Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
Sunday Service 2 Corinthians 12
  • Here I Am To Worship
  • Angels We Have Heard On High (Gloria)
  • Way Maker
  • Blessed Be Your Name
  • Goodness Of God
  • Mary Did You Know
  • Last week:
    Paul helps us understand who is a true pastor and who are the wolves, or, the workers of Satan
    We see that Paul’s ministry was not full of grandeur, but rather, sacrifice and difficulties
    Today, we will see how the Lord uses that to accomplish His will in and through us.
    Illustration:
    There was once a young man who just started a new job as an apprentice welder with a railroad company. His first day, he was assigned to new track that they were laying down. When they came to a certain point, his journeyman asked him if he could go back to the yard and make some cuts with the torch while they continued to work. Before the apprentice left, the journeyman quickly asked, “You know what you’re doing, or do you need me to come show you?” The apprentice assured his journeyman he knew what he was doing, and proceeded to head back to the yard. You see, the apprentice knew that in order to use the torch, you needed to hook up the acetylene and the oxygen to the torch, but he failed to understand the proper safety measure and regulators that were needed. So instead of using a valve regulator, he hooked everything up directly. He proceeded to open both valves at the same time. Acetylene is highly explosive, and improper handling can easily lead to an explosion. Well, what ended up happening was when the journeyman heard the explosion, he rushed back to see how what was going on. The only thing left within a quarter mile radius were the soles of this apprentice shoes. If he would have recognized his weakness instead of trying to be someone who knew it all, he would probably still be alive today.
    This is why it is important, as we will see, that weakness is not something to be ashamed of, but to recognize and allow the Lord to work through that to build His kingdom
    Boast in the Spiritual (V.1-6)
    V.1
    O: Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
    I: Paul is done boasting of himself, although it wasn’t of any profit, so he will boast about things that are from the Lord… visions and revelations
    A: Revelation= apokolpsis= unveiling, revealing
    Let me tell you about something the Lord showed me!!!
    This is always more profitable than “Look at me”
    Why?? Because the Lord seeks to edify His church, while those who boast of oneself seek to edify themselves.
    V.2-4
    O: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows- such a man was caught up to the third heaven. (3) And I know how such a man- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, god knows- (4) was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
    I: Paul speaks of this man who he knows, that went to heaven and was able to hear things that we just can’t comprehend here on earth.
    A: Notice this… Paul stays in his lane, he doesn’t try to explain things that he has no idea about… only God knows the details.
    Here is what Paul knows
    this guy was “caught up”- the word here is harpazo.
    he went to the third heaven- Sky (1st), outer space (2nd), Paradise (3rd)
    heard things we are not allowed to speak
    Here is what Paul does NOT know
    Whether the guy was dead or alive
    Was it his spirit or was it his body too
    Don’t try to explain things that only God knows
    V.5
    O: On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses
    I: Paul will gladly promote this guys experience, and if Paul boasts about himself, it will be about the things he is weak in
    A: Think about it like this… Paul shares his “heroic” escape by being let down in a basket through a hole in a wall. This guy gets to see and experience heaven.
    The experiences we have will always be different. Some people will see visions and revelations that are incredible. Others will be running for their life through humiliating means.
    But the weakness don’t stop there… we will see in a couple verses
    V.6
    O: For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.
    I: Paul wants to be careful about what he says about himself, because he doesn’t want people to make more of him than he really is
    A: Jesus speaks into this in Luke 14:7-11
    Luke 14:7–11 NASB95
    7 And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. 10 “But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. 11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
    Jesus warns about making more of yourself than you really are, because you will be humiliated at the end
    This is what Paul is trying to avoid, that an expectation is put on him that makes him more than he is, and then when people find out he actually isn’t a great, confident speaker, they scoff and make fun of him and him and the gospel are shamed.
    But look at what Paul shares next
    Paul’s Weakness (V.7-10)
    V.7
    O: Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me- to keep me from exalting myself.
    I: Paul didn’t need to self regulate, the Lord did that for him. He sent what Paul calls a “messenger of Satan” to keep him from exalting himself.
    A: There is a lot of debate of what Paul means by this.
    Is this a demonic oppression, like we see in things like the exorcist or other horror movies?
    Is this simply just a sickness or ailment that Paul has to deal with?
    Many think this is Paul’s eyesight, because of Galatians 6:11
    Galatians 6:11 NASB95
    11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
    What we do know for sure… this thorn in the flesh is demonic in nature.
    “messenger of Satan”= Angel of Satan= demon
    Think of Job… what he went through was purely demonic as well, orchestrated by Satan, allowed by God.
    Paul’s thorn in the flesh is demonic. So God would deliver him, right??
    V.8-9
    O: Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. (9) And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
    I: Even though Paul begged the Lord to take this away, the Lord allows this so that Paul could be perfected in weakness. This is what Paul will boast about, that it is his weakness the Lord will work in and through.
    A: We often think we need everything to be perfect to be used by the Lord. We think it is our weakness that is hindering the Lord from working.
    In fact, it is in our weakness that the Lord is working.
    Remember, this is a demonically influenced weakness. Paul doesn’t have it all together, Paul doesn’t have ideal or perfect circumstances, Paul is struggling with demonic warfare. But none of this have hindered him, but rather, shown Christ and His power working through the life and ministry of Paul.
    V.10
    O: Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
    I: Paul is perfectly happy to go through all these difficulties so that Christ will prove Himself strong in Paul.
    A: Know this… Humility and humble circumstances come with the price of Christ getting all the glory!!
    Are you content knowing Christ is getting the glory in your weakness?
    This is where we are strong, an utter dependance upon Christ, even if it means little to nothing for you and your reputation.
    I think of John the Baptist in John 3:30
    John 3:30 NASB95
    30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.
    Not Being a Burden (V.11-19)
    V.11-12
    O: I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody. (12) The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
    I: Paul makes his point, he is no less than even the most popular, the most significant apostle. In fact, the Lord showed and proved him through these signs of an apostle.
    A: It is important to know… position in church does not give one superiority.
    You aren’t any less nor inferior because of what you have been called to.
    As a pastor of a small church, I am not inferior to the most eminent pastor who is out there. We have different ministries, and it doesn’t make any of us more or less from one another.
    V.13-16
    O: For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? forgive me this wrong. (14)Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible for their parents, but parents for their children. (15) I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? (16) But be that as it may, I did not burden you myself; nevertheless, crafty fellow that I am , I took you in by deceit.
    I: Paul, using a bit of sarcasm, that he took them by deceit, because he chose not to burden them and instead drained himself to take care of them.
    A: The principle is that parents are meant to take care of children, not the other way around. In the same way, Paul is wanting to take care of the Corinthians, loving them, giving himself for them.
    Paul says “ I do not seek what is yours, but you.” Minister to people, not for money. Desire their spiritual growth, not how your pocket book can grow.
    This is the same heart parents have for children, to take care of them and provide good things for them. As parents, we would never expect our kids to provide for us.
    This is the heart of love every person who desires to minister should have
    V.17-18
    O: Certainly I have not taken advantage of you through any of those whom I have sent to you, have I? (18) I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit and walk in the same steps?
    I: The men Paul sent in his stead, they treated the Corinthians the same way he would. Titus represented Paul as if Paul himself were there.
    A: Men we can trust to do the work… men who are like minded in the work. These are a rare thing to find.
    When a church talks about buy in, this is what they are referring to. It doesn’t mean others aren’t doing the Lord’s work, but to have people who will represent the same heart and desire the Lord has given you is a blessing for all. You can trust them to do the work without taking advantage of the people. It’s assurance that the sheep are being well taken care of
    V.19
    O: All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved.
    I: Paul hasn’t been trying to defend himself, but rather, build up the body in Corinth.
    A: When we re-read all that Paul is saying, it isn’t simply him defending himself, but laying down some foundational truths for the body.
    Misunderstandings (V.20-21)
    V.20
    O: For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
    I: Paul is first afraid that unfulfilled expectations will lead to fights and arguments.
    A: This is a reality we all have to face, and actually, a situation that we are told about in James 4:1-3
    James 4:1–3 NASB95
    1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
    What causes all these arguments, these quarrels?? That your expectations are not met.
    We see this in all of our relationships
    Paul understood this, and was concerned that it would be an awkward time that was just going to be fighting and arguing.
    How do we mitigate this??
    As Paul has been teaching, quit boasting about yourself, but build and equip others through your weakness
    V.21
    O: I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.
    I: The second thing Paul was afraid of was that there would be people who have not actually repented as Paul thought they already had.
    A: It is heart breaking when you think people have grown spiritually, but rather, they are unrepentant and continue in their wicked ways.
    People who haven’t been transformed, but rather playing church and taking the grace of God for granted.
    Conclusion:
    And this is what Paul is conveying to the Corinthians. That his purpose is to build them up, and the best way is to teach them about humility both in themselves and people they start to trust spiritually. It isn’t those who never face trials or difficulties, those who never deal with demonic warfare or ailments, those who rely on their own strength and favorable circumstances that the Lord uses, it is in our weakness that the Lord is strong in

      • Luke 14:7–11NASB95

      • Galatians 6:11NASB95

      • John 3:30NASB95

      • James 4:1–3NASB95

Calvary Chapel Wenatchee
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