March 30, 2025

RIGHT WAY LIVING: THE GIFT OF THORNS

March 30, 2025

 Teaching Pastor Charles Billingsley

Today we finish Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians with the final two chapters. Paul had spent much time praying for this beloved body of believers who were targeted by Judaizers as they challenged the apostle. He addresses on-going issues in the church, then defends his apostleship, authority, and finally his ministry as they continually undercut his credibility. Charles Billingsley will summarize the different passages, but focus on the lesson we can learn as Paul discusses his ‘thorn.’ This topic shows God’s amazing goodness each of us can apply to those circumstances, people or situations not of our choosing that come into our lives to create upheaval. Paul shares how God allowed a ‘thorn in his flesh’ to keep him humble. Paul learned God’s power would be strong when he was weak and he could then glory in his thorn, knowing God would get him through every trial. We will summarize the chapters, then return to 12:7-10 to see how our own ‘thorns’ can be gifts to grow us in Christ.

Focal Passage: 2 Corinthians 12-13.

Paul’s Boasting:

  • 2 Cor.11:18. Paul introduces his topic to refute the boasting of the Judaizers.

Paul’s Blessing:

  • Chapter 12:1-6. In these verses. Paul recounts an experience of being caught up to the ‘third heaven’ (the abode of God). This was one of several visions Paul had.

Paul’s Brokenness:

  • In verses 14-21, Paul’s heart is broken as he looks toward the time he will be able to visit the Corinthians again, but perhaps find many of them unrepentant.

Paul’s Boldness:

Chapter 13:1-10. Paul chastises the believers, warning them to be sure they are actually saved lest they be disqualified. He says he will not ‘spare’ them when he returns.

Paul’s Benediction:

  • In verses 11-13, Paul ends his letter, encouraging the believers to keep moving toward the perfect will of God.

FOCUS: Paul’s Burden—God’s strategy for our Humility 2 Cor. 12:7-10:

  • Read 2 Cor. 12:7-10. Paul had to refute the boasting of the Judaizers by ‘boasting’ of his own amazing visions and revelations. In verse 7, what were some of the marvelous miracles Paul was known for (Acts 19:11-12, 13:9-12, 14:9-11, 16:22-34)? In order to keep him humble, what did God allow to happen to Paul?
  • Where did the ‘thorn’ come from? Who was ultimately behind the scene? Why did Satan have to get God’s permission to persecute Paul (read Job 1:6-12, 2:1-7, Luke 22:31-32)? What were some of the possibilities as to what the ‘thorn’ could have been? What could the thorn be used for? (See below)*
  • What did Paul eventually ask for? How many times? What did God say?
  • What did God mean by saying His strength would be adequate in weakness? Why is God’s answer to Paul something we should seek as well?
  • What did God say He would provide? How does He mean that?
  • Why is Paul’s response so amazing? What should it teach us?
  • Does this help you view your thorns differently now?

*God uses thorns in our lives to accomplish several things:
To humble us and keep us from becoming conceited;
To break us from pride, or from sin, so that we stay in a state of brokenness;
To correct us;
To protect us from ourselves;
To shape us, for He is the Potter, we are the clay;
To use us.

 WHEN YOU ENDURE YOUR THORNS:

You are being sanctified for His service.

Christ is magnified in your service.

Others are edified by your service.

Close:

Can you even begin to imagine how broken-hearted Paul was to hear of the factions that continued within the Corinthian church? Part of these believers wanted the ability to pick new leaders, others didn’t, etc.—the same as today when a congregation argues over carpet colors and music. Meanwhile, the Judaizers sowed seeds of discontent because they thought themselves to be godlier than those whose only claim to salvation was the gospel of Jesus Christ and the letters and teachings of the apostle Paul or men sent by Paul. Judaizers felt nothing except the laws of Moses, and the 600 additional laws must be kept for salvation. Paul shared his heart in 2 Cor. 11:28, as he said his deep concern for the churches was with him every day. It is the same with any godly minister, especially today, when they know the amount of sin represented by the congregation. We have to always remember the three steps to a ‘perfect’ faith: read God’s Word daily, pray constantly, and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s indwelling. May we, too, continue toward that completeness in 13:11 that will find us perfect as we stand before God, clothed in the righteous robe of Jesus Christ.

By Sandy Day
March 30, 2025

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