Sermons on Thorn:

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

The Peace That Passes Understanding Series

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jun 25, 2004

This sermon describes what it means to have peace and briefly touches on the importance of sharing that peace with others.

June 27, 2004 The Peace that Passes Understanding Asaph once wrote, I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. (Ps 73:3-5) When ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Grace Is Sufficient For Me! Do We Really Believe That? Series

Contributed by Chris Carroll on Mar 29, 2007

Sermon encourages us to not handle life’s problems on our own, but to trust in God and fall into His grace

So Tyler found one of my early childhood books the other day. It’s called the “It’s All About Me” book by Dr. Seuss. It allows you to be interactive with the book. As Tyler was going through it he saw that I had done it when I was about his age. In it he saw my foot drawn out, my hand drawn out, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Bragging Rights

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 3, 2009

If we must boast, boast in the sufficiency of God’s grace.

Title: Bragging Rights Text: II Corinthians 12:2-10 Thesis: If we must boast, boast in the sufficiency of God’s grace. Introduction Our story today reminds me of an incident told in E.M. Bounds’ book “On Prayer.” The storyteller said he woke one morning to the sound of hounds on the hunt. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tea Bag Experience In A Hot Water World

Contributed by Russell Lee on Feb 20, 2011

The thing in life that causes you the most pain can be your greatest gift from God!

2 Corinthians 12: 7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Birth To An Ishmael Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Jun 17, 2019

How God Works the Messes of our own making into a beautiful tapestry

Giving Birth to an Ishmael PPT 1 Title This is a message about how God responds to the messes in life that are self inflicted. PT 2 Text Ge 3:17 Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:17-18, Genesis 37:23, Genesis 49:23, Psalm 105:18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Do You Stand? Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 25, 2022

This message looks at how our heart is like soil into which the gospel is planted, and we must be certain that our soil is fertile and ready to receive the Word. Otherwise, we will wither in our relationship with God; or worse, we will perish.

I have entitled our message, “Where Do You Stand?” This morning, as we look at what’s called the “Parable of the Sower,” we’re going to see how Jesus talks about four different soils, or four different types of spiritual ground, on which people may stand in relation to God. Something challenging ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:3-20

Denomination: Baptist

Thorny Ground Series

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Feb 19, 2003

A Look at the parable of the sower

Soil Testing: Thorny Ground "I’ll Serve the Lord as Long as It Does Not Interfere With Things That Are More Important" Luke 8:4-8 There was a young man who was doing everything possible to move up in his company. Over the past 3 weeks he had built us 52 hours of overtime working on a new project. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Without One Plea Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 13, 2008

Like Paul, we cannot plead that we are either too broken or too privileged to engage in service. Brokenness is what God can use for the Kingdom.

No excuses. No excuses. We are accountable for what we do. We are accountable to God. And what God has called us to do, we can do. No excuses. If God has chosen us, then He has expectations. There are Kingdom tasks to be performed, there is a witness to be made, there is something that each of us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Assignment Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jul 5, 2022

Filters are important because without them things don’t operate properly. Are you living life unfiltered?

No Filter Pt. 4 - Assignment In an age where things that are not real are promoted as reality it would serve to reason that in church, we would tell you to live with no filter since we are taught by our Savior to live authentic and genuine lives. However, I want to tell you that filters are an ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Jeremiah 20:7-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wait A Minute

Contributed by Matthew Blau on Mar 27, 2008

Salvation is easy but only the beginning. Living faith is much harder.

Wait a Minute, Who Said Anything About Suffering! Christian faith is different from any other religion in the world. It is different because of the very nature of grace. Grace does not require great works. It is a gift from God. We do not and could not have a chance of ever earning it. We will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Methodist

I Can

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 4, 2003

One resource that I consulted this week said that Tom Watson Sr., founded IBM and guided "Big Blue" for over 40 years. One of his most impressive moments in leadership occurred when a junior executive lost an enormous amount of money ($10 million) on a ri

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: One resource that I consulted this week said that Tom Watson Sr., founded IBM and guided "Big Blue" for over 40 years. One of his most impressive moments in leadership occurred when a junior executive lost an enormous amount of money ($10 million) on a risky venture ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

The Holy Spirit And Gradual Healing Series

Contributed by Steve Meenho Kang on Oct 26, 2020

Paul had a serious illness. He did not mention what it was. He prayed for healing, but God decided not to heal him. So, what did he do? Did he get upset, resentful, or discouraged? No! Through him, we must learn these important lessons on gradual healing.

The Holy Spirit and Gradual Healing The Holy Spirit Part 7 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 (From Steve Meenho Kang, Live by the Spirit (Bloomington, IN: Westbow Press, 2022) Currently we are going through the message series, “The Holy Spirit.” During this series, we are examining the work of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Forgive Them

Contributed by David Kinnan on May 2, 2013

God’s command of forgiveness becomes personal when we take ownership.

Some years ago, a 14-foot bronze crucifix was stolen from Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had stood at the entrance to that cemetery for more than 50 years. The cross was put there in 1930 by a Catholic bishop and had been valued at the time at $10,000. The thieves apparently cut it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Wesleyan

Heaven Can Be Harmful To Your Health Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

Heaven can be harmful to your health. Any blessing of God can bring with it some handicap or problem because human nature has a tendency to pride that is so strong that if the blessings of life are not balanced off with some kind of burden they can actually lead to evil rather than to good.

For 40 years Rev. William Tennent served as pastor of the historic Presbyterian Church at Freehold, New Jersey. As a young man this pastor experienced a remarkable trance. He was in bad health, and one day while talking with his brother he fainted away and appeared to have died. The doctor ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10