Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byEileen Lizbeth Bell Modified over 8 years ago
1
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 COPING WITH UNASWERED PRAYER
2
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-10 (NIV)
3
5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-10 (NIV)
4
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-10 (NIV)
5
The glory and the pain vs. The thorn and the grace INTRODUCTION
6
Prayer is… A dialogue with God A relationship (communion) with God Illustration – Melbourne’s trams WHAT IS PRAYER?
8
God can say YES! God can say WAIT! God can say NO! HOW CAN GOD ANSWER PRAYER?
10
By the way… NO is still an answer! SO it’s not that God does not answer our prayer… He sometimes say NO. HOW CAN GOD ANSWER PRAYER?
11
We look at Paul… he prayed earnestly (seriously) Jesus’s prayer in the garden of Gethsemane How Jesus accepted God’s sovereignty How Paul accepted God’s grace Disappointment will not change your situation – your attitude will change you to accept and overcome the situation. DEALING WITH A NO!
12
What is that thorn in the flesh? Actual word “skolops” (Greek) means “stake” Spiritual temptation – Calvin’s view Opposition or persecution – Luther’s view Carnal temptation – Catholic view PAUL’S STRUGGLE…
13
It does not describe a “stake” because: Its suppose to be “savage pain” It is a physical suffering The thorn or stake was intermittent (occasional) PAUL’S STRUGGLE…
14
Some have said it to be a physical deformity or disfigurement (2 Cor 10:10) Some have thought it to be epilepsy (Gal 4:14) Some thought it was severe headaches Some said eye trouble PAUL’S STRUGGLE…
15
Most likely a chronically recurrent malarial fever that occurs around the Mediterranean So he had his thorn in the flesh What is your thorn or stake in the flesh? PAUL’S STRUGGLE…
16
Not to boast Grace is enough Weakness leads to strength To have empathy If not in this life time then in the next life, we receive our glory through Jesus Christ WHY DID GOD SAY NO TO PAUL…
17
Where are you today with God’s answer to your prayers How do you “cope” or even begin to handle a NO answer? Personal tetstiony… CLOSING…
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.