"The Thorn in the Flesh" by Gale Nelson
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Tags: #Thorn #Infirmity #Flesh #GloryToGod #MessengerOfSatan #Paul

In this mid-week bible study, Bro. Nelson breaks down why it is not about the thorn in the flesh, but rather how God is elevated.

KEY TERMS:
• buffet = toss to and from; reminded; slapped; affliction
• Infirmity = ailment; pain

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• The Abundance of Revelations of Paul
• What the Thorn was Not
• "A Messenger of Satan"
• Power Perfected

OBJECTIVE #1: What God Revealed to Paul
God allowed Paul to see many things, yet he was not filled with pride, nor did he seek to be exalted by the church.

• Jesus spoke directly to him on the road to Damascus… Acts 9:3-6

• At Troas, a vision came upon Paul to go into Macedonia… Acts 16:8-10

• In Jerusalem, an angel of the Lord appeared to him… Acts 22:17-21

• On his way to Rome… Acts 27:22-25

• The vision of Paradise, or realm of God… 2 Corinthians 12:1-6
○ The azure blue, or sky (first heaven)
○ Beyond the azure blue--the planets, moon, sun, stars, or galaxy (second heaven)
○ The realm of God (third heaven)

OBJECTIVE #2: What the Thorn was Not

• It was not a sinful activity on Paul's part. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

• It did not arise because Paul was making foolish choices. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

• It was not a flaw or a problem that Paul could change at the snap of his fingers. (2 Corinthians 12:8; Galatians 4:13)

OBJECTIVE #2.5: The Thorn in the Flesh

• It was something that he could not remove or change. Something he had no control over. Fleeing or forsaking it was not an option.

• He besought the Lord thrice over this thing. (2 Corinthians 12:8)

• It was given to Paul to keep him humble (2 Corinthians 12:7)

• He called it the messenger of Satan. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

OBJECTIVE #3: "A Messenger of Satan"

• The thorn was inflicted by Satan, and permitted by God, yet it was not more than Paul could handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Job 2:1)

• The focus was not the infirmity, but rather what it could produce. Do not elevate the hurt, but elevate God.

OBJECTIVE #4: Power Perfected… 2 Corinthians 12:9

• Jesus reminds Paul that the Lord's strength is made complete in his weakness. SPIRITUAL APPLICATION: You will recognize how strong the Lord is when you realize how weak you are.

• We need to cooperate with God for his power to be perfected in our state of need. In order to grow, you have to through it. (see James 1:2-4)

• The infirmity was a gift, and one that Paul was able to take pleasure in… 2 Corinthians 12:10

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

• I am stronger when I realize I cannot handle life all by myself, and allow a trial to humble me

• When I come out of a trial with full confidence in God's wisdom and his love… Habakkuk 3:16-19

• When I go through hardship, be continually grateful for my blessings… Acts 14:16-17

• When experiencing trials, if I am able to maintain optimism, hope, gratitude, and cheer, others will see that I have a power that is not of this world.


CALL TO ACTION:
* In order to grow, YOU have to go!
* God's Plan of Salvation... https://miamigardenscoc.net/salvation.php

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RECOMMENDED LINKS
* The Kingdom of God: https://youtu.be/S5eXVENEtb0
* What a Thief Can Teach Us: https://youtu.be/jxwP-8oPNpI
* Website: https://www.miamigardenscoc.net