Sermon, May 17, 2009 - A Good God Doing a Good Work
2 Corinthians 12.7-10
A Good God Doing a Good Work
A. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN THE AFFLICTIONS OF MEN [7]
1. A THORN given
Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” is, by its very lack of definition,
a type of every Christian’s “thorn in the flesh” [Philip Hughes].
2. A thorn GIVEN
B. THE REALITY OF THE WORLD OF EVIL [7]
1. A messenger of Satan
2. Is this something we need to think about?
3. What should I do?
a. Pray [as Paul does here]
b. Submit to God [James 4.7-8]
c. Resist the devil’s suggestions [1 Peter 5.6-9]
C. THE DYNAMICS OF UNANSWERED PRAYER [8-9]
1. Sometimes God delays an answer
2. Sometimes God says NO
3. Sometimes God says NO to give you a greater YES
We sometimes ask for silver,
but God wants to give us gold instead [Martin Luther].
D. THE HIDEOUSNESS OF PRIDE [7]
Pride is turning away from God specifically to take satisfaction in self.
So pride is one specific form of unbelief [John Piper].
E. THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD DISAPPOINTMENT [9-10]
1. Not resignation, but contentment
2. Not a stoic contentment, but glad contentment
John Olson
