Strength Through Weakness (Part 2) Series

This week I learned about an interesting paradox called The Mother’s Paradox. Mothers, see if you can relate to any of these ideas:

• Motherhood is a complete sacrifice of alone time, but it can be so lonely

• In Motherhood, the days are long but the years are short

• Motherhood is hilarious, but can be heartbreaking

• Motherhood is perfectly beautiful, and yet incredibly messy

I have a feeling that most of the moms in the room this morning can relate. Perfectly beautiful, but incredibly messy. Such an incredible paradox for mothers, but for everyone else in the room this morning, you know that paradoxical truths are not confined to the realm of motherhood. As a matter of fact, the Christian life is filled with them as well. For instance, in Christ we are victorious, yet we are still fighting the good fight of faith. We are already saved, but not yet experiencing the fullness of salvation. Jesus is the conquering King, yet he was crucified as a criminal. And last week in 2 Corinthians 11, we explored the paradoxical truth that our weakness unlocks God divine power in us and through us. When we are weak, we are actually strong. And because this is true, we are called to boast in our weaknesses in a culture that is consumed with boasting in their strengths.

Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 12 where today we’ll look at the continuation of the theme from the second half of chapter 11…in fact, most Bible scholars agree that Paul was sharing one continuous thought from the beginning of chapter 11 all the way down to chapter 12, verse 10…and that theme is Strength through Weakness.

For the past few chapters Paul has been defending his ministry against the false teachers that he referred to as Super Apostles. These false teachers were trying to discredit Paul’s character as a leader, as well as his competency. Paul wasn’t the world’s greatest public speaker and we learned a few week’s ago that he was also lacking in the “looks” department. And so these Super Apostles were trying to highlight Paul’s weaknesses by boasting in their own accomplishments. But Paul turns the table by saying, “Wouldn’t you know, I’m actually WEAKER than you think I am. And you know what else, I’m glad I’m weak, because the reality is that strength is actually found IN my weaknesses. That’s when I’m strong.” And so today’s passage is really the answer to ALL of our insecurities and inadequacies, and if we can get a hold of these truths, I believe it will be life changing.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

"I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Here’s two things I can tell you about the Apostle Paul. 1) He was an amazing apostle of Jesus Christ (maybe the best); 2) I would not want to be that guy! If you chronicle his life, he had some really high highs, and some really low lows. And it makes you wonder, how did he endure all of that? I believe it had something to do with the tangible presence and power of God in Paul’s life as he relentlessly pursued Jesus. And those hard places in life became bearable because he saw them as opportunity to experience God’s power through his weakness. And I’m guessing there just might be one or two people here today who need to experience that same reality because you are almost out of hope.