2 Cor 12 :3-4,7,9And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)4How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 77And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Jesus said in vs 9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
IT IS GOD’S GRACE
• God’s grace gives us what we do not deserve
• And in His mercy, he does not give us what we deserve
THE LORD’S POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN OUR WEAKNESS
WE ARE ALL FOOLISH, WEAK AND BASE (LOWLY AND DESPISED) PEOPLE WITHOUT JESUS CHRIST IN OUR LIVES
1 Corinthians 1:26-29:
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
• The Corinthians tended to be puffed up with pride
o Pride our Proud: is merely having an overly high opinion of oneself or one’s importance
• The Corinthians were puffed up with the knowledge they had 1 Cor 8:1
• “they were puffed up for one against another” 1 Cor 4:6
• “some are puffed up” 1 Cor 4:18:
• ” not the speech of them that are puffed up but the power” 1 Cor 4:19
WE CAN FIND POWER AND STRENGTH IN CHRIST
Ephesians 3:16: That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
2 Corinthians 12:10: Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Romans 8:37: Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Psalm 18:2: The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Give your heart to Jesus today by saying this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Please, help me to live for you the rest of this life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.