Strength In Weakness. The Power Of Grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9

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.