TEACHING
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2023
10:30 AM (kids! + communion) LENT 1, SECOND CORINTHIANS SERIES TRUE REVIVAL: Weakness as Power, Pain as Healing, Struggle as Freedom with Shel Boese 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Our world is often driven by power games through numbers or telling stories. But when we choose to be counter-cultural and embrace our limits, we encounter a power we don't control and experience the potential of real joy, encouragement, and sustainable living. At our limits God meets us.
OUTLINE
5. Paul’s Countercultural “Fool’s Speech” Part 2 11:30-12:10 c. Snatched Up to Paradise of the Third Heaven 12:1-4 d. Boasting Only in Weakness 12:5-6 e. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh 12:7-9 f. Conclusion to the Fool’s Speech 12:10 PRE-TRIP THE DRIVE c. Snatched Up to Paradise of the Third Heaven 12:1-4 12:1 It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows) 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak. d. Boasting Only in Weakness 12:5-6 5 On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. 6 For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, e. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh 12:7-9 7 even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant. 8 I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. f. Conclusion to the Fool’s Speech 12:10 10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. “God’s power and human power are not only not the same thing; often the second has to be knocked out of the way altogether for the first to shine through as God desires and intends.” -NT Wright, Paul for Everyone, 2 Corinthians, 133 POST-TRIP ARRIVAL Sources: Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians,Ben Witherington; Believers Church Commentary, V. George Shillington; NIV Application Commentary; The Letters of the Corinthians, William Barclay; Second Epistle to the Corinthians: New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT), Paul Barnett; Wisdom Commentary, 2 Cor, Antoinette Clark Wire; The Story of God Com., 2 Cor, Judith A. Diehl; 1 and 2 Cor., Craig S. Keener; The Anchor Bible, II Corinthians, Victor Paul Furnish; Feasting on the Word; Others. For Reflection and Discussion(NT Wright)
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