Scripture Focus – 2 Corinthians 12:1-10: “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.”
I. God Had Entrusted Paul with Great Privilege (1-4)
A. His distinguishing experience (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.”
B. His unforgettable experience (2a) – “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven…”
C. His undefinable experience (2b-3) – “…whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 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.”
D. His intense experience (4) – “…and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”
The supernatural experiences that God gives to His children should be communicated only when it serves God’s purpose and results in God’s glory.
II. Paul Chose Not to Leverage His Experiences (5-7)
A. Paul chose what he would reflect to others (5) – “On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.”
His listed weaknesses from 2 Cor. 11:23-28
• Multiple imprisonments
• Countless beatings
• Near-death experiences from persecution
• Five occasions of being whipped 39 times
• Stoned by opposition at Lystra
• Shipwrecked and floating in the sea
• Exhausting missionary travels
• Hated by Gentiles
• Hated by his fellow-Jews
• Opposed by false Christians in churches
• Toil and hardship
• Sleeplessness
• Hunger and thirst; deprived of daily food
• Unsheltered in the cold
• “the daily pressure…anxiety for all the churches”
Because Paul wished to magnify Christ, he would only mention in passing his strengths. He would highlight his weaknesses. This way Christ was assured to be the focus in Paul’s life.
B. Paul wanted Jesus to be magnified, not himself (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.”
C. Paul discerned God’s way of assuring his humility (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.”
1. His clear need – “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations…to keep me from becoming conceited…”
2. His acknowledged pain – “…a thorn was given me in the flesh…”
3. His attacking foe – “…a messenger of Satan to harass me…”
III. Priceless Grace Was Given to Paul (8-10)
A. He sought relief from his trouble (8) – “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.”
B. He received response from Jesus (9a) – “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”
C. He grew in wisdom from God (9b) – “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Far from faking that all was well, Paul openly acknowledged his struggles and welcome God’s power
D. He matured in his journey of faith with Jesus (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.”