Listen to this quote by C.S. Lewis and try to figure out what he’s talking about: “There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people… ever imagine that they are guilty themselves. I have heard people admit that they are bad-tempered, or that they cannot keep their heads about girls or drink, or even that they are cowards. I do not think I have ever heard anyone who was not a Christian accuse himself of this vice. And at the same time I have very seldom met anyone… who showed the slightest mercy to it in others. There is no fault which makes a man more unpopular, and no fault which we are more unconscious of in ourselves. And the more we have it ourselves, the more we dislike it in others.”
The sin of pride plagues us all. We all want to be seen as strong, independent people. If we’re insulted, we try to insult back. When we’re persecuted, we try to fight back. When someone goes through a difficult time, some may say that he needs to pull himself up by his bootstraps. We like others to know how strong we are. It makes us feel good about ourselves. It makes us feel important, like we're somebody. Think about it... really think about it for yourself. What is it that you like to boast about? What do you like for other people to know about you because it makes you feel important?
This morning we're going to look at a passage of Scripture that talks about strength and boasting. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul says that he will boast about himself. But, he says something that should strike us as odd. He says that he will gladly boast in his weaknesses. When is the last time you boasted to someone about your weaknesses? We like to brag about our strengths, not our hardships or troubles.
But Paul said he would boast in his weaknesses. Why would he do that? What's so important about boasting in your weaknesses? Why should we do this when our culture says that you should boast in your strengths and disguise your weaknesses? Let's look at our text together.
Look with me at 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to the believers in Corinth in order to call them to be unified with him and his ministry. In his previous letter he wrote to them to be united together in love. But now, there were some who were trying to undermine Paul's authority and leadership. They were saying that his great sufferings and trials proved that he wasn't a true apostle of Jesus. Paul responds by saying that that is what proves that he is a true disciple. The fact that he has endured such persecutions and sufferings shows his own weakness and his dependence on Jesus Christ for strength.
Paul's Humbling Thorn (2 Cor. 12:7-8)
First, I want us to notice what Paul calls his thorn in verse 7. He says that if anyone has reason to boast it would be him. He thinks he wouldn't be wrong to boast about some of his strengths because he would be telling the truth. Specifically, he's talking about the revelations that God had given to him. Look again at verses 2-4: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise - whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows - and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter."
Paul had seen some great and wonderful things. God had revealed heaven to him. Paul had heard and seen things that he could not tell others about. Because of this, there may have been a temptation to be proud and conceited. Have you ever known a secret that others didn't know and it made you feel proud? That's the temptation that Paul probably felt. He knew the great secrets of heaven and paradise. He couldn't tell anyone, but just knowing it could have easily made him feel more important than others.
So, in order to keep Paul from being to exalted or proud, he was given a "thorn in the flesh." He calls it a "messenger of Satan" which harasses him. It is interesting that he says this thorn was given to him... as if it was a sort of gift from God. There has been much speculation about what this thorn was. The word Paul used refers to a pointed piece of wood or a sharp stake. It was probably some sort of physical affliction that was painful and humiliating. Also, Paul says that he was harassed. It is like he was being punched in the face over and over again.
Paul probably felt as if he couldn't bear it any more. It hurt. He didn't like it. So, he asked God to take it from him. Then he asked again... and again.
Maybe you've felt that way. Maybe something continues to bother you day after day, year after year. Maybe it is a physical pain... maybe emotional or spiritual. It feels like you just keep getting punched in the face. It hurts and you want it to stop. You've asked the Lord to take it from you over and over again. But it doesn't seem to help. It doesn't go away. This was what Paul was going through. He had experienced great revelations from God, yet he was given a "thorn" in the flesh to harass him that he might not become proud.
As gently as I can, let me just say that this may be your answer. As hard as it may be to accept, could it be that God is wanting to use this pain in your life to keep you humble or to grow your faith? I don’t want to make light of your situation. I know it is very hard for some of you... some of the things you've gone through or are currently going through. Remember what James says in James 1:2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
When you're tested... when you go through trials, God wants to use those circumstances to produce endurance in your faith, so that you might be a mature and complete follower of Christ. Our trials are meant for our good. That's the only reason we can rejoice in them. If nothing good came from them, what would be the good in rejoicing in them? But God is using them to make us better... to bring us into conformity with his image.
So, we left off with Paul asking the Lord three times to remove the thorn from him. Let's look now at the answer he received.
Christ's Power Rests on the Weak (2 Cor. 12:9)
The first word in verse 9 tips us off that it's not the answer Paul was hoping for. It's the word but. Paul had asked the Lord to remove it from him, but the Lord said... Sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers in the way we would like, does he? The example of Paul here shows us that God isn't always concerned with our comfort. Some things are more important than our comfort. People getting saved! Feeding the hungry is more important! Sharing the gospel is more important! Do you ever notice how our prayers seem to always focus on our comfort? But sometimes God is more concerned with who he is making us into than with whether or not we're comfortable.
The Lord answered Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
"I see the pain you're in. I see that you're hurting. I see that you want it to just go away. But my grace is sufficient for you. My grace is enough to hold you up and bring you through this. My grace is enough for you to be satisfied in this difficult circumstance." Then someone might say, "But you don't know what I'm going through Jesus. You don't know how much it hurts."
But let me remind you of what Jesus Christ went through while he was here on earth. During his ministry, he was always having to escape the capture of the Pharisees. They wanted to kill him. And they finally got their wish. Though he had done nothing wrong, Jesus was beaten until he was unrecognizable. He had not just a thorn in his side, but a crown of thorns shoved onto his head. As if that wasn't enough, he was nailed through his hands and feet to a wooden cross where he was left to die. And that's just the physical pain. Remember that on the cross he bore the full wrath of God for sinners. He was forsaken by the Father because he was carrying our sin. I can't imagine the emotional and spiritual pain Jesus went through in order that we might be saved. He's been there. He knows what you're going through. He has encountered every type of temptation that we have... only he never sinned. When Jesus says, "My grace is sufficient," he is speaking as one who knows. He's the one who bought you with his blood.
Now look at the reason why the Lord's grace was sufficient for Paul. The Lord said, "for my power is made perfect in weakness." The reason why the Lord's grace is sufficient is because his power is made perfect in weakness.
Picture it this way: Imagine a man who has everything. He's rich. He's popular. He's healthy. He never goes through pain. Can God get glory from that? Yes. I think so. God can get glory from that type of man if he trusts in Christ and gives honor to God. But then there's also the possibility that you make a mistake. You may say, "That man has worked hard for all he has... he really is a powerful and great guy!" You may misplace where the power actually is. The power rests with God, not with man. But in this case you may mistakenly say that the man has power.
But in a weak person, there's no doubt where the power comes from. We are weak. We are unable to bring about results. We're sick and feeble. But Christ is strong. He is powerful. He is able to bring about results. He does whatever he wishes. He accomplishes all that he intends. He is God! So, if he brings about endurance in us... if he accomplishes something in us, it is evident to all that it is done by God, because we didn't have the power to do it ourselves.
Imagine an empty cup being filled to the brim with water. We are the cup. The water is the power of God. His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. His power is put on display for all to see. In our weaknesses, Christ’s power is more clearly seen. Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
It is the same way with preaching the gospel. Just a few verses further down in 1 Corinthians... chapter 2:1-5: "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."
God's grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. And to this great fact, we should respond in the same way that Paul did. He said, "I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." And here is something that probably shocks us, living in America. This goes against the way we were raised to think. Strength comes through weakness. The power of God rests on those who are weak. The power of God rests on those who know they are weak in and of themselves.
People may wonder why the power of God is not on them... not on their churches... not in their homes. It is because we are not weak. We have made ourselves out to be strong, independent people. We don't need anyone's help. We can do it for ourselves. But the power of Christ rests on the weak. The power of Christ makes its home in those who are weak and depend on God. If you want the power of God, then boast in your weaknesses... and boast in the God who is able to overcome them. Paul did it and so should we.
When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong (2 Cor. 12:10)
Paul then in verse 10 gives a sort of summary statement for what he's been saying. "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Notice that he does this for the sake of Christ. He is content in order that Jesus Christ might be glorified. For the sake of Christ, Paul is content in any and every situation, especially those that involve weakness. It is similar to what Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
The secret of being content in all circumstances is to depend on Christ's strength and not your own. His power rests on the weak... not on those who act strong. In fact, it is only in acknowledging our weaknesses that we become strong. Paul says, "when I am weak, then I am strong." When I am weak and dependent on Christ... when I know that I can't get through the pain... when I know I can't produce results on my own... he fills me with his power... he displays his power in me, and then I am strong.
Closing
The desire to hide our weaknesses doesn't come from the Lord. It comes from the world. It comes from the idea that we must present ourselves as strong if we're going to be respected. If we want ourselves to look good, then we'll hide our weaknesses. But if we want to show the greatness and power of God, then we won't hide our weaknesses... we'll boast in them... we'll brag about them!
Many people have been turned off by the church because people hide their weaknesses. We act like everything is always OK. We hide our weaknesses behind our smiles. I'm guilty of this too. Think about this though: How different would it look if we were honest about our struggles and difficulties and we boasted in them? What would happen if we let other people know about our weaknesses? What if we said, "You know, I'm really hurting here... I'm really struggling with this and I can't endure it on my own. But Christ's grace is sufficient for me! May his power be displayed in this weakness of mine! Get glory from this, God!?" What an opportunity to show others that we have some of the same pains and hardships. What a chance to show God’s grace and power.
If you're not a follower of Jesus Christ this morning, then your first step is also the hardest one. That's admitting that you are weak in and of yourself. The first step in submitting yourself to Christ is to humble yourself... confess that you're a sinner deserving of punishment for your crimes against God. Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners like you. And if you'll humble yourself and trust him for salvation, you'll be saved from God's wrath. Humble yourself before him today.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ then your invitation is similar, but different. During our invitation, reflect on your life and talk to the Lord. What weaknesses, struggles, or hardships have you been hiding from others? You tried to act strong... you've put on a good front... but Christ is not receiving glory from that. Confess your weakness to God and ask him that he might put his power and might on display in that weakness. Humble yourself before him now. Christ's power is made perfect in weakness. Christ's power rests on those who are weak. Are you weak this morning?
"Tremper Longman is the Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies. He came to Westmont in the 1998-99 school year after teaching for eighteen years at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. His teaching responsibilities at Westmont include Life and Literature of the Old Testament (a GE requirement) as well as various upper division classes. Representative of the latter is the course in Biblical Interpretation, Old Testament Psalms and Wisdom, the Pentateuch, and the Bible in Its Ancient Near Eastern Context. Dr. Longman has degrees from Ohio Wesleyan University (B.A.), Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Yale University (M.Phil.; Ph.D.). He has written a number of articles and books...At present, he is engaged in research on the history of Israel, the biblical genres in the light of ancient Near Eastern literature, as well as commentaries on Proverbs and Jeremiah. He has also been active in the area of Bible translation, in particular he serves on the central committee that produced and now monitors the New Living Translation. Tremper and his wife Alice have three sons. In his spare time, he watches movies and plays squash."
Longman, like Waltke, is a scholar with a pastors' heart. Though he is concerned with historical and literary questions, he is most concerned with the message of the text (and the God that we meet through the message). He has written excellent commentaries on Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Daniel. Most helpful to me, however, has been the book he co-wrote with Raymond Dillard: An Introduction to the Old Testament. (Carson and Moo wrote the volume on the New Testament). Considering that my OT profs in college had only one goal (to show that the OT is full of errors and historical inaccuracies), this book has helped me tremendously. More recently, I've been blessed by his book "Immanuel in Our Place: Seeing Christ in Israel's Worship". I intend to use this one and Allen Ross' "Holiness to the Lord" next year when our church spends some time in Leviticus. Finally, last year I picked up the book Longman did with Provan and Long, "A Biblical History of Israel". This book was so helpful! It gives an overview of Israel's history built on the supposition that the Bible is true, but also addresses critical questions from archaeology and other historical disciplines (did I mention that the first 100 pages are on historical methodology? I know it sounds boring, but it really was a fascinating read. It was particularly helpful considering my OT classes in college - or did I mention that already?) To see more helpful comments, check out what others thought about the book on the amazon page. (But of course, buy from wtsbooks.)
