December 28, 2008
Morning Service

II Cor. 12

 

Read Preface to II Cor. From my Bible.

 

2Co 12:1-21  Indeed, it is not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  (2)  I know a man in Christ fourteen years before (whether in the body, I do not know; or outside 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 outside of the body, I do not know; God knows),  (4)  that he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not allowed for a man to utter.  (5)  I will glory of such a one, yet I will not boast on my behalf, except in my weaknesses. 

• Yes, there are dreams, and visions.  They will never add to the Word, or take away from it. 
• I believe the main reason we don’t have many dreams and visions today is that we don’t need them.  Peter said “all things that pertain to life and Godliness have been given to us.”  THE BIBLE.
• I believe also if we want to receive dreams, and visions, we must fast and pray more.
• We can only suppose what, or who Paul mentions here.  Many believe that he is speaking of himself.  It is was not uncommon to speak of yourself in this manner, John did it often in his writings.  Speaking like this eliminates the idea that you are bragging on yourself.  A lot of preachers today don’t allow this to stand in there way, to let you know how spiritual they are.
• By the way, the first heaven is where the birds are, the second is where the stars abide, the third is the spiritual realm, according to commentators.
• Notice how Paul goes from showing the powerful presence of God in one’s life, to the thought of being weak.

(6)  For if I desire to boast, I shall not be foolish. For I will speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone should think of me as being beyond what he sees me, or hears of me;  (7)  and by the surpassing revelations, lest I be made haughty, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be made haughty.  (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. 

• Here is Paul’s famous thorn in the flesh.  Spoken, and pondered on by many writers.  But notice the reason he had it.  To keep him from thinking to highly of himself, or haughty.
• We sometimes wonder why there are certain things in our lives that God won’t take away, well this is probably the reason.  We first need to prove ourselves to God that we wouldn’t be that way if He would help us overcome our thorn in the flesh. 
• You see it is God’s will that we grow up into the full stature of Christ, and be like Jesus.  Eph. 4:13.
• Paul ask the Lord three times to remove this thorn in the flesh, but this is what the Lord told him.

(9)  And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.

• You see, when we turn the other cheek, we are strong.  When you allow someone to abuse you, you are strong in the eyes of the Lord.  When we don’t strike back, or seek revenge, we are being true Christians.  When we appear weak in the ways of the world, then we are pleasing to God.
• This is what is meant by growing up into the full stature of Christ, being like Him.

Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.  (10)  Therefore I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am powerful. 

• This is a good explanation of how Paul felt about this matter.

(11)  I have become foolish boasting. You compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you. For I lacked nothing of the highest apostles, if even I am nothing.  (12)  Truly the signs of the apostle were worked out among you in all patience, in miracles and in wonders, and by works of power. 

• Just as God had allowed Peter to work miracles, He allowed Paul to do this also.

(13)  For what is it in which you were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.  (14)  Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you.

• Paul is letting them know that the most important thing is that they get saved, and dedicated to the Lord, and His work.  He is not interested in their earthly possessions.
• Paul also realizes that once they give themselves to the Lord, then they will gladly support the Lords work.   Such was the case with the Macedonians in chapter 8 of this letter.

2Co 8:1-5  And, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given among the churches of Macedonia;  (2)  that in much testing of trouble, the overflowing of their joy, and the depth of their poverty, abounded to the riches of their generosity.  (3)  For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability; they gave willingly;  (4)  with much beseeching, begging us that they might receive of us the grace and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints.  (5)  And not as we hoped, but first they gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God,

• You see, when we truly give ourselves to the Lord, the things of this world lose their glitter, and shine, and the things of Heaven take on a new, and more beautiful glow of brilliance.   Remember what Jesus said, “set up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.”

For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children. 

• Paul is saying, you, being the children should not be supplying my needs, but me being the parent, I should be supplying your needs. 
• And your needs are the teachings that will help you get a closer walk with God.
• Your earthly things are not needed by me at all.

(15)  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls, even if loving you more and more, I am loved the less.  (16)  But let it be so, I did not burden you. But being crafty, I caught you with bait.  (17)  By any whom I have sent to you, did I overreach you by him?  (18)  I begged Titus and sent with him the brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps? 

• I want you to see how reading, and comparing a different translation will clear up the Scriptures;

2Co 12:16-18  And why is it that I keep coming across these whiffs of gossip about how my self-support was a front behind which I worked an elaborate scam? Where's the evidence?  (17)  Did I cheat or trick you through anyone I sent?  (18)  I asked Titus to visit, and sent some brothers along. Did they swindle you out of anything? And haven't we always been just as aboveboard, just as honest?

• Paul was letting them know that neither himself, or the ones he sent to them, took advantage of them in anyway.  Especially monetary gain.

(19)  Again, do you think we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your building up. 

• Do I think you are my jurors?  No, I will be judged by Almighty God, not you.

(20)  For I fear, lest somehow coming I might not find you as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you might not wish;

• I don’t want to find all the things below existing in your fellowship, and if I do you may not like what I will have to say.

lest somehow there be strifes, envyings, angers, contentions, backbitings, whisperings, proud thoughts, tumults; 

• You tell me how it is that Christians can call themselves Christians when these things exist among them? 
• These are things that God will gladly help you overcome if you only ask Him.  These are not thorns in the flesh!  Just very unpleasing traits in someone’s life.

(21)  lest in my coming again my God will humble me with you; and I shall mourn many who have already sinned, and not repenting over the uncleanness, and fornication, and lustfulness which they have practiced.

• JUST AS IF THE LORD WAS SPEAKING;    Paul is saying, “When I come to you again, if I find these traits alive in your fellowship, I will harshly deal out punishment to those who are involved with these actions.  It will hurt me tremendously to have to do this, but those who are committing uncleanness, fornication, and lustfulness, must repent, or I will bring forth discipline to them.”

 

DOES THIS NOT HELP US TO UNDERESTAND WHAT THE WILL OF THE LORD IS ON THESE MATTERS?

 

OUR PRAYER,  “ALMIGHTY GOD, CONTINUE TO REVEAL TO US YOUR WILL, AND HELP US TO OVERCOME OUR SHORT COMMINGS, THAT WE MIGHT BE PLEASING TO YOU.”