Sermons on 2 Corinthians 11:31-12:9:

Paul's Thorny Trial - Was It Sickness Or?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Feb 16, 2021

The issue of the Apostle Paul's thorn-in-the-flesh has been hotly debated for centuries.

"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" (2 Cor 12:7 NKJV) Some have held that this "thorn" was an eye disease that God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7, 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, James 4:10, Acts 19:11-12, 2 Corinthians 12:8, 2 Timothy 3:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praying With Good King Hezekiah

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Feb 22, 2021

Looking back on the last few months, do you feel like you’ve been praying more, or is it less? Is this a practice that has been strengthened with you, or has it struggled? Has the seeking become less diligent, or the knocking not so confident? A praying Christian is a living Christian!

In Luke 11:9 Jesus says these words to us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Simple commands, yet astonishing. For his words reveal the great privilege that we have when we pray. This is the heavenly power that we access whenever we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, 2 Kings 20:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Thorns And Grace (July 2012).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Perhaps one of the most intriguing passages of scripture is that of Paul's mention of the "thorn in his flesh." Paul expounded upon his metaphor of the thorn as he said that it was something that kept his pride in check.

THORNS AND GRACE 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 I remember going barefoot as a ten year old kid, when I was living in Aiken as a preacher’s kid. As I was going barefoot, I wound up stepping on a board that had three nails in it. The pain got my attention and definitely ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

I Am With You When You Are Weak Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 19, 2020

No one … including you … gets to see God’s power, God’s grace, God’s strength in theirs lives when we’re just sailing along … but we really see it and experience it when we’re going through difficult times … and the world can see it to!

“So … Satan … where ya been?” “As if You didn’t know, LORD … I’ve been here and there … to and fro … looking about … You know.” “And while you were ‘looking about,’ did you happen to notice my faithful servant … Job?” “Oh, yeah …” “Good man, that Job … no one like him. Always does the right ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Luke 22:42-43

Denomination: United Methodist

Mold Me And Make Me Sermon Iii: . . . With A New Appreciation For God's Grace Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 25, 2020

When seeking to do God's Will on earth as it is done in Heaven, mature Christians realize that only by God's grace are we saved and that also it is only by God's grace that we are empowered to serve Him to the best of our ability.

MOLD ME AND MAKE ME AFTER THY WILL . . . WITH A NEW APPRECIATION FOR THE GIFT OF GOD’S GRACE So thrilled was he by his new appreciation for the gift of God’s grace that Dwight L. Moody left his study ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Credentials Of A Committed Christian

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

3 credentials of a committed Christian (Adapted from Bob Russell's book on 2 Corinthians called "Take Comfort")

HoHum: A young Christian enlisted in the Army just after graduation from high school. His friends from church were concerned about his faithfulness to the Lord amidst all the military pressures. When the young soldier came home on leave from boot camp, his friends asked him, “Did the others ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Weakness Power May Reach Perfection

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 30, 2018

how can we reach out to the thousands of souls starving for faith, hungry for Christ?

Fourteenth Sunday in Course 2018 Power Made Perfect “Where did He get all this?” We’ve all heard rags-to-riches stories of men and women who have started out with nothing and succeeded beyond all expectations. Abraham Lincoln born in a log cabin in LaRue County, KY, elected twice president, ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:2-5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Catholic

Trials Of Suffering

Contributed by Alexandria Jimenez on Jun 30, 2018

We aren't promised to never experience suffering, but how do we react and handle it, when our lives become the target to suffering?

Can you imagine the emotional state, along with the nerve wrecking distress that Jesus Christ himself felt the day before he was nailed to the cross? Can you imagine the hours, down to the minutes, and then the seconds, that our Father counted till his ultimate sacrifice, and our ultimate ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:35-36, Luke 22:42-43, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 14:22-24

When God Says No

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 8, 2018

Like Paul, we all have a "thorn in the flesh." We can learn from Paul that God allows it, Satan sends it, and we can accept it. Because when we are weak, then we are strong, with God's strength on display through our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 When God Says No Have you ever received a “no” answer from God? It hurts, right? You think you know best, you really do. And then God says, “I don’t think so.” Well, it particularly hurts when you’ve been suffering, and not only does God not remove the suffering, but maybe ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Power In The Thorns Of Life

Contributed by Randy Shepard on Jul 9, 2018

If we are humble enough to ask, Christ will let His power rest on us to help us dear with the thorns we encounter in life.

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 been 10 years since he had published his 95 theses. He had battled ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-13, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Strength In Weakness

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Jul 15, 2018

This statement of the Apostle Paul, “For when I am weak, then I am strong” is confusing and difficult for many to accept. Paul was not anti-power or wanted us to be weak. He was a very strong man in many aspects of his life. What did he really mean?

“For when I am weak, then I am strong.” This statement of the Apostle Paul is confusing and difficult for many to accept. Many people want to be strong, whether physically (by doing weights and endurance training in fitness centers or if necessary, taking strong herbal or energy drinks), ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Says 'no'

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 22, 2018

Sometimes God says no. When you are weakened by His answer, He will strengthen you by His grace.

The late Chuck Colson of Watergate fame shared his experience when God said NO. The great paradox [of my life] is that every time I walk into a prison and see the faces of men or women who have been transformed by the power of the living God, I realize that the thing God has chosen to use in my ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Other

Hope In Weakness Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 14, 2019

God's power is made perfect in weakness

March 13, 2019 Hope Lutheran Church Lenten Service Psalm 91; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Hope in Weakness Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. “For whenever I am weak, then I am strong,” (2 Corinthians 2:10). St. Paul was no stranger ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Portrait Of A Preacher Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 20, 2019

Chapter 11 may be one of the most personable chapters in the book. Paul pours out his heart. One sees the true heartbeat of a genuine preacher.

THE PORTRAIT OF A PREACHER (THE RIGHT KIND THAT IS) II CORINTHIANS 11:1-33 INTRODUCTION: Chapter 11 may be one of the most personable chapters in the book. Paul pours out his heart. One sees the true heartbeat of a genuine preacher. I. Study Paul’s Comparison (v.1-15) Paul compares himself ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

A Thorny Issue Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Mar 20, 2019

Did you know “thorns” are mentioned 57 times in the Bible. Two of the most famous references are here and Jesus’ crown of thorns. A thorn is considered a curse of the ground, yet it is from a thorn bush we pick our most beautiful roses.

A THORNY ISSUE II CORINTHIANS 12:1-10 INTRODUCTION: Did you know “thorns” are mentioned 57 times in the Bible. Two of the most famous references are here and Jesus’ crown of thorns. A thorn is considered a curse of the ground, yet it is from a thorn bush we pick our most beautiful roses. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist