Date: August 23, 2015 (Sunday's Sermon)
Bible Text: I Corinthians 12:1-10 | Pastor O'Dorisio
Embrace His Grace August 23, 2015
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 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;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 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; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, 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 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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.
Glory not in ourselves, or our strength, it must be all His strength. Paul ran well – he believed God and didn’t wrestle with it. Would you ever pray for things like this in your life? Praying for pain – it’s against our nature. This is when the power of Christ rests on me. This is the fellowship of His sufferings. He has before ordained these good works for us to walk in. What could escape His thoughts towards us, what could He have missed? Nothing! He knows every step. He is always there. This light affliction is the only way to receive the eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
This is the joint sufferings with Christ, which is the way to joint reigning with Christ. We can’t handle the truth; we have to be handled by the truth.
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
This is a gift. Naturally we want nothing to do with these sufferings but the grace of God gives us the will to do what we don’t feel like doing. Not only choose His will but rejoice as we see His will in our life.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds. Lord, make me weak so you will be strong.
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.
When I am hopeless He is my hope. We are seeing lots of financial changes in the world. But be not entangled with the affairs of this life. God is faithful to show us the things we put our confidence in is shifting sand. He replaces that with abounding hope.
Lord, empty me to be full of you. When we feel we have nothing left, He brings the increase. He puts more faith, love, and glory in there. He has to show us that even when we believe not, He abides faithful. Christ liveth in me. He must increase, I must decrease.
When I am lonely He is the only one to meet the need. Quit thinking that everyone in your life needs to act a certain way to meet your need. Instead, how about a spiritual change in you. Look to God to meet all your needs. Put your confidence in God. The Lord is performing this in every life here today. Will we embrace His grace? It is the power to choose the will of God; to become a life that not only rejoices and knows, but lives a life of pure joy. Count it all joy to walk through all these trials and temptations. Not in our own strength. How weak are you today? That’s the place it’s got to be God.