Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
All-Sufficient Grace of Christ (Full Sermon Manuscript)
Background:
Paul wrote this letter in a more apologetic, argumentative, or lawyer-like tone addressing the false accusations against him by fake Christian leaders.
Thorn in the flesh: (1) Paul’s inner psychological struggles; (2) Paul’s opponents, who continued to persecute him; (3) some kind of physical affliction; or (4) some kind of demonic harassment.
Main Idea:
The thorn is a messenger from Satan designed to torment Paul. But God has a purpose for the thorn. What Satan intended for evil; God turned for good. *Like Joseph the Dreamer, in Genesis 50:19-21:
“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Jesus did not take away the thorn; Jesus gave Paul more of himself (v 9). Jesus said, “what you need is more of me”. Al Mohler commented, “God’s solution to earthly suffering is not to take away the trials to make earth a paradise. His answer to suffering is to give us more of himself and his all-sufficient grace so that we have enough to endure the trials.”
Application:
- Growing through Trials
- Grasping the all-sufficient Grace of Christ
- Glorifying God’s Power in Our Lives
Conclusion:
We need extraordinary measures in extraordinary times. We do not want a stagnant kind of life—no progress and is bound to fail. We ought to mitigate this situation both in our personal lives and communal life by depending on the grace of God by growing through trials, grasping Christ more, and glorifying God in all circumstances.
Ptr. John Paul Arceno
UCBC New Jersey
May 1, 2022
This section is an excerpt only; download the full manuscript here.