Paul's Thorn In The
Flesh (12:7-10)
INTRODUCTION
“And 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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me. 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. 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.”
1. Paul tells of "a thorn
in the flesh" which greatly
bothered him...
a. It was something for
which he prayed the Lord to remove from him
b. The Lord did not do
so, but gave Paul an answer that greatly
encouraged him
2. We might not be able
to know exactly what the "thorn" was, but there
are some valuable
lessons to be gleaned as we consider...
a. Why this
"thorn" was given to Paul
b. Paul's initial
reaction to the "thorn"
c. His reaction to the
answer given him by the Lord
I. WHY WAS THE
"THORN" GIVEN?
A. LEST PAUL BE "EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE"
“And 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.”
1. Paul had been blessed
to receive many revelations (A few of them listed below)...
a. On the road to
Damascus
“And as he journeyed, he
came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from
heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard to kick against the pricks.
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And
the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee
what thou must do.”
The vision of Paradise
“It is not expedient for
me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I
knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (Whether in the body, I cannot
tell: God knoweth;) such as one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such
a man, (Whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it
is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will
not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall
not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should
think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.”
2. It would have been
quite easy...
a. For Paul to be filled
with pride over these revelations
b. For the church to
exalt him too highly
THERE IS A PRACTICAL LESSON RELATED TO
HUMILITY...
1. Humility is a necessary trait for God's people
“Likewise, ye younger,
submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another,
and be clothed wit humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he
may exalt you in due time:”
II. PAUL'S REACTION
TO THE "THORN"
A. BEING HUMAN, HE WANTED TO GET RID OF IT!
“For this thing I besought
the lord thrice, that it might depart from me.”
He pleaded with the Lord three times to remove
it
B. THIS SHOULD REMIND US
OF CERTAIN PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER...
1. We are to pray with
persistence
1 Thessalonians 5:7
“Pray without ceasing.”
2. We are to pray in earnest
“Ask, and it shall be given
you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
3. We are to pray
specifically (as Paul did)
-- Yet God knows what is
best for us, so the answer may not be
what we wish
III. PAUL'S REACTION
TO THE LORD'S ANSWER
A. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LORD'S ANSWER
“And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly there will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ
may rest upon me.”
1. "My grace is
sufficient for you"
a. The Lord would give
Paul what he "needed"
b. But not necessarily
what he "wanted"!
2. "My strength is
made perfect in weakness"
a. I.e., it is in times
of weakness and hardship that the
Lord's strength can be
experienced most completely!
b. For in such times we
really come to depend upon the Lord,
and not upon our own
strength or wisdom!
B. NOW CONSIDER PAUL'S
REACTION...
1. "I will boast in
my infirmities"
a. Rather than bemoan
his trying circumstances, he will glory
in them!
b. For it is in such
infirmities that he has the opportunity
to experience the power
of Christ in his life as He helps
him deal with them!
2. "I take pleasure
in infirmities...for Christ's sake. For
when
I am weak, then I am
strong."
“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.”
a. Infirmities can be a time for rejoicing!
b. For that can be a
time in which to experience the strength
Christ gives, and the
development of character that pleases
Him!
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
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