
that both Satan and God are trying to work in our lives (e.g., “The War for our souls…!”)
Today we will conclude this series – by seeing our problems – from an entirely different perspective.

I. Perfected by Our Weaknesses, (II Corinthians 12:7-10)

A. The Vexation of the Apostle, (vs. 7-8)

1. The Lord knows how to balance our lives. – Only blessings bring pride, only sorrows bring bitterness.

a. ( v. 7 ), “And 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 buffet me – to keep me
from exalting myself.”
1) We don't know what Paul's thorn was (a physical condition some type, ophthalmia, epilepsy).
2) I believe an eye condition, ( Gal. 4:15; 6:11 ), “For I bear you witness, that if possible, you
would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.” – “See with what large letters I
am writing to you with my own hand.”
3) We know that whatever Paul's situation was – it came from Satan!
4) Thus, Satan's messengers – can be seen in both physical as well as spiritual problems!

b. There are a number of ways that people deal with Satan's thorns…
1) Bitterness: Blame God for robbing them a freedom and pleasure.
2) Quit: They apply no courage and just give up.
a) Spiritually = fall away from Jesus
b) Physically = commit suicide
3) Grit their teeth: Courageously hang in there, but have little energy left in order to live – and
are generally miserable!!!

c. ( v. 8 ), “ Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times – that it might depart from me. ”
1) What a contrast between Paul's two experiences:
a) He went from paradise to pain!
b) He went from glory to suffering!
c) He went from ecstasy to agony.
d) He tasted the blessings of God in heaven – now the buffeting of Satan on earth.

B. The Victory of the Apostle, (vs. 9-10)

1. There are two messages being sent; Satan's message of pain, - and now he receives God's message of grace.
a. ( v. 9 ), “And God said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.'
1) Grace = “Unmerited / Undeserved favor” – yes, but so much more!
2) Grace = “ G od's R iches A t C hrist's E xpense”! – We clearly get what we don't deserve!!!


b. How then does the grace of God appear?
1) Paul prayed for substitution – “Give me health and not sickness, give me strength not pain.”
a) People with physical thorns – want God to heal them.
b) People with spiritual thorns – want God to remove the temptation.
c) Drinking, drugs, pornography, anger, jealousy, etc. – we want these things removed!
d) But as we see in Paul - if God had removed the thorn – Paul would not have needed
God's presence in his life to endure it.
2) But God's grace (power) transforms the affliction/temptation into something that works for
us and for God's glory!
a) Andy & Kristi have turned their situation – into a ministry to glorify God.
b) Do they recognize the need for God's presence? – And NOW they can help others!

c. Having come to understand this – Paul now boasts in the power God displays in his life, ( vs. 9b-10 ),
“Most gladly, therefore, I will boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. -
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.”
1) Anything that forced Paul to rely upon Jesus – was seen as a plus!!!
2) Paul wants to give us a new way of looking at our problems: - we are not “LETTING GOD
DOWN – rather we have an opportunity to “LET GOD IN”!!!
3) ( Phil. 4:11-13 ), “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. – I know how
to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; - in any and every
circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having
abundance and suffering need. – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. For the dedicated believer, the spiritual has a far greater value – that the physical!

2. Physical problems are not a barrier to effective Christian service.

3. Jesus & His power is always (from day-to-day, to moment-to-moment) available to help meet our needs!!!

4. If you are looking for way to bring God into your life… - ( Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 2:38 ), “Come unto Me all you….”