Paul Visits Heaven - 34

Will you know that in the city of Corinth. False teachers were boasting about their gifts and accomplishments, and they asserted that these aspects of their lives constituted credentials greater than the apostle Paul and some of the Corinthian Christians were being deceived by their rhetoric were being drawn to the false teachers and the way from the apostle Paul and therefore Paul finds it necessary though to distasteful to combat their carnal boasting, with some boasting of his own. This boasting is recorded in chapters 10 to 11 and 12 of second Corinthians, and among other things. Paul reminded them of his apostolic commission by the Lord Jesus Christ and also of his impeccable Hebrew credentials, which certainly matched if not exceeded those of his critics.

Beyond that his many sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But now coming to chapter 12. He issues his final boasting tales about a visit to heaven that occurred in his life about 14 years prior to the writing of this epistle.

So we find Paul's vision to heaven recorded in verses one through six and we find Paul's thorn in the flesh in verses seven through 10.

Though I was tempted to separate this into two messages because there's a lot of material here. Nevertheless, a close connection between these two as Paul makes it clear the thorn in the flesh came because of his visit to heaven. That is so closely connected to it.

I thought we must take them together.

So first of all, Paul's visit to heaven which is not really a normal vision in the way we normally think of a vision because he was transported upward, whether in body or in soul, but he actually left the earth and was transported into heaven as he tells us, so this final post is introduced in verse one. He tells us that it was unprofitable to boast. This way, though necessary statements is already made previously.

More than once in this series of listing his credentials and accomplishments which he does not want to do.

Nevertheless, though this boasting is unprofitable. As far spiritual edification is concerned, it was necessary to combat the carnal deceptions that some of the Corinthians were being drawn to and we are reminded therefore that sometimes it is necessary to do things that are distasteful and difficult, even though we prefer not to do them sometimes disciplining our children falls into that category. We really don't want to but it's necessary.

We must do it if were going to be true to the Lord in truly love our children are and are concerned about their welfare. Made even more difficult. Sometimes we find it necessary to confront him fellow believer in Jesus Christ, and know how difficult that is. We do not we do not we do not want to do that if our hearts are right if our spirit is right we would far prefer not to do that and yet sometimes it is necessary in order to be obedient to the Lord on it goes. Sometimes it's necessary to turn down a request from someone because it's not properly proper. It's not godly it's not something that we can do with a clear conscience. Sometimes it is necessary to walk away from a good paying job because you are required to do something that is sinful and so on it goes. Life is filled with these kinds of things Paul found it necessary to do what he did not want to do what introduces this final boasting verse one and he takes up a new category of boasting a new category of things that is listing his skills credentials and accomplishments. And this one has to do with visions and special revelations. It is doubtless he tells is not profitable for me to boast, I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord after having dealt with these other matters are not coming to another category, visions and revelations of the Lord.

I haven't mentioned this before. Evidently this is something also that the false teachers were promoting for themselves.

I had this vision I had this revelation from God. Paul says okay didn't plan to do this prefer not to do this but you want to compare visions and revelations from the Lord.

Let me tell you about one that I have never mentioned before, the pulse a lot of experience in this area, visions and revelations.

I doubt that any of the false teachers could possibly match him number of them are recorded in Scripture is experience on the Damascus road was remarkable revelation of vision from heaven, where Christ spoke to him directly from heaven. We also learned that when he came to Jerusalem after spending his first early Christian life in the city of Damascus from which he had to flee that a vision was given to him that told him he must flee Jerusalem. Likewise, or his wife would be in danger of his second missionary journey. When Paul was wondering where he should go after he revisited the churches in Galatia was having difficulty discerning the spiritual director and the vision came to him in the city of EUROCONTROL acid in the middle of the night. It meant for Macedonians that come over here and help us in so relating that vision to the rest of the missionary team.

They crossed the Aegean Sea and went to European soil. When Paul was in the city of Corinth, the very city that is writing this epistle to. He was a bit discouraged at the early days and weeks and months of ministry and was persuaded. I think it's inclined to leave and go on to someplace that might be more fruitful and in the vision, Jesus spoke to him and said hunker down and stay put.

I have much people in the city. Galatians chapter 2 Paul records the time when there was a lot of turmoil in the church in Jerusalem and in the Antioch of Syria where he was ministering at that time and Judaizers were confusing people with their message of work. Salvation and he went to Jerusalem to consult with the church there and the leaders there and were not told this an expert in Galatians, he says I went up by revelation, I received a special revelation from God told me to do this.

The next chapter 23 when he was under persecution in Jerusalem, the Lord said don't worry about it. This is the way you're going to wrong. You've always wanted to go to Rome you really make it. I'm telling you that by this means you are going to minister in Rome.

And so I counted those six revelations and visions recorded in the Scriptures. Besides this one in second Corinthians 12 and there is no doubt in my mind that there were probably a great many more. So yes Paula say you want to match visions and revelations from God. Let's take a look at my list, but he doesn't mention any of these others. He just goes to one particular that he has never breathed a word about to anyone before Paul gives a reluctant report. I know a man in Christ who 14 years ago, whether in the body I do not know whether out of the body I do not know God knows such a one was caught up to the third heaven and I know such a man, whether in the body or out of the body I do not know God knows how he was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful or a man to under of such a one, I will boast you to myself.

I will not boast, except in my infirmities for 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 here's from me well in regard to this vision is the characterize that here. There are number things about it that are interesting and instructive. Number one, Paul uses 1/3 person to describe it.

We'll talk about that number two Paul dates this event is 14 years ago. Number three, Paul acknowledges the mystery he himself doesn't know whether he was in the body or out of the body. Only God knows, number four, Paul identified his destination. It was the third heaven. That is paradise which tells us exactly where he was number five. Paul explains his limitations.

There's something he could not do something that he must not do number six. Paul repeats his reluctance in number seven Paul reiterates his true credentials uses 1/3 person to describe this, which is a bit puzzling. He doesn't say this is what happened to me he said I know a man, whether in the body or out of the body. I know such a man how he was caught up into heaven into paradise yet is the Scripture unfolds. There can be no question of the slightest doubt that is talking about himself is already said that he is continuing his unwelcome boasting. This is his boasting. These are the listing of his experiences in credentials that he introduces here but talks about in the third person in when we get to verse seven he says unless I now first person should be exalted above measure by the revelation that was given to me a thorn in the flesh was given to me so there's no question it's not not even 1/10 of 1% in doubt that Paul is talking about himself when he speaks in the third person is not talking about some other person so why therefore does he employ this third person manner of speaking which is not characteristic of Paul were not told why, but there couple of possibilities.

Some think it may be because of the nature of his out of body experience. If in fact that he doesn't know it was a caught up in the body or out of the body, but if he was caught up out of the body. It may be that in that position he was looking back upon his body.

We've actually already accounts of people who may be running operating table and they had the experience of leaving their body.

Looking back down upon their body on the operating table then rejoining their body and we scratch our heads and say what what should we make of all that.

Sometimes it's very difficult to tell but we've heard those experiences. This out of body experience work, a person's soul actually is removed from the body for a while and are allowed to view the body. Maybe that explains what Paul is saying here that it seemed to him that he was looking at what was happening to someone else.

What I think is more likely is that he uses 1/3 person because he is reluctant to talk about this experience is now more reluctant to talk about this than anything else that he is listed.

Up until this time, it's far too personal.

It's far too sacred.

It seems like it's just over the top boasting and yet he deems it necessary. Helpfully, Paul dates the event. He said it happened 14 years ago. That means it happened approximately A.D. 42 to 44, which would take place.

Paul either in Tarsus where he wept when he fled from Jerusalem in those early years or in Antioch where he came to help Barnabas to pastor that church before he was sent out on his first missionary journey. So that's the timeframe when he had this experience of being caught up into the third heaven which tells us that probably the Lord gave him this experience in order to prepare him for the unusual hardships that he was going to endure in his upcoming missionary journeys, which is already listed in his boastful accomplishments in credentials in Chapter 11. Furthermore, to prepare him with the power of the spiritual strength is going to need for this incredible missionary ministry to God is given to him.

Paul does acknowledge the mystery about this whole matter. He doesn't know whether he was in the body or out of the body really can't tell his body may have been transported to heaven that possible, or his body may have remained on earth and his spirit transported into heaven. That's possible to he doesn't know what both his mentioning these two possibilities at least tells us something about Paul's understanding his doctor in his theology. In other words, he didn't think that it was beyond possibility that human body could be rapture.

And that's exactly that. He uses here that he was enraptured in the heaven. The same word that is used in first Thessalonians chapter 4 of the rapture of the saints when Jesus Christ returns that he doesn't think it's impossible to say could be rapture into heaven and then returned to earth, nor does he think it's possible for a soul to be removed from the body and then rejoining to the body which would explain some of these out of body experiences that we hear people talk about occasionally, but don't quite know how to categorize or understand. Paul evidently believed that such a thing was possible he could have been out of the body and then returned to the body. Only God knows. Paul does identify his destination as first of all, the third heaven and then second verse two and then paradise. In verse four, the third heaven.

Obviously, he was caught up in the presence of God into the place were God's throne is were God's court is and that also described is as paradise.

Another word that is used for the same location, which is the abode of the departed saints. We all remember that on the cross, when the thief appealed to Jesus Christ in humility and repentance. Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

What did Christ say to him today you shall be with me in paradise.

That's the place. The departed saints and that's the place where we are going to Sunday the third heaven paradise.the first heaven with the clouds and the birds in the in the airplanes fly, not the second heaven, where all the stars in the galaxy that that fast fast fast second heaven that to us is his infinite we've never come to the end of it yet, but the third heaven on beyond that God and his throne is and that's where Paul was caught up to find some limitations in regard to this vision. He tells us about them in verse four how he was caught up in the paradise and heard inexpressible words which it is not lawful for man to utter. He tells us there was something he could not do, and there were something he must not do what he could not do is adequately explained what he heard and saw impossible.

There is not human vocabulary that can do this so number one it's impossible for me to describe what I saw. One reason why he hasn't said anything about it for 14 years is that I don't know how to I don't how to describe but there was even more compelling reason because actually he was told not to. I was hurt. I was shown things I was I was given.

Revelation that it is 70 tells us very clearly on lawful on lawful sinful against the command of God for me to other so even work here where he tells us about the vision he does not tell us what he heard. He does not tell us what he saw when he was in heaven.

I pause to say, what does that say about people who claim to have had similar experiences caught up into heaven, and they come back and tell us all about it.

Describe all about it and I'd say God did let Paul do that, should I believe that really happened to you. Why did white. Why did God say was okay for you to do that when he said it was. Not okay for Paul just just raising the question leave you for the answer for yourself. Furthermore, in verses five and six. Paul repeats his reluctance. He's already explained his reluctance to talk about this but he says again, such a one, I will boast a person to do this yet of myself. I will not boast. That's what PC seems to have separated by this third person technique, the, the one who had the vision from himself because when it comes to himself. He doesn't want to talk about it doesn't want to attach this experience to himself doesn't want people to think of him in the light of this experience is making it clear that's not what I desire such a one, I will boast you to myself.

I will not boast, except in my infirmity keeps going back to that. I'm happy to boast about my infirmities, my weaknesses, my sufferings which he listed in great detail in Chapter 11 is going to go into more detail about one specifically now in chapter 12 is stored in the flesh that he hasn't mentioned before, but he said that I don't mind talking about that. I don't mind listing that I don't mind boasting about if you want to use that term for though I might desire to boast verse six. 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 your hears from me. Refrain from talking more about this experience. Paul does not desire to boast except in his infirmities, even though he assures us that what he's told us so far about this heavenly visit is the absolute truth nothing but the truth so help me God. It is the truth in his art embellished truth. It is exactly the truth and the two saying it that way.

Just just makes the hint that it's almost like he's saying what I'm telling you is absolute truth. Are you sure that what these other guys are telling your true you be sure that that's one thing about these kinds of personal experiences somebody tells you something Jesus does my by my bed one night talk to me of these things that people say I wasn't there. I'm not you, I mean I can't say hundred percent in happened to you, but I can't be sure he did know what you can really prove it. You can tell me what happened to you. You could've been deceived.

You could've had too much pizza you could you could be you could be misled by an evil spirit.

You really don't know what you think you heard and saw and I certainly don't. I can't deny that I can't say you didn't happen to you.

How can someone say that your experience didn't happen to you. I can't say that your experienced pauses. I promise you I'm speaking the absolute unvarnished truth. Are you sure that these other guys are telling you the truth, because, as Paul reminds them of the last part of your six.

The credentials by which you ought to evaluate me and decide whether I am truly God's messenger not have nothing to do with my visions have nothing to do with my going to heaven. I'm not coming to you and say you need to listen to me because I had this vision I can tell you about heaven. I went there, you should listen to me because I've had an abundance of revelations and visions know he said that's not yet.

I've been telling you all along how you're supposed to evaluate these things. I'm not telling you any more about this. Lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me hears his true credentials. What is he telling us the truth could credentials of a messenger of God are number one. His faithful life. And number two is faithful.

Teaching. That's how you evaluate examine my life.

As Paul if I've been faithfully been godly if I live the way I preached. Can you find any inconsistency with what I've told you in the way I live examine my life, my service for Christ. My sacrifice for Christ. That's credential number one category credentials number one and number two is what I teach and preach words of truth.

Have you found me to say anything that is not true.

If you found me to say anything that can be verified from the Scriptures for the revelation that God has given. Can you find me saying anything that contradicts the word of God in any way. So these are the ways that you evaluate me as to whether I'm a faithful teacher of God with them. A messenger of God whether I'm an apostle of God. Now, visions and revelations. Aside they really are irrelevant. That's what Paul is saying they really are irrelevant. This is not important, but that's what these other guys are are touting as being very important. So just sweep all that away just just ignore all that for them ignored for me and evaluate both of us according to our life, and according to our teaching and see what conclusion, if you do that properly you come to the same conclusion, the ball is already come to Chapter 11. These are deceitful workers, false apostle messengers of Satan disguising themselves as Angels of light.

Remember he told us exactly who they were and you can learn all that by examining their life and what they teach. That's all you need to know.

And of course to examine what somebody teaches, means you have to have a standard by which you examine it. So what's the standard, the eternal Word of God. That's the standard take the standard that you know to be true. No error compare with that what people are telling you and see if they match. If they do, this must be a true messenger of God. If they don't then disregard that person stop listening to that person. Stop honoring that person stop encouraging that person, or you will become partaker with his evil deeds. So that's first calls final boast the account of his visit to heaven. But secondly we take up Paul's thorn in the flesh, and he tells us why this thorn in the flesh was given to him in verse 10, seven and lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations is only told us here about 1C is categorizing his visit to heaven is a series of abundant revelation. Perhaps yes, but it sounds more like he's saying I could tell you about a lot more. The abundance of revelations that was given to me the seven I listed for you including this one.

Probably more than that because of the abundance of revelations that was given to me. Something else was also given to me thorn in the flesh was given to me messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure so regarding six souls were Paul's thorn in the flesh. What does he tells about that in all give you the five things were going to examine number one. The reason it was given number to the nature of this thorn number three. The prayer for deliverance. Number four the denial of Paul's requested number five, the nature of Paul's submission reason it was given because of these incredible revelations.

The magnitude of the. The nature of the revelations they'd caught up into heaven really nail really know these other guys even in their embellish and maybe untruthful reports of revelations of they got anything to mention that I doubt it, but the abundance of the revelations in the number of them. He said because of this lease.

Abundance of revelations which clearly is far more abundant than that, even of the critics that you are listening to, but because of that there was given to Mrs. Paul this thorn in the flesh to keep me from pride, lest I should be exalted above measure above what is appropriate for you and apostle of Jesus Christ. Surely you don't have pride. I am a son of Adam, as we all are. I'm not yet fully sanctified, I'm not with the Lord.

So yes, I have pride just like you have pride we all have pride.

That really is one of our biggest problems isn't it they enormity of our pride and how easily get swollen way beyond measure. Paul said, for that reason there was given to me this thorn in the flesh so that should not be exalted above measure.

Secondly, what is the nature of this thorn was clearly a physical disability.

The very title that is given to it tells us that a thorn in the flesh body flesh body. I say that because are some people who try to make it out something else because the idea of Paul having a thorn in the body.

Kind of goes against the the teaching doctrine.

Some people some of these health and wealth people who will tell you that if you really trust God will be healthy and wealthy is no reason for anyone to be sick. Just trust God, believe you trouble with Paul and his thorn in the flesh, so they say will depression this was psychological none on a no no no no it's not a thorn in the soul is not a thorn in the mind. It is a thorn in the flesh.

That's pretty pretty easy to understand is thorn in the flesh, and furthermore it was a satanic hindrance, a messenger of Satan to buffet me getting tells us it was given to us given him by God. So again we learn this truth that some people have trouble absorbing what is so important to understand, namely the trials and afflictions to come into our lives are designed by God, but delivered by Satan to understand they are hatched and have designed by God, but for whatever purposes God commissions them to be delivered is the deliveryman he's he's coming around with the car and doesn't say Domino's Pizza on it. It says satanic trials on Satan comes along and delivers these trials, but think that they come from Satan and not from God that will betray your misunderstanding of Scripture and will lead you off and all kinds of bedpans application and difficulty but these trials that are admittedly delivered by Satan. He wants to hurt us. He does his best. He's evil in his motives, but nevertheless they are designed by God and delivered by Satan, but God has a good and gracious purpose and that and that tells us of Satan's evil is made to minister to God's people blessing should say that another way Satan's evil is made to minister blessings to God's people does he want to know. Does he plan turned out that his purpose though he can't help but because remember, Satan is who he is merely the what I willing servant of Jehovah. He does what God tells them to do not relevantly, but he does so because of the abundance of the revelations that was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure phone records forces prayer, his intense prayer for deliverance.

He didn't want this.

He didn't enjoy this. He did welcome this any more than we do.

Our sicknesses are paying our trials. He said three times. He besought the Lord to take it a night.

All everybody that I've read takes the same understanding of that to mean there were three intense periods were Paul besought the throne of grace, not just there were three times.

He lifted a prayer heavenward, but there were three particular seasons of intense prayer.

When Paul said God deliveryman and end God had done that so many times in Paul's prayers before both for himself or them for other people.

Paul was accustomed to praying for deliverance and seeing God answer that prayer with with deliverance and yet Paul has some seasons of prayer, probably with fasting.

The windows mentioned that I can't. I can insert that knife to be careful on I'm I've come to the conclusion. Some people say more about fasting than that is legitimately taught to us in Scripture and make it a requirement when I don't see the Scripture making it a requirement, but it certainly does recommend it.

And if you're serious about something you probably will will exercise it from time to time, and I impulsively serious about this. He wanted this remote and so he went through three intense periods of praying for its removal and was only after the third such season of prayer that God even gave them an answer. The first time, heaven was silent.

No answer from the to the apostle Paul that might help you some of your rose by prayer. God doesn't answer me Paul prayed, God didn't answer him all right. Time went by. Probably these three episodes to begin the speculation correspond to three times when the pain became particularly intense, almost unbearable. Drove Paul to his knees, drove Paul to get away from everything else drove Paul to a period of of intense prayer and a pray God did answer heaven was silent. He went on with life and then there came another time maybe another intense period of pain and he drew aside again maybe for several days and nights impregnated heaven was silent. God didn't answer him and then life went on and he thought maybe I can bear this. After all, and then you came another. In the scene just unbearable and he spent days and nights. Perhaps in prayer and not the answer came and he said to me, verse nine. My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. There is the answer. After the third petition he said to me perfect tense. It happened in a point of time but has continuing results. Perfect tense. This is God standing answer for this particular problem. He said to me, and this is how this I will be staying Paul on not going to heal you. I'm not going to take away the thorn in the flesh instead. I promise you that my grace is sufficient to sustain you in this trial and I tell you. Furthermore, I remind you. Furthermore then my strength, my power is made complete is made greater your weakness and this is weakness and that means more of my power life and so finally after this third period of request, God revealed his will and his remedy guarding this petition, the answer is no I will not heal my grace is sufficient for you to endure it.

God's promise the same for us. There is no trial taken you but such as is common to man and God is faithful God is faithful God is always faithful, who will not, God will not allow the suffering to be greater.

You can bear. But will with the testing provide a way of escape. She may be. That's what God told Paul, my grace is sufficient for you to endure it and my spiritual power is given to accompany you with this affliction to to help you with the affliction itself, but even for a greater reason which Paul will make clear in a moment. Well it's it's obvious I'll go ahead and mention it is sufficient.

This power is given to make Paul's life of ministry more effective is to make you more fruitful is to make his preaching more powerful.

It's to make his evangelism more powerful is to make his church planting more successful. It's to make his life more fruitful for the Lord Jesus Christ and that comes because of his week through which God is going to mediate greater divine strength when commentator said to serve Christ. None is too weak, but many are too strong to serve Christ effectively.

None our true weight, but many are too strong.

They think they can do it. We think we can do it when you think you stand, take heed lest you fall, none is too weak to serve God powerfully and effectively. But many many many are too strong in themselves to be able to experience God's power made perfect in weakness's which brings us into the nature Paul submission verses nine and 10.

Therefore, he says in verse the middle of verse nine. Therefore, because God said my grace is sufficient for you, 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. Therefore, verse 10, another therefore I take pleasure in infirmities and reproaches and needs and persecutions and distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong when I weaken myself and I know that I'm weak and I feel my weakness and I say Lord take this alliance cantering make from serving in the way I want to is hindering me from being able to preach the way I want to send a way of traveling around that I want to do for you, for your sake of the gospel take this alliance cantering the God said no I'm giving it to because your pride is a greater hindrance and in your weakness. When you feel it when you know what, then, my strength is made greater it's perfect. So the nature Paul submission to God's revealed will about his thorn in the flesh is first of all, knowledgeable. Therefore, therefore, because of what he said I will glory in my infirmities. Therefore, another was his faith was grounded in Revelation, it's because God told me that since he has worked there for most gladly I will rather boast of my infirmities's faith based upon Revelation's faith based upon the word of God not based upon the way he feels about it not based upon what he thinks got to do to make you more effective servant based on what God is told. Therefore, knowledgeable submission is secondly a cheerful submission.

Therefore most gladly happily cheerfully.

This is not gloomy resignation. All right Godbold he'll make a guess I'll have to plow through, but I sure don't like it gladly step on her toes and triple. Most gladly I will boast in my infirmities at the power of Christ may rest upon me literally that could be translated that his power may pitch a tent upon me come upon me and stay upon that God's power may pitch a tent upon me do that. I guess I can, I cannot only accept these trials in infirmities, I can rejoice and that's the result. Yes, if that's the result and so was cheerful submission. It was comprehensive submission wasn't for just this one thorn in the flesh. It was as he tells us in verse 10, four infirmities were injuries for needs for persecutions for distresses every trial for every difficulty I submit to the mall I'll just go ahead and do that had a type whatever you send.

Lord, if you give me the grace I'll gladly submit Albert up. I will complain I will resist.

I will doubt I will keep asking why, Lord, are you letting this happen to me why this happened to me. I'm sure you've never done anything like that but it was purposeful submission for Christ's sake, Christ's sake, therefore I take pleasure in verse 10, in infirmities and reproaches her needs and persecutions of distresses for Christ's sake, and it is insightful submission. His last statement in verse 10 for when I am weak, then I am strong when I am weak in the flesh when I am weak in the body. When I am weak in my humanness, then I am strong because God doesn't use strong people.

God doesn't use gifted people who are proud of their gifts and want to show off their gifts to think there's so gifted and strong and able to just go to while everybody with their gifts. God doesn't use people like that God uses people who recognize that there weak but their nobodies that without Christ, they can do nothing. God uses people who realize that nothing is accomplished in my strength. But the mountains are moved by weak people in Christ power the understand that nothing is accomplished by my strength, but mountains are moved by weak people with the power of Christ slowly through the this passage we learn something of the value of visions and revelations in when they are given is not to impress others. We have a lot of question about this sort of thing today is God still doing this in his God, stop doing this and there are Bible scholars company Bible scholars on both sides of the question think he still does doing something he doesn't will this much I can tell you if he does give you a visual revelation like this is not for you to brag about.

It's not for you to tell others about is not for you to write a book about it's not for you to make much of yourself about. If you doing it that way. It is not from God. If they are given.

It's not to impress others, but is to strengthen the individual was given to Paul to strengthen him 14 years ago was 14 years. He said nothing and he wouldn't continue to say nothing of the ending kinda back into the corner by false teachers in court, but it wasn't given to him to promote himself or to while other people to strengthen and encourage him in his own inner man in his own work for Christ in his own facing of trials and difficulties so he could remember that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be to be compared to the glories, it shall be revealed hereafter. God gave him the privilege of saying some of the glories that were all going to experience hereafter, and that strengthened him for any credible life difficulty and suffer passage also teaches us something about the nature of answered prayer and prayer is not always answered in such a way as to relieve our suffering. It's not wrong to pray for that we should take all of our needs and burdens to the Lord in prayer.

But we should not think that God doesn't answer that prayer the way we think he got into that brevity. Somehow let us down or that his prayer promises are not right.

Not true. You can be the women's understanding anything or or that I'm not a true child of God or something defective about my foot faith those things are true. When you understand Scripture. The truth is the God doesn't intend to relieve all suffering some he does some he doesn't when he doesn't. He has a better purpose for God doesn't always intend to release suffering but he always intends to minister blessing and increase usefulness through every trial. He always intends to minister blessing and increase our usefulness through every trial. Which brings me to this lesson which is the purpose of afflictions grows out of the second one. What is the purpose of afflictions of God brings into our life is to grow us in grace and knowledge want to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Well, some knowledge, we grow in buying studying Scripture some knowledge we grow in by suffering which drives us into Scripture in a fresher and more urgent way helps us to bring more out of scripture than we would have had otherwise applied to these areas of our life is to grow us in grace and knowledge and it is to increase our effectiveness that we might feel our weakness that we might sense our weakness that we might cry out in our weakness for God's help and that his strength might be made perfect in weakness. Got a couple of quotation.

See if you will indulge me first one from Chrysostom. You all know him, don't you, and I took this by the way, from the Riverside report from Riverside Baptist Church in Richwood West Virginia that sends out a wonderful email paper every week my friend there Brent C Krista comes the tri-state Fellowship with health and distance allowing about five or six hours away because Chrysostom that great golden tongue preacher of the fourth century in the city of Antioch were Paul started out his his church ministry. Here's what Chrysostom wrote, quote how great is the advantage of affliction for now. Indeed, we are in the enjoyment of peace we have become so Pauline and lacks and have filled the church with countless evils.

But when we were persecuted we were more sober minded and more earnest and more ready for church attendance and for hearing." America churches in America are you hearing that generated again start to get it all first time through. We go how great is the advantage of affliction. For now, indeed, we are in the enjoyment enjoyment of peace we have become supine look that one up in the dictionary and lacks that have filled the church with countless evils. But when we were persecuted. We were more sober minded and more earnest and more ready for church attendance for hearing is listening to God's word. I think some Christians think of the very worst thing that could happen to us in America is that we should suffer religious persecution. Look I I'm not praying for persecution. I don't welcome persecution. I will use my citizenship privileges to try to hold it back and prevented as much as possible, but I also know that prosperity and peace hasn't been good for Christians in America. Maybe we need some persecution is another quote. Oh, this one comes from the Riverside Baptist report. I got them backwards the other. When I took out of a commentary think the commentary by Philip Hughes. Sorry about that, and put my source down here I here's the one from from a pastor Brent Seachrist in the Riverside Baptist that he took from monetarism and I quote in 1949 when the People's Republic of China was established in the woods when it when the communist government was established.

There were 1 million believing Christians. As far as anybody could count 1 million in 1949, now 72 years later, under intense persecution.

There are well over 100 million political or correct cultural situation never puts the kingdom of God at risk. The gospel is never trained you can and does thrive under any circumstance, but explained that China was free 1 million Christians out of how many nobles hundreds of millions of people more than a billion people intense persecution were to stop by Christianity were to stop by Christianity were to stop out Christianity.

Another hundred million Christians had explained that it is. I have learned, said Paul that when I am weak, then God is strong. I've learned that God's power is made perfect in weakness. My closing statement. Paul's vision was accompanied with additional suffering his vision to heaven was accompanied with additional suffering question number one. Is this true charismatics. Today the charismatics to make much of visions and revelations do they talk about the suffering that accompanies there is not usually practice the opposite would they desire more visions if they knew that it met increase suffering not likely, but move the spotlight away from charismatic problematic theology into ourselves.

Would we welcome more suffering. If we knew that it brought more the power of Christ upon us, and if not why not. We grow into comfortable to wedded to this world to unconcerned about Christ's kingdom is a lot to learn. This passage shall we pray father, thank you for teaching us from your word and plant these truths in our souls. We pray that