January 14, 2024 "The Power of WEAKNESS"

Scripture Passages:  2 Corinthians 12:1-10

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Series: Power Awareness
2. The Power of Weakness
foundational

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Some fun writing by Paul
 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained,

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Who?  Where?
  2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.

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The unknown or beyond words
Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.

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Awesome experience
  4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

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In our common language:
Paul met Jesus in a powerful and life-changing way.  It is beyond description.  It is humbling and empowering at the same time.

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The infamous "thorn in the flesh"
 Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

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Lamenting and Wrestling with God
 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

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Truth spoken in love
 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

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Humble wisdom required
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

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The death-resurrection pattern
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

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In what weakness is Christ your strength?
What needs to die in you, that true life might rise?