Boasting—in Weakness?
2 Corinthians 12: 10—Making Sense of God’s Grace in a Fallen World
We present the third installment from a series titled “A Theology of Thorns” as a single sermon. This section concludes with one of the most powerful passages in scripture. It essentially confesses the paradoxical statement: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit-inspired words of Paul may become your own confession.
The Call to Worship
The Sermon
Scripture Reading
Give attention to the inerrant and the infallible word of the living God as it is found in Second Corinthians Chapter 12, beginning with verse one and reading through verse 10.
Audio
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
The Vision of Paradise
1It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
The Thorn in the Flesh
7And 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. 8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And 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, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore 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.
Prayer for Illumination
Lord, let the words of our mouths in the meditations of our hearts, be always acceptable to the O Lord, our rock and our redeemer; and let me preach as if never to preach again—as a dying man to dying men. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord I pray. Amen.
“The very thing that has come to hurt you—led you to feel lost and far from God—has become, in God’s grace, the thing that is turning you to Christ and leading you home.”
—Michael A. Milton
The Bible Message
Michael A. Milton, PhD, Minister, Chaplain, President and Senior Fellow, Faith for Living and the D. James Kennedy Institute for Reformed Leadership, Tryon, North Carolina
The Anthem
The Via Dolarosa is performed by Miss Laura Bretan, the Romanian-American opera soprano from Chicago. Miss Bretan is a Christian and baptized by a minister of the Romanian Pentecostal Church in Chicago where she remains a member. For purposes of worship we present her music by Fair Use in hopes many will visit her site: https://laurabretan.com/.
Via Dolorosa. Words and Music © 1983 by Billy Sprague and Niles Borop (Capitol CMG, BMI).
The Benediction and Sending
A Song: “Dark Night of the Soul”
The lyrics and more are on this page:
“Dark Night of the Soul.” From the LP Through the Open Door. Words and music © 2012, 2025. Michael Anthony Milton (Bethesda Music, BMI).