Pauls Vision
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Transcript of Pauls Vision
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s Vision2 Corinthians 12:2-10
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Paul‟s Vision
On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a
“vision.”
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Paul‟s Vision
On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a
“vision.”◦ “A personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the
air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . . Not only was
his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was
glorified beyond description . . . . [He] said unto me that
he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to
me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a
work for me to do.”
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Paul‟s Vision
On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a
“vision.”◦ “A personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the
air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . . Not only was
his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was
glorified beyond description . . . . [He] said unto me that
he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to
me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a
work for me to do.”
◦ Obviously, we cannot believe Smith‟s claims.
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Paul‟s Vision
On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a
“vision.”◦ “A personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the
air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . . Not only was
his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was
glorified beyond description . . . . [He] said unto me that
he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to
me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a
work for me to do.”
◦ Obviously, we cannot believe Smith‟s claims. Such visions have ended.
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Paul‟s Vision
On September 21, 1823, Joseph Smith had a
“vision.”◦ “A personage appeared at my bedside, standing in the
air, for his feet did not touch the floor . . . . Not only was
his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was
glorified beyond description . . . . [He] said unto me that
he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to
me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a
work for me to do.”
◦ Obviously, we cannot believe Smith‟s claims. Such visions have ended.
The message of Smith‟s “visions” contracts the message
of Jesus‟ apostles.
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Paul‟s Vision
But, in Paul‟s day, many did receive revelations from
God.
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Paul‟s Vision
But, in Paul‟s day, many did receive revelations from
God.◦ It seems that many well-meaning Christians had
trouble separating the claims of true visions & the
claims of visions like Joseph Smith‟s.
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Paul‟s Vision
But, in Paul‟s day, many did receive revelations from
God.◦ It seems that many well-meaning Christians had
trouble separating the claims of true visions & the
claims of visions like Joseph Smith‟s.
◦ In Corinth, some false prophets were upsetting the faith
of some.
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Paul‟s Vision
But, in Paul‟s day, many did receive revelations from
God.◦ It seems that many well-meaning Christians had
trouble separating the claims of true visions & the
claims of visions like Joseph Smith‟s.
◦ In Corinth, some false prophets were upsetting the faith
of some: “If someone comes and proclaims another
Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a
different spirit from the one you received, or if you
accept a different gospel from the one you accepted,
you put up with it readily enough” (2 Cor 11:4, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets apparently wanted to discredit
Paul.
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets apparently wanted to discredit
Paul.◦ In the final four chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul defends
himself against the claims of these “super-apostles.”
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets apparently wanted to discredit
Paul.◦ In the final four chapters of 2 Corinthians, Paul defends
himself against the claims of these “super-apostles.”
◦ “I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even
though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were
performed among you with utmost patience, with signs
and wonders and mighty works” (2 Cor 12:11-12, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
2 CORINTHIANS 12:2-20
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets were apparently boasting about
receiving so-called “revelations” from God.
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets were apparently boasting about
receiving so-called “revelations” from God.
Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations.
Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from
God.
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets were apparently boasting about
receiving so-called “revelations” from God.
Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations.
Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from
God.
Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets were apparently boasting about
receiving so-called “revelations” from God.
Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations.
Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from
God.
Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.◦ This was a common method among the rabbis in order
to avoid pride.
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets were apparently boasting about
receiving so-called “revelations” from God.
Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations.
Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from
God.
Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.◦ This was a common method among the rabbis in order
to avoid pride.
◦ The context makes it clear that Paul speaks of himself.
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Paul‟s Vision
These false prophets were apparently boasting about
receiving so-called “revelations” from God.
Paul basically says, “They boast about revelations.
Let me tell you about a real revelation I had from
God.
Paul writes in the third, rather than the first, person.◦ This was a common method among the rabbis in order
to avoid pride.
◦ The context makes it clear that Paul speaks of himself.
Why else would God send a “messenger of Satan” to
torment Paul unless he himself received the message?
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Paul‟s Vision
GOD’S MIND
vv 2-4
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Paul‟s Vision
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was
caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body
or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I
know that this man was caught up into paradise—
whether in the body or out of the body I do not know,
God knows—and he heard things that cannot be
told, which man may not utter” (vv 2-4, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the
“super-apostles” were boasting about their position.
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the
“super-apostles” were boasting about their position. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (10:17, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the
“super-apostles” were boasting about their position. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (10:17, ESV).
“Whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking
as a fool—I also dare to boast of that” (11:21, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the
“super-apostles” were boasting about their position.
◦ Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on
boasting” (12:1, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the
“super-apostles” were boasting about their position.
◦ Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on
boasting” (12:1, ESV). Paul then “boasts” about the vision he received.
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Paul‟s Vision
Both of Paul‟s epistles to the Corinthians are laden
with sarcasm.◦ As Paul defends his apostleship, it‟s quite clear that the
“super-apostles” were boasting about their position.
◦ Paul says, quite tongue-in-check, “I must go on
boasting” (12:1, ESV). Paul then “boasts” about the vision he received.
But, in his boasting, Paul can‟t say if the experience was
in or out of the body & he can‟t repeat what he heard.
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
◦ What things did Paul hear?
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.” KJV: Paul “heard unspeakable words.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.” KJV: Paul “heard unspeakable words.”
This simply means that Paul cannot tell what he heard, for he heard
things “which man may not utter.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.”
God knows what Paul heard in “the third heaven,” but we
don‟t.
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul‟s point in his mock boasting is to say: “There‟s
no point in boasting about what one can do or what
one has seen, for it‟s God who determines those
things.”◦ Paul had no idea whether he experienced “the third
heaven” “in the body or out of the body.” How could we
know?
◦ What things did Paul hear? Paul heard “things that cannot be told.”
God knows what Paul heard in “the third heaven,” but we
don‟t. Paul knew what he heard in “the third heaven,” but
the Corinthians didn‟t.
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Paul‟s Vision
GOD KNOWS MUCH THAT WE DO NOT KNOW.
The point:
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Paul‟s Vision
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but
the things that are revealed belong to us and to our
children forever, that we may do all the words of this
law” (Deut 29:29, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but
the things that are revealed belong to us and to our
children forever, that we may do all the words of this
law” (Deut 29:29, ESV).
“The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the
weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor 1:25,
ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
DOES THAT NOT REALLY PUT MAN IN HIS PLACE?
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Paul‟s Vision
GOD IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS ALL.
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Paul‟s Vision
DIVINE MEEKNESS
v 7
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Paul‟s Vision
“To keep me from becoming conceited because of
the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn
was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to
harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited” (v
7, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul.
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul. The purpose of this “messenger” was to keep Paul from
becoming too conceited.
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul. The purpose of this “messenger” was to keep Paul from
becoming too conceited. Satan would have loved Paul‟s becoming conceited, wouldn‟t he?
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul. The purpose of this “messenger” was to keep Paul from
becoming too conceited. Satan would have loved Paul‟s becoming conceited, wouldn‟t he?
Imagine the benefit to Satan‟s kingdom if this “messenger” hadn‟t
been sent & Paul became conceited!
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul. The purpose of this “messenger” was to keep Paul from
becoming too conceited. Satan would have loved Paul‟s becoming conceited, wouldn‟t he?
Imagine the benefit to Satan‟s kingdom if this “messenger” hadn‟t
been sent & Paul became conceited!
This messenger‟s purpose makes clear he was sent by
God.
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul.
◦ God‟s control of the universe even extends to Satan.
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul.
◦ God‟s control of the universe even extends to Satan. Satan can only do what the Lord allows!
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Paul‟s Vision
This verse demonstrates God‟s control over Satan.◦ It‟s God who sent the “messenger of Satan to harass”
Paul.
◦ God‟s control of the universe even extends to Satan. Satan can only do what the Lord allows!
Satan cannot tempt us beyond what we can handle (1 Cor
10:13).
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Paul‟s Vision
The word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or “stake.”
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Paul‟s Vision
The word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or “stake.”◦ The word was used for stakes that were used for
torture.
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Paul‟s Vision
The word “thorn” can mean either “thorn” or “stake.”◦ The word was used for stakes that were used for
torture.
◦ It‟s not clear if “thorn” or “stake” is intended, but it
doesn‟t matter.
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ The only hint from the text is that it was “in the flesh.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ The only hint from the text is that it was “in the flesh.”
◦ That likely rules out temptation or guilt or any other
psychological issue.
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight.
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight.
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21).
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21); it‟s highly
likely that most, if not all, of Paul‟s epistles were dictated to
someone who wrote them down.
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21); it‟s highly
likely that most, if not all, of Paul‟s epistles were dictated to
someone who wrote them down.
“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand”
(Gal 6:11, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight. Tertius wrote the Epistle to the Romans (Rom 16:21); it‟s highly
likely that most, if not all, of Paul‟s epistles were dictated to
someone who wrote them down.
“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand”
(Gal 6:11, ESV).
Some have suggested that the reason Paul took others with him on
his journeys was so that they could lead him around.
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Paul‟s Vision
Through the years, scholars have tried to identify this
“thorn.”◦ Some have said that this refers to bad eyesight. It‟s quite obvious that Paul had poor eyesight.
If, as some have suggested, the poor eyesight is a result
of the light on the road to Damascus, this cannot be the
“thorn in the flesh,” for Paul‟s thorn came after his
conversion.
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.◦ “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I
preached the gospel to you at first, and though my
condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or
despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as
Christ Jesus” (Gal 4:13-14, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14. Granted, the next verse (15) says that the Galatians would
have plucked out their eyes for Paul.
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14. Granted, the next verse (15) says that the Galatians would
have plucked out their eyes for Paul.
But, it‟s difficult to imagine that a visual difficulty would
have been a “trial” for the Galatians.
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14.
◦ “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1
Cor 10:10, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14.
◦ “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1
Cor 10:10, ESV). “His bodily presence is weak” makes me think Paul had
more physical problems than poor eyesight.
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Paul‟s Vision
There are clues that Paul had some sort of physical
deformity.◦ Gal 4:13-14.
◦ “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily
presence is weak, and his speech of no account” (1
Cor 10:10, ESV). “His bodily presence is weak” makes me think Paul had
more physical problems than poor eyesight.
His ailment could have been a neurological condition or
injury that affected both the way Paul saw & the way
others saw him.
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Paul‟s Vision
Early church tradition describes Paul‟s appearance in
a less than aesthetic way.
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Paul‟s Vision
Early church tradition describes Paul‟s appearance in
a less than aesthetic way.◦ A document from the late second century says that
Paul was “a man little of stature, thin haired upon the
head, crooked in the legs, [and] a nose somewhat
hooked.”
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Paul‟s Vision
Early church tradition describes Paul‟s appearance in
a less than aesthetic way.◦ A document from the late second century says that
Paul was “a man little of stature, thin haired upon the
head, crooked in the legs, [and] a nose somewhat
hooked.”
◦ While it‟s not certain, this tradition may contain a kernel
of truth.
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Paul‟s Vision
It doesn‟t matter what Paul‟s “thorn in the flesh” may
or may not have been.
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Paul‟s Vision
It doesn‟t matter what Paul‟s “thorn in the flesh” may
or may not have been.
The important thing is that this “messenger of Satan”
was sent to Paul to keep him meek.
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Paul‟s Vision
Suffering can have quite positive effects.
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Paul‟s Vision
Suffering can have quite positive effects.◦ “We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the
affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly
burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life
itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the
sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on
ourselves but on God who raises the dead” (2 Cor 1:8-
9, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Suffering can have quite positive effects.◦ 2 Cor 1:8-9.
◦ “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith
produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its
full effect, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing” (Js 1:2-4, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Suffering can have quite positive effects.◦ 2 Cor 1:8-9.
◦ Js 1:2-4.
When we face suffering, we dare not forget that it
can have quite positive effects on our lives.
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Paul‟s Vision
DIVINE MIGHT
vv 8-10
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Paul‟s Vision
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that
it should leave me. 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
of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am
content with weaknesses, insults, hardships,
persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak,
then I am strong” (vv 8-10, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the
messenger of Satan would leave him.
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the
messenger of Satan would leave him.◦ But, the Lord refused to send Satan‟s messenger away
from Paul.
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the
messenger of Satan would leave him.◦ But, the Lord refused to send Satan‟s messenger away
from Paul.
◦ We dare not forget that the Lord‟s refusal to answer a
prayer the way we want does not mean that he does
not hear or that he does not care.
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the
messenger of Satan would leave him.◦ But, the Lord refused to send Satan‟s messenger away
from Paul.
◦ We dare not forget that the Lord‟s refusal to answer a
prayer the way we want does not mean that he does
not hear or that he does not care. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden for the Father to
remove the cross, but the Father did not do so.
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Paul‟s Vision
Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the
messenger of Satan would leave him.◦ But, the Lord refused to send Satan‟s messenger away
from Paul.
◦ We dare not forget that the Lord‟s refusal to answer a
prayer the way we want does not mean that he does
not hear or that he does not care. Jesus prayed three times in the Garden for the Father to
remove the cross, but the Father did not do so.
If the very Son of God did not have his prayer answered
the way he wanted, who are we to think that God will
always answer our prayers the way we want?
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Paul‟s Vision
God did not refuse to answer Paul‟s prayer.
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Paul‟s Vision
God did not refuse to answer Paul‟s prayer.
Instead, the Lord says to him, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of
what transpires in life.
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of
what transpires in life.
◦ “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on
the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields
yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and
there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the
LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD,
the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the
deer‟s; he makes me tread on my high places” (Hab
3:17-20, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of
what transpires in life.
◦ Hab 3:17-20. The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between
the prophet & God.
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of
what transpires in life.
◦ Hab 3:17-20. The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between
the prophet & God. Habakkuk simply cannot understand how God can be just, for evil is
all around him.
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of
what transpires in life.
◦ Hab 3:17-20. The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between
the prophet & God. Habakkuk simply cannot understand how God can be just, for evil is
all around him.
God responds that he is sovereign & he acts according to his will,
not Habakkuk‟s.
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Paul‟s Vision
God‟s grace is abundant regardless of what trial we
face.◦ Thus, we can put our confidence in God regardless of
what transpires in life.
◦ Hab 3:17-20. The Book of Habakkuk is a series of dialogues between
the prophet & God.
By the end of the Book, Habakkuk trusts God & says that
regardless of what transpires, he will place confidence in
God.
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself.
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth
(Acts 14:8-10).
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth
(Acts 14:8-10).
In Philippi, Paul healed a girl possessed by a demon (Acts
16:16-18).
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. At Lystra, Paul healed a man who was lame from birth
(Acts 14:8-10).
In Philippi, Paul healed a girl possessed by a demon (Acts
16:16-18).
“God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of
Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had
touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their
diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them”
(Acts 19:11-12, ESV).
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. It had to be obvious that Paul wasn‟t healing through his
own power.
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. It had to be obvious that Paul wasn‟t healing through his
own power.
The power Paul used to heal had to be the power of God.
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Paul‟s Vision
The Lord also tells Paul that his power is made
perfect in weakness.◦ If Paul had an illness obvious to others, think about the
ironic power God displayed through him.
◦ Paul could heal others, but he could not heal himself. It had to be obvious that Paul wasn‟t healing through his
own power.
The power Paul used to heal had to be the power of God.
Nothing else made any sense at all!
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Paul‟s Vision
IS IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN DISPLAY GREAT POWER THROUGH OUR WEAKNESSES?
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Paul‟s Vision
IS IT IMPOSSIBLE THAT GOD CAN DISPLAY GREAT POWER THROUGH OUR WEAKNESSES?
How much might be accomplished for
the cause of Christ through our
sufferings?
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Paul‟s Vision
ARE YOU READY TO DISPLAY GOD’S POWER THROUGH YOUR SUFFERING?