A Mentor, A Metaphor, and Therefore by Brother Curtis Hansen

         This morning's scripture text is going to be from the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We will start reading at verse 6.

        6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forebear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me.

        7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in my flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

        8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

        9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

        10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

        These are very familiar scriptures in the Pentecost church, and ones to remember as we go through life. If one verse were able to excuse a multitude of sins like many argue for, with their misinterpretations of the Bible, there would be no need to have any of the Bible written. Paul was frustrated with the church in Corinth. In our reading Paul reveals to the church there is a thorn in the flesh. We are going to break this down into three subjects this morning. A mentor, A metaphor, and therefore.

        The mentor in this scripture is Paul. The church was rich in money and goods given the city being a port where many nations had traded. There was growth and spiritual gifts in the church, but also there was immorality and sin. To over glorify oneself is to be foolish. You have to remain humble. There are no levels of mercy to the believer.

        The metaphor is the thorn. Paul used this example to empathize and sympathize with the church. The thorn today could be a person in our life who troubles us. It could be insecurity of finances or food. It could be a rebellion. The thorn is not there to disable you and your walk, but it is there to keep you in check. What you struggle with doesn't mean it is more or less than someone else's struggle.

        You have grace to cover you in a season. To come to God when you want or need to. Mercy is there when you are unworthy to approach the throne of God. "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." To do the calling and his journeys, it wasn't through Paul but it was Jesus.

        The therefore is the thorn present to glory you in your infirmities that the power of Jesus is upon you. Paul realizes that if God allowed the thorn into him, God allows things to happen. Paul understood intimately that it was never about him. Paul's affliction of the flesh can often lead almost all of us to have a woe is me attitude. The thorn will remain in your side. You cannot remove it. The flesh man, your carnal self has to decrease for the spirit man to increase.