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Home » Bible Study » Men's Bible Study » 2 Corinthians 12:1-13 [Apostleship] (2 Corinthians 12:1-13 [Apostleship])
2 Corinthians 12:1-13 [Apostleship] [message #1131] Tue, 13 April 2021 23:32 Go to next message
john.svk is currently offline  john.svk
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12 It is [a]doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to [b]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong

11 I have become a fool [c]in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Re: 2 Corinthians 12:1-13 [Apostleship] [message #1132 is a reply to message #1131] Tue, 20 April 2021 18:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mohandoss is currently offline  mohandoss
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OBSERVATIONS:
Apostle Paul after his conversion on the road to Damascus was a new creation- his priorities totally changes and he went from a religious man to a man that was on mission for Jesus. To have an encounter with Jesus, where Jesus himself made himself known and said why do you persecute me Saul?.To have a relationship with the savior so intense and personal that he is willing to suffer and die for the cause of Christ. Many say it but few live it!. He is trying to explain the connection and relationship with God in depth.

I. God the Revelator Discloses Paradise :Through the revelation of God Paul gets a picture of paradise. He was caught up into glory. Interestly enough, this revelation is mentioned nowhere else in his letters. Why would Paul write about it here? Because the false teaches had invaded the church and captivated the Corinthians with their boastings of dreams, visions and revelations. They were misleading people.

II. God the Terminator Destroys Pride : it was "given" and by "God". It was a "thorn". Most thorns are little things. They are commonplace, plentiful and sharp. They are intensely painful but not lethal. Whatever it was it was annoying, painful, persistent and burdensome. It was a constant torture that daily harassed him.

III. God the Motivator Deepens Prayer :Paul goes from paradise to pain to pleading. This drove him to his knees. Surely a miracle would occur. Paul is so divinely connected, surely God would take it away.But look. Request denied! The stake stays. There will be no quick fix, no miracle. I won't remove the stake but I will give you more strength to overcome.

IV. God the Liberator Develops Power: Suffering hurts. The power coming from Paul is most clearly seen as coming from God when Paul appears to be the weakest. Paul came to accept the way God's power was working in his
life.

APPLICATION:
We cannot taken as you will have no thorns in life, nor will they be removed. But we can trust God grace is sufficient always!
He will provide more power to overcome all our thorns
God will motivate us and provide more strength to overcome al our issues/
Re: 2 Corinthians 12:1-13 [Apostleship] [message #1133 is a reply to message #1131] Tue, 20 April 2021 20:29 Go to previous message
cpchellaa is currently offline  cpchellaa
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SCRIPTURE
2 Corinthians 12:1-13 [Apostleship]
12 It is [a]doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to [b]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong

11 I have become a fool [c]in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

OBSERVATION
Paul was saying boasting our pride is not worth for an apostle/anybody. Instead boast on gods miracles, mighty, rightiousness.
Paul said he gladly boast on his infirmities and and he knew god is his refugee

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Gods grace is sufficient for us, for our strength is made perfect in weakness.
We should take pleasure in infirmities, in disappointment, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.

Philippians 3:8
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ

These are the qualities of an apostle,

Signs of an apostle are keep perseverance in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.


APPLICATION

Boast your infirmities in god and get strenthen over your weakness


PRAYER

Load god you are our refugee and fort
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