July 30, 2023

My grace is sufficient for you

Preacher:
Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10
Service Type:

Reading 2 Cor 12:7-9

A wonderful promise – my grace is sufficient for you

Paul is answering his opponents in Corinth

He is listing his sufferings

Quite significant – especially five floggings from the Jews
It was amazing to see how the Lord sustained him through this

He talks about his ministry

His ability to understand and preach the gospel
Given by revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ

He is showing that he is not inferior in anyway to the false apostles – in sufferings or insights

He was given a thorn in his flesh to stop him getting conceited

We do not know what this was

Perhaps malaria, perhaps poor eye sight
In his flesh – his body

He was made weak by this affliction
Satan can often add to this affliction

We must recognise his work but not over emphasise his powers
He uses this thorn for malice
Perhaps making him question God’s purposes
His intention is to cast us down and misrepresent God

A messenger to stop him getting to elated in his position

Consider his wonderful experiences
Christians are not superior to one another due to their special experiences
Not to be confident

We must recognise the work of satan in our sufferings

Example of Jesus Christ, Simon Peter, Job
1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10

Satan can use particular means

We have points of vulnerability
Paul had many sufferings – yet this one thorn in the flesh was a constant experience
These things are in the hands of God – satan is restrained by God

In his weakness – he prayed

He prayed constantly – three specific occasions

He prayed earnestly / pleaded

He wanted God to take it away – not lessen it
He prayed to the Lord

Matt 7:7-12

The prayer was answered – but the thorn was not taken away

God gave him grace and the strength to cope with the situation

Example of Vernon Higham – having peace
Phil 4:6, Isa 55:8-9, Matt 26:36-39
We can often experience pain

Paul was determined to boast all the more in Christ
God will often give us extra grace for the situations we find ourselves in

Our spiritual health is more important than our physical health

God does not heal Paul but give him great grace
God supplies us with as much grace as we need

Example of Yemen
God supplies us with the ability to have a right attitude
Troubles can make us doubt God’s grace
Job 1:10-11

What do you think of re spiritual maturity?

God says my power is made perfect in weakness

Example

Christ dealt with all things
When Paul was weak, Christ’s power rested on him

Example of brother with MND

Paul’s prayer was wonderfully answered

Paul was greatly used of God
His ‘secret’ was God’s power and grace

"Underneath are the everlasting arms"
2 Cor 4:7-12
Personal example

It is not always taken away – but there is always sufficient grace given to us

Quote from song

My grace is sufficient for you and my power made sufficient in weakness