In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Corinthians 12:9"

There Is An Old Story About A Man In China Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 9, 2001

There is an old story about a man in China who was walking on a rain slick road. He lost his footing & fell into a ditch filled with mud. He kept sinking deeper & deeper in the mud. The more he struggled to get out of the ditch, the deeper he sank. As he was sinking in the mud Buddha came ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 2 Corinthians 12:7-11, Psalm 103:4, Psalm 40:1-3

Tags: Humanity Of Christ, World Religions

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Answered Prayers  PRO

Contributed by Chris Hodges on Jul 28, 2003

An unknown confederate soldier wrote: I asked God for strength that I might achieve I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey I asked for health that I might do greater things I was given infirmity that I might do better things I asked for riches that I might be happy I was given poverty ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Citation: N.t. Wright In For All God's Worth. ...

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Feb 27, 2004

Citation: N.T. Wright in For All God’s Worth. Christianity Today, Vol. 41, no. 12.] We live in a world full of people struggling to be, or at least to appear, strong in order not to be weak; and we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Tags: Faith, Humility

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Seek To Earn, Merit, Or Purchase Salvation Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

To seek to earn, merit, or purchase salvation is to insult the Giver. Imagine yourself invited to a banquet in the White House by the president of the United States. You are seated at a table that is filled with the choist foods. Every effort is made to give you a most enjoyable evening. At the end ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-12, 2 Corinthians 12:7-17

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Without The Grace Of God  PRO

Contributed by Robbie Bankens on Aug 9, 2005

There is a need and a place for programs. If I told you that the programs did not help me, then I would be lying to you, because they did. But Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous could not keep me clean and sober alone! Without the Grace (the unmerited favor) of God, those programs ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Tags: Addiction

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Have Heard Evangelist David Ring Speak ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jul 9, 2006

I have heard Evangelist David Ring speak numerous times. David is a shining example of an individual suffering from a human weakness, a thorn if you will, but with God’s help used that weakness to preach the Gospel. David was born October 28, 1953 and suffered from cerebral palsy. David said ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Christian Church

John Blanchard Noted, "For Daily Need There ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

John Blanchard noted, “For daily need there is daily grace; for sudden need, sudden grace, and for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Tags: Grace, God's Provision

Paul's Thorn In The Flesh Like Catfish With ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 10, 2009

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Like Catfish with Codfish Years ago in the northeastern United States codfish was a big commercial business. There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially on the West Coast. The demand posed a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Affliction

Bride-To-Be Hosts A Banquet For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 10, 2009

Bride-to-Be Hosts a Banquet for Homeless Philip Yancey told the story of the woman who was getting married and planned a huge wedding banquet. It was going to held at the Hyatt Hotel and cost $13,000. After everything had been planned and paid for the groom dumped her. When she tried to cancel she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Compassion

Martin Luther's Depression And The Hymn

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 10, 2009

Martin Luther’s Depression and the Hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" The year 1527 was the most trying year of Martin Luther’s life. On April 22 he was preaching in Wittenberg when he became dizzy and fainted. Over the next several months he dealt with debilitating depression and sickness. It had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Affliction

Demolition Derby And The Surrender Stick

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2011

DEMOLITION DERBY AND THE SURRENDER STICK Lydia and I went to the Demolition Derby at the 4-H Fair this past week and had a blast. I loved watching drivers take aim at each other with the attempt to demolish or disable one another. We saw some great smash ups and did a lot of laughing. I don't know ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Trusting Doctors, Trusting God  PRO

Contributed by John Putty on Mar 19, 2011

TRUSTING DOCTORS, TRUSTING GOD Not many people enjoy going to the doctor, but according to Reuters, in 1994, one London accountant to that to an extreme. The 63-year-old man needed bladder surgery, but he couldn't overcome his fear of doctors and hospitals. So he self-reliantly did what had to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Tags: Trust, Making Disciples

Denomination: Assembly Of God

F.e. Marsh Has Spoken Of Some Of God's ...

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Feb 25, 2008

F.E. Marsh has spoken of some of God’s blessings: An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Eph.1:6). An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5). A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Cor. l:10). A grace that can never be limited (2 Cor. 12:9). A hope that can never be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Just Let Go !

Contributed by Bruce Simpkins on Mar 11, 2015

In my younger years I thought it would be an exciting adventure to try sky diving. After checking into it, I found I could get a big discount if I brought 5 friends to jump with me . . . so I did. It was a beautiful sunny day in California when we arrived for a half day training and then an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Tags: He Is Strong, I Am Weak

Denomination: Baptist

Eight Tests Every Christian Will Face

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2019

Below are brief descriptions of eight types of tests that every Christian will likely face: • Fiery trials: intense encounters or struggles; bursts of anger, grief, or lust • Infirmities: physical limitations and illnesses • Reproaches: ridicule and rejection on account of faith or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

Tags: Faith, Tribulation, Tests, Trials, Temptations  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Disability

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 8, 2022

I was asked, “What is Tharon’s greatest accomplishment”? That question really made me think hard. Tharon lost his memory at 14 years old. Every day when he woke up, he was like a 2 year old kid. I went with him to School every day and by the time we made it to Swim practice, he was 14. By the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Tags: Action, Disabilities

Denomination: Baptist

Everyone Has A Disability

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 8, 2022

“Everyone has a disability- Mine is just more noticeable than most people’s. God can use any person’s disability for God’s glory ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Tags: Disabilities, Action

Denomination: Baptist

The Donkey That Won A Battle

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 24, 2025

My name? Well… I don’t have one anymore. I used to be a donkey—strong, steady, built for long walks and heavy loads. But my part in God’s story began after my last bray. One hot afternoon, I was resting in a field when trouble came. The Philistines had captured a man named Samson—big, strong, and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 15:15-17, 1 Corinthians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Zechariah 4:6

Tags: Power, Strength, Victory, Purpose, Surrender  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist