II Corinthians 12:1-10 NKJV
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord:
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out 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 out of the body I do not know, God knows—
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1. To help us admit and embrace our inherent human weaknesses and not be ashamed of them.
2. To help us understand how to deal with our weaknesses in a proper manner so they don't become an opportunity for the enemy.
Four Basic Types of Weaknesses
1. Inability to do what you need to do.
2. Iniquity is a tendency towards a sin.
3. Infirmity is a sickness or injury.
4. Inherent Weakness such as Moses's inability to speak. God did not want a slick talker to deliver His people, so God could get the glory. Your weaknesses and God's strengths are a perfect match.
Four Basic Ways People Deal with Weaknesses
3. Infirmity is a sickness or injury.
4. Inherent Weakness such as Moses's inability to speak. God did not want a slick talker to deliver His people, so God could get the glory. Your weaknesses and God's strengths are a perfect match.
Four Basic Ways People Deal with Weaknesses
1. Defeated Weakness is when we just give up.
2. Deceptive Weakness is when we cover up our weaknesses.
Don't tell everyone your problems, but tell someone your problems.
3. Defiant Weakness is like when Cain refused to offer a sacrifice pleasing to God.
Psalms 2:1-12 NKJV
1 Why do the nations rage,And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,And the rulers take counsel together,Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:The Lord has said to Me,‘You are My Son,Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance,And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”
10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,And you perish in the way,When His wrath is kindled but a little.Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
Revelation 6:15-17 NKJV
15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
4. Divine Weakness- we must turn our weaknesses over to God to break the fear of man over us.
II Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The Blessings of God’s Grace
1. It’s all about God, and it focuses on His goodness and not our own.
2. It allows us to get help when we need it, because when we need it the most, we deserve it the least.
3. It allows us to be honest about our weaknesses while living in victory.
4. It empowers us to minister grace to others and lead them to freedom from condemnation.
5. It makes us depend upon God and build a relationship with Him, which is the reason He creates certain weaknesses in us and allows others.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to me through this message?
No comments:
Post a Comment