Contentment in the Midst of Weaknesses A Lesson from Physical Suffering
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1 Introduction Contentment in the Midst of Weaknesses A Lesson from Physical Suffering The need for contentment extends to all of life and not merely the material aspects of life. Contentment as defined by Jeremiah Burroughs in The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment " Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition." P.19 Contentment must be learned. Philippians 4:11 (ESV) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Key Verse: 2 Cor 12:10 (NASB) Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV) For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Theme: Paul applies the lessons concerning contentment that he has learned in coping with physical infirmities to all aspects of his life. I. God s grace is adequate for us to flourish in any of life s situations in which God places us. A. God does not want us to have a confidence in our own adequacy or selfsufficiency in any area of life. 1
2 B. A main theme of 2 Corinthians is Paul coming to grips with his inadequacy 1. Paul came to an end of himself. 2 Corinthians 1:8 (ESV) For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 2. These things happened so that Paul would be forced to rely upon God and not himself. 2 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV) Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 3. It wasn t just Paul that was inadequate. Every one is inadequate. 2 Cor 2:15 (KJV) For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 2 Cor 2:16 (KJV) To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 4. However, Paul became adequate through God s help. 2 Corinthians 3:4 (ESV) Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV) Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 5. God uses our human weaknesses to demonstrate His power. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV) But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV) We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of 2
3 Macedonia, 2 Corinthians 8:2 (ESV) for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 2 Corinthians 8:3 (ESV) For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 2 Corinthians 8:4 (ESV) begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints 6. God is able to make us adequate for anything that He asks of us. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 7. Paul learned the sufficiency of God s grace. 2 Cor 12:9 (NASB) And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. II. The Occasion for Paul's lesson on God s sufficiency was Paul s physical need. A. Paul had received a number of revelations. 2 Cor 12:1 (NASB) Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 1. Some of the revelations that Paul received were quite outstanding. 2 Cor 12:7 (NASB) And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 2. One such revelation is described in verses 2-4 a. Paul is either given a vision of heaven or actually transported there. He is not sure which. 3
4 2 Cor 12:2 (NASB) I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-- whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 2 Cor 12:3 (NASB) And I know how such a man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows- 2 Cor 12:4 (NASB) was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. b. Paul could not find the words to describe that revelation and even if he could have the found the words, God had forbidden Paul to describe what he saw. 2 Cor 12:4 (NASB) was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak B. The revelations could have served as a cause for Paul to boast - that is to be proud or self-confident..2 Cor 12:5 (NASB) On behalf of such a man will I boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 2 Cor 12:6 (NASB) For if I do wish to boast I shall not be foolish, for I shall be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one may credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. C. In order that Paul would not become conceited as a result of receiving these revelations he was afflicted. 2 Cor 12:7 (NASB) And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 2 Cor 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 1. The affliction was physical in nature. 2 Cor 12:7 (NASB) And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 4
5 a. What it was we do not know. b. It may very well have been his bad eyesight which he refers to in the epistle of Galatians. Gal 4:15 (NASB) Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness, that if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. Gal 6:11 (NASB) See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 2 Th 3:17 (NASB) I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 2. The affliction was a gift from God. 2 Cor 12:7 (NASB) And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 3. Satan's purpose in the affliction was to torment Paul. 2 Cor 12:7 (NASB) And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 2 Cor 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Like in the book of Job, God and Satan had very different designs for Job s suffering, so too on this occasion God and Satan had very different purposes for the thorn in the flesh that Paul had to endure. III. Paul prayed to be healed. That is Paul prayed that his situation would change. 2 Cor 12:8 (NASB) Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 5
6 According to the name it claim it theology of today, Paul s prayer met every requirement necessary for his being healed. A. It was a repeated prayer 2 Cor 12:8 (NASB) Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. B. It was a fervent prayer 2 Cor 12:8 (NASB) Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 2 Cor 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. C. It was a specific prayer 2 Cor 12:8 (NASB) Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 2 Cor 12:8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. D. It was a prayer offered by a righteous individual 2 Cor 12:8 (NASB) Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. A person who was close to God. Who was faithfully serving the Lord. 2 Cor 11:23 (NASB) Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 2 Cor 11:24 (NASB) Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 2 Cor 11:25 (NASB) Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 2 Cor 11:26 (NASB) I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on 6
7 the sea, dangers among false brethren; E. One would think if anyone met the criteria for prayer to be answered it was Paul F. Application 1. There is no formula that guarantees our desired outcome in offering prayer. 2. The answer to prayer is directly related to the will of God. 3. There is nothing wrong with praying to be healed of one s infirmities. IV. God's response to Paul's prayer to be healed. for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. A. God responded to Paul's prayer. B. God did not grant the request of Paul. You do not need anything more than my grace C. God did minister encouragement and comfort to Paul. D. God did actively work in the life of Paul. 7
8 V. Paul's response to God not healing him. A. He did not view his prayer as a failure. As a result of this circumstance Paul found something to boast in. Glorying in our infirmities is much more noble than merely submitting to them. No one glories in afflictions simply because they are afflictions, but if by faith we can see them to be the Divinely appointed means whereby we become more effective witnesses and more closely united to the Savior, than we may gladly glory in them. B. Paul s weaknesses were used of God in some very unusual ways. God regularly used Paul s physical limitations. 1. Paul was too sick to travel but by the grace of God Paul was not too sick to preach. Gal 4:13 (NASB) but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 2. By the grace of God Paul s physical condition which would have been very off putting to the Galatians in normal conditions was in fact appreciated by the Galatians. Gal 4:14 (NASB) and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. C. He affirmed that he experienced the power of God. 8
9 1. Paul learned more about the power of God to sustain him as a result of his illness, than he had learned from all the revelations he received and would have learned from being physically healed. 2. It is not due to God's inability to heal, that Paul is still experiencing the thorn in the flesh. D. His affliction was wonderfully transformed from a torment into a delight. 2 Cor 12:10 (NASB) Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1. The word means to be content, well pleased, delighted with, to prefer. 2. It was not the thorn in the flesh itself that Paul delighted in. But he delighted in the experience for Christ's sake. 3. What he himself learned through the experience. 4. What he could teach others because of this experience. 5. Because he had to rely more upon Christ, as a result of having to live with this experience daily. E. Paul no longer prayed to be healed. He was content. 9
10 2 Cor 12:10 (NASB) Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. F. Satan had been overcome. What Satan had given in order to be a torment, God had changed into being a delight. What Satan intended to be a frustration God used to promote dependance. G. What Paul had learned with respect to the thorn in the flesh Paul applied to all of life. 2 Cor 12:10 (NASB) Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul had learned to embrace life as he experienced it. H. Application: 1. We are to rely upon God s sufficiency for every situation of life Th 5:18 (NASB) in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 3. We are never adequate in and of ourselves. VI. Conclusion A. God has a purpose in all that we endure. B. Physical, mental and emotional suffering is not foreign to the child of God. C. When the child of God cries out unto God, God will either remove the affliction or enable the person to go through the affliction. D. Our weaknesses are an opportunity to both experience and display the power of God. We find Him to be sufficient for our needs. E. God can and does lead His children to a spirit of contentment. 10
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