Strength in Weakness. The Power of Grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Good Morning
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say, “Hello” to someone.
"Strength in Weakness: The Power of Grace"
Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 12:9 and say, “Amen” when you are there.
"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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Today we are diving deep into a scripture that reveals a powerful paradox of the Christian faith: strength through weakness.
We live in a world that celebrates power, success, and the ability to “pull ourselves up by our bootstraps.”
But in 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Apostle Paul offers us an entirely different perspective.
In this verse, Paul speaks about a profound revelation he received from God—a revelation about grace.
It’s not about being strong enough to handle everything life throws at us. It’s about realizing that, in our weakest moments, God’s power is most perfectly displayed.
Isn’t it strange how often we try to hide our weaknesses?
We mask them behind pride, self-reliance, or fear of judgment. But the reality is, it is precisely in these vulnerable places that God wants to work.
Today, we’ll explore what this truth means for us as believers and how we can experience God's grace in the midst of our trials.
1. God's Grace is Sufficient: The Provision We Need
Paul writes to the Corinthians about a personal struggle he faced—a "thorn in the flesh" that tormented him. He pleaded with God three times to remove it, but God’s answer wasn’t what Paul expected.
Instead of removing the pain, God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.” This is an incredible truth!
- God’s grace is more than enough for every need.
When life throws us into situations where we feel inadequate, weak, or overwhelmed, God's grace is there to sustain us. It's not just a temporary fix; it’s an ongoing, unshakeable foundation.
- Grace is not just about salvation—it’s about empowerment.
It’s about God equipping us to face our struggles, not by our own strength, but through His.
His grace empowers us to endure, to persevere, and to flourish in situations where we thought we might crumble.
Think of the story of a runner who is exhausted and near the finish line. At that moment, someone steps beside them, offering water and encouragement. That runner’s strength doesn’t come from their own ability but from the help of someone else. In the same way, God’s grace comes alongside us, giving us the strength to finish the race.
- Grace is not conditional.
It is sufficient in every season, regardless of how weak or unworthy we feel. It isn’t based on our performance, but on God’s unchanging love. You don’t have to be perfect for God’s grace to be enough—you just need to be willing to receive it.
2. Weakness is the Pathway to God's Power: A New Way of Seeing Struggle
The world tells us that weakness is something to be ashamed of, something to hide. But in God’s kingdom, the very thing we see as a flaw is the place where His power shines brightest.
Paul says in the second part of the verse, “For my power is made perfect in weakness.” This is a revolutionary concept. Most people try to avoid weakness at all costs.
We want to appear strong, capable, and self-sufficient. But God’s economy is different: it’s in our brokenness that we are most capable of experiencing His strength.
- Weakness doesn’t disqualify us; it qualifies us for God’s power. When we acknowledge our weakness, we acknowledge our dependence on God. And that dependence is the key to experiencing His grace and power in a deeper way.
- Boasting in weakness isn’t about self-pity or resignation—it’s about boasting about God's ability to work in and through us despite our inadequacies.
It’s a testimony that God doesn’t need perfect vessels; He just needs willing hearts.
How do we approach our struggles?
Do we view them as something to be ashamed of, or do we see them as an opportunity for God to show Himself strong?
Imagine the freedom we would experience if we stopped hiding our weaknesses and instead, invited God to use them for His glory.
3. God’s Power is Made Perfect in Our Brokenness: The Beauty of Surrender.
When Paul says, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,” he is choosing to surrender. Instead of fighting his weakness, Paul embraces it.
He realizes that when he is weak, he opens himself up to God’s power in ways he never could when he is trying to do everything on his own strength.
- Surrender is the gateway to strength.
This is one of the hardest things for us to do. We want control; we want to fix things ourselves. But when we surrender our weaknesses to God, we allow His power to work in us in ways we could never imagine.
- God doesn’t just show up to help us “get by.”
He shows up to transform us. The apostle Paul’s life was radically changed because of his surrender. The thorn in the flesh didn’t go away, but Paul’s understanding of grace and power deepened.
Think of a broken vessel—when it is repaired and filled with light, it can reflect more beauty than a perfect vessel ever could. In the same way, our brokenness, when surrendered to God, allows His glory to shine through us.
. God’s Grace Equips Us for Ministry: From Pain to Purpose
One of the most incredible truths about God’s grace is that it doesn’t just sustain us—it transforms us into instruments of His grace for others.
- Your pain doesn’t have to be wasted. Often, the very thing we think disqualifies us—our struggles, our failures, our weaknesses—becomes the very platform God uses to minister to others.
- God doesn’t just comfort us for our own sake. He comforts us so that we can comfort others. He heals us so that we can be part of His healing process in the lives of others.
Consider the testimony of someone in our congregation who faced overwhelming health issues.
They struggled with their diagnosis, felt lost in their suffering, and wondered if God had forgotten them. Yet in their journey, they began to share their story with others who were struggling in the same way. They found that their pain became a bridge to bring comfort and hope to others. Today, they lead a ministry that reaches those going through similar challenges, offering the hope of God’s grace to others.
Your weakness doesn’t just make you a candidate for God’s power—it positions you to become a vessel of God’s love and grace to those around you.
Testimony: A Real-Life Example of Strength Through Weakness
Let me share a testimony from a woman named Sarah. Sarah had struggled with depression for many years. She couldn’t see a way out. But over time, as she leaned into God’s grace, something began to shift in her life. It wasn’t that her depression disappeared, but God’s presence became so real in her life.
Sarah began to open up to others about her struggles. She found that as she shared her pain, others who were also struggling with depression found hope in her testimony. Through Sarah’s weakness, God’s power was made perfect. She was able to lead support groups for others battling depression, helping them find strength in God’s grace. What she once thought was her greatest flaw—her depression—became the very tool God used to help others experience His grace.
Church, today I want to give an invitation for anyone who feels weak, inadequate, or overwhelmed by life. God isn’t asking you to be strong on your own. He’s offering you His grace, which is more than enough to carry you through.
- Are you carrying a burden that feels too heavy?
- Do you feel unqualified to be used by God?
- Are you struggling with something that you feel is too big for you to overcome?
Today, I want to invite you to step forward and experience the sufficiency of God’s grace. He is waiting to meet you in your weakness and to show you, His strength.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the powerful reminder that Your grace is sufficient for us. Thank You that in our weakness, your power is made perfect. We surrender our struggles, our pain, and our brokenness to You. Let Your grace flood our hearts and empower us to be vessels of Your love and strength. We trust in Your ability to turn our weakness into testimony of Your greatness. In Jesus' name, Amen.
As you leave today, remember: your weakness is not the end of your story; it’s the beginning of God’s power being displayed in you. Step into the grace that is waiting for you and allow God to work in and through you in ways you’ve never imagined. He is sufficient for you, today and always.
