Facing Trials Through Grace! 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
When Thorns Remain!

• What Are Thorns? Weaknesses

For Paul: Bodily Condition: Galatians 4:12-16
Judaizers: 2 Corinthians 11 – The Judaizers always attacked His Body

• Why Thorns? To Keep Me From Exalting Myself!

A. To Prevent Pride! Deuteronomy 8:11-19

• You Forget God’s Goodness.
• You Think You Are the Reason for your good Fortune.
• You Go After other gods. You Live Self Directed Not God Directed!
• You Perish.

• The Example of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 4:28-33
• The Example of Herod Acts 12:21-24
• The Example of the Enemy! Isaiah 14:10-16

B. To Produce Godliness!

• Called the Weight of Glory in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
• Called Being Conformed into the Image of Christ in Romans 8:28
• Called Christian Endurance in James 1:1-4
• Called the Proof of Your Faith in 1 Peter 1:6-7

• How To Respond To Thorns!

1. Pray For Its Removal and Listen For God’s Response!

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.

2. Receive God’s Grace and Experience God’s Power!

What Is Grace?

• God’s Grace Saves Us! Ephesians 2:1-11

1 Timothy 1:12-17 – Paul’s Salvation!
Romans 5:20 – Where sin increases, grace abounds all the more.

• God’s Grace Instructs and Transforms Us! Titus 2:11-16

How Do We Receive God’s Grace?

• We Humble Ourselves! James 4:5-10

• David Did – 2 Samuel 12:1-15
• The Publican Did – Luke 18:9-14

• We Enter Into His Presence! Hebrews 4:14-16

3. Boast In Your Weakness and Count it All Joy!

Colossians 1:24-29

See verse 6: “Understanding the Grace of God!”

• Practice Contentment Even In Your Weaknesses! (Lit. Take Pleasure!)

Romans 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance