In My Weakness (2 Cor. 11:16-12:10) *All verses in NLT*

– We are continuing in the book of 2 Corinthians, and continuing with the Apostle Paul’s somewhat sarcastic and frustrated words, as he defends himself against the disrespect of the Church. 

– If you missed Pastor Crystal’s sermon last Wednesday, go back and listen to it. 

– The Corinthian Church is having an issue with false teachers, arrogant know-it-alls, who are disrespecting Paul and trying to discredit him and his ministry, and also pushing a “false gospel”; one that has been added to, or subtracted from, of what Paul had preached to them originally… 

– Paul is frustrated that the Church is buying it. After what he has already done and shown them, and how the gospel has changed their lives, they so easily turn away and believe some new “influencer”…

– In our verses tonight, we find Paul defending himself, sharing his credibility, and revealing the only real credibility a Christian should be boasting about, & what is truly important in our walk w Christ!

– 2 Cor. 11:16-33, 16 Again I say, don’t think that I am a fool to talk like this. But even if you do, listen to me, as you would to a foolish person, while I also boast a little. 17 Such boasting is not from the Lord, but I am acting like a fool. 18 And since others boast about their human achievements, I will, too. 19 After all, you think you are so wise, but you enjoy putting up with fools! 20 You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 21 I’m ashamed to say that we’ve been too “weak” to do that!

But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

– Paul has physical/tangible credibility from his lineage, background, hard work, and sacrifice.

– This is Paul’s resume. No one had sacrificed more or worked harder for the gospel!

– These “works” were obviously important to the Corinthian Church. (What did the new Influencers say about their accomplishments or pedigree that made them more believable? Simple presentation?)

*Sometimes credentials and “human achievements” on a resume are just a lot of fancy words… (Views, likes, subscribers, TV appearances, or record sales don’t equal truth or credibility…)

– Verses 28-29, 28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?  30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am. 31 God, the Father of our Lord Jesus, who is worthy of eternal praise, knows I am not lying. 32 When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas kept guards at the city gates to catch me. 33 I had to be lowered in a basket through a window in the city wall to escape from him.

– Paul has emotional credibility, and cares for them as a spiritual father! He introduced them to the Good News in the first place! He is a missionary and apostle to all of these churches…

– But who are these “false-doctrine influencers”? They clearly don’t care for these people!             (See v20, “You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face.” )

– He even shows some vulnerability. It takes emotional strength and maturity to be comfortable sharing your weaknesses. Prideful leadership is poor leadership!

– 2 Cor. 12:1-4, This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

– Paul has spiritual credibility. These others may be claiming to have heard from God, but Paul has even more. He met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul has a special knowledge and anointing.

– Paul has put in more work, led more completely, and has a spiritual revelation so deep he can’t even tell you about it… He is more qualified, more capable, and more deserving of their trust…

– Paul knows that it is foolish to “brag” about these things, but the Corinthian Church needed to gain some perspective. THEY are being fooled by false teachers. They are using the wrong metrics.

– Now that he has set the record straight, Paul gets to the heart of the matter, and the focus of this sermon… Let’s talk about what is truly important in our walk with Christ…

– 2 Cor. 12:5-6, 5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message,

*The main points: #1. Our credibility as Christians does not come from our gifts and talents, or our accomplishments and certifications… The world prioritizes that stuff. 

– Our lives in Christ should be defined by our actions and our message: A faithful life lived for the calling of Christ (whatever that is for you), and sticking to the true gospel and biblical truth. 

#2. In my weaknesses, the power of Christ can shine through, and He gets the credit!

– 2 Cor. 12:7-10, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

– Even through all of Paul’s accomplishments, he shares a valuable insight with them, lest they forget that he is a real person with his own pain and struggles… It isn’t all just empty talk.

– My Story: I want to share a story with you, that I don’t think I have ever spoken about in detail to this group. It’s my “thorn”, and it’s going to be for those in the room only…

**** Ask sound team to mute audio for live stream and recording for a few minutes *****

– Just like Paul, I don’t share that story to gain your pity, but to give you perspective. Many people are fighting a battle that we know nothing about. Grace and patience are often in order.

– Also, My struggle is NOT an excuse for inaction. I pursue my calling and serve faithfully. I didn’t quit, although I wanted to. I just kept going back to the alter, again and again!

– I asked God to set me free from it… again. He said, “You are free.” I said, “But I don’t know how.” And He said, “Just go.” The struggle keeps me humble… I rely on his grace to be sufficient.

– 2 Cor. 12:10, That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

– The point of this is to be an encouragement to you in your pain and secret battles. You are not alone! Share your struggle with your brothers or sisters. We are in this life together!

Here are some verses that encourage me when I am battling:

– Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

– Psalm 121:1-2, I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

– Psalm 1:1-3, Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Application:

– Credibility or identity, outside of living for Jesus and the gospel, is foolishness because it holds little true value or meaning. Our value comes from Jesus, and his grace and salvation.

* Stop holding yourself to false metrics. Stop judging others by worldly standards.

– Hard times happen, but our strength is not from ourselves or our own accomplishments. Our strength comes from Jesus and the Holy Spirit inside us. 

* Stop trying to do it alone. Be humble. Trust Jesus. Remember, when you are weak, He is strong!

– Alter call –

– End with a worship song –

– prayer –