Pastor Cho's Sermon Outline - Yoido Full
Gospel Church - Seoul, KoreaThe Paradox of Believers 2 Corinthians 12:7 ~ 12:10 2008-10-05
"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. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 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."
Introduction: A life of faith has many contradictions compared to the principles of a worldly life. For example, the Bible says, "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." And, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Today, I want us to think about a few of them.
1. I am strong when I am weak. 1) We rely on ourselves when we are strong. 2) We ask for help when we are weak (2Co 1:9). 3) Apostle Paul was spiritually strong because of the revelation and knowledge he received. He could have been arrogant. 4) He was given a thorn in his flesh (disease), a messenger of Satan, which made him weak. He always depended on God in order to remain in God's power (2Co 12:7-10).
2. I become a victor when I surrender to God. 1) Jacob wrestled at the ford of the Jabbok (Ge 32:24-33:20). ⓛ In great fear and distress of his brother and 400 men, he had his wives, children and herds cross the ford of the Jabbok while he crouched on the other side, watching what was going on. ② Jacob desperately resisted when the messenger of God forced him to cross the river. The messenger of God touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched and made him surrender, because Jacob would not give up all night (Ge 32:24-25). ③ Jacob became lame. Although he became lame, he surrendered to God and solely relied on God (Ge 32:26-28). ④ By reconciling Jacob with his brother and 400 men, God showed Jacob that he could become a victor when he surrendered to God (Ge 33:3-4).
3. I am full when I become an empty vessel. 1) If we are filled with sin and the world, we will not have any room for heaven. ⓛ We must repent of sin, leave the secular world, and empty ourselves (Mt 4:17). ② The kingdom of God fully dwells in an empty heart (Mt 5:3). 2) Blessing will come on us when we get rid of our greed. ⓛ Do not be stingy with tithes and offerings, but give generously (Mal 3:10-12). ② Share love and happiness with neighbors. Then God will fill us (Lk 6:38).
4. I live eternally when I die. 1) Our spirit will die when our flesh lives. Flesh is the slave to greed, worldly desire, the world and the devil (1Jn 2:15-16). 2) Our spirit will live when we nail our flesh to the Cross with Christ (Gal 2:20-21). 3) Look at the Cross where I died with Jesus (2Co 5:17). ⓛ Think ② Dream ③ Believe ④ Confess with your lips
Conclusion: I am strong when I am weak, I become a victor when I surrender to God, I am full when I become an empty vessel, and I live eternally when I die.
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