December 1, 2024
Evening Service

2nd Corinthians 12:1  It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 

2nd Corinthians 12:2  I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 

2nd Corinthians 12:3  And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 

2nd Corinthians 12:4  how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 

2nd Corinthians 12:5  Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 

2nd Corinthians 12:6  For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

Paul here is talking about himself and yet he is careful not to boast about any of the experiences. The case may have been that heavenly things were brought down to him, or while his body was caught up in a trance as it was with the prophets of old, visions were revealed to him. On the other hand, it may have been that his soul was departed from him for a time and taken up to heaven or if his body and soul together were taken up, he did not know. It is not possible for us to know or fitting in our current state to know the exactness of the glorious place and state to which Paul was taken. Paul was thankful for the revelation from Christ he received and he did not attempt to pen or publish the event of the things that had taken place there, but he from that moment of Jesus speaking to him, proceeded to spread the gospel message in its full meaning. This is the foundation of faith that the church is built upon, a sinner receives the Word of God concerning the gospel and believes, and through our life as a testimony of our faith, the gospel is spread to others needing a Savior. This provides faith and hope for others when they witness the change that Christ has brought forth in our lives. A sinner that is saved by the Grace of our Lord Jesus is powerful and serves to further the church in its basic definition. In addition, our expectations from God are not limited, we pray to our Lord and knowing that if it may be in His Will, it will be done!

Mark 11:24  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 It is very important to pray for God’s Will to be done, after all, we would not want anything that was outside of it anyway. When we reside within the will of God, our lives will please Him and He will bless us for being devout to Him. When God does something special for us that we know could only come from Him, we build our faith through His works! We should always worship God in our usual methods and become content in doing so, like praying, reading the Word, listening for God’s instructions, going to church, loving our neighbors, and just obeying his commandments. Jesus said, in the 14^th chapter of John:

John 14:15  "If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

 

2nd Corinthians 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 

2nd Corinthians 12:8  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 

2nd Corinthians 12:9  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2nd Corinthians 12:10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul tells us here of a figurative “thorn in the flesh” he had in order to keep him humble, it was something to stop him from being lifted up too highly on account of the revelations and visions he had seen. The exact thing this thorn in the flesh was, we are not told, it may be some great trouble, or temptation. Paul described it as a messenger of Satan to burden him, lest he be exalted above measure. God loves us, and He will keep us from being exalted above measure; and if spiritual pride enters into us, he may order a burden to cure our spiritual pride. Prayer is a good medicine for every type of ailment, for any known affliction or infirmity, prayer is the answer. Whenever we find ourselves afflicted with our thorns in the flesh, we should give ourselves over to God in prayer and just ask for His will and His way to be done upon us. If we pray and an answer is not given, continue to pray about it, and if no answer is given, continue to pray! If nothing else, our prayer life will grow and the affliction will be taken care of when God is willing. Remember, His Word tells us to ask, so we must ask. Troubles come upon us to teach us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue constantly in prayer. In the book of 1^st Thessalonians chapter 5 verses 16-18 says:

1^st Thessalonians 5:16  Rejoice always, 

1^st Thessalonians 5:17  pray without ceasing, 

1^st Thessalonians 5:18  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

God will always hear our prayers, but He does not always give us what we ask for, as He sometimes grants in wrath, He may also deny our prayers in love. God does His wonders outside of our understanding at times, He may not take our troubles away from us, or keep us from being tempted, but He will grant us enough grace for us to endure, receiving God’s grace, we do not have any reason to complain. Grace is the result of the good will of God, it in itself is enough to strengthen and comfort us as well as enlighten us and give us life to be sufficient to Him. When we find ourselves suffering from distress or becoming troubled, remember that God gives His grace to us to make us sufficient as we are. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Therefore, God’s grace is demonstrated and amplified to make us able to endure. When we are experiencing weakness in ourselves, then we become strong in the grace of Jesus; so when we feel we are weak, we go to Jesus to receive strength from Him, and we enjoy the power of our Lord in us.

2nd Corinthians 12:11  I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 

2nd Corinthians 12:12  Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 

2nd Corinthians 12:13  For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! 

2nd Corinthians 12:14  Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 

2nd Corinthians 12:15  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 

2nd Corinthians 12:16  But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 

2nd Corinthians 12:17  Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 

2nd Corinthians 12:18  I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? 

2nd Corinthians 12:19  Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ. But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 

2nd Corinthians 12:20  For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 

2nd Corinthians 12:21  lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

When we know a man to be true to God and to honor God, we are to stand up in defense of their reputation if someone is attempting to dishonor them. Likewise, if we have received a spiritual benefit from a man of God, we owe it to them to show our thanks for the guidance and direction they have helped us with to edify our walk with God. This previous scripture is a record of how Paul has shown his intentions to the church at Corinth, he was kind and his behavior was for their benefit and not his own. This is what a good minister of the Word does, he does not say things that people want to hear, but speaks the truth recorded in the bible as it is written. Otherwise, in Paul’s case, the gospel as it was given to him by Jesus Himself on the road to Damascus. Paul’s intention was to do good and to bring the gospel message to these people. Some of these sins were mentioned that are commonly found among people professing their religion. Temporary slip-ups and wrongdoings are humbling to a minister; God make take this direction with someone who may be tempted to be lifted up beyond the appropriate measure.  These last few verses of this chapter show to what extent the false teachers had gone off the path to deceive their followers. It is shocking that such evilness should be found among the professors of the gospel. Yet we still see this today, and it has been done way too often, and it was like this in the days of the apostles going forth to preach the Word.

Lord, help us to stay within the confines of the Word, not adding anything to it, nor taking anything away from it! Help us to live in accordance to Your Will!