A "Thorny" Issue
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Two ways: positive thinking or resignation.
Two ways: positive thinking or resignation.
These tend to the be two ways of handling pain, suffering or evil in our culture. If we can just think happy thoughts the pain will go away. If I just act as if it is not really happening I will be okay. Or this is just who I am. Look at my pain. Look at what is happening to me, the resignation.
But there is a different way.
But there is a different way.
The beauty of Scripture is it is relevant and practical for today. It is authoritative, meaning it is true and we must interact with it as such.
We are not and cannot be self-sufficient.
We are not and cannot be self-sufficient.
Our culture and to some extent we as Christians have bought into this lie of self-sufficiency. We have bought into the American/Western lie of “me, myself, and I” and what we want/need. I am not saying that individual desires are wrong but that we cannot think solely or even primarily about ourselves.
God alone is self-sufficient.
God alone is self-sufficient.
And we are not him! This is a beautiful truth. This means there is hope. However, it is a hard truth to not only believe in but live out.
Paul’s “thorn” issue.
Paul’s “thorn” issue.
As we look at our passage this morning this may fly in the face of what we would expect to be the case with “Christians”.
Paul was: imprisoned, flogged, almost dead many times, beaten 39 lashes five times by Jews, flogged by Romans, stoned, shipwrecked, been in open water, opposed on all sides, and left without daily needs.
Paul was: imprisoned, flogged, almost dead many times, beaten 39 lashes five times by Jews, flogged by Romans, stoned, shipwrecked, been in open water, opposed on all sides, and left without daily needs.
Look at this list. What we are learning, this “different way” is not just some theoretical, philosophical possibility this was his life.
The deception of self experience.
The deception of self experience.
Paul talks about a man he knows, we come to learn it is himself, and the wonderful spiritual experience he had. However, his experience is not what matters.
Suffering and pain can be a tool of God.
Suffering and pain can be a tool of God.
He goes on to say how God gave him this “thorn”.
Deal with pain and suffering by going to God.
Deal with pain and suffering by going to God.
Paul doesn’t just “accept” what he has gone through and what he was given. The idea of praying 3 times is I believe praying until he received a response. It is about persevering in prayer and being complete in prayer.
Don’t give up praying too son.
Don’t give up praying too son.
We must continue in prayer and keep persevering in prayer.
The grace of Jesus is fully sufficient.
The grace of Jesus is fully sufficient.
It isn’t self-sufficient grace. It is Christ sufficient grace.
Jesus’ grace is the answer to suffering and pain.
Jesus’ grace is the answer to suffering and pain.
We may not like the answer. But this is the answer given not just to Paul but any of us who are willing to empty ourselves and seek Him.
Our response: empty ourselves.
Our response: empty ourselves.
It is only when we empty the cup we can fill it back up.
Our response: accept and pursue grace.
Our response: accept and pursue grace.
This is needed.
Grace alone in Christ alone!
Grace alone in Christ alone!
The reformation laid the groundwork for transformation.