Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOur lesson this week is going to be the final lesson of the spring quarter of 2022.  u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/tag/spring-quarter-22/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eIn this quarteru003c/au003e, we have seen Paul’s instructions to a troubled church; remember, the believers were divided over subjects in the church of Corinth.  We have also seen Paul’s encouraging words to believers to remain steadfast in the faith and to be good ambassadors of Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn our final lesson this week, we are going to see Paul encourage believers to be faithful even in their weakness.  We are also going to get a picture of paradise through Paul’s vision of being in heaven.  Our lesson this week is being taught from u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+12%3A1-10u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003e2 Corinthians 12:1-10u003c/au003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eVision of Paradiseu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis section of our lesson is going to fit perfectly into my sermon from last week – u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/the-finish-line/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eThe Finish Lineu003c/au003e.  Our lesson opens up with Paul saying that it is not u003ciu003eprofitableu003c/iu003e for him to boast (about himself), but he goes on to speak about a vision and revelation that he had received from God (v.1).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eCaught up to the third heavenu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe will see that Paul goes on to speak about something that had happened to him 14 years prior with the end result being him temporarily called up to the u003ciu003ethird heavenu003c/iu003e (v.2).  I do want to point out that Paul, not wanting to boast, speaks of this even as if it happened to someone else, but it is clear that he is speaking of something that happened to him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe timing of this event would seem to line up with when Paul was stoned at Lystra by Jews from Antioch and Iconium (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+14%3A19u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eActs 14:19u003c/au003e).  Those Jews that had stoned Paul thought that they had killed him; he was likely knocked out unconscious and must have had a really low pulse.  However, Paul was not dead; he was simply busy u003ciu003espiritually.  u003c/iu003ennu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul was u003ciu003ecaught up u003c/iu003eto the third heaven by the Lord and not by his own doing. The third heaven is an u003ciu003einteresting u003c/iu003etalking point that I do want to touch on because we rarely talk about heaven like this.  The first heaven (or level), would be considered the sky above.  Now, there’s not much special about being caught up to this level as we, mankind, are able to reach this level by airplane, jet, helicopter, hot air balloon, etc.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe second heaven are the u003ciu003eheavens u003c/iu003ethat we read about in the book of Genesis.  The second heaven consists of the heavenly bodies which includes our solar system, the stars, and all of space itself.  Now, this second level is actually pretty unique because we cannot easily reach this level as only a few have ever been into space.  Yet, with that said, man has proven that he can reach the second heaven without needing to be caught up to it by the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe third heaven is u003ciu003ebeyond u003c/iu003eour air space and space (the known and unknown universe) itself.  The third heaven is where the Lord reigns and this heaven – God’s kingdom – is far beyond the u003ciu003elimits u003c/iu003eof space.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eHumble account of Paul’s heavenly visionu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThink about how massive the universe is – we cannot even see the ends of it!  Because the second heaven is so massive that we just can touch it, the third heaven is simply u003ciu003eimpossible u003c/iu003efor us to reach by our own might.  In order for us to reach this heaven, we have to be brought there by the Lord!  This is why we have to follow Jesus to get to heaven (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eJohn 14:6u003c/au003e).  This is also why Paul had to be u003ciu003ecaught up u003c/iu003eto the third heaven because there was no way he could make it there on his own.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul tells us that he was caught up into Paradise and that he heard u003ciu003einexpressible u003c/iu003ewords, which are not lawful for a man to utter (v.4).  Now, Paul had seen some things that he was essentially forbidden to even speak about because it was not u003ciu003elawful u003c/iu003efor a man to do so.  The only thing that Paul really tells us is that heaven exists and that he’s been there to see it.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eNo need of personal boastingu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul could have taken this moment in time to speak of heaven in a manner to boast and receive praise from others.  But again, let us remember what Paul had just said to the Corinthians, it was not profitable for him to boast.  To speak again about being an u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/ambassadors-for-christ/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eambassador of Christu003c/au003e, we do not serve the Lord to be praised and glorified by others!nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAs we have seen before, the Corinthians had no problem seeking to praise and glorify others.  Remember, at one point in time, the church was divided over favoritism and bias of their favorite preachers.  No, the gospel and sharing the gospel is not about receiving praise but about praising the Lord and persuading and encouraging others to come to Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, there was nothing more that Paul needed to say about heaven to the Corinthians other than it is real and he has seen it for himself; they would have to choose to believe him or not.  The picture of heaven is actually shown to us in great detail through John’s eyes in the book of Revelation as Jesus revealed the heavenly kingdom to us.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe will see Paul again speak to the fact that he would not boast of himself because it would be u003ciu003efoolish u003c/iu003eof him to do so (vss.5-6).  It would be foolish of Paul to boast of himself because Paul u003ciu003eknew u003c/iu003ethat he did not do or accomplish anything by his own might!  Glorification and praise needed to go to only one and that one being the Lord.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe only thing Paul would ever boast of himself was him going through and making it through his infirmities.  We are going to see that Paul, in speaking about his infirmities, did not boast about himself but gave all the glory and praise to the Lord.  The reason why Paul would do this was because he understood that he never did anything by his own might.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003ePaul’s Thorn in the Fleshu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe will see Paul begin to speak about his infirmities, and again, he’s going to speak about what he went through not to boast about himself but to boast about the Lord.  Paul said, “lest I should be u003ciu003eexalted u003c/iu003eabove measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given me (v.7).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhat was this thorn in the flesh?  Paul actually does not tell us specifically what this thorn was.  We do know that his affliction was something physical and we often assume that his thorn was probably his vision.  However, Paul does not specifically tell us what his thorn was so we can only guess what his thorn was.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul does tell us that he believes a messenger of Satan was sent to buffet him.  However, I explained to you all before, that Paul’s thorn was actually the Lord keeping Paul on the course he had for him.  To the Romans, Paul spoke of his great desire to visit them but how he was often held up from doing so because he had to go elsewhere to minister.  Paul believed this was Satan’s doing but, in actuality, the Lord will send and use us how He desires; God did not desire for Paul to go to Rome until the time He had designated (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.+1%3A9-10u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eRom. 1:9-10u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003ePaul’s prayeru003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, Paul did what any believer should do in our afflictions and infirmities – he prayed.  Paul tells us that he pleaded with the Lord u003ciu003ethree times u003c/iu003eabout his infirmity with a great desire that it be taken away from him (v.8).  I believe that Paul was in a serious need of help!  I also believe that, in Paul’s mind, the Lord wasn’t moving fast enough for his liking which is why he prayed so often.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, I tell you that I believe the Lord heard Paul the first time.  In fact, I will go a step further and tell you that the Lord not only heard Paul the first time but He knew of Paul’s needs beforehand.  Jesus tells us that the Lord knows our needs before we even go to Him in prayer (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+6%3A8u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 6:8u003c/au003e).  When we pray to the Lord, it shows that we are dependent on Him rather than dependent on ourselves, someone else, or something else.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul tells us that the Lord responded, “My u003ciu003egrace u003c/iu003e(His love) is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness (v.9).”  Whatever we go through, the Lord always knows our needs and His grace is sufficient to supply us our every need whether in affliction or not.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe Lord met Paul’s need and this is why Paul would rather boast in the Lord than himself.  You see, Paul did not do anything to fix his infirmity, aside from go to God in prayer.  The Lord was the one who helped sustain Paul in his infirmity.  So, Paul concludes our lesson by saying that takes pleasure in his infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses u003ciu003ebecause u003c/iu003eGod is the one who helps him in his need.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul then tells us that when he is weak, he is strong.  What makes him strong?  What gives him strength?  His hope in the Lord and then God gives him the strength to keep on making.  As I have preached for this past month, while we are on this journey, it is the Lord that pushes us to keep on moving forward.  When we are weak in our infirmities, we are still very strong through the Lord who has overcome all things and is all powerful.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e