Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:8:

A Thorn In My Side

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jul 8, 2021

We can be thorny people at times, saying "I just can't take it anymore." Paul tells us that's a good thing.

A Thorn In My Side 2021 Summer Series / 2 Corinthians 12:2–10   • [VIDEO] • [IMAGE] Sand spurs. Bane of kid existence. • Sometimes we look and feel like we’ve been rolling around in a field of thorns. • We can be “thorny people.” • We get to the point where we say, “I just can’t take it any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 8:35, Philippians 2:6-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Treasure Of Scripture Over The Experience Of People: A Warning

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 22, 2021

When the rich man in hell begged for Lazarus to be sent back to warn his family about avoiding his fate, Abraham reminded him that they had the Scriptures. Nothing else has ever been used of the LORD other than His Word to convict the sinner.

Whenever a real man of God stands behind the pulpit and preaches the Word of God (2 Timothy 4:1-5), he is to hold nothing back and never compromise the Scriptures for the sake of feeling, alleged offense, or cultural beliefs. No preacher worth his sacred calling should ever water down the power ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:27-31, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Acts 7:54-60, Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Unfulfilled Prayer Series

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Jun 8, 2021

In this present pandemic crisis, many are pondering on these questions. I prayed to God for healing, restoration, for growth... but my prayers were not answered at least not as expected. Does God decide not to hear my prayers? Is he despising me?

Beloved in Christ, God has given us the authority (John1:12) to become his child, whereby, to exercise the authority: to pray and to live in the fulfillment of his plan. A child of God releases healing and other deliverances from his life by the authority given by God. That same God exercises his ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12, Galatians 3:26, Deuteronomy 3:25-27, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, John 9:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Power Of Weakness Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

The paradox that Paul proclaims here is that a handicap can be a help. A painful problem can be a powerful promoter of what is good. A weakness can be an asset and a strength

One of the most incredible biographies ever written is that of Robert Babcock. As a young boy he made a bomb out of some powder he found in his father's barn. He had a hard time getting it to go off, but when it finally did, it blew up in his face and he was instantly blinded, and remained so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Delighting In Our Weaknesses

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 7, 2021

'Delighting in our weaknesses, really?' Yes, really. Last week we looked at how Paul learned the secret to contentment. As we needed to learn the secret to contentment, we also need to learn the secret to delighting in our weaknesses.

DELIGHTING IN OUR WEAKNESSES 2nd Cor. 12:7-10 Last week I mentioned that my sermon title, Being Content During Covid, probably caused you to think, 'he can't be serious'. Well, you might have the same reaction to today's sermon title. 'Delighting in our weaknesses, really?' ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 2 Corinthians 11:30, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Hebrews 4:14-16, Psalm 82:4, Isaiah 40:29-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessing Of Brokenness Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 10, 2021

If you want to be truly blessed and be a blessing to others, let God break you of your self-sufficiency and sin.

Recently, I came across an interesting set of statistics on sanity. According to the study, one out of every four Americans is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Now, think of your three best friends. If they’re okay, then it’s probably you. (Rita Mae Brown, Church Champions Update, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32, Psalm 51:17, Matthew 5:3, 1 John 1:8-9, Isaiah 6:5, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Mark 14:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

Turning Thorns Into Roses

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 3, 2018

The decided weakness of Paul, which he called his “thorn” was kept vague so everybody could relate to whatever type of aggravating affliction, discomfort, constant temptation, emotional or physical or bouts.

14B Elif Shafak wrote “be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in roses”   1). The thorn “thrown”at Our Lord in our Gospel reading today was actually the rude comments by his hometown folks who dismissed him as being “all too ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

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