Thorn in the Flesh - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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Thorn in the Flesh

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Intro: Needless to say, I have thought about these verses many times over the last two and a half weeks. Eighteen days ago, I was struck with Bell’s Palsy. I have had many opportunities to reflect on these verses.

A. Paul’s Experience was Unexplainable

Paul’s recollection of many of the details is unclear.

He was sure of the timeline. (vs. 2)

He was sure of the place – the third heaven (vs.2) paradise (vs. 4)

He was unclear if it was a bodily experience or a vision.

He didn’t know if it was literal or an out-of-body experience.

He repeats this several times.

·       2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

·       3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

From these descriptions, it was surreal and completely abnormal in many ways.

He even referred to himself in the second person, as if he was watching it happen to someone else.

·       2 I knew a man…

·       2 …such an one…

·       3 And I knew such a man

·       4 How that HE was caught up…

The timeline seems to correspond to the time he was stoned outside Lystra in Acts 14.

·       19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

·       20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Some have said that he died and went to Heaven and God wasn’t through with him and sent him back.

Some might say this contradicts Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

My answer to that would be Lazarus being brought back to life after 4 days, and the widow of Nain’s son, and Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead.

Either way – Paul himself was unsure of what happened, so don’t expect me to explain it!

  B. Paul’s Exposure was Unspeakable

Paul was not allowed to relate what he saw and heard.

·       1 …I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

·       4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

·       7 …through the abundance of the revelations,

He heard things that he was not allowed to repeat.

He saw things he was not allowed to share.

C. Paul’s Exaltation was Undesirable

A half-dozen times, Paul referred to the fact that he did not want to get proud over this experience.

·       1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory.

·       5 Of such an one will I glory, yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

·       6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool…

·       6 …lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

·       7 And lest I should be exalted above measure…

·       7 … lest I should be exalted above measure.

Most people, seeing what he saw and hearing what he heard, would struggle with pride.

He was the only person recorded in Scripture that had this experience and this exposure.He knew he had “bragging rights,” but didn’t want to brag or boast about it.

I. The Gift of the Thorn – “…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh…”

A. It was Providential – “there was GIVEN to me..”

God gave it him.

Nothing can happen to a child of God without God’s approval.

Satan had to get permission from God to touch Job’s flesh.

B. It was Personal – “…there was given to ME…”

We do not know what this thorn was.

I’ve heard speculation all my life.

It’s not for anybody else; just you.

C. It was Painful – “…a thorn in the flesh…”

It is called a thorn for several reasons.

Thorns are painful.

A thorn is a foreign object that is irritating.

Thorns are intrusive.

Thorns are invasive.

If left alone, it can become infected.

They are uncomfortable and distracting.

This issue that Paul is dealing with was “a thorn in the flesh.”

It wasn’t fun. It wasn’t a joy.

D. It was Perpetual – vs. 8, 9 This was not a temporary thing; it was continual; non-stop

The first thing we do when we get a thorn in our flesh is to try and get it out.

It is a foreign object.

It doesn’t belong there.

It belongs somewhere else.

Three times Paul prayed for it to depart from me.

II. The Grace of the Thorn – My grace is sufficient for thee…

A. It was a Providential Grace – “And he said unto me, My grace…”

B. It was a Plentiful Grace – “…is sufficient…”

SUFFICIENT: to be possessed of unfailing strength; to be strong, to suffice, to be enough; to defend, ward off; to be satisfied, to be contented

C. It was a Personal Grace – “…for thee.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

III. The Glory of the Thorn – “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities…”

I can glory in the thorn because of…

A. The Praying to God that Acknowledges the Thorn

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

BESOUGHT: to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. to admonish, exhort; to beg, entreat, beseech

A song came out years ago that said, “Whatever brings you to your knees is good for you. It might be hard to see right now, but He knows what’s best for you…”

B. The Plan of God that Allows the Thorn

God allowed a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul.

That was what Paul was supposed to do.

That is what you and I are supposed to do.

Paul said it like this in one place:

·       1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

KEEP UNDER: to beat black and blue, to smite so as to cause bruises and livid spots; like a boxer one buffets his body, handle it roughly, discipline by hardships; to give one intolerable annoyance; beat one out, wear one out

We can glory in anything that helps us keep our flesh and our body under subjection.

Paul was glorying in the thorn because it was helping him buffet his flesh.

Anything that helps us keep from glorying in our flesh is a blessing in disguise!

·       2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

C. The Power of God that Accompanies the Thorn

·       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.

REST: to fix a tent or habitation on; to take possession of and live in the houses

NOTE: for the power of God to take habitation or to take possession or to LIVE in, it cannot be temporary.

Conclusion: Paul concluded his comments about this thorn with these amazing words: I TAKE PLEASURE…

·       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.

It was worth it to him because he understood one simple truth: when I am weak, then am I strong