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.
So let’s look at two truths today that will help us lean into the concept of God’s strength through our weakness. The first thing we must do is to…
1. GUARD OUR HEARTS AGAINST SPIRITUAL ARROGANCE
– vs 1-6
If you remember from last week, Paul could have full-out boasted about his heritage and lineage. He could have boasted about how tough he was based on how much suffering he had endured. And the false teachers would have been no match for Paul in either of those areas. But Paul said that only a fool would do that because the person who understood the gospel would realize that it’s in our weakness we experience the Lord’s power. And since last week’s passage and this week’s passage is one continuous thought, Paul moves into a third area that he could boast about (beyond his heritage and beyond his track record of persevering for the sake of the gospel). And let me just say this – this last one is probably more dangerous, because it is more subtle and more accepted in Christian circles.
Paul had to be careful not to boast in his own spiritual experiences. In our text today Paul moves on to say not only was he qualified to be an apostle because of his personal experiences and suffering for Christ, but on top of all that he had had some “visions” and “revelations” of the Lord. And here is the reason this is more dangerous. It’s because no one thinks bragging about your last name or how tough you are is a spiritual thing to do. But to brag about your spiritual experiences is a lot more accepted, isn’t it? And let’s be honest – there will always be a market for religious experience? There is a church in California that drops gold colored particles from the ceiling and invites people to breathe them in as an opportunity for God to manifest himself (go home and Google it if you don’t believe me).
This desire for over-the-top experiences is the foundation for the crusade ministry of a crooked televangelist. Even after some of them are exposed, the lust for the sensational keep people coming back. And here’s Paul who ACTUALLY had a sensational experience that could have been a source of pride for him to boast in. Look at verses 2-3 again: “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.”
Paul is so humble that when talking about his experience, he speaks about it in the third person—not in an arrogant way…quite the opposite. He says, “I know a guy,” but he’s referring to himself. And then he says that 14 years ago he was caught up in the “third heaven.” Let me explain this reference—when the Bible talks about heaven, it has one of three meanings. The “first heaven” is the air around us (birds, oxygen). The “second heaven” is where the stars and planets exist. But the “third heaven” is where God dwells. And Paul says “Yep, I went up there.” And he’s not really sure how he got there. He’s not sure if it was an out-of-body experience. But what he DOES know is that he went up to heaven, or as he calls it in verse 3 “paradise,” and he heard some things that cannot be told. In fact, Paul leaves it to us to imagine and wonder what he actually saw.
But here’s what’s crazy – he sat on this story for 14 years! Now, if we’re hanging out together at dinner or Life Group and I’ve got that story in my back pocket, I might just have to let that story slip out from time to time! “Oh…you went to the lake this summer? Yeah, well I went to heaven a few years ago!” (Floating Pig Marathon story.)
Paul has been taken to the highest of heights, he’s been to the third heaven, and was so humble that he never spoke of it as to not draw attention to himself. So why wouldn’t Paul share this incredible story? Is he trying to somehow hide how great God is? I don’t think so…in fact, look at verse 6 again: "If I should wish to boast [about this], 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.” In other words, he hasn’t spoken about his supernatural experience because he doesn’t want people to think that he’s a big deal.
Can you imagine how this story would play out in our culture? Back in 2010 there was a best-selling Christian book called The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven: A True Story. This best seller supposedly told the story of Alex Malarkey’s experiences in heaven after a 2004 traffic accident that left him paralyzed. This book quickly became a New York Times bestseller, sold over 1 million copies, and even spawned a TV movie deal.
Unbelievably, Alex never saw a dime of revenue (even as he depends on Social Security to get by) because his father, Kevin Malarkey (who is credited as the book’s co-author) held the copyrights.
But here’s the kicker. A few years later, Alex Malarkey admitted that the story was totally made up and that he never went to heaven. In fact, he would later go on to say that this book was “one of the most deceptive books ever.” He eventually begged Christian bookstores to stop selling the book although they were hesitant to do so because it had become a best-seller (you can still buy the book on Amazon).
Contrast his story with Paul’s story who actually DID go to heaven, and then sits on the story for 14 years, and only now is begrudgingly telling parts of the story. And what Paul is modeling for us is that there is a temptation to give in to spiritual pride…to be a “one-upper” for Jesus…to make sure that everyone knows how much time you spend in prayer and study…to make sure everyone knows that no matter how great their mission trip was, yours was better…to make sure people know how much you know about the Bible by your constant need to correct their theology…to remind people about all the different ways you serve in the church.
But here’s what Paul is modeling—you can’t “deny yourself” while promoting yourself at the same time. Paul knew that there’s only room for one hero…and that hero’s name is Jesus. And here’s why spiritual pride and self-promotion are so dangerous—because when WE get the glory, we forfeit God’s divine power. So just so we’re clear before moving on—if you went to heaven on vacation last year, I don’t want to hear about it after the service, okay?
Well, not only do we have to guard our hearts against spiritual arrogance, we have also must…
2. GUARD OUR HEARTS AGAINST SITUATIONAL SULKING
– vs 7-10
Have you ever tried to throw a pity party and had no one show up? That’s annoying, isn’t it? And one of the common themes of the pity parties that we throw is the constant retelling of our physical ailments anytime someone asks. I am NOT minimizing anyone’s physical pain, or current health conditions. But sometimes I feel that we need to reimagine the way we normally think about our physical ailments. Because there are times when God allows physical pain into our lives to cause us to draw close to him in dependence, and sometimes even to protect us from sin. Many of us know people who endure an incredibly physical trial and they openly give testimony of how it grew them spiritually. You may even have that testimony in your own life. In other words, our physical ailments, while not pleasant, can be spiritually profitable. And I don’t know about you, but I think it’s easier to maintain my joy when I’m convinced that there is purpose in my pain (in fact, that was the title of our very first message in this series).
And if that’s your testimony this morning, that you are discouraged by the physical ailments that you are experiencing, then let me encourage you…you are in good company, because right after speaking about his spiritual high of being caught up into heaven, Paul goes right into this physical low. Look at verses 7-8: "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."
Now, there is a lot of debate and discussion regarding Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.” But I don’t want to gloss over the fact that the text says it was “given to him.” If you are listening, smack your neighbor and say WAKE UP. Sometimes God allows things, but verse 7 doesn’t say that God “allowed it.” It says this thorn was “given to him.” There’s an entire sermon buried right here in verse 7 and it’s that God will do whatever is required to produce spiritual growth in us…even things that are uncomfortable. And Paul doesn’t say WHAT the thorn was, but he does tell us WHY it was “given” to him. Look at the last sentence of verse 7…do you see it? “To keep me from becoming conceited.”
I think that every Christian that has ever studied this passage has wondered what exactly this thorn was? Whatever it was, it was a chronic issue given to Paul to keep him from becoming sinfully proud. Some have speculated that it was a physical ailment such as an eye condition…maybe even stemming from the blinding light on the road to Damascus in Acts 9. Some have wondered if it was malaria that he may have contracted during his many travels. Others have guessed that maybe it was speech impediment (we know the Super Apostles criticized his speaking ability). Some commentators, and this is where I probably fall, think that the original language points to a demon that constantly harassed Paul. (Demons aren’t OMNIPRESENT.)
Whatever it was, Paul was purposely vague, and I think the reason why is so that when our afflictions are different from Paul’s, we don’t feel disqualified from applying his teaching to our own hearts. But let’s not get bogged down in Bible trivia and miss the point. Who ultimately gave this thorn to Paul? The contextual clue is found in the words “to keep me from being conceited.” You see, we know it could NOT have been Satan to give this thorn to Paul, because that’s EXACTLY what Satan wants us to become…prideful and conceited.
So this thorn was “given” by the hand of God…even if the thorn was actually a messenger of Satan. You see, in a mysterious overlay of divine sovereignty and evil, even satanic activity falls within the scope of God’s sovereign purposes. And what this means to you and me is that God is in control of EVERYTHING, including Satan. And even as Satan is actively harassing us, it can only occur within the hand and plan of God. In other words, Satan has no authority to run rampant in our lives.
So what may seem like an unwanted pain or affliction in your life, may actually end up being the very thing that keeps you humble and close to God. Which means that when God sovereignly “gives” you a thorn in your flesh, it’s too protect you from the sin of pride…which ALL of us are susceptible to regardless of how long we’ve walked with Jesus. And that’s not always fun to hear, but God is using these thorns to make you look more like Jesus.
Let me make some application into some real areas where pride can creep into our lives. The first is when we think we could NEVER fall into sin the same way that someone else has. And so as a fun way to keep ourselves humble, turn to your neighbor and tell them, “You are a little sinner.” You see, when we fully understand human depravity and our fallen moral condition, you and I are fully capable of every sin that everyone else has committed. That’s why the humble person that sees someone else fall into sin will say, “But by the grace of God, go I” while a prideful person will say, “Can you believe they did that? I would NEVER do that.” I’ve become convinced in my own life that the longer someone is a Christian, the easier it is to think, “My sin of pride is holier than your sin of (fill in the blank).”
Let me offer up an area in my own life where I sometimes battle the temptation to get prideful—it’s in the area of parenting. If I’m honest, I sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that it’s my great parenting skills that have turned my two children into God-honoring adults. And if you’re like me, sometimes it’s easy to look at other people’s kids and think, “If they would have parented as good as us, then THAT would NOT have happened.” And so if you can relate to this example, let’s be quick to remind each other that it is the Lord ALONE, and not a parent, that can change the affections of a child’s heart. And while parenting is incredibly important in the process of shaping young people, we are responsible to sow seeds, but we have NO control over the condition of the soil.
One thing that I’ve learned in my 24 years of being a parent is that no two kids are the same. In fact, if you ever hear someone say that all kids are basically the same, then you immediately know that they have less than one kid, Amen? And here’s what else I’ve learned – some kids are naturally wired to be compliant while other kids are programmed differently. In fact, raising two rather compliant girls is what often leads to my pride of thinking that I found the secret sauce as a parent. So for you parents that have (or had) a less compliant child that you frequently accused of being a “thorn in your flesh,” know that God hardwired that stubborn child, not to expose your lack of patience or anger, but to keep you dependent upon God’s grace…and NOT the pride of your own parenting skills.
So here’s the question that I think we have to ask: When given a thorn, do we receive it as a manifestation of God’s loving AFFECTION, or as an INFLICTION? Is it something that makes us BETTER, or something that makes us BITTER. Church, God has a way of customizing these lessons on weakness to each of our unique situations. And instead of running away in resentment, we need to get better at talking about, and even praising God for the thorns he sovereignly uses to make us look more like Jesus. So even though Paul pleaded to God three times for the thorn to be taken away, look at what he said in verses 9-10: “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.”
Paul finally figured out something we need to embrace today, and it’s this (are you listening?): GOD IS REALLY ATTRACTED TO OUR WEAKNESSES. And in a culture full of tools and tricks designed to HIDE our weaknesses, we need to start embracing the fact that our weaknesses are NOT things to hide or be ashamed of, but in fact, are opportunities for God’s strength to be experienced and displayed…not for OUR glory, but for his.
For some of you, a good portion of your time and energy in life has been spent trying to hide your weaknesses, and you desperately need to embrace what is being taught in this passage – God is attracted to weakness. And the good news of the gospel is this—ANYONE and EVERYONE who is humble enough to admit their sinful weaknesses, is a candidate to experience the power of his saving grace…so I would like to give you the opportunity to do that right now.
