A THORN IN THE FLESH

PROCLAMATION

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me.  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.’”  2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul begins this chapter defending his apostleship by boasting about the vision he was favored with. (2 Corinthians 12:1-5)  Then he states that in order to prevent him from being filled with pride and vanity, he was given a physical ailment which grieved him.  Paul asked The Lord God to remove it but the answer to his prayer was ‘no’.  God told Paul that His grace was sufficient to help him endure it.

 

APPLICATION

The Lord God hears our prayers. (1 Peter 3:12)  Sometimes we do not get what we ask for because His answer to us is “no”.  That could be because He has something better planned for us, or because we asked for things which do not glorify God. (John 14:13)  There are times when He allows things to happen to us in order to get our attention.  We tend to pray really hard when times are bad.  We need to acknowledge Him all of the time and in all things, good and bad. (Proverbs 3:6)  We even need to see the silver lining in every storm cloud. (James 1:2)  Bad things which happen to us can work out for our good. (Genesis 50:20 and Romans 8:28)  In all things, we should give God glory.  His grace is sufficient for us.  His power can be revealed through our weakness.  Sometimes we need a thon in our flesh to cause us to focus on Him.

 

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE DOCTRINE

PROCLAMATION

“For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached … or a different gospel from the one you accepted … such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.  Their end will be what their actions deserve.”  2 Corinthians 11:4-15 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter, Paul continues his discourse on the false teachers.  He tells them that he will continue his attack on false teachers, and he says that no one can stop him. (2 Corinthians 11:10-12)  Those false prophets deceive the people just as the serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden. (2 Corinthians 11:3)  He ends the chapter by recounting the trials and suffering that he has gone through. (2 Corinthians 11:16-33)

 

APPLICATION

An important reason for reading and studying The Word of God is to be able to recognize when someone is presenting something which is different and wrong.  Eloquent speech can be full of lies which are presented artfully.  Doctrines, philosophies, religions, and teachings should be compared to God’s Holy Word before they are accepted as true.  Satan is continuously roaming the earth, back and forth, seeking those whom he may destroy. (Job 1:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:8)  He is cunning and crafty, and he is full of lies. (John 8:44)  Do not be deceived by those who come presenting lies. (Deuteronomy 11:16 and Luke 21:8)  As the saying goes, “all that glitters is not gold.”  Just because it sounds good does not mean that it is the truth.  Also, we should beware of those who come glorifying themselves and not glorifying The Lord God.

 

BELIEVERS ARE AT WAR WITH THE WORLD

PROCLAMATION

“For thought we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God …”  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter, Paul offers a defense of his ministry and his attack on the false teachers who oppose the gospel of Christ.  Though physically weak in statue, Paul spoke boldly against them through the power of God. (2 Corinthians 10:10)  Here he tells them that although they live in the world, they do not fight their battles like the world does. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)  He admits to them that his letters are bolder than he is in person. (2 Corinthians 10:9-11)  He ends by boasting, within limits, on his work and the works of others spreading the gospel. (2 Corinthians 10:13-16)

 

APPLICATION

Because we are in Christ and He is within us, we are physically in this world but not of this world. (John 8:23)  Because we are not of this world, we do not fight our battles like the world fights. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)  The life of every believer is battle against Satan, and his principalities and powers, and the men of the world which he uses to corrupt the hearts of believers. (Ephesians 6:12)  The more useful we are to the purpose of God and His kingdom, the more we are attacked.  That is why we need to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand strong against the devil. (Ephesians 6:11-18)  We must be on guard because the battle is not physical but psychological and spiritual.  The devil is after our minds and our hearts, and if he can’t get them, he will attempt to destroy our credibility, influence, and effectiveness.  In truth, the battle against Satan is not ours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15)  We are just pawns in this war and in this game of life, used for His purpose.  We need to make sure that we are ready for service in His army.  However, in this war we will be victorious. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  To God be the glory!

 

AS WE SOW SO SHALL WE ALSO REAP

PROCLAMATION

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In this chapter Paul is continuing the topic he began in the previous chapter, requesting a generous gift from the believers in Corinth to help the believers in Macedonia. (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)  He tells them that they will be rewarded in the same manner as they give.  He tells them that God will bless them abundantly and that for helping the poor, their righteousness will endure forever. (2 Corinthians 9:8-9)  He also says that God will increase what they have and enrich them in every way so that they can continue to be generous in the future. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

 

APPLICATION

As believers, we are encouraged to give to and to help the less fortunate.  The Bible says we will be blessed for doing so. (Proverbs 22:9)  Here Paul quotes The Old Testament when he tells them, “They have scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (Psalm 112:9)  Jesus said that as we treat the least of His people, He will take it as if we have done it to Him. (Matthew 25:35-45)  Jesus also said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)  If you want more of something, try giving others more of what it is that you want.  That applies to smiles, love, and money.  The Bible teaches us that as we give, so shall we receive. (Luke 6:38)  Remember, when a seed is planted, and it grows, it does not just bring forth another seed, but it produces many seeds, sometimes thirty, sixty, or even a hundred seeds. (Matthew 13:8 and 13:23)  Think about a kernel of corn, when it is planted it produces a plant with several ears of corn, each of which has more than sixty kernels of corn on them.  There are two important points here.  First, we will reap the same thing that we sowed.  Secondly, we will get back more of what we sowed than we gave out.  The Lord God can bless us abundantly with all that we need and even with more than we need. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

CHRIST BECAME POOR SO THAT WE MIGHT BECOME RICH

PROCLAMATION

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”  2 Corinthians 8:9 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  In order to help the generous believers in Macedonia, who are undergoing a severe trial, Paul is requesting a generous gift from the believers in Corinth. (2 Corinthians 8:1-3)  Since the believers in Corinth excelled in everything, including faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love, Paul is asking them to excel in the grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)  He reminded them that The Lord Jesus, The Christ, was rich but became poor for their sake, so that they through His poverty might become rich.  Paul encouraged them to match their willingness to help with following through and actually helping by giving according to their means. (2 Corinthians 8:11-12)  He urged them to share so that none of the believers would do without.  Then he quoted from the Old Testament scriptures (Exodus 16:18) to support his request. (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)  He ended by saying that he was sending Titus to them to collect the offering from them. (2 Corinthians 8:22-24)

 

APPLICATION

The Bible teaches us that we should help those who are in need.  Those of us who have should share with those who have not.  It is better to give than to receive. (Amos 20:35)  When we help those who are in need, we are actually lending to The Lord and He will repay us for helping them. (Proverbs 19:17)  When we are generous and provide a blessing to others, we will also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  Remember what Christ did for us.  He left the splendor of heaven, put on human flesh, became poor, was rejected, was crucified, died, was buried, and rose from the dead for us.

 

LET US RID OURSELVES OF EVERYTHING THAT CONTAMINATES US

PROCLAMATION

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”  2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  The promises which Paul is referring to are: 1. that God will receive us if we obey Him; 2. that He will be a Father to us; and 3. we will be His sons and daughters. (2 Corinthians 6:17-18)  Paul says that since we have these promises from God, we should purify our body and spirit of everything that contaminates us, out of reverence to Him.

 

APPLICATION

We should encourage one another to engage in holiness of heart and life and not in the sinfulness of the flesh or evilness of spirit.  We need to lead a clean life if we want God to treat us as His children.  We have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, but we contaminate our heart and mind daily with our sinful thoughts, words, and actions.  That is why we need to pray, confess, and ask to be forgiven daily in order to be cleansed from our sins and unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)  We also need to turn from our sinful ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  We cannot clean up our heart, mind, or spirit, by ourselves.  Only God can do that for us. (Psalm 51:10) However, He will only do it if we pray and ask Him.

 

DO NOT BE YOKED TO UNBELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?  … Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple of The Living God.  As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.’”  2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul begins this chapter with a discussion of all the hardships that he has had to endure. (2 Corinthians 6:3-10)  Afterwards he makes it clear that he has opened his heart to them, but they have not done to same to him. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)  Then he tells them that they should not be unequally yoked to unbelievers.  This statement is not addressed to believers who are already married to unbelievers, which he had addressed earlier. (1 Corinthians 7:14)  This message is addressed to those believers who are hanging out with, or in relationships with, or partnering with, or planning to marry unbelievers.  He tells them that The Lord says, “Come out from them and be separate.” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) 

 

APPLICATION

Believers should not socialize with unbelievers.  If the believer is not trying to tell the unbelievers about The Lord Jesus, The Christ, then what are they conversing about, and why are they fellowshipping?  Any activity with unbelievers is probably sinful.  It is even worse if the believer is worshiping with the unbeliever or being pulled away from Christ.  If we cannot pull them out of sin, we should not let them pull us down into it.  We should separate ourselves from as much sinful activity as is possible.  We may have to work with unbelievers, but we do not have to socialize with them.  We should not be courting them or partnering with them.  How can two people walk together unless they are in agreement? (Amos 3:3)  Being unequally yoked is not about two believers who disagree.  This is about not having a relationship with an unbeliever.  If what we are doing with unbelievers is not giving God glory, then we should not be doing it.