UNDERSTANDING OUR AFFLICTIONS 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 I. Pauls PREDICAMENT 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. (verse 7) A. It is PERSONAL Galatians 4:13-14 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the Gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. B. It is PAINFUL ...a thorn in the flesh... C. It is PERSEVERING (pertinacious) It is a buffeting (battering, bombarding) experience. We are safer in the storm God sends us than in a calm when we are befriended by the world. (Jeremy Taylor) II. Pauls PLEA For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (verse 8) A. His PRAYER B. His PERCEPTION God has a thousand ways Where I can see not one. When all my means Have reached their end Then His has just begun. (Adapted) My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your innermost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head...THIS THING IS FROM ME. (Laura Barker Snow) III. Gods PROCLAMATION And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (verse 9a) A. Gods PRESENCE B. Gods PROTECTION C. Gods PROVISION (Illustration) A story was told of two Christian martyrs who lived during the Reformation. One was a veteran saint, LATIMER, and the other was a young believer, RILEY. They were both condemned to be burnt at the stake. The night before the execution, young Riley was highly nervous and agitated. He looked through the iron bars of their dungeon prison and saw them preparing the stakes. In his panic he tried to light a candle and in the process burned his finger. His burn impressed upon him the greater agony of the fate that awaited him and he cried out, “I cant stand it, I cant stand it.” His seasoned companion gently laid his hand upon his shoulder and said, “My friend, God didnt ask you to burn your finger, so He didnt give grace to stand it tonight, but tomorrow, when the time comes, God will give sufficient grace.” The next morning the two men were led to the stakes each with a triumphant smile and perfect peace in his heart. As the flames surrounded their bodies, out of the midst came their vibrant voices united in a victorious song of praise. (David Kirks, The Mystery of Divine Chastening) Yes, my friend, God gives grace for everything He calls upon you to bear. IV. Gods POWER Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (verse 9b) Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25) “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” (Isaiah 40:29) V. Pauls PLEASURE Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christs sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (verse 10) A. To the PRAISE of God B. It took away his PRIDE C. It gave him proper PERSPECTIVE concerning his afflictions
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 12:47:01 +0000
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