Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 4/07/13

 

Daniel’s Dilemma: an Introduction

Daniel 1:1-7

 

Introduction:The Book of Daniel is listed among the Prophets in our English Bible. The Hebrew Bible places Daniel among the Writings like Psalms and Proverbs. The story of Daniel takes place during the Exile of Judah commonly known as the Babylonian Captivity. King Jehoiakim of Judah was captured by King Nebuchadnezzar in 606 BC. The vessels of the house of God were taken to Babylon (1:1-2).  An edict was given to relocate the noble, royal youth of Judah to Babylon. They were to be in good mental, physical, and intellectual condition so they could serve in the King’s court. They would learn the language and culture of the Chaldeans over a period of three years and eat the King’s own food. The King would then select the best to serve him (1:3-5). Daniel and three companions were chosen for the training (1:4-7).Babylon later destroyed Jerusalem in 587 BC. The Hebrew people would remain in captivity for 70 years.

 

·        Outline of Daniel: Historical (Ch. 1-6) and Prophetical (Ch. 7-12).

·        Dates: 606 BC (Exile) – 537 BC (Fall of Babylon to Persians).

·        Unique feature: Chapters 2:4 – 7:28 are Aramaic. All else is Hebrew.

·        Theme: The Sovereign God is in control of individuals and empires until the establishment of his kingdom on earth.

·        KeyVerse: [T]he Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32).

 

GODCARES FOR US IN THE PRESENT (Daniel 1-6).

 

*God’s presence in history is certain. “I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power,  you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king” (Daniel 2:23).

 

GODPREPARES US FOR THE FUTURE (Daniel 7-12).

 

*Prophecy reveals God’s plans for his world. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 3/31/13

 

Walking with Jesus

Luke 24:13-36

 

Introduction:We are all on a journey called life. From the womb to the tomb, we walk life’s highway and face all of life’s detours, obstacles and paths. We make choices that determine where our paths lead. Some choices lead to smooth roads and others lead to dead ends. But we are all on this journey. What we may not realize is that we are not alone. We are all walking with Jesus. He is present although we may not be aware of it. That is what happened to the two disciples who were walking home to Emmaus in Luke 24. Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him (Luke 24:13-16). Today is Easter. We celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. Jesus is alive and walking with you today. Where are you on this journey with Jesus? How do you respond to him? Luke 24:13-36 gives us four ways to respond.

 

DISAPPOINTMENT

 

*They were disillusioned and despairing because their hopes were dashed. “He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast” (17).

 

·        Theirdreams of Messiah were shattered (19-21).

·        Theirtrust in their leaders was shaken (20).

·        Theirhope for good news was silenced (22-24).

 

Sometimes we cannot see Jesus because of our losses & disappointments.

 

DIRECTION

 

*Jesus speaks to us on the journey.  He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself (25-27).

 

·        Jesus brings to us his presence (25-26).

·        Jesus brings us his word (27).

·        Jesus shows us we are part of a bigger story (25-27).

In order to see Jesus, we need someone to speak truth into our situation.

 

DISCERNMENT

 

* We must make an invitation for Jesus to stay with us if we are to know him.  As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them (28-29).

 

* At some point, Jesus will reveal himself to us and commune with us.  When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight (30-31).

 

*When we recognize Jesus, everything becomes clear about God and life. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (32).

 

When we invite Jesus to come into us, we suddenly realize that he has been there all the time waiting for the invitation.

 

DELIGHT

 

*We want to tell others when we discover that Jesus is alive and has come into our lives. They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread (33-35).

 

*Jesus brings to us the joy of his presence and gives us peace.  While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you” (36).

 

Have you invited Jesus Christ into your life and do you know his peace?

 

 

Where are you on the road with Jesus (circle one)?

 

 

------Disappointment-----Direction-----Discernment-----Delight----->

 

 

Are you willing to take the next step on the walk with Jesus?

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 3/17/13

 

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Acts 2:42-47

 

Introduction:We conclude our 50 Day Journey: Share Christ, Love Your Neighbor today. Last week we reviewed the five purposes of the church. Today we will look at the six expressions of our faith that are always at work and always part of the DNA of the local church and individual Christians. By keeping these six expressions alive and active, we will fulfill the purposes of the church. These expressions are linked to the heart of God for people and his desire that they know his Son Jesus Christ. The church must continue to stay connected to God and others, communicate the message, and strengthen community. In this way our 50 Day Journey becomes a lifestyle that lasts a lifetime. The believers in the early church show us how to keep the main thing the main thing (Acts 2:42-47).

 

STAYCONNECTED.

 

*Expression 1 – Pray. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”(42).

 

*Expression 2 – Love and Serve one another. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (44-45).

 

SIMPLYCOMMUNICATE.

 

*Expression 3 – Share the Gospel. “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (47).

 

*Expression 4 – Provide a Friendly Atmosphere. They were “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people”(47).

 

STRENGTHENCOMMUNITY.

 

*Expression 5 – BuildBridges to others. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts…” (46).

 

*Expression 6 – Connect God with the Community. “Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles” (43).

 

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 3/10/13

 

Tell the World

Acts 11:19-30

 

INTRODUCTION: What is the recipe for a missional church? At Parkview Baptist Church

·        Every member is a missionary

·        Every home is an outpost for evangelism and fellowship

·        Every church is a mission-sending center

Our church slogan is “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a Great Church.” How can we obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?

 

ENLARGE YOUR CIRCLE OF WITNESS (11:19-21).

 

*OurMission is to lead others to Jesus. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt. 28:19).

 

*The Lord blesses our witness when we stretch our personal boundaries. Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord (11:19-21).

 

ENCOURAGE SUCCESS AND GROWTH (11:22-24).

 

*We are to bring new disciples into the Membership of his church.  “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”(Matt 28:19).

 

*Don’t try to control or contain the work of the Holy Spirit – set it free.  News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord (11:22-24).

 

EDUCATE AND EDIFY THE BELIEVERS (11:25-26).

 

*Members must be brought to Maturity if they are to reflect the life of Christ. Jesus said, “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

 

*Nurture new believers through doctrinal and practical teaching- orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (11:25-26).

 

EXPRESS THANKS AND EXTEND HELP TO OTHERS (27-30).

 

*Mature believers will Magnify the Lord and find a Ministry in which to show Christ’s love to others. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

 

*Multiply ministry by loving God and loving your neighbor.  During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul (11:27-30).

 

Are you living out the five purposes of the church?

 Building Bridges

Matthew 5:13-16

 

Introduction: Sam Harrell is a missionary in Kenya. He has many projects to help local villages provide fresh water, educational centers, and agricultural sustainability. One of his most creative projects is the construction of foot bridges to cross impassable rivers and streams. Sam hires local workers to build the suspension bridge. He meets a community need for employment and quick access across the river for children going to school and trips to nearby clinics. Sam connects the bridges to Jesus. He has a grand opening ceremony and tells the villagers of the bridge Jesus made between us and God through his death and resurrection. If we are to be the church that Jesus described, we must build bridges. We must be salt and light to the people around us and point them to Jesus. We must also provide bridge opportunities for them to come to Jesus.

 

SALT HAS A DEEP REACHING INFLUENCE.

 

*Thesphere of salt: “You are the salt of the earth” (5:13).

 

*Thecharacteristics of salt:

 

·       Saltprevents the spread of corruption.

·       Saltspeaks of purity.

·       Saltspends itself upon another.

·       Salt is powerful.

·       Saltflavors.

 

*Salt must make contact to be effective and influential. “But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (5:13).

 

LIGHT HAS A FAR REACHING INFLUENCE.

 

*Thesphere of light: “You are the light of the world” (5:14).

 

*Thecharacteristics of light:

 

·       Light must be seen to be of value.

·       In the darkness, light either guides or warns.

 

*Light must contact the darkness to be useful.

 

“A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (5:14-16).

 

FIND YOUR POINT OF CONTACT AND BUILD A BRIDGE.

 

Christians preserve and enlighten the world through their work and witness. We build the bridges that bring people to Jesus.

 

BRIDGE EVENTS:

 

 

 

BRIDGE MINISTRIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 2/24/13

 

How to Be a Friend of God

James 2:14-24

 

Introduction: Chris Hogan, the coach at Faith Academy in Grapevine, TX, knew his team would defeat the outnumbered and out equipped Gainesville State School, a maximum security facility for teens. He thought, "What if half of our fans and half of our cheerleaders, for one night only, cheered for the other team?" He wrote to the fans, “Here's the message I want you to send: You're just as valuable as any other person on the planet."  The fans and team agreed and showed they cared by their actions. There were visible indicators that they cared. They demonstrated genuine friendship that overwhelmed the visiting team. They accepted society’s outcasts as equals and treated them as brothers. How do you friendly up the church? A friend of God gives others care by meeting their needs.

 

A FRIEND OF GOD HAS FAITH THAT WORKS.

 

*Webecome a friend of God through faith in Jesus Christ. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

 

*Weshow we are right with God through our deeds. What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (Hebrews 2:14-17).

 

A FRIEND OF GOD HAS FAITH THAT IS VISIBLE AS WELL AS VERBAL.

 

*Faith is more than belief. “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (2:18-19).

 

*Faith and actions must work together. “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did” (2:20-22).

 

*A true friend of God believes and obeys. “And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (2:23-24).

We demonstrate God’s love best when we serve others in Jesus’ name.  A friend of God finds ways to help others.

PARKVIEW MINISTRIES:

 Willing Widows, Ronald MacDonald House, Disaster Relief, Food bags for transients, Sol-Servants for singles, Music ministry, Habitat for Humanity Apostles Build, Community Garden, GROW outreach, and the International Learning Center. 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

Are you a friend of God? Is there any evidence to show it?

Are you helping others in Jesus’ name? Where are you serving?

 

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 2/17/13

 

My Story / His Story

Acts 1:8

 

Introduction: Jesus said that his followers would be witnesses of him, of what it means to know, trust, obey and follow him. A witness simply tells what he or she saw and heard. Jesus said that he would empower us to tell our stories wherever we go, starting at home and going out from there. His story in your life can touch any life. Every heart has the same need – a God touch and a God connection. Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

 

I MUST SHARE WITH THOSE IN MY WORLD.

 

*My Story tells what I know. It looks back to before I met Christ, how I met Christ, and what he did then and since I first met him. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem”(1:8).

 

*Example of Paul: “Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19-20).

 

I MUST DARE TO REACH BEYOND MY WORLD.

 

*My Story can grow and can go anywhere. “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria” (1:8).

 

*Philip is an example of one who continued to share about Christ wherever he went, beyond his world: Jerusalem (Acts 6:5-7), Samaria (Acts 8:4-6), Gaza Road (Acts 8:26-38), and Caesarea (Acts 8:39-40).

 

I MUST CARE ABOUT THE WHOLE WORLD.

 

*My Story can show wherever I go. “You will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

 

*Peter is an example of one who had more to learn – farther to go – and newpeople to reach. He witnessed in Jerusalem (Acts 2-5), Samaria (Acts 8:14-25), to Lydda and Joppa (Acts 9:32-43) and then to a group of Gentiles in Caesarea (Acts 10=11).

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 2/10/13

 

The Dividing Line

Matthew 25:31-46

 

Introduction: Lewis and Clark were sent by Thomas Jefferson to explore the northwest corner of the United States. Not much was known about the area and the expedition was able to send reports of new species of plants and animals. They not only met new Indian tribes but they also were able to map out the area for future settlers. Lewis and Clark separated for a time to search out the source of the Missouri River and on that side trip in August, 1805 Lewis discovered the Continental Divide. The divide separates where the waters run toward the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean. Lewis knew they were ready to enter new territory and find the route to the Pacific. There is another dividing line. It is the line that separates the sheep from the goats, the saved from the lost, and the followers of Jesus from the self- serving. The dividing line of eternity is determined by the choices you make today. Let’s read about this line in Matthew 25:31-46.

 

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left (Matthew 25;31-33).

 

THERE IS A DIVIDING LINE THAT…

 

DETERMINES YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.

 

*Jesus will welcome you on that day or he will send you away.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father…” (34). “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed…” (41).

 

DETERMINES YOUR FUTURE DESTINY.

 

*You have an appointment with eternity either in

 

Heaven: Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom

prepared for you since the creation of the world (34).

 

Or Hell: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (41).

 

DETERMINES HOW YOU WILL LIVE YOUR LIFE.

 

*Thechoices we make now with our lives determine our destiny

 

Are you serving others?  “‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father…For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’” (34-36).

 

Are you serving yourself? “‘Depart from me, you who are cursed... For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me’” (41-43).

 

The dividing line is what you did or did not do for others in the name of Jesus.

 

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’”… “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ (40-45).

 

*The essential choice in life is whether we serve ourselves or live to be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus. It determines your future.

 

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (46).

 

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 1/27/13

 

The Great Connections

Acts 1: 4 – 8

 

Introduction: Today we begin a 50 Day Journey to Easter. Our journey is called Exploring Great Commission Living. The Jericho Road was a dangerous road and full of thieves and robbers. A man was attacked and robbed and left for dead. Who would help him? Who was going to be his neighbor? Jesus said the religious leaders and the law keepers ignored this man. But a Samaritan came by and treated the man’s wounds, carried him to an inn, and paid for his continued care. Who was the neighbor? The one who cared. Jesus said to go and do likewise. We are to love God and to love our neighbor. During the Bible study hour, we studied about the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We need to love our neighbors and share Christ. In order to carry out these tasks, we need some Great Connections. We discover those connections in Acts 1:4-8.

 

CONNECT TO THE STRENGTH OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS.

 

*The Holy Spirit gives us power through the gospel. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”(1:8).

 

*Thebaptism of the Holy Spirit identifies us with the Father and his purposes. “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (1:5).

 

*Jesuspromised that his mission would be realized through the gift of his Spirit. “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about’” (1:4).

 

The Holy Spirit connects us to God’s power and purposes.

 

CONNECT TO THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS.

 

*What is the definition of the gospel? “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you…For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised

on the third day according to the Scriptures…”(1 Corinthians 15:1-4.)

*The gospel reveals where God’s love meets our need. “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly…But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6-8).

 

*What has Christ done for us through the gospel? God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

*What has God done for us through the gospel? “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:11-12).

 

*The gospel gives us eternal life and power to live in this life. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). Paul writes, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

 

We experience forgiveness of sins, eternal life and the power to live through the gospel.

 

CONNECT TO THE STRATEGY OF THE GOSPEL WITNESS.

 

*Jesus told his disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

 

*Jesus told us to be his witnesses

·        In our country - in Jerusalem, and in all Judea

·        In our conflicts – Samaria

·        In our call - to the ends of the earth (see Isaiah 6, Matt. 28:19).

 

We have everything we need to be On Mission with Christ.

 Gregory C. Magruder Parkview Baptist Church, Gainesville, FL 1/20/13

 

A Thorn in the Flesh

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

 

INTRODUCTION: The passage of 2 Corinthians 11:21 – 12:10 is often called the “Discourse of a Fool.” The passage has three sections which include the word “boast” (2 Cor. 11:21, 30 and 12:1). The super-apostles (11:5) forced the Apostle of Christ to act like a Fool for Christ (11:1, 16-19). Paul plays the Learned Imposter in 2 Cor. 12:1-4, 7-9. Here the drama ends and Paul paints a picture of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Weaknesses and difficulties are a way for God to display his power. Paul would rather boast about his weaknesses than his abilities. We tend to glorify strengths and abilities like the super-apostles did. Instead God uses our weaknesses to bring glory to himself. God often uses a “thorn in the flesh” to keep us dependent on him. Paul discovered that “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor.12:10). Let’s find out about the “thorn” in 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.

 

WHAT REPRESENTS A “THORN IN THE FLESH”?

 

All Christians are disciplined by the Lord to correct and to develop us. God chastens us temporarily to train and mature us.  “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons...Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:7-10).

 

The “thorn in the flesh” is a persistent affliction that chastens us but also stays with us. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me (2 Cor. 12:7-8).

 

The thorn in the flesh is an affliction that causes physical or spiritual pain and disrupts daily living.

 

WHY DO WE RECEIVE A “THORN IN THE FLESH”?

 

“Thorns in the flesh” seem to follow great spiritual blessings or victories. Paul had a powerful revelation from the Lord.

 

I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man…was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:1-5).

 

A thorn punctures pride. God gave Paul a thorn to keep him from becoming conceited and proud about his spiritual visions. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me (2 Cor. 12:7).

 

God refused to remove Paul’s thorn because he wanted Paul to be humble and dependent upon the Lord. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (12:8-9).

 

God may not remove our problem but he will give us the power to work through our problems so that he gets the glory.

 

HOW DO WE RESPOND TO A “THORN IN THE FLESH”?

 

Focus on God’s grace instead of your limitations. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”(2 Cor. 12:9).

 

Embrace life’s hardships so you can experience Christ’s power.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:10).

The paradox of the Christian life is that when I am weak in human strength, I can be strong in divine strength.