don mcclainwest 65th st church of christ 1 the thorn that will not go away... 2 corinthians 12:7-10
TRANSCRIPT
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
1The The
Thorn Thorn That That
Will Not Will Not Go Go
Away . . Away . . . .
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . . Not Go Away . . .
2 Cor. 12:7-10 (NKJV) And lest I should be exalted
above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the
flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
[8] Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . . Not Go Away . . .
2 Cor. 12:7-10 (NKJV) . . . that it might depart from me.
[9] And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities,
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . . Not Go Away . . .
2 Cor. 12:7-10 (NKJV) . . . that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in
reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am
weak, then I am strong.
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
DoddridgeDoddridge - A paralytic disorder?
Latin FathersLatin Fathers - An unruly desire??
Chrysostom and JeromeChrysostom and Jerome - A headache?
Tertullian,Tertullian, - an earache
Persecution?Persecution? – 2 Cor. 11:23-30
A Physical infirmity?A Physical infirmity? - Gal 4:13
Eye disorder?Eye disorder? – Gal 4:15
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
Whatever it was – Whatever it was – Paul wanted relief!Paul wanted relief!
2 Cor. 12:8 (NKJV) Concerning this
thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart
from me.
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
•Physical Physical Hindrance Hindrance or Pain?or Pain?
•Illicit Illicit Desire?Desire?
•RelationsRelationship in hip in Distress?Distress?
Age / IllnessInjury / Disability
Chem. AddictionImmoral ThoughtsSelfishness / Greed
Job Conditions Spouse / Parents
/children / Brethren
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
What Is My What Is My Response To The Response To The
Thorn?Thorn? Why Me?Why Me? Where is God?Where is God? How Can This Be?How Can This Be? Does God Care?Does God Care?
Why Me?Why Me? Where is God?Where is God? How Can This Be?How Can This Be? Does God Care?Does God Care?
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
The Battle Is The Battle Is NOT EXTERNAL NOT EXTERNAL BUT INTERNAL!BUT INTERNAL! 2 Cor. 11:24-28; Job
14:1; How Does One How Does One
Retain His Faith?Retain His Faith? Phili 4:11-13
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
Can’t Blame Can’t Blame God!God!
His thorn was “a messenger of Satan to
buffet, (hit or slap), him. (7)
Do we Do we understandunderstand
?? Job 1; Eph. 6:10-18
God’s Purpose?God’s Care?God’s Love?
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
Gladly Accepted Gladly Accepted His Thorn!His Thorn! “I will most gladly
therefore boast in my infirmities” (9) . . . . I take pleasure in my infirmities,
reproaches, needs, persecutions, and
distresses for Christ’s sake.” (10)
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
Gladly Accepted Gladly Accepted His Thorn!His Thorn!
Col 1:24; James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6,7; 4:13
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
The Value Of The Value Of The Thorn!The Thorn!
For when I am weak, then I am strong. (10)
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
The Value Of The Value Of The Thorn!The Thorn!
2 Cor. 13:4 (NKJV) For though He was
crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
The Value Of The Value Of The Thorn!The Thorn!
James 1:1-6,12; 1 Peter 5:7-19; Heb 2:17-3:1;
12:1-3True strength comes by
facing resistance!The Battle can be WON! -
Don McClain West 65th St church of Christ
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The Thorn That Will The Thorn That Will Not Go Away . . .Not Go Away . . .
Do Not Judge God – Job 9:32Do Not Judge God – Job 9:32 Look To The Cross – Rom. 5:8Look To The Cross – Rom. 5:8 Keep Your Perspective – Rom. 8:18Keep Your Perspective – Rom. 8:18 Be Of Help To Others – 2 Cor. 1:4Be Of Help To Others – 2 Cor. 1:4 Ask God For Help – James 1:5; Ask God For Help – James 1:5; Pray For Deliverance From Temptation Pray For Deliverance From Temptation
– Mat 6:13; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 4:17-– Mat 6:13; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 4:17-18 18
Accept The Challenge – James 1:12; Accept The Challenge – James 1:12; Rev 2:10Rev 2:10
Do Not Judge God – Job 9:32Do Not Judge God – Job 9:32 Look To The Cross – Rom. 5:8Look To The Cross – Rom. 5:8 Keep Your Perspective – Rom. 8:18Keep Your Perspective – Rom. 8:18 Be Of Help To Others – 2 Cor. 1:4Be Of Help To Others – 2 Cor. 1:4 Ask God For Help – James 1:5; Ask God For Help – James 1:5; Pray For Deliverance From Temptation Pray For Deliverance From Temptation
– Mat 6:13; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 4:17-– Mat 6:13; 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Tim. 4:17-18 18
Accept The Challenge – James 1:12; Accept The Challenge – James 1:12; Rev 2:10Rev 2:10
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