Sermons on Thorn In Flesh:

Grace: It’s So Much More Than God’s Favor

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 8, 2017

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 the Lord tells Paul "My grace is sufficient." If God's grace is all Paul needed to deal with the messenger from Satan, perhaps there's more about grace that we need to know and understand.

I have been reading 2 Corinthians 12 about the Apostle Paul and his pleading with God three times to handle “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan” sent to stop him from preaching the gospel. The Lord’s response gives me goosebumps. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 2:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dealing With The Thorns In Our Life

Contributed by Terry Detwiler on Jan 26, 2007

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that he was given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment him. What is it that torments him? What is this thorn in his flesh?

Key Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV) 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 2 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV) 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

E Management Of Pain

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 6, 2012

The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of pain in his life. He recognized that sometimes Satan brings the pain and sometimes God brings the pain for our own good. He prayed for God to remove the pain, but God said, “My grace is sufficient.” God didn

Thursday, January 16, 2003 Tom Lowe Title: The Management of Pain Text: “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. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Paradox Of Power

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 28, 2025

This sermon 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 reveals the life-changing paradox that our greatest infirmities are not obstacles to God's power but the chosen arena where His strength is made perfect.

Introduction: Our Vain Obsession with Strength We live in a world that worships at the altar of strength. From the moment we rise to the moment we sleep, we are bombarded by a single command: Be strong. Look upon the images that flicker before our eyes, listen to the philosophies of this age. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Thorns PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

God's strength and grace are most evident in our weaknesses and sufferings, and we should embrace our 'thorns' as they serve a divine purpose.

Good morning, family! Today, we're going to dive into the fascinating world of 2 Corinthians 12:5-10. You know, C.S. Lewis once said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world." Now ain't that the truth? It's ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:5-10

Topics: Thorns

Thorns Of Life

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jul 9, 2006

The thorns of life are many, but the grace of God is sufficient in our weakness.

Text: “…a thorn in the flesh was given to me…” (2 Corinthians 12:7) What is a thorn? The American Heritage Dictionary says that a thorn is a modified branch in the form of a sharp, woody spine. It can cause sharp pain, irritation, or discomfort. How many of you have ever been struck by a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

Denomination: Christian Church

The Ministry Of Thornes

Contributed by Scott Carroll on Mar 8, 2008

WHEN GOD ALLOWS OR CAUSES US TO GO THROUGH PAINFUL THINGS THAT ACTUALLY BENEFIT US MORE IN THE LONG RUN THAN THE GOOD THINGS.

THE MINISTRY OF THORNS VS. THE MINISTRY OF THRONES *** The Gospel and the gift of God are structured so wonderfully that the very enemies and forces that are marshaled to fight against us actually help pave our way to success. *** Those forces can be used the same way an eagle uses the fierce ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Your Thorn

Contributed by Rolland Bouchard on Sep 4, 2002

A sermon to help us see that God works through our hardships, to keep us close to Him.

WHAT’S YOUR THORN? AIM: To show the congregation that God’s power is shown in our weakness. OPEN: a) Good morning and Welcome b) Something Relevant c) My suffering, my weaknesses. d) Introduce topic • What’s God’s purpose for you life? Have you ever wondered about that? I’m not referring to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lord, Hear My Cry

Contributed by Dr. Phillip Paschal on Jun 30, 2015

Responding to The Lord's Answer to our prayers

LORD, PLEASE HEAR MY CRY 2 COR. 12:7-9 1. INTRODUCTION. EVERY NOW AND THEN WE FIND OURSELVES IN DIRE STRAIGHTS, AND THE BURDENS OF LIFE SEEM TO GET THE BEST OF US. STRUGGLES WILL ALWAYS FIND THEIR WAY INTO OUR LIVES. ALTHOUGH WE WILL WRESTLE WITH STRUGGLES, WE DON'T HAVE TO LET THE STRUGGLES GET ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Bearable Burdens

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Jun 15, 2024

God gives us "bearable burdens" so that we can grow in his matchless grace. His grace is perfected in weakness as we walk out the burdens He has given us to carry, just as Paul did with his thorn of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (ESV) Have you ever been in a situation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 12:2, James 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

The Gift Of The Thorn

Contributed by Dasol Kang on Sep 20, 2025

Sometimes the greatest gifts God gives us are the weaknesses we would never choose for ourselves.

INTRO If we took an inventory of everything that we say in our prayers, we would likely find that the vast majority of our prayers fall into one of two simple prayers. The first category is the “Gimmie” prayer. You know the “gimmie” prayer well. “Lord, gimme that parking spot right up front. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What's Your Thorn?

Contributed by Robert Cox on Aug 13, 2007

Paul had an affliction; what’s yours?

2 COR 12:7 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. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Thorns Of Life

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 18, 2005

God often allows trouble and trials to come into the life of His children. The life of Paul provides us with great insight into dealing with the thorns of life.

THE THORNS OF LIFE 2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-10 Introduction: God often allows trouble and trials to come into the life of His children. God could have kept Daniel out of the lions’ den. He could have kept Job from Satan’s assault. He could have kept the three Hebrew children out of the fiery furnace. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

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

Can You Tell Me Your Weaknesses?

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 23, 2006

A sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 focusing on Paul’s thorn in the flesh. (Material taken from Sermon Central Contributors and especially C. Bouwman)

Sermon for 5/21/2006 Can You Tell Me Your Weaknesses? 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Introduction: Tell the story about how interviewing a prospective campus minister: Elaborate on your strengths was my first question. My second question was, Elaborate on your weaknesses. Guess what, he wisely refused ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ